Abstract: By using a single timestamp for both video streams, existing video processing frameworks can be used in a decoder to render a single output video where the detail from one stream is combined with the carrier from the other stream. In one embodiment, the carrier stream carries the time frame and time frame offsets are used to instruct the decoder as to the relative frame position in the detail stream. The encoding process inserts data into the transmission related to housekeeping chores on a frame by frame basis. The inserted data pertains to items such as carrier timestamping, detail offset timestamping; encryption, compression levels for the carrier and detail streams. In one embodiment, each of the streams is individually buffered and algorithms are used to match each carrier frame with a corresponding detail frame. Seeking is accomplished by identifying a desired carrier stream I-frame and then matching that I-frame with a proper I-frame of the detail stream.

Abstract: By multiplexing a plurality of elementary video streams it is possible to combine the streams so that they appear as a single stream to existing transportation protocols. In one embodiment, the Carrier stream retains its timestamp and resolution information and metadata is added that allows for the reconstruction of the missing timestamps and/or resolution information for each frame of the Detail stream. In this manner, the transportation protocol is unaware that a second video stream has been hidden in the first stream and thus two video streams are transported concurrently using a protocol established for a single stream.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows highly compressed data files to be expanded in a standalone decoder having an output at least 80 times larger than the compressed input. In one embodiment, a universally available interface is used to transport encoded media from a host PC to a decoder external to the PC for expansion and presentation as a HD display image. In one embodiment, a USB port of the user's PC (or other storage device) is used to transport data at a rate of between 0.3 Mbit/sec and 5 Mbits/sec for expansion into a robust HD signal of up to about 3Gbits/sec or higher. In other embodiments, provision is made for reducing the decompressed expanded data file to below 480 Mbits/sec so as to accommodate retransport of the decompressed file back to the PC or storage device for temporary storage or display.