Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to a model of a receiver for the bit stream. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer that multiplexes varying bit-rate MPEG-2 bit streams onto a satellite up-link. Minimum and maximum output rates for each MPEG-2 bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The rates with regard to the decoder are determined using timing information read from the bit stream and a general model of an MPEG-2 decoder. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to available bandwidths. A digital flywheel provides continuous feedback from an encoding system to a video compression engine in order to assure that the clock rates between the two remain appropriately synchronized.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to a model of a receiver for the bit stream. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer that multiplexes varying bit-rate MPEG-2 bit streams onto a satellite up-link. Minimum and maximum output rates for each MPEG-2 bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The rates with regard to the decoder are determined using timing information read from the bit stream and a general model of an MPEG-2 decoder. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate.

Abstract: Variable rate multiplexer devices have, by definition, a variable output rate for bits of information encoded therein. As a result necessary time sync information such as program clock reference information cannot be guaranteed to be delivered within the time interval thresholds mandated by certain industry broadcast standards, such as MPEG-2 and digital video broadcast (“DVB”). Transmission of reference signals, such as PCR information, may be assured by inserting detection means to detect the time interval between occurrences of the reference signal. If the interval between occurrences of the reference signal exceeds a predetermined time interval threshold, the detection means will instruct a memory device to provide a reference signal, which is then imprinted with reference signal information and inserted into the stream of information being output by the multiplexer.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to a model of a receiver for the bit stream. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer that multiplexes varying bit-rate MPEG-2 bit streams onto a satellite up-link. Minimum and maximum output rates for each MPEG-2 bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The rates with regard to the decoder are determined using timing information read from the bit stream and a general model of an MPEG-2 decoder. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to available bandwidths. A digital flywheel provides continuous feedback from an encoding system to a video compression engine in order to assure that the clock rates between the two remain appropriately synchronized.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to a model of a receiver for the bit stream. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer that multiplexes varying bit-rate MPEG-2 bit streams onto a satellite up-link. Minimum and maximum output rates for each MPEG-2 bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The rates with regard to the decoder are determined using timing information read from the bit stream and a general model of an MPEG-2 decoder. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to available bandwidths. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer that multiplexes varying bit-rate bit streams onto a satellite up-link. Minimum and maximum output rates for each bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The multiplexer looks at the fullness of the memory buffers and correlates the fullness with the likelihood of a condition in which output will exceed bandwidth. If there is not enough bandwidth to give every bit stream its minimum rate, glue frames may be inserted, or low priority channels dropped.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to available bandwidths. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer 80 that multiplexes varying bit-rate bit streams. Minimum and maximum output rates for each bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate. If there is not enough bandwidth to give every bit stream its minimum rate, glue frames may be inserted, or low priority channels dropped.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to a model of a receiver for the bit stream. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer that multiplexes varying bit-rate MPEG-2 bit streams onto a satellite up-link. Minimum and maximum output rates for each MPEG-2 bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The rates with regard to the decoder are determined using timing information read from the bit stream and a general model of an MPEG-2 decoder. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to available bandwidths. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer 80 that multiplexes varying bit-rate bit streams. Minimum and maximum output rates for each bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate. If there is not enough bandwidth to give every bit stream its minimum rate, glue frames may be inserted, or low priority channels dropped.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to available bandwidths. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer 80 that multiplexes varying bit-rate bit streams. Minimum and maximum output rates for each bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate. If there is not enough bandwidth to give every bit stream its minimum rate, glue frames may be inserted, or low priority channels dropped.

Abstract: Techniques for determining an output rate for a bit stream, the output rate being determined by applying information read from the bit stream to a model of a receiver for the bit stream. The techniques are employed to construct a statistical multiplexer that multiplexes varying bit-rate MPEG-2 bit streams onto a satellite up-link. Minimum and maximum output rates for each MPEG-2 bit stream are determined such that neither a queue for the bit stream in the multiplexer nor the bit stream's decoder will underflow or overflow. The rates with regard to the decoder are determined using timing information read from the bit stream and a general model of an MPEG-2 decoder. The multiplexer first allocates each bit stream its minimum bandwidth and then allocates any remaining bandwidth to the bit streams in proportion to the difference between the minimum and maximum output rates for the bit streams, with no bit stream receiving more than its maximum output rate.

Abstract: A chroma format conversion method that determines whether chroma format data to be converted is interlaced data or not. When the chroma format data is non-interlaced data the chroma format data is converted using a filter for non-interlaced. When the chroma format data is interlaced data it is determined whether the chroma format data is odd field data or even field data. When the chroma format data is odd field data the chroma format data is converted using a filter for odd field and when the chroma format data is even field data the chroma format data is converted using a filter for even field.