摘要 |
A video server is taught which is capable of outputting a plurality of video streams simultaneously. Each video stream is synchronized at two levels of synchronization: coarse-grain and fine-grain. The coarse-grain synchronization is carried out in software over a plurality of packets of data, and the fine-grain synchronization carried out using the network clock. By utilizing both coarse-grain and fine-grain synchronization as taught by this invention, drift and jitter are controlled, providing accurate presentation of constant bit rate data to a receiving device. As another feature of this invention, a bit pump is utilized which includes header information such as constant bit rate information, and information regarding the rates associated with the coarse-grain and fine-grain synchronization. By utilizing this preinitialized header information, CPU demands are reduced as compared with prior art systems in which the CPU must look up timing information from the data to be transmitted. <IMAGE> |