Playback of streamed media

摘要

The invention is a client device for receiving media data as a data packet stream. The client device comprises a source decoder and a controller. The controller sends information indicative of a client's pre-decoder buffering parameters. The information is indicative of a pre-decoder initial buffering time and a pre-decoder buffer size. The controller receives information indicative of a pre-decoder buffering parameter for the media data, information indicative of a post-decoder buffering parameter for the media. The client device comprises also a pre-decoder buffer coupled to the source decoder for buffering the media data temporarily prior to decoding in the source decoder in accordance with a buffering algorithm. The behavior of the buffering algorithm is affected by the pre-decoder initial buffering time and the minimum pre-decoder buffer size and a post-decoder buffer coupled to the source decoder for buffering the media data after decoding.