<p>Decoding systems and methods are disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a video decoder system includes a first decoding path and a second decoding path configured to decode at a slower average rate than the first decoding path. The video decoder system includes a dynamic switch configured to provide a first portion of the encoded video signal to the first decoding path or to the second decoding path. The dynamic switch is further configured to provide a subsequent portion of the encoded video signal to the first decoding path or to the second decoding path in response to a value of a decoding metric associated with decode processing of the first portion.</p>
