Encoding, storing and transmitting digital signals

摘要

A method for encoding a digital signal which is free from overflow and/or underflow of decoder buffer when video and audio data are reproduced while switching a plurality of bit streams from one to another, is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving a plurality of digital signal bit streams, detecting sizes of access units, as an encoding unit, of the plural digital signal bit streams, and decode times thereof, comparing the detected sizes of the access units at each decode time, with each other to select a maximum value thereof, providing a virtual stream composed of access units each having a size identical to the selected maximum value at each decode time, and packetizing each of the plural digital signal bit streams, wherein the plural digital signal bit streams are packetized by using padding packets each having a size corresponding to a difference in size between each access unit of the plural digital signal bit streams and that of the virtual stream, when the size of the access unit of the plural digital signal bit streams is less than the size of the access unit of the virtual stream. In accordance with the present invention, there are also provided an apparatus for encoding the digital signal, a method for recording the digital signal on a recording medium, and a method for transmitting the digital signal.