VIDEO MULTIPLEXER SYSTEM PROVIDING LOW-LATENCY VCR-LIKE EFFECTS AND PROGRAM CHANGES

摘要

An advanced multiplexer designed and optimized for next generation on-demand video distribution is described. Features and capabilities include low-laten cy client interactions, quality of service management, session based encryption management, support for multiple video formats, and support for multiple vid eo decoding standards. Indicators are embedded in new video segments to identif y start-of-segment transition points, enabling rapid transitions from one vide o segment to another. Low-latency operation is achieved by rapid switching, an d by coordinating flushing of video buffers and buffer restoration.