Multi-format media decoder and method of using same as an interface with a digital network

摘要

A multi-format decoder board (102) interfaces with a digital data network (123), preferably a fibre optic digital data network. Because data can be transmitted over the data network (123) in a wide variety of formats, the decoder board (102) of the present invention is able to decode data streams of audiovisual programming in a variety of formats so that the data can then be output by the board (102) to various output devices including speakers, headphones (122), video monitors (98) and other display devices (99). The data network (123) is preferably on-board a vehicle in which the use of multiple playback devices (90,...,97) for various audiovisual data formats would be limited by space and power constraints.