MULTIMEDIA DECODER AND BI-DIRECTIONAL BROADCAST COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

摘要

Apparatus (10, 20) decodes input video data which is encoded in different data formats and is received on a common physical communication link. The decoder includes a first processor (50) for decoding image representative data which is packetized in an Internet protocol compatible data format and is received on the common communication link. The decoder also includes a second processor (75) for concurrently decoding broadcast video data which is packetized in an MPEG compatible data format exclusive of the Internet protocol data format and is received on the common communication link. The first and second processors produce first and second decoded video outputs respectively. Also, the proportion of the image representative data conveyed on the common communication link relative to the broadcast video data may be dynamically varied. The decoder also includes a display processor (55, 80) for forming a display image from the first and second decoded video outputs.