Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method and apparatus for masking program selection latency in an MPEG-like information stream receiver, such as an ATSC or DVB television receiver. An information stream receiver receives VSB- or QAM-modulated signals comprising an MPEG-like system streams including program transport streams. In a channel scanning mode of operation, a plurality of identified program transport streams (i.e., channels) are sequentially retrieved from one or more system streams. A portion of each retrieved program transport stream, such as an intra-frame encoded video frame within an included elementary video stream, is extracted and stored in a memory. In a channel changing mode of operation, if a desired channel is one of the sequentially scanned channels, then the stored I-frame is retrieved and coupled to a decoder while the desired channel is re-acquired by tuning, demodulating, and demultiplexing operations. In this manner, the inherent latency of the tuning, demodulating, and demultiplexing operations are somewhat masked. Moreover, by storing tuning and demodulation parameters associated with an anticipated 'next' channel, the actual time required to retrieve that channel is reduced.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim