Skystream Networks, Inc.

Ericsson Television Inc.

Tandberg Television Inc.

Modulus Video Inc.

Robert Robinett

Regis Gratacap

William Anthony Slattery

Mark R Magee

Jean Dumouchel

Wayne Michelsen

Randall S May

Peter Michael Emanuel

A method and system are provided for remultiplexing program bearing data. The remultiplexing method and system are applicable to MPEG-2 compliant transport streams carrying video programs. Remultiplexing functions may be distributed across a network. The remultiplexer can furthermore optimize the bandwidth of transport streams by replacing null transport packets with transport packet data to be inserted into the output transport stream. Remultiplexing and program specific information can be seamlessly dynamically varied without stopping, or introducing a discontinuity in, the flow-of outputted transport packets.

Video remultiplexer for dynamic remultiplexing, multi-mode operation and jitter reduced asynchronous communication

An apparatus comprising an input capable of receiving a bandwidth optimized transport stream is provided. The bandwidth optimized transport stream can be produced by receiving a transport stream of variably compressed program data bearing transport packets and one or more null transport packets. One or more of the null transport packets is selectively replaced with another to-be-remultiplexed non-null data bearing transport packet. Independently of determining an amount of information carried by a program data bearing transport packets from time to time in the received transport stream, at least one selected program bearing transport packet is scheduled for output in an output remultiplexed bitstream.

Bandwidth optimization of video program bearing transport streams

An array encoding system and method for use with high definition digital video data streams includes method and means for analyzing the incoming data stream, splitting the data stream in accordance with video complexity or other criteria, encoding each of the subsidiary data streams in accordance with a desired encoding standard, and combining the data streams to generate an output. The encoding system and method is particularly suited to encoding data streams to provide an output with is substantially consistent with the H.264 video communications standard. The system and method are scalable.

Scalable array encoding system and method

A method and system are provided for remultiplexing program bearing data. The remultiplexing method and system are applicable to MPEG-2 compliant transport streams carrying video programs. A descriptor based system is used for scheduling the timely output of transport packets wherein each descriptor records a dispatch time as well as a receipt time for each transport packet. The receipt time is used for estimating program clock reference adjustments, but final program clock reference adjustment is performed in hardware in relation to the precise output timing of each transport packets. A descriptor and transport packet caching technique is used for decoupling the synchronous receipt and transmission of transport packets from any asynchronous processing performed thereon. The descriptors can also be used for managing scrambling and descrambling control words (encryption and decryption keys). Remultiplexing functions may be distributed across a network. The remultiplexer can furthermore optimize the bandwidth of transport streams by replacing null transport packets with transport packet data to be inserted into the output transport stream. Program data transmitted via asynchronous communication links is re-timed and assistance is provided for outputting program data on such asynchronous communication links to reduce a variation in end-to-end delay incurred by the program data. Remultiplexing and program specific information can be seamlessly dynamically varied without stopping, or introducing a discontinuity in, the flow of outputted transport packets. A technique is also provided for locking multiple internal reference clock generators.

Network distributed remultiplexer for video program bearing transport streams

Brandwidth optimization of video program bearing transport streams

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Menlo Park, CA, United States of America

Robert Robinett