Fast channel switch between digital televisison channels

摘要

The invention relates to a method for outputting a first digital video stream (BTS'). The method comprises: i) receiving a first transport stream (TS1) comprising a first plurality of time-multiplexed video channels (SRV1, SRV2, SRV3, SRV4); ii) buffering the first transport stream (TS1) to obtain a first buffered transport stream (BTS1); iii) selecting a first specific one from the first plurality of time-multiplexed video channels to obtain a first selected video channel (SRV1); iv) searching the first buffered transport stream (BTS1) for a first start (GOPS1) of a first group of pictures of the first selected video channel (SRV1), and v) outputting the first buffered transport stream (BTS1) starting from the first start (GOPS1) of the first group of pictures to obtain the first digital video stream (BTS'). The invention further relates to a system for carrying out such method. The invention provides for very fast channel switching (zapping) due to the fact that the start of the group of pictures of the selected channel is available in the buffer almost instantly.