System and method for transcoding multiple channels of compressed video streams using a self-contained data unit

摘要

A system for transcoding multiple channels of compressed video streams using a self contained data unit such as an autonomous frame includes an autonomous frame processing unit having an autonomous frame generator and an autonomous frame recoder. The autonomous frame generator receives video data and divides it into a series of autonomous frames. Each autonomous frame preferably comprises 1) a frame header including all header information from the original video data plus enough additional information to allow the frame to be recoded using pre-defined autonomous frame structure, and 2) a frame payload including the original video data information. The autonomous frame recoder process the autonomous frames including extracting processing parameters, extracting the video data and setting up or initializing the recoder to process the extracted video data. The autonomous frame recoder preferably further comprises a parser coupled to an initialization unit and a recoder. The present invention also includes a method for processing video data including the steps of: receiving a video bitstream, storing recoding information, dividing the video bitstream into a plurality of autonomous frames each frame including a portion of the video bitstream and recoding information, outputting the plurality of autonomous frames, receiving the plurality of autonomous frames, extracting processing information from the autonomous frame, extracting video data from the autonomous frame, setting the recoding according to the processing information and recoding the extracted video data.