Digital data transcoder with relaxed internal decoder/coder interface frame jitter requirements

摘要

A transcoder converts a received data stream encoded according to a first coding scheme to a data stream coded according to a second coding schem. The schemes specify a first and a a second maximum amount of jitter that may be present in the encoded data streams, respectively. The transcoder includes a decoder section and an encoder section and is operated such that the data stream received by the encoder section has a non-zero amount of jitter and the encoder section produces a coded data stream having an amount of jitter which is less than or equal to the second maximum amount of jitter. By operating the transcoder to provide a decoded video data stream to the encoder section which retains a degree of jitter relative to the oriignal video signal, the buffer requirements can be minimized therefore providing reduced buffeer delay and hence a transcoder with smaller buffer delay than previously obtainable.