Multimedia time warping system

Abstract

A multimedia time warping system. The invention allows the user to store selected television broadcast programs while the user is simultaneously watching or reviewing another program. A preferred embodiment of the invention accepts television (TV) input streams in a multitude of forms, for example, National Television Standards Committee (NTSC) or PAL broadcast, and digital forms such as Digital Satellite System (DSS), Digital Broadcast Services (DBS), or Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC). The TV streams are converted to an Moving Pictures Experts Group (MPEG) formatted stream for internal transfer and manipulation and are parsed and separated it into video and audio components. The components are stored in temporary buffers. Events are recorded that indicate the type of component that has been found, where it is located, and when it occurred. The program logic is notified that an event has occurred and the data is extracted from the buffers. The parser and event buffer decouple the CPU from having to parse the MPEG stream and from the real time nature of the data streams which allows for slower CPU and bus speeds and translate to lower system costs. The video and audio components are stored on a storage device and when the program is requested for display, the video and audio components are extracted from the storage device and reassembled into an MPEG stream which is sent to a decoder. The decoder converts the MPEG stream into TV output signals and delivers the TV output signals to a TV receiver. User control commands are accepted and sent through the system. These commands affect the flow of said MPEG stream and allow the user to view stored programs with at least the following functions: reverse, fast forward, play, pause, index, fast/slow reverse play, and fast/slow play.

1 . A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast signal into its video and audio components;    storing said video and audio components on a storage device;    providing an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific video and audio component from said storage device;    decoding said specific video and audio components into a television output signal; and    sending said television output signal to a television monitor.    
     
     
         2 . The process of    claim 1   , further comprising the step of: 
 inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         3 . The process of    claim 1   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         4 . The process of    claim 3   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         5 . The process of    claim 3   , wherein the user selects a specific video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         6 . The process of    claim 3   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         7 . The process of    claim 1   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         8 . The process of    claim 1   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         9 . The process of    claim 1   , further comprising the steps of: 
 extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said digital television broadcast signal;    wherein said storage step stores said other signal components on said storage device;    wherein said output device extracts the associated signal components of said specific video and audio components from said storage device; and    reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said television output signal.    
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: 
 a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    a module for converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    a module for separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast signal into its video and audio components;    a module for storing said video and audio components on a storage device;    an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific video and audio component from said storage device;    a module for decoding said specific video and audio components into a television output signal; and    a module for sending said television output signal to a television monitor.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of    claim 10   , further comprising: 
 a module for inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of    claim 10   , further comprising: 
 a module for accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of    claim 12   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of    claim 12   , wherein the user selects a specific video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of    claim 12   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of    claim 10   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of    claim 10   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of    claim 10   , further comprising: 
 a module for extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said digital television broadcast signal;    wherein said storage module stores said other signal components on said storage device;    wherein said output device extracts the associated signal components of said specific video and audio components from said storage device; and    a module for reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location into said television output signal.    
     
     
         19 . A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    storing said digital signals and digital television broadcast signals on a storage device;    providing a plurality of output devices;    wherein each of said output devices extracts a specific digital signal from said storage device;    decoding said specific digital signals into a television output signal;    sending said television output signal to a television monitor; and    wherein said plurality of output devices allows for a picture in a picture display on said television monitor.    
     
     
         20 . The process of    claim 19   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         21 . The process of    claim 20   , wherein the user selects the picture in a picture option to be displayed on said television monitor.  
     
     
         22 . The process of    claim 20   , wherein the user selects which of said output devices displays in said picture in a picture display.  
     
     
         23 . The process of    claim 20   , wherein the user selects the display position of each picture in the picture in a picture display.  
     
     
         24 . The process of    claim 20   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         25 . The process of    claim 20   , wherein the user selects a specific digital signal to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         26 . The process of    claim 20   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         27 . The process of    claim 19   , further comprising the step of: 
 inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         28 . The process of    claim 19   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         29 . The process of    claim 19   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         30 . An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: 
 a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    a module for converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    a module for storing said digital signals and digital television broadcast signals on a storage device;    a plurality of output devices;    wherein each of said output devices extracts a specific digital signal from said storage device;    a module for decoding said specific digital signals into a television output signal;    a module for sending said television output signal to a television monitor; and    wherein said plurality of output devices allows for a picture in a picture display on said television monitor.    
     
     
         31 . The apparatus of    claim 30   , further comprising: 
 a module for accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         32 . The apparatus of    claim 31   , wherein the user selects the picture in a picture option to be displayed on said television monitor.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus of    claim 31   , wherein the user selects which of said output devices displays in said picture in a picture display.  
     
     
         34 . The apparatus of    claim 31   , wherein the user selects the display position of each picture in the picture in a picture display.  
     
     
         35 . The apparatus of    claim 31   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus of    claim 31   , wherein the user selects a specific digital signal to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus of    claim 31   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus of    claim 30   , further comprising: 
 a module for inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         39 . The apparatus of    claim 30   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         40 . The apparatus of    claim 30   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         41 . A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast signal into its video and audio components;    storing said video and audio components on a storage device;    providing a plurality of output devices;    wherein each of said output devices extracts a specific video and audio component from said storage device;    decoding said specific video and audio components into a television output signal;    sending said television output signal to a television monitor; and    wherein said plurality of output devices allows for a picture in a picture display on said television monitor.    
     
     
         42 . The process of    claim 41   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         43 . The process of    claim 42   , wherein the user selects the picture in a picture option to be displayed on said television monitor.  
     
     
         44 . The process of    claim 42   , wherein the user selects which of said output devices displays in said picture in a picture display.  
     
     
         45 . The process of    claim 42   , wherein the user selects the display position of each picture in the picture in a picture display.  
     
     
         46 . The process of    claim 42   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         47 . The process of    claim 42   , wherein the user selects a specific video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         48 . The process of    claim 42   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         49 . The process of    claim 41   , further comprising the step of: 
 inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         50 . The process of    claim 41   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         51 . The process of    claim 41   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         52 . The process of    claim 41   , further comprising the steps of: 
 extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said digital television broadcast signal;    wherein said storage step stores said other signal components on said storage device;    wherein each of said output devices extracts the associated signal components of said specific video and audio components from said storage device; and    reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said television output signal.    
     
     
         53 . An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: 
 a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    a module for converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    a module for separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast signal into its video and audio components;    a module for storing said video and audio components on a storage device;    a plurality of output devices;    wherein each of said output devices extracts a specific video and audio component from said storage device;    a module for decoding said specific video and audio components into a television output signal;    a module for sending said television output signal to a television monitor; and    wherein said plurality of output devices allows for a picture in a picture display on said television monitor.    
     
     
         54 . The apparatus of    claim 53   , further comprising: 
 a module for accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         55 . The apparatus of    claim 54   , wherein the user selects the picture in a picture option to be displayed on said television monitor.  
     
     
         56 . The apparatus of    claim 54   , wherein the user selects which of said output devices displays in said picture in a picture display.  
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of    claim 54   , wherein the user selects the display position of each picture in the picture in a picture display.  
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of    claim 54   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of    claim 54   , wherein the user selects a specific video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of    claim 54   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of    claim 53   , further comprising: 
 a module for inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of    claim 53   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         63 . The apparatus of    claim 53   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         64 . The apparatus of    claim 53   , further comprising: 
 a module for extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said digital television broadcast signal;    wherein said storage module stores said other signal components on said storage device;    wherein each of said output devices extracts the associated signal components of said specific video and audio components from said storage device; and    a module for reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said television output signal.    
     
     
         65 . A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia audio data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 providing at least one input signal tuner;    wherein said tuner accepts streaming audio signals, said streaming audio signals are in digital and analog form;    wherein said tuner is tuned to a specific streaming audio signal;    converting said streaming audio signals that are analog signals into a digital stream;    storing said digital stream and digital streaming audio signals on a storage device;    providing an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific digital stream from said storage device;    decoding said specific digital stream into an analog or digital audio output signal; and    playing back said analog or digital audio output signal.    
     
     
         66 . The process of    claim 65   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         67 . The process of    claim 66   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific streaming audio signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         68 . The process of    claim 66   , wherein the user selects a specific digital stream to be extracted from said storage device and played back.  
     
     
         69 . The process of    claim 66   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, pause, and play functions on said analog or digital audio output signal.  
     
     
         70 . An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia audio data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 at least one input signal tuner;    wherein said tuner accepts streaming audio signals, said streaming audio signals are in digital and analog form;    wherein said tuner is tuned to a specific streaming audio signal;    a module for converting said streaming audio signals that are analog signals into a digital stream;    a module for storing said digital stream and digital streaming audio signals on a storage device;    an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific digital stream from said storage device;    a module for decoding said specific digital stream into an analog or digital audio output signal; and    a module for playing back said analog or digital audio output signal.    
     
     
         71 . The apparatus of    claim 70   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         72 . The apparatus of    claim 71   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific streaming audio signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         73 . The apparatus of    claim 71   , wherein the user selects a specific digital stream to be extracted from said storage device and played back.  
     
     
         74 . The apparatus of    claim 71   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, pause, and play functions on said analog or digital audio output signal.  
     
     
         75 . A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    storing said digital signals and digital television broadcast signals on a storage device;    providing an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific digital signal from said storage device;    decoding said specific digital signals into a television output signal; and    sending said television output signal to a television monitor.    
     
     
         76 . The process of    claim 75   , further comprising the step of: 
 inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         77 . The process of    claim 75   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         78 . The process of    claim 77   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         79 . The process of    claim 77   , wherein the user selects a specific digital signal to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         80 . The process of    claim 77   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         81 . The process of    claim 75   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         82 . The process of    claim 75   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         83 . An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: 
 a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    a module for converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    a module for storing said digital signals and digital television broadcast signals on a storage device;    an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific digital signal from said storage device;    a module for decoding said specific digital signals into a television output signal; and    a module for sending said television output signal to a television monitor.    
     
     
         84 . The apparatus of    claim 83   , further comprising: 
 a module for inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         85 . The apparatus of    claim 83   , further comprising: 
 a module for accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         86 . The apparatus of    claim 85   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         87 . The apparatus of    claim 85   , wherein the user selects a specific digital signal to b e extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         88 . The apparatus of    claim 85   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         89 . The apparatus of    claim 83   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         90 . The apparatus of    claim 83   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         91 . A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast signal into its video and audio components;    decoding said specific video and audio components into a television output signal; and    sending said television output signal to a television monitor.    
     
     
         92 . The process of    claim 91   , further comprising the step of: 
 inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         93 . The process of    claim 91   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         94 . The process of    claim 93   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         95 . The process of    claim 93   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         96 . The process of    claim 91   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         97 . The process of    claim 91   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         98 . The process of    claim 91   , further comprising the steps of: 
 extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said digital television broadcast signal; and    reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said television output signal.    
     
     
         99 . An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising: 
 a plurality of input signal tuners;    wherein said tuners accept analog and digital television broadcast signals;    wherein each of said tuners is individually tuned to a specific broadcast signal;    a module for converting analog television broadcast signals into a digital signal;    a module for separating a digital signal or digital television broadcast signal into its video and audio components;    a module for decoding said specific video and audio components into a television output signal; and    a module for sending said television output signal to a television monitor.    
     
     
         100 . The apparatus of    claim 99   , further comprising: 
 a module for inserting on screen displays into said television output signal.    
     
     
         101 . The apparatus of    claim 99   , further comprising: 
 a module for accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         102 . The apparatus of    claim 101   , wherein the user selects an individual tuner and the specific broadcast signal for said individual tuner.  
     
     
         103 . The apparatus of    claim 101   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         104 . The apparatus of    claim 99   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on the current date and time.  
     
     
         105 . The apparatus of    claim 99   , wherein the specific broadcast signal for an individual tuner is selected automatically based on a particular word or phrase in said broadcast signal.  
     
     
         106 . The apparatus of    claim 99   , further comprising: 
 a module for extracting other signal components from said digital signal or said digital television broadcast signal; and    a module for reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said television output signal.    
     
     
         107 . A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 accepting analog and digital video streams;    converting analog video streams into a digital video stream;    separating a digital video stream into its video and audio components;    storing said video and audio components on a storage device;    providing an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific video and audio component from said storage device; and    decoding said specific video and audio components into a television output signal.    
     
     
         108 . The process of    claim 107   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         109 . The process of    claim 108   , wherein the user selects a specific video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         110 . The process of    claim 108   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         111 . The process of    claim 107   , further comprising the steps of: 
 extracting other signal components from said digital video stream;    wherein said storage step stores said other signal components on said storage device;    wherein said output device extracts the associated signal components of said specific video and audio components from said storage device; and    reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said television output signal.    
     
     
         112 . An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 a module for accepting analog and digital video streams;    a module for converting analog video streams into a digital video stream;    a module for separating a digital video stream into its video and audio components;    a module for storing said video and audio components on a storage device;    an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific video and audio component from said storage device; and    a module for decoding said specific video and audio components into a television output signal.    
     
     
         113 . The apparatus of    claim 112   , further comprising: 
 a module for accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         114 . The apparatus of    claim 113   , wherein the user selects a specific video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         115 . The apparatus of    claim 113   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said television output signal.  
     
     
         116 . The apparatus of    claim 112   , further comprising: 
 a module for extracting other signal components from said digital video stream;    wherein said storage module stores said other signal components on said storage device;    wherein said output device extracts the associated signal components of said specific video and audio components from said storage device; and    a module for reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said television output signal.    
     
     
         117 . A process for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 accepting analog and digital video streams;    converting analog video streams into a digital video stream;    separating a digital video stream into its video and audio components;    storing said video and audio components on a storage device;    providing an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific video and audio component from said storage device; and    decoding said specific video and audio components into a digital video output stream.    
     
     
         118 . The process of    claim 117   , further comprising the step of: 
 delivering said digital video output stream to a receiver.    
     
     
         119 . The process of    claim 117   , further comprising the step of: 
 displaying said digital video output stream.    
     
     
         120 . The process of    claim 117   , further comprising the step of: 
 accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         121 . The process of    claim 120   , wherein the user selects a specific video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         122 . The process of    claim 120   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding step to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said digital video output stream.  
     
     
         123 . The process of    claim 117   , further comprising the steps of: 
 extracting other signal components from said digital video stream;    wherein said storage step stores said other signal components on said storage device;    wherein said output device extracts the associated signal components of said specific video and audio components from said storage device; and    reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said digital video output stream.    
     
     
         124 . An apparatus for simultaneous storage and playback of multimedia data in a computer environment, comprising the steps of: 
 a module for accepting analog and digital video streams;    a module for converting analog video streams into a digital video stream;    a module for separating a digital video stream into its video and audio components;    a module for storing said video and audio components on a storage device;    an output device;    wherein said output device extracts a specific video and audio component from said storage device;    a module for decoding said specific video and audio components into a digital video output stream; and    a module for displaying said digital video output stream.    
     
     
         125 . The apparatus of    claim 124   , further comprising: 
 a module for delivering said digital video output stream to a receiver.    
     
     
         126 . The apparatus of    claim 124   , further comprising: 
 a module for displaying said digital video output stream.    
     
     
         127 . The apparatus of    claim 124   , further comprising: 
 a module for accepting control commands from a user.    
     
     
         128 . The apparatus of    claim 127   , wherein the user selects a specific video and audio component to be extracted from said storage device and decoded.  
     
     
         129 . The apparatus of    claim 127   , wherein the user controls the decoding rate and direction of said decoding module to perform variable rate fast forward and rewind, frame step, pause, and play functions on said digital video output stream.  
     
     
         130 . The apparatus of    claim 124   , further comprising: 
 a module for extracting other signal components from said digital video stream;    wherein said storage module stores said other signal components on said storage device;    wherein said output device extracts the associated signal components of said specific video and audio components from said storage device; and    a module for reproducing said associated signal components into their proper location in said digital video output stream.