System for receiving transport streams

Abstract

A system comprising first input means for receiving a transport stream from an external source, second input means for receiving an input from a memory, means for connecting the first and second input means to an interface which is arranged to provide an output stream to a decoder. The second input means is arranged to provide an output to the interface in such a form that the interface does not distinguish between the output from the first and second input means.

1 . A system comprising first input means for receiving a transport stream from an external source, second input means for receiving an input from a memory, means for connecting the first and second input means to an interface which is arranged to provide an output stream to a decoder, wherein the second input means is arranged to provide an output to the interface in such a form that the interface does not distinguish between the output from the first and second input means.  
     
     
         2 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said input from memory comprises a transport stream.  
     
     
         3 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second input means comprises a buffer.  
     
     
         4 . A system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said buffer comprises a FIFO.  
     
     
         5 . A system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein half the size of the buffer equals a bit rate of the input to the second input means multiplied by the time taken to read data from the memory and write it to the second input.  
     
     
         6 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a register is provided in said second input means to convert a serial stream of data into a parallel stream of data.  
     
     
         7 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said memory is external to said system.  
     
     
         8 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said memory is in said system.  
     
     
         9 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said memory comprises one or more of the following: 
 CD-ROM, hard disk, floppy disk, CPU, and RAM.    
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first input means is arranged to receive a transport stream from a cable or satellite link.  
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second input means comprises clock means, said clock means providing a clock signal for controlling the output of said input to said second input.  
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said second input is arranged to output valid data only.  
     
     
         13 . An integrated circuit comprising first input means for receiving a transport stream from an external source, second input means for receiving an input from a memory, means for connecting the first and second input means to an interface which is arranged to provide an output stream to a decoder, wherein the second input means is arranged to provide an output to the interface in such a form that the interface does not distinguish between the output from the first and second input means.  
     
     
         14 . A set top box comprising first input means for receiving a transport stream from an external source, second input means for receiving an input from a memory, means for connecting the first and second input means to an interface which is arranged to provide an output stream to a decoder, wherein the second input means is arranged to provide an output to the interface in such a form that the interface does not distinguish between the output from the first and second input means.