Method of timebase management for MPEG decoding with personal video recording functionality

A method for handling PCR discontinuities during a live decode in a PVR system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) receiving a PCR from an incoming transport packet;
• (b) checking whether a discontinuity bit of the transport packet has been set;
• and
• (c) if the discontinuity bit has been set, then
• (1) updating STCs with the received PCR, and
• (2) decoding remaining transport packets corresponding to an old timebase.

A method for recording to a storage medium in a personal video recorder (PVR) system, comprising the steps of:

• receiving a transport stream;
• storing the transport stream into a memory;
• and
• generating an index table that provides information for locating particular frames recorded in the memory.

A method for playback from a storage media in a personal video recorder (PVR) system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) programming a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) to a nominal frequency;
• (b) configuring a data transport engine to playback a transport stream from a memory;
• (c) configuring a video decoder to decode with a throttle control;
• (d) configuring the video decoder for timebase management mode;
• and
• (e) initializing a video system time clock (STC) with a presentation time stamp (PTS).

A method for recording and playing simultaneously in a personal video recorder (PVR) system, comprising the steps of:

• (a) configuring a data transport engine to record a transport stream;
• (b) generating an index table that provides information for locating particular frames of the transport stream stored in a memory;
• (c) controlling a voltage controlled crystal oscillator (VCXO) as a function of error between a program clock reference (PCR) in the transport stream and a serial PCR local system time clock (STC);
• (d) configuring the data transport engine to playback recorded transport stream from the memory;
• (e) configuring a video decoder to decode at different decoding rates;
• (f) configuring a video decoder for timebase management mode;
• and
• (g) updating the video STC with a presentation time stamp (PTS).