Performing personal video recording (PVR) functions on digital video streams

An integrated circuit comprising:

• memory for storing a plurality of instructions;
• a processor connected to the memory;
• wherein execution of the plurality of instructions by the processor causes:
• storing a reference picture;
• decoding a first prediction picture from the reference picture;
• decoding a second prediction picture from the reference picture;
• decoding a display picture from the first prediction picture and the second prediction picture;
• and
• providing the display picture to a display device.

A method for decoding pictures, the method comprising:

• storing a decoded prediction picture in a frame buffer;
• decoding a picture for display, wherein the picture for display is data dependent on the decoded prediction picture;
• displaying the picture for display;
• and
• displaying the decoded prediction picture from the frame buffer.

A video decoder for displaying pictures, said video decoder comprising:

• a first frame buffer for storing a prediction picture;
• a second frame buffer for decoding a picture to be displayed;
• a display engine for displaying the picture to be displayed;
• and
• wherein the display engine displays the prediction picture from the frame buffer responsive to displaying the picture to be displayed.

A method of decoding pictures said method comprising:

• storing a future prediction picture;
• displaying a first picture, wherein the picture is data dependent on the future prediction picture;
• setting the future prediction picture as a past prediction picture;
• and
• displaying a second picture, wherein the second picture is data dependent on the future prediction picture.

A method for decoding pictures, said method comprising:

• storing a future prediction picture;
• displaying a first prediction picture, wherein the first picture is data dependent on the future prediction picture;
• setting the future prediction picture as a reference picture;
• and
• displaying a plurality of pictures, wherein the plurality of pictures are data dependent on the reference picture.