System and method for synchronous processing of media data on an asynchronous processor

A method of processing media data received from a plurality of sources in a non-real time system, the method comprising steps of:

• receiving a stream of media data units from at least one of the plurality of sources and transferring the received data units to a processor input buffer;
• generating a clocking signal associated with the at least one source;
• generating an override interrupt in accordance with the clocking signal and a required processing action to indicate the transfer of data units to the processor input buffer;
• suspending processing in response to the generation of the override interrupt;
• performing the required processing action on the data units in the processor input buffer, storing the result of the required processing action in a processor output buffer and clearing the interrupt;
• and
• transferring the data from the processor output buffer to at least one of the plurality of sources.