Systems and methods for providing fast video channel switching

A video decoding device comprising:

• a receiver that receives video signal data on a selected one of multiple channels;
• a processor configured to receive a request to switch from a previously-selected channel to a newly-selected channel, in response to the request, to enter a first mode for displaying a preview representation of the video signal data, the first mode including receiving video signal data for the newly-selected channel, storing the video signal data received for the newly-selected channel, and decoding and providing for display a first available image from the video signal data received for the newly-selected channel, and in response to determining that the stored video signal data exceeds a threshold amount, to enter a second mode for replacing the preview representation of the video signal data with a real time representation of the video signal data;
• and
• a display control output providing the preview representation of the video signal data in the first mode and the real time representation of the video signal data in the second mode.