System and method for optimized channel switching in digital television broadcasting

In a broadcast television receiver including a tuner for selecting one channel from multiple channels and an encoded media buffer for receiving digital encoded media from a channel selected by said tuner, a method of switching from a first digital channel to a second channel comprising:

• inputting digital encoded media from said first digital channel selected by said tuner to said encoded media buffer;
• halting input of digital encoded media from said first digital channel to said encoded media buffer, while continuing to output digital encoded media from said first digital channel from said encoded media buffer;
• switching said tuner to said second channel;
• and
• after a passage of time for said tuner to complete switching to said second channel, outputting said second channel from said tuner.