Multi-format television reciever

A multi-format television receiver system for receiving and displaying television signals broadcast in multiple formats, the receiver system comprising:

• a tuner circuit for receiving a television broadcast signal and outputting a first video signal having a broadcast format;
• at least one digital programmable signal processor circuit for receiving and processing the first video signal from the tuner circuit and for producing a second video signal, the digital programmable signal processor circuit for processing video signals having multiple broadcast formats, wherein the processing performed is dependent on the broadcast format of the received television broadcast signal;
• at least one field spreader for receiving bursts of the first video signal from said tuner circuit, and for outputting the first video signal at a constant rate to the digital programmable signal processor circuit;
• and
• at least one display device for receiving the second video signal from the digital programmable signal processor circuit and for producing a visual representation of the second video signal.