Media server system and method for preventing FIFO buffer underflow during multiple channel startup by pre-loading a decoder buffer prior to issuing a play command

Abstract

A media server system and method for reducing the probability of data starvation or underflow in a media server system. The media server system preferably comprises a video server computer system which stores a plurality of encoded data streams, wherein the computer system is coupled through a SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) bus to one or more MPEG decoder blocks. The media server system thus utilizes a single control channel for multiple video channels. The present invention operates to fill the FIFO buffer of a channel to a higher level during startup, thus reducing the probability of data underflow. In one embodiment, the host computer or server begins data transmission prior to sending the “play” function or play command in order to pre-fill or pre-load the buffer. In another embodiment where the host server is not configured to pre-load the buffer prior to issuing the play command, the MPEG decoder block disables the FIFO buffer when the play command is received. The MPEG decoder block then receives and stores data in the buffer to pre-fill the buffer, and then enables the FIFO to begin transfers. The present invention thus pre-loads the FIFO buffer to prevent underflow problems associated with the start-up of multiple data streams.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.