Apparatus and method for synchronizing audio/video signal

A method for synchronizing audio and video signals, comprising the steps of:

• receiving an audio signal and video signal and checking for a motion vector;
• summing all motion vectors detected to generate a addition value;
• dividing the addition value by a number indicative of the number of motion vectors detected go generate an average value;
• comparing the average value with a plurality of predetermined level values to output threshold variable;
• adjusting a threshold in a threshold detector according to the threshold variable;
• generating a error value indicative of a synchronization difference between said audio and video signals;
• comparing said error value to said threshold;
• muting said audio signal as a result of said comparing step to synchronize said audio signal and said video signal.

An apparatus for synchronizing audio and video signals, comprising:

• an for receiving compressed audio and video signals provided in a MPEG (Moving Pictures Experts Group) format, said inverse transport processor separating said compressed audio signal and said compressed video signal;
• said inverse transport processor further detecting motion vectors corresponding to motion of a picture of said compressed video signal and for generating a threshold value in response to the detected motion vectors;
• a video decompressor for receiving and decompressing the compressed video signal from the inverse transport processor to output a decompressed video signal;
• an audio decompressor for receiving and decompressing the compressed audio signal from the inverse transport processor to output a decompressed audio signal;
• a microprocessor for processing the decompressed audio and video signals to generate a synchronization error signal;
• a threshold detector for generating audio muting signal, in response to the threshold value from the inverse transport processor and the synchronization error signal from the microprocessor;
• and
• means for muting said decompressed audio signal in response to said audio muting signal to synchronize said decompressed audio signal and said decompressed video signal.