Programmable audio/video encoding system capable of downloading compression software from DVD disk

A programmable video encoding system comprising:

• a read head configured to read a video encoding algorithm from a read-only sector on a digital information storage medium;
• a video encoder operatively coupled to the read head to receive and store the video encoding algorithm, wherein the video encoder is configured to receive a video signal, and wherein the video encoder is configured to execute the video encoding algorithm on the received video signal to produce an encoded digital video signal;
• and
• a channel coding and modulation circuit operatively coupled to receive the encoded digital video signal and configured to convert the encoded digital video signal into a modulated digital signal.

A programmable digital audio recording system comprising:

• a read head configured to read an audio encoding algorithm from a read-only sector on a recordable digital information storage medium;
• an audio encoder operatively coupled to the read head to receive and store the audio encoding algorithm, wherein the audio encoder is configured to receive an audio signal, and wherein the audio encoder is configured to execute the audio encoding algorithm on the received audio signal to produce an encoded digital audio signal;
• a channel coding and modulation circuit operatively coupled to receive the encoded digital audio signal and configured to convert the encoded digital audio signal into a modulated digital signal;
• and
• a record head operatively coupled to the channel coding and modulation circuit to receive the modulated digital signal and configured to record the modulated digital signal on the recordable digital information storage medium.