Multiplexing method for continuous reproduction of encoded pictures during skipping

A method of multiplexing video/audio data, comprising the steps of:

• multiplexing at least a first video coded stream and a first audio coded stream synchronous with the first video coded stream to produce a first multiplexed stream;
• and
• multiplexing at least a second video coded stream and a second audio coded stream synchronous with the second video coded stream to produce a second multiplexed stream;
• wherein the first and second video coded streams are limited so that a time (SCR_video2_start) on a time base of the second video coded stream at which supply of a first video pack in the second multiplexed stream to the video buffer of the decoder is started, satisfies a relation:
• SCR_video2_start>SCR_video1_end−STC_delta+ΔT1;
• based on a time difference (STC_delta=PTS_P OUT_end−PTS_P IN) between a time (PTS_P OUT_end) at which display of the first picture on a time base of the first video coded stream is ended and a time (PTS_P IN) at which display of the second picture on the time base of the second video coded stream, a time (SCR_video1_end) on the time base of the first video coded stream at which supply of a last video pack in the first multiplexed stream to the video buffer of the decoder, is ended, a data amount (N1) from a pack next to the last video pack in the first multiplexed stream to a last pack in the first multiplexed stream, and a time (ΔT1) for the data amount (N1) to be supplied to the decoder;
• wherein the display of said first video coded stream ends with a first picture, and the display of said second video coded stream begins with a second picture which is displayed following the first picture during skipping reproduction, in such a manner for a period from a time at which the second video coded stream starts being supplied to a video buffer of a decoder until a time at which a decoding of a last coded picture in the first video coded stream ends, a bit occupancy in the video buffer being below maximum capacity and larger than zero.

An apparatus for processing video/audio data, comprising:

• a demultiplexer for demultiplexing a first multiplexed video stream into a first video coded stream and a first audio coded stream synchronous with the first video coded stream and a second multiplexed video stream into a second video coded stream and a second audio coded stream synchronous with the second video coded stream;
• a time controller for supplying a first video coded stream and a second video coded stream to a video buffer;
• and
• a video decoder for decoding and outputting the first video coded stream and the second video coded stream from the video buffer such that said first video coded stream ends with a first picture, and said second video coded stream begins with a second picture which is displayed following the first picture during skipping reproduction;
• wherein the first and second video coded streams are limited so that a time (SCR_video2_start) on a time base of the second video coded stream at which supply of a first video pack in the second multiplexed stream to the video buffer is started, satisfies a relation:
• SCR_video2 _start>SCR_video1_end−STC_delta+ΔT1;
• based on a time difference (STC_delta=PTS_P OUT_end−PTS_P IN) between a time (PTS_P OUT_end) at which output of the first picture on a time base of the first video coded stream is ended and a time (PTS_P IN) at which output of the second picture on the time base of the second video coded stream, a time (SCR_video1_end) on the time base of the first video coded stream at which supply of a last video pack in the first multiplexed stream to the video buffer of the decoder, is ended, a data amount (N1) from a pack next to the last video pack in the first multiplexed stream to a last pack in the first multiplexed stream, and a time (ΔT1) for the data amount (N1) to be supplied to the video decoder.