System and method for discarding frames of an image during transport across a network link

A system for discarding frames of an image during transport across a network link, comprising:

• a capture unit operable to generate a frame associated with an image;
• a compression unit operable to compress the frame in preparation for transport;
• an input buffer operable to queue the frame prior to compression, the input buffer operable to provide an input value used in generating an input congestion indication in response to a number of frames being queued in the input buffer;
• an output buffer operable to queue the frame prior to transport, the output buffer operable to provide an output value used in generating an output congestion indication in response to a number of frames being queued in the output buffer;
• a frame spoiler operable to discard the frame in response to the input congestion indication and independently in response to the output congestion indication prior to the frame being compressed by the compression unit.