Channel switch frame

• US 20070073779A1
• Filed: 09/25/2006
• Published: 03/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Peisong, Shi, Fang, Raveendran, Vijayalakshmi, Tian, Tao, Rohatgi, Amit, Bhamidipati, Phanikumar, Walker, Gordon, Oguz, Seyfullah, Subramania, Sitaraman, Swazey, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 8,229,983 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/107 between spatial and temporal predictive coding, e.g. picture refresh
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/124 Quantisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/154 Measured or subjectively estimated visual quality after decoding, e.g. measurement of distortion use of rate-distortion criteria H04N19/147
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/164 Feedback from the receiver or from the transmission channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/172 the region being a picture, frame or field
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/187 the unit being a scalable video layer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/33 in the spatial domain
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/895 in combination with error concealment
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/23439 for generating different versions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4384 involving operations to reduce the access time, e.g. fast-tuning for reducing channel switching latency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/631 Multimode Transmission, e.g. transmitting basic layers and enhancement layers of the content over different transmission paths or transmitting with different error corrections, different keys or with different transmission protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8451 using Advanced Video Coding [AVC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8456 by decomposing the content in the time domain, e.g. in time segments

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to process multimedia data enabling faster channel acquisitions, improved error recovery and improved efficiency. An encoder device encodes a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version, and encodes the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version. A decoder device receives a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, receives a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded, and selectively decodes the first and second received versions.

Claims

1. A method of processing multimedia data, comprising:

encoding a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version; and

encoding the first portion of the multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating information relating to the encoded first and second versions.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the generated information comprises reference information indicating that the second intra-coded version is redundant.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising encoding a second frame located subsequent to the first frame, wherein the second frame is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, the method further comprising:

encoding one or more of the second portions by intra-coding, wherein the one or more second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, the method further comprising:

encoding one or more of the second portions of the first frame by intra-coding for inclusion with the first version.

8. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

transmitting the first version;

transmitting the second version; and

transmitting the information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein transmitting the first version comprises transmitting over a first communication link, and transmitting the second version comprises transmitting over a second communication link.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the transmission of the first and second versions occur over one communication link.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting over the first communication link or transmitting over the second communication link comprises transmitting over a virtual channel.

12. The method of claim 4, wherein generating the information indicating that the second version is redundant information comprises generating information identifying a frame sequence number of a frame containing the first portion.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the first version is associated with a first quality level and the second version is associated with a second quality level that is lower than or equal to the first quality level.

14. A multimedia data processor comprising a configuration to:

encode a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version; and

encode the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version.

15. The processor of claim 14, wherein the processor is further configured to generate information relating to the encoded first and second versions.

16. The processor of claim 15, wherein the generated information comprises reference information indicating that the second intra-coded version is redundant.

17. The processor of claim 14, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

18. The processor of claim 17, wherein the processor is further configured to encode a second frame located subsequent to the first frame, wherein the second frame is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

19. The processor of claim 14, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the processor is further configured to encode one or more of the second portions by intra-coding, and further wherein the one or more second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

20. The processor of claim 14, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the processor is further configured to encode one or more of the second portions of the first frame using intra-coding for inclusion with the first version.

21. The processor of claim 15, wherein the processor is further configured to:

transmit the first version;

transmit the second version; and

transmit the information.

22. The processor of claim 21, wherein the processor is further configured to transmit the first version over a first communication link, and to transmit the second version over a second communication link.

23. The processor of claim 21, wherein the first and second versions are transmitted over one communication link.

24. The processor of claim 22, wherein the first communication link or the second communication link comprises a virtual channel.

25. The processor of claim 17, wherein the information indicating that the second version is redundant information comprises information identifying a frame sequence number of a frame containing the first portion.

26. The processor of claim 14, wherein the first version is associated with a first quality level and the second version is associated with a second quality level that is lower than or equal to the first quality level.

27. An apparatus for processing multimedia data comprising:

a first encoder to encode a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version; and

a second encoder to encode the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, further comprising a generator to generate information relating to the encoded first and second versions.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the generated information comprises reference information indicating that the second intra-coded version is redundant.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first portion of multimedia data comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the first encoder encodes multimedia data of a second frame located subsequent to the first frame, wherein the second frame multimedia data is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the second encoder encodes one or more of the second portions using intra-coding, and further wherein the one or more second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

33. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the second encoder encodes one or more of the second portions of the first frame using intra-coding for inclusion with the first version.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising a transmitter to transmit the first version, the second version and the generated information.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the transmitter transmits the first version over a first communication link, and transmits the second version over a second communication link.

36. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein the first and second versions are transmitted over one communication link.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the first communication link or the second communication link comprises a virtual channel.

38. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the information indicating that the second version is redundant information comprises information identifying a frame sequence number of a frame containing the first portion.

39. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the first version is associated with a first quality level and the second version is associated with a second quality level that is lower than or equal to the first quality level.

40. An apparatus for processing multimedia data, comprising:

first encoder means for encoding a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version; and

second encoder means for encoding the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version.

41. The apparatus of claim 40, further comprising means for generating information relating to the encoded first and second versions.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the information comprises reference information indicating that the second intra-coded version is redundant.

43. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the first encoder means encodes a second frame located subsequent to the first frame, wherein the second frame is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

45. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the second encoder means encodes one or more of the second portions using intra-coding, wherein the one or more second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

46. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the second encoder means encodes one or more of the second portions of the first frame using intra-coding for inclusion with the first version.

47. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising means for transmitting the first version, the second version, and the relating information.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the means for transmitting transmits the first version over a first communication link, and transmits the second version over a second communication link.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the means for transmitting transmits the first and second versions over one communication link.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the first communication link or the second communication link comprises a virtual channel.

51. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the means for generating generates information identifying a frame sequence number of a frame containing the first portion.

52. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the first version is associated with a first quality level and the second version is associated with a second quality level that is lower than or equal to the first quality level.

53. A machine readable medium comprising instructions that upon execution cause a machine to:

encode a first portion of multimedia data using inter-coding to generate a first version; and

encode the first portion of multimedia data using intra-coding to generate a second version.

54. The machine readable medium of claim 53, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to generate information relating to the encoded first and second versions.

55. The machine readable medium of claim 54, wherein the generated information comprises reference information indicating that the second intra-coded version is redundant.

56. The machine readable medium of claim 53, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

57. The machine readable medium of claim 56, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to encode a second frame located subsequent to the first frame, wherein the second frame is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

58. The machine readable medium of claim 53, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the machine readable medium further comprises instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

encode one or more of the second portions by intra-coding, wherein the one or more second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

59. The machine readable medium of claim 53, wherein the first portion comprises part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the machine readable medium further comprises instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

encode one or more of the second portions of the first frame by intra-coding for inclusion with the first version.

60. The machine readable medium of claim 54, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

transmit the first version;

transmit the second version; and

transmit the information.

61. The machine readable medium of claim 60, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

transmit the first version over a first communication link; and

transmit the second version over a second communication link.

62. The machine readable medium of claim 60, wherein the transmission of the first and second versions occur over one communication link.

63. The machine readable medium of claim 61, wherein the transmission over the first communication link or the transmission over the second communication link comprises transmitting over a virtual channel.

64. The machine readable medium of claim 56, wherein the information indicating that the second version is redundant information comprises information identifying a frame sequence number of a frame containing the first portion.

65. The machine readable medium of claim 53, wherein the first version is associated with a first quality level and the second version is associated with a second quality level that is lower than or equal to the first quality level.

66. A method of processing multimedia data, comprising:

receiving a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded;

receiving a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded; and

selectively decoding the first and second received versions.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein selectively decoding further comprises:

determining whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

decoding the second intra-coded version based on the determination.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein selectively decoding further comprises:

determining whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

decoding the second intra-coded version in response to determining the reference data to be unavailable.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein determining that reference data is unavailable comprises detecting a channel switch command, and determining that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the channel switch command.

70. The method of claim 68, wherein determining that reference data is unavailable comprises detecting errors in the reference data upon which the first inter-coded version depends, and determining that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the errors.

71. The method of claim 66, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising receiving a second frame of the superframe, wherein the second frame is subsequent to the first frame and is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

73. The method of claim 66, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and receiving the first version further comprises receiving one or more of the second portions that are intra-coded, wherein the one or more intra-coded second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein selectively decoding further comprises:

decoding the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data;

decoding the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data; and

combining the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

75. The method of claim 66, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and receiving the first version further comprises receiving one or more of the second portions of the first frame that are intra-coded.

76. The method of claim 75, wherein selectively decoding further comprises:

decoding the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data;

decoding the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data; and

combining the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

77. The method of claim 66, further comprising receiving information related to the received first and second versions of the multimedia data.

78. The method of claim 66, wherein receiving the first version comprises receiving over a first communication link, and wherein receiving the second version comprises receiving over a second communication link.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein receiving over the first communication link or receiving over the second communication link comprises receiving a virtual channel.

80. The method of claim 66, wherein the first and second versions are received over a single communication link.

81. A multimedia data processor comprising a configuration to:

receive a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded;

receive a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded; and

selectively decode the first and second received versions.

82. The processor of claim 81, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

selectively decode the second intra-coded version based on the determination.

83. The processor of claim 81, wherein the processor is further configured to:

determine whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

selectively decode the second intra-coded version in response to determining the reference data to be unavailable.

84. The processor of claim 83, wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect a channel switch command; and

determine that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the channel switch command.

85. The processor of claim 83, wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect errors in the reference data upon which the first inter-coded version depends; and

determine that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the errors.

86. The processor of claim 81, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

87. The processor of claim 86, wherein the processor is further configured to receive a second frame of the superframe, wherein the second frame is subsequent to the first frame and is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

88. The processor of claim 81, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the processor is further configured to receive one or more of the second portions that are intra-coded, further wherein the one or more intra-coded second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

89. The processor of claim 88, wherein the processor is further configured to:

selectively decode the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data;

selectively decode the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data; and

combine the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

90. The processor of claim 81, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the processor is further configured to receive one or more of the second portions of the first frame that are intra-coded.

91. The processor of claim 90, wherein the processor is further configured to:

selectively decode the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data;

selectively decode the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data; and

combine the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

92. The processor of claim 81, wherein the processor is further configured to receive information related to the received first and second versions of the multimedia data.

93. The processor of claim 81, wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive the first version over a first communication link; and

receive the second version comprises receiving over a second communication link.

94. The processor of claim 93, wherein the first communication link or the second communication link comprises a virtual channel.

95. The processor of claim 81, wherein the processor is configured to receive the first and second versions over a single communication link.

96. An apparatus for processing multimedia data comprising:

a receiver to receive a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, and to receive a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded; and

a decoder to selectively decode the first and second received versions.

97. The apparatus of claim 96, further comprising:

a determiner to determine whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

wherein the decoder selectively decodes the second intra-coded version based on the determination.

98. The apparatus of claim 96, further comprising:

a determiner to determine whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

wherein the decoder selectively decodes the second intra-coded version in response to determining the reference data to be unavailable.

99. The apparatus of claim 98, further comprising:

a detector to detect a channel switch command; and

wherein the determiner determines that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the channel switch command.

100. The apparatus of claim 98, further comprising:

a detector to detect errors in the reference data upon which the first inter-coded version depends; and

wherein the determiner determines that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the errors.

101. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

102. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the receiver receives a second frame of the superframe, wherein the second frame is subsequent to the first frame and is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

103. The apparatus of claim 101, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the receiver receives one or more of the second portions that are intra-coded, and further wherein the one or more intra-coded second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

104. The apparatus of claim 103, wherein the decoder is configured to:

selectively decode the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data;

selectively decode the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data; and

combine the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

105. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the receiver receives one or more of the second portions of the first frame that are intra-coded.

106. The apparatus of claim 105, wherein the decoder is configured to:

selectively decode the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data;

selectively decode the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data; and

combine the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

107. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the receiver receives information related to the received first and second versions of the multimedia data.

108. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the receiver is configured to:

receive the first version over a first communication link; and

receive the second version comprises receiving over a second communication link.

109. The apparatus of claim 108, wherein the first communication link or the second communication link comprises a virtual channel.

110. The apparatus of claim 96, wherein the receiver receives the first and second versions over a single communication link.

111. An apparatus for processing multimedia data, comprising:

means for receiving a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded, and receiving a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded; and

means for selectively decoding the first and second received versions.

112. The apparatus of claim 111, further comprising:

means for determining whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

wherein the means for selectively decoding decodes the second intra-coded version based on the determination.

113. The apparatus of claim 111, further comprising:

means for determining whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

wherein the means for selectively decoding decodes the second intra-coded version in response to determining the reference data to be unavailable.

114. The apparatus of claim 113, further comprising:

means for detecting a channel switch command; and

wherein the means for determining determines that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the channel switch command.

115. The apparatus of claim 113, further comprising:

means for detecting errors in the reference data upon which the first inter-coded version depends; and

wherein the means for determining determines that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the errors.

116. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

117. The apparatus of claim 116, wherein the means for receiving receives a second frame of the superframe, wherein the second frame is subsequent to the first frame and is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

118. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the means for receiving receives one or more of the second portions that are intra-coded, wherein the one or more intra-coded second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

119. The apparatus of claim 118, wherein the means for selectively decoding decodes the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data, and decodes the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data, and combines the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

120. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, and the means for receiving receives one or more of the second portions of the first frame that are intra-coded.

121. The apparatus of claim 120, wherein the means for selectively decoding decodes the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data, decoding the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data, and combines the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

122. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the means for receiving receives information related to the first and second versions of the multimedia data.

123. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the means for receiving receives the first version over a first communication link, and receives the second version over a second communication link.

124. The apparatus of claim 123, wherein the first communication link or the second communication link comprises a virtual channel.

125. The apparatus of claim 111, wherein the means for receiving receives the first and second versions over a single communication link.

126. A machine readable medium comprising instructions that upon execution cause a machine to:

receive a first version of a first portion of multimedia data, wherein the first version is inter-coded;

receive a second version of the first portion of multimedia data, wherein the second version is intra-coded; and

selectively decode the first and second received versions.

127. The machine readable medium of claim 126, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

determine whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

selectively decode the second intra-coded version based on the determination.

128. The machine readable medium of claim 126, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

determine whether reference data is available, the reference data being associated with the first inter-coded version; and

selectively decode the second intra-coded version in response to determining the reference data to be unavailable.

129. The machine readable medium of claim 128, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

detect a channel switch command; and

determine that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the channel switch command.

130. The machine readable medium of claim 128, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

detect errors in the reference data upon which the first inter-coded version depends; and

determine that the reference data is unavailable in response to detecting the errors.

131. The machine readable medium of claim 126, wherein the first portion comprises a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data.

132. The machine readable medium of claim 131, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to receive a second frame of the superframe, wherein the second frame is subsequent to the first frame and is encoded without reference to data in any preceding superframe.

133. The machine readable medium of claim 126, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, the machine readable medium further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to receive one or more of the second portions that are intra-coded, further wherein the one or more intra-coded second portions are located in one or more second frames of the superframe.

134. The machine readable medium of claim 133, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

selectively decode the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data;

selectively decode the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data; and

combine the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

135. The machine readable medium of claim 126, wherein the first portion is part of an entire frame that excludes one or more second portions and is located in a first frame of a superframe of the multimedia data, the machine readable medium further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to receive one or more of the second portions of the first frame that are intra-coded.

136. The machine readable medium of claim 135, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

selectively decode the intra-coded first portion of the second version of the multimedia data;

selectively decode the one or more intra-coded second portions of the first version of the multimedia data; and

combine the decoded first portion with the one or more decoded second portions to be displayed in a single frame.

137. The machine readable medium of claim 126, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to receive information related to the received first and second versions of the multimedia data.

138. The machine readable medium of claim 126, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to:

receive the first version over a first communication link; and

receive the second version comprises receiving over a second communication link.

139. The machine readable medium of claim 138, wherein the first communication link or the second communication link comprises a virtual channel.

140. The machine readable medium of claim 126, further comprising instructions that upon executing cause a machine to receive the first and second versions over a single communication link.

141. A method for transmitting digital video data, the method comprising:

transmitting inter-coded digital video frames for each of a plurality of digital video channels; and

transmitting channel switch frames for each of the channels, wherein at least one of the channel switch frames comprises intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the respective channel.

142. The method of claim 141, wherein at least one of the inter-coded frames following one of the channel switch frames is encoded to exclude a backward reference to any of the inter-coded frames preceding the respective channel switch frame.

143. The method of claim 142, wherein at least one of the inter-coded frames following one of the channel switch frames references a frame coinciding with the respective channel switch frame.

144. The method of claim 143, wherein the frame coinciding with the respective channel switch frame is the channel switch frame for a requested channel if a channel switch is requested or one of the inter-coded frames for a current channel if a channel switch is not requested.

145. The method of claim 141, further comprising periodically transmitting the channel switch frames at least once per second.

146. The method of claim 141, wherein at least one of the channel switch frames is embedded within an administrative frame.

147. The method of claim 146, wherein the administrative frame comprises a supplemental enhancement information (SEI) frame.

148. The method of claim 141, wherein the digital video data in the channel switch frame is encoded at a reduced bit rate relative to other intra-coded frames.

149. The method of claim 141, wherein transmitting inter-coded frames comprises transmitting predictive (P) frames, and wherein the channel switch frame comprises an Intra (I) frame comprising intra-encoded content that corresponds to one of the P frames.

150. An apparatus for transmitting digital video data, comprising:

means for transmitting inter-coded digital video frames for each of a plurality of digital video channels; and

means for transmitting channel switch frames for each of the channels, wherein at least one of the channel switch frames comprises intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the respective channel.

151. The apparatus of claim 150, wherein at least one of the inter-coded frames following one of the channel switch frames is encoded to exclude a backward reference to any of the inter-coded frames preceding the respective channel switch frame.

152. The apparatus of claim 151, wherein at least one of the inter-coded frames following one of the channel switch frames references a frame coinciding with the respective channel switch frame.

153. The apparatus of claim 152, wherein the frame coinciding with the respective channel switch frame is the channel switch frame for a requested channel if a channel switch is requested or one of the inter-coded frames for a current channel if a channel switch is not requested.

154. The apparatus of claim 150, further comprising means for periodically transmitting the channel switch frames at least once per second.

155. The apparatus of claim 150, wherein at least one of the channel switch frames is embedded within an administrative frame.

156. The apparatus of claim 155, wherein the administrative frame comprises a supplemental enhancement information (SEI) frame.

157. The apparatus of claim 150, wherein the digital video data in the channel switch frame is encoded at a reduced bit rate relative to other intra-coded frames.

158. The apparatus of claim 150, wherein the means for transmitting inter-coded frames further transmits predictive (P) frames, and wherein the channel switch frame comprises an Intra (I) frame comprising intra-encoded content that corresponds to one of the P frames.

159. An apparatus for transmitting digital video data, comprising:

a first transmitter configured to transmit inter-coded digital video frames for each of a plurality of digital video channels; and

a second transmitter configured to transmit channel switch frames for each of the channels, wherein at least one of the channel switch frames comprises intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the respective channel.

160. A processor for transmitting digital video data, said processor being configured to:

transmit inter-coded digital video frames for each of a plurality of digital video channels; and

transmit channel switch frames for each of the channels, wherein at least one of the channel switch frames comprises intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the respective channel.

161. A machine readable medium comprising instructions for transmitting digital video data, wherein the instructions upon execution cause a machine to:

transmit inter-coded digital video frames for each of a plurality of digital video channels; and

transmit channel switch frames for each of the channels, wherein at least one of the channel switch frames comprises intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the respective channel.

162. A method for receiving digital video data, the method comprising:

obtaining inter-coded frames that comprise inter-coded digital video data associated with a first channel;

receiving a request to switch to a second channel; and

in response to the request, obtaining a channel switch frame comprising intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the second channel.

163. The method of claim 162, wherein at least one of the inter-coded frames following the channel switch frame does not include a backward reference to any of the inter-coded frames preceding the respective channel switch frame.

164. The method of claim 163, wherein at least one of the inter-coded frames following one of the channel switch frames only references a frame coinciding with the respective channel switch frame.

165. The method of claim 164, wherein the frame coinciding with the respective channel switch frame is the channel switch frame for the second channel if a request to switch to the second channel is requested or one of the inter-coded frames for the first channel if a request to switch to the second channel is not requested.

166. The method of claim 162, wherein obtaining a channel switch frame comprises obtaining one of a plurality of channel switch frames corresponding to different channels.

167. The method of claim 162, wherein the channel switch frame is embedded within an administrative frame.

168. The method of claim 167, wherein the administrative frame comprises a supplemental enhancement information (SEI) frame.

169. The method of claim 162, wherein the digital video data in the channel switch frame is encoded at a reduced bit rate relative to other intra-coded frames.

170. The method of claim 162, wherein the inter-coded frames comprise predictive (P) frames, and wherein the channel switch frame comprise an Intra (I) frame comprising intra-encoded digital video data that corresponds to one of the P frames.

171. An apparatus for receiving digital video data, comprising:

means for obtaining inter-coded frames that comprise inter-coded digital video data associated with a first channel;

means for receiving a request to switch to a second channel; and

in response to the request, means for obtaining a channel switch frame comprising intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the second channel.

172. The apparatus of claim 171, wherein at least one of the inter-coded frames following the channel switch frame does not include a backward reference to any of the inter-coded frames preceding the respective channel switch frame.

173. The apparatus of claim 172, wherein at least one of the inter-coded frames following one of the channel switch frames only references a frame coinciding with the respective channel switch frame.

174. The apparatus of claim 173, wherein the frame coinciding with the respective channel switch frame is the channel switch frame for the second channel if a request to switch to the second channel is requested or one of the inter-coded frames for the first channel if a request to switch to the second channel is not requested.

175. The apparatus of claim 171, wherein the means for obtaining the channel switch frame further obtains one of a plurality of channel switch frames corresponding to different channels.

176. The apparatus of claim 171, wherein the channel switch frame is embedded within an administrative frame.

177. The apparatus of claim 176, wherein the administrative frame comprises a supplemental enhancement information (SEI) frame.

178. The apparatus of claim 171, wherein the digital video data in the channel switch frame is encoded at a reduced bit rate relative to other intra-coded frames.

179. The apparatus of claim 171, wherein the inter-coded frames comprise predictive (P) frames, and wherein the channel switch frame comprise an Intra (I) frame comprising intra-encoded digital video data that corresponds to one of the P frames.

180. An apparatus for receiving digital video data, comprising:

a first obtaining module configured to obtain inter-coded frames that comprise inter-coded digital video data associated with a first channel;

a receiver configured to receive a request to switch to a second channel; and

in response to the request, a second obtaining module configured to obtain a channel switch frame comprising intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the second channel.

181. A processor for receiving digital video data, said processor being configured to:

obtain inter-coded frames that comprise inter-coded digital video data associated with a first channel;

receive a request to switch to a second channel; and

in response to the request, obtain a channel switch frame comprising intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the second channel.

182. A machine readable medium comprising instructions for receiving digital video data, wherein the instructions upon execution cause a machine to:

obtain inter-coded frames that comprise inter-coded digital video data associated with a first channel;

receive a request to switch to a second channel; and

in response to the request, obtain a channel switch frame comprising intra-coded digital video data corresponding to one of the inter-coded frames for the second channel.