Patent attributes
A method for providing instant replay is disclosed, including receiving a video and an audio stream from a source. Each media unit includes at least one video frame and at least one or more corresponding audio frames which further includes a first video frame that is independently decodable. Each media unit is an independently decodable entity. The media units have a fixed duration. The media units are stored in a memory. A number of starting addresses are stored in a table. The sequence header is retrieved in response to receipt of an instant replay command. Appropriate video and audio decompression engines are selected and configured based on the retrieved sequence header. An instant replay starting address is identified from the table in response to receipt of the instant replay command. One or more media units are retrieved from the memory starting with the media unit associated with the instant replay starting address.