Real-time issues of MPEG-2 playout in resource constrained systems

Issue title: Real-Time Systems (Euromicro RTS-03)

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Isović, Damir | Fohler, Gerhard | Steffens, Liesbeth

Note: [] Corresponding author. E-mail: damir.isovic@mdh.se

Abstract: Decoding MPEG-2 video streams imposes hard real-time constraints for consumer electronic devices such as TV sets. The freedom of encoding choices provided by the MPEG-2 standard results in high variability inside streams, in particular with respect to frame structures and their sizes. In this paper, we discuss real-time issues for MPEG-2 playout. We present results from a study of realistic MPEG-2 video streams to analyze the validity of common assumptions for software decoding and identify a number of misconceptions. We identify constraints imposed by frame buffer handling and discuss their implications on decoding architecture and timing. Finally, we identify realistic timing constraints demanded by high quality MPEG-2 software video decoding.

Keywords: MPEG-2, quality of service, real-time video processing, timing constraints, misconceptions about MPEG, resource constrained systems

Journal: Journal of Embedded Computing, vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 239-256, 2005