Apparatus and methods for processing data packets of a data stream, and a use of the devices

The invention relates to an apparatus and method for processing data packets of a data stream, wherein / the only error-free received data packets are processed by a first unit the received data packets in real time and by a second unit. Incorrect or not received data packets are repeatedly requested and supplied in error-free reception of the second unit. A data sink initially receives only the data processed by the first unit data packets. After the second unit and the first unit to edit the same data packets almost simultaneously, the data sink only be delivered processed by the second unit data packets. The invention may be used advantageously in the video decoding, for example, a video on demand service, or in an image analysis in the context of a monitoring system.