DIGITAL HDTV GRAND ALLIANCE SYSTEM

A real-time video decoder capable of decompressing up to a 45 Mb/s MPEG-2 video bitstream is described. The decoder, which can operate at HDTV pixel rates, was built as part of the Grand Alliance HDTV System and is scheduled to undergo testing this year by the Advisory Committee on Advanced Television Service. The hardware can decode, display, and seamlessly switch between various interlaced and progressive image formats, as well as 24-fps film. This paper describes the video decoder hardware architecture and implementation. SUMMARY