MPEG-2 Decoder

A hardware device or software algorithm that decodes a MPEG2 Elementary Stream and prepares the data for (e.g. audiovisual) presentation.

Since the decoding algorithms are usually quite complex (and thus their implementation can be error-prone), vendors have progressively switched from using fixed-function silicon decoder chipsets in their STB and DVD players to Firmware driven chipset designs, which allow for the uploading of hotfixes to correct for errors discovered within the decoding algorithm. More modern approaches even implement the entire decoding process in software via an embedded host processor.

Also See:

• VDR Software Decoder Plugin for a further distinction of hardware and software decoding.
• Hardware or Software Decoder?