We have implemented a prototype fully-configurable video codec. This runs in real time on the PC platform. The prototype consists of a Universal Video Decoder (UVD) written in C++. The UVD is encapsulated in a real-time coding environment developed using the Microsoft DirectShow framework. “Live” video is captured from a camera and encoded using the current configuration. The encoder sends a complete description of the decoding process (in DDS) prior to sending coded video. The UVD receives and instantiates the DDS and proceeds to decode and display video. New or modified DDS may be sent once per frame as a header prior to the coded frame data. If a new or modified DDS function is received, the UVD instantiates this new function and carries on decoding the next video frame using the modified decoder structure.

The prototype can be downloaded from here