COMPACT OPTICAL VIDEO DISC PLAYER AND A METHOD

FOR PLAYING A VIDEO STREAM Field of the invention

[001] The invention relates to a compact optical video disc player and a method for playing a video stream

Background of the invention

[002] Single disc video players are known in the art. A standard single disc video player includes a single optical head. In such players video signals the single optical head reads the optical video disc to provide analog signals that are then converted to digital signals , digitally processed and eventually sent to one or more video output units such as a display, TV set and/or projector. The optical head is positioned above the spinning optical video disc by a servo. The optical video disc is spun by a rotating engine.

[003] Content suppliers are facing various challenges. The first challenge is associated with the increasing volume of video files, especially high definition video files. The second challenge is associated with copyright infringements and especially the so-called industrial copyright piracy.

[ 004 ] Blue-ray) disc and high definition digital optical video disc (HD DVD) are two emerging technologies which provide high capacity optical video discs. For example, a 12cm single-sided single layer capacity Blue ray disc can store 25 Gigabyte and a 12cm single-sided single layer capacity HD DVD disc can store 15Gigabyte. In comparison, a 12cm single-sided single layer capacity "older generation" disc can store 4.7 Gigabyte. Despite their increased volume the newer technologies (Blue-ray and HD DVD) require using relatively high cost HD players as well as new industrial infrastructure for Disc& drive manufacturing.

[ 005 ] Industrial copyright piracy occurs when a vendor that was allowed to produce copies of a copyrightable optical video disc exceeded his quota and manufactures unauthorized copies of the

optical video disc. These unauthorized copies are then sold without paying the copyright owner any royalties .

[006] There is a growing need to provide systems and methods for an efficient Compact optical video disc player and a method for playing a video stream.

Summary of the invention

[007] A compact optical video disc player is provided. The compact optical video disc player includes: multiple optical heads adapted to read multiple optical video discs; multiple servos connected to the multiple optical heads; and a player processing unit adapted to process video signals read from the multiple optical heads and to provide a video stream to a video output unit. A single optical video disc stores only a portion of the video stream.

[ 008 ] Conveniently, the video output unit is a screen such as a television screen, a projector and the like. The screen is located in proximate to the compact optical video disc player. [ 009 ] Conveniently, the compact optical video disc player is adapted to read optical video discs that are formatted according to a format selected from a group that consists of: DVD-5, DVD- 9, DVD-10, DVD-18, HD-DVD, Blue Ray Disc, VMD and FMD. [0010] Conveniently, the compact optical video disc player is further adapted to write on the multiple optical video discs . [0011] Conveniently, the multiple optical heads are connected to at least one analog to digital converter via a multiplexer; wherein a number of optical heads exceeds a number of analog to digital converters . .

[0012] Conveniently, the multiple optical heads are connected to an analog to digital converter that includes at least one output and multiple inputs ; wherein a number of inputs of the digital to analog converter exceeds a number of outputs of the digital to analog converter.

[0013] Conveniently, the video processing unit includes multiple digital to analog converters that are connected to at

least one video decoder; wherein a number of analog to digital converters exceeds a number of video decoders .

[0014] Conveniently, the video compact optical video disc player is adapted to read video content from the multiple optical video discs in a sequential manner.

[0015] Conveniently, the video compact optical video disc player is adapted to read fragments of a video stream that are stored in a non-sequential manner within each optical video disc .

[0016] Conveniently, the video compact optical video disc player is adapted to read fragments of a video stream that are spread in a non-sequential manner among the multiple discs.

[0017] Conveniently, the compact optical video disc player is adapted to retrieve fragment location information and to retrieve video stream fragments in response to the fragment location information; wherein at least a portion of the fragment location information is stored on at least one optical video disc .

[0018] Conveniently, the compact optical video disc player is adapted to retrieve fragment location information and to retrieve video stream fragments in response to the fragment location information; wherein at least a portion of the fragment location information is stored on a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs .

[0019] Conveniently, an optical head is adapted to locate a video fragment to be read by that optical head after another video fragment is read while another optical head reads the other video fragment.

[0020] Conveniently, an optical head is adapted to read video data while another optical head reads metadata required for processing the video data.

[0021] Conveniently, the video processing unit is adapted to retrieve lead in location information and in response to access a lead in area of a optical video disc.

[0022] Conveniently, the video processing unit is adapted to retrieve the lead in location information from a memory unit that differs from the video player discs.

[0023] Conveniently, the video processing unit is adapted to access the lead in that is located at a location that differs from a location of lead in information within optical video discs of single optical video disc systems.

[0024] Conveniently, the video processing unit is adapted to retrieve conditional usage information stored at multiple optical video discs; and determine, in response to the conditional usage information, whether to read video content from the optical video discs, video

[0025] Conveniently, the video processing unit is adapted to compare conditional usage information stored at multiple optical video discs and conditional usage information stored at a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs.

[0026] Conveniently, the compact optical video disc player includes multiple spaced apart video loaders , each adapted to hold a single optical video disc out of the multiple optical video discs.

[0027] Conveniently, the compact optical video disc player includes a loading mechanism adapted to receive the multiple discs and to distribute the multiple discs between the holders.

[0028] A method for playing a video stream is provided. The method includes: reading video stream fragments that are stored on multiple optical video discs by a optical video discs player by utilizing multiple optical heads coupled to multiple servos, wherein a single optical video disc stores only a portion of the video stream; processing the video stream fragments to provide a video stream; and sending the video stream to a video output unit .

[0029] Conveniently, the sending includes sending the video stream to a display that is proximate to the multiple servo player.

[0030] Conveniently, the reading includes (but not exhausts) reading optical video discs that are formatted according to one

of the following formats: DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-IO, DVD-I8, HD-DVD,

Blue Ray, VMD and FMD.

[0031] Conveniently, the method further includes writing video content on multiple discs.

[0032] Conveniently, the processing includes converting analog video stream signals to digital video stream signals by at least one analog to digital converter; wherein a number of optical heads exceeds a number of analog to digital converters

[0033] Conveniently, the processing includes converting analog video stream signals to digital video stream signals by an analog to digital converter that includes at least one output and multiple inputs ; wherein a number of inputs of the digital to analog converter exceeds a number of outputs of the digital to analog converter.

[0034] Conveniently, the processing includes converting analog video stream signals to digital video stream signals by at least one analog to digital converter and decoding the digital video stream signals by at least one video decoder; wherein a number of analog to digital converters exceeds a number of video decoders .

[0035] Conveniently, the reading includes reading video content from the multiple optical video discs in a sequential manner.

[0036] Conveniently, the reading includes reading video content from the each optical video disc in a non-sequential manner .

[0037] Conveniently, the reading includes reading video fragments that are spread in a non-sequential manner among the multiple discs.

[0038] Conveniently, the method further includes retrieving fragment location information and wherein the reading includes retrieving video stream fragments in response to the fragment location information; wherein at least a portion of the fragment location information is stored on at least one optical video disc .

[0039] Conveniently, the method further includes retrieving fragment location information from a memory unit that differs from the multiple discs and wherein the reading includes retrieving video stream fragments in response to the fragment location information.

[0040] Conveniently, the method further includes locating, by an optical head, a video fragment while reading, by another optical head, another video fragment.

[0041] Conveniently, the method further includes reading metadata required for processing a video fragment while reading, by another optical head, the video fragment.

[0042] Conveniently, the reading includes searching lead in information in response to lead in location information stored on at least one optical video disc.

[0043] Conveniently, the method further includes reading lead in location information from a memory unit that differs from the multiple optical video discs and read the lead in response to the lead in location information.

[0044] Conveniently, the reading includes searching lead in information located at a location that differs from a location of lead in information within optical video discs of standard optical video disc systems .

[0045] Conveniently, the method includes retrieving conditional usage information stored at multiple optical video discs; and determining in response to the conditional usage information, whether to read video content from the optical video discs.

[0046] Conveniently, the method includes conditional usage information stored at multiple optical video discs and conditional usage information stored at a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs; and determining.

Brief description of the drawings

[0047] The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

[0048] Figure 1 illustrates a compact optical video disc player according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0049] Figure 2 illustrates a compact optical video disc player according to another embodiment of the invention;

[0050] Figure 3 illustrates a compact optical video disc player according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

[0051] Figure 4 illustrates a compact optical video disc player according to yet another embodiment of the invention;

[0052] Figure 5 is a timing diagram illustrating a retrieval of video content stored in a sequential manner, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0053] Figure 6 is a timing diagram that illustrates a retrieval of video content as well as the retrieval of metadata, according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0054] Figures 7-9 illustrate various video information allocations, according to various embodiments of the invention; and

[0055] Figure 10 is a flow chart of a method for playing a video stream, according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed description of the drawings

[0056] A compact optical video disc player and a method for playing a video stream are provided. Multiple optical video discs are stored within the compact optical video disc player. The multiple optical video discs can be read by multiple optical heads of the compact optical video disc player. The compact video disc player can be placed within a standard IU PC box.

[0057] Conveniently, the number of optical video discs equals .the number of optical heads.

[0058] Conveniently, the optical video discs store portions of one or more films .

[0059] Conveniently, the multiple optical video discs are placed in a cartridge and the cartridge (including the multiple optical video discs) are provided to (for example inserted into) the compact optical video disc player. The cartridge can have different shapes and can hold the optical video discs in various manners. For example - the optical video discs can be stacked, arranged in a two dimensional array, placed in a row.

[0060] Conveniently, the compact optical video disc player includes multiple optical heads as well as digital components (typically in the digital domain) that can be shared by the multiple video paths. Using multiple relatively cheap optical heads and sharing digital components can provide a low cost but high throughput compact optical video disc player.

[0061] The video information can be arranged in various manners. Different fragments of a video stream (for example- of a program) can be distributed among the multiple optical video discs in a sequential or non-sequential manner.

[0062] The usage of the video information can be secured by using conditional usage information. At least a portion of the conditional usage information can be stored on one or more of the optical video discs or can be stored in a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs.

[0063] Conveniently, each optical head and associated components can read optical video discs using so-called "older" generation DVD formats whereas the Red laser compact optical video disc player can play multiple optical video discs that can store a large amount of video information that can exceed the amount of data stored in current HD DVD and Blue-Ray discs, while Blue laser disc video player (based on Blue-ray or HD DVD servos and optical heads) could play Blue laser optical video discs, multiplying several times amount of data stored in current HD DVD and Blue -ray discs .

Sample video player configurations

[0064] Analog signals generated by the optical heads are converted to digital signals that are processed to provide a video stream. The video stream is sent to a video output unit. This process can utilize shared components such as but not limited to a shared analog to digital converter, a shared video decoder, and the like, video output unit

[0065] Figure 1 illustrates compact optical video disc player 10 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0066] Compact optical video disc player 10 includes multiple optical heads 12(1)- 12(N), multiple servos 14(1)- 14(N), analog to digital converter 18, processor 20, video decoder 22 and an interface (referred to as commuter) 16. Analog to digital converter 18, processor 20, video decoder 22 and interface 16 form video processing unit 17. The compact optical video disc player can include an audio decoder and that processor 20 is connected to video decoder 22 and interface 22. For simplicity of explanation this audio decoder and various connections are not shown in figure 1.

[0067] It is noted that a single optical video disc stores only a portion of the video stream. For example, if each of the N optical video discs has a capacity of Cl then in order to store C films, the overall capacity of the optical discs should not be smaller than (N-I )*C1.

[0068] Optical heads 12(1) - 12(N) read optical video discs 30(1)- 30(N). These optical heads are connected to servos 14(1)- 14(N) and to interface 16. Interface 16 includes multiple inputs that are connected to optical heads 12(1) - 12(N) and an output that is connected to analog to digital converter 18. Analog to digital converter 18 is also connected to processor 20 and video decoder 22. Processor 20 controls the various servos 14(1)- 14(N) and can also control interface 16 and, alternatively or additionally controls analog to digital converter 18. Processor 20 can control the servos according to a predefined retrieval algorithm, according to metadata retrieved from one or

more optical video discs, metadata stored on a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs, or a combination thereof.

[0069] Processor 20 can select which optical head to activate, send appropriate control signals to the optical head and its associated servo, and can determine how to direct the analog signals generated from the optical head via interface 16 to analog to digital converter 18.

[0070] A sample retrieval algorithm can start by reading video information from the first optical head 12(1) and then read one optical video disc after the other, according to their order, until a completion of retrieval of data from the last optical video disc 30(N).

[0071] Interface 16 can multiplex between analog signals provided to different inputs (or gates) of interface 16. An optical head reads a certain optical video disc and generates analog signals that are sent to interface 16. Interface 16, following the order from the processor 20, selects which analog signal to pass to analog to digital converter 18 to provide a digital signal that is then sent to video decoder 22.

[0072] Figure 2 illustrates compact optical video disc player 10' according to another embodiment of the invention.

[0073] Compact optical video disc player 10' of figure 2 differs from compact optical video disc player 10 of figure 1 by including a multiple-input analog to digital converter 18' that is connected to the outputs of optical heads 12(1) - 12(N). Analog to digital converter 18', processor 20, video decoder 22 and interface 16,which multiplexes parallel information streams into a sequential one as a part of the transformation of the analogue signal into a digital one by the converter 18' , form video processing unit 17'.

[0074] Figure 3 illustrates compact optical video disc player 10" according to yet another embodiment of the invention.

[0075] Compact optical video disc player 10" of figure 3 differs from compact optical video disc player 10 of figure 1 by

including multiple analog to digital converters 18(1)-18(N) instead of a single analog to digital converter 18. Each analog to digital converter is connected to an optical head and to interface 16'. Interface 16' receives as input digital signals while interface 16 of figure 1 received analog signals. Analog to digital converters 18(1)- 18(N), processor 20, video decoder 22 and interface 16 form video processing unit 17".

[0076] Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the compact optical video disc player can include multiple optical heads and multiple shared components that are shared by few (but not all) the optical heads. For example, N optical heads can be connected to M analog to digital converters (1<M<N) that in turn are connected to a single interface.

[0077] It is noted that any of the mentioned above compact optical video disc players can include one or more buffers . Buffers can store digital signals that represent video content, can store control signals, metadata and the like. Using buffers can. relax timing constraints associated (among other things) with a transition from one video path to another. A buffer can precede video decoder 22, can be included within video decoder 22, and the like.

[0078] It is further noted that the access to video content can be secured by using metadata received from another unit such as a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs. The other memory unit can be included within the compact optical video disc player or outside the compact optical video disc player. The other memory unit can be a removable memory unit (such as but not limited to a memory stick, memory card and the like. The memory stick can have a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface but this is not necessarily so. It is further noted that various memory interfaces can connect a memory unit to processor 20. Sample interfaces include IDE ATAPI, SCSI but other interfaces can be used. .

[0079] Figure 4 illustrates compact optical video disc player according to a further embodiment of the invention. Compact optical video disc player 10"' of figure 4 differs from compact optical video disc player 10 of figure 1 by including a controller 28 that is connected to processor 20 and is adapted to receive metadata from memory unit 26. Analog to digital converter 18, controller 28, processor 20, video decoder 22 and interface 16 form video processing unit 17"'.

Sample video information retrieval algorithms

[0080] A video stream can be formed from multiple video stream fragments . A video stream fragment can be represented by one or more files stored on an optical video disc. According to various embodiments of the invention the multiple video stream fragments that form the video stream can be spread among various multiple optical video discs in various manners. For example, the video fragments of a video stream can be arranged in a sequential manner or in a non-sequential manner. In order to properly retrieve video content the optical video player retrieves fragment location information that can be stored in various manners. The fragment location information can be stored within one (or more) optical video discs, can be stored (or at least partially stored) within a memory unit that differs from optical video discs 30(l)-30(N), and the like. Fragment location information stored in a certain optical video disc can point to a video stream fragment located in another optical video disc, but this is not necessarily so.

[0081] Figure 5 is a timing diagram illustrating a retrieval of video content stored in a sequential manner, according to an embodiment of the invention. During the first till N ' th time periods 50(1)- 50(N) video information stored in the first till N'th optical video disc is retrieved. OK.

[0082] It is further noted that video location information as well as additional metadata (also referred to as service information) can be retrieved while video information is

retrieved. This can involve utilizing one or more optical heads concurrently. For example, while optical head 12(2) reads video content another optical head (for example - optical head 12(4)) can read metadata. This retrieval of two information streams can use time division multiplexing techniques, buffers, but this is not necessarily so.

[0083] The service information can include, for example, video manager code, which would perform, the change in the angle vision, change of languages, incorporation of the additional information, such as shooting data, actor's biographies etc., enabling additional graphic menu or interactive resources .0K.

[0084] Figure 6 is a timing diagram that illustrates a retrieval of video content as well as the retrieval of metadata, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0085] While video information is retrieved by a certain optical head (illustrated by retrieval periods 52(1)-52(N), metadata can be retrieved by another optical head (as illustrated by metadata retrieval periods 54(1)- 54(N)).

[0086] Yet according to another embodiment of the invention the video information is secured by using conditional usage information. The conditional usage information can prevent reading video information, performing analog to digital conversion, sending digital information to the video decoder, decoding digital video information or outputting decoded video information. OK,

[0087] The conditional usage information can be stored on one or more optical video disc. This conditional usage information can also be stored on another memory unit. In order to enable the retrieval and/or processing of video information the conditional usage on the one or more optical video disc can be compared to the conditional usage information stored in the other memory unit. If the comparison is successful then the retrieval and/or processing of video information can be allowed. OK.

[0088] The conditional usage information can be allocated per video fragment, but this is not necessarily so. For example, video access information can be allowed per the ^' whole video stream. OK.

[001] Figures 7-9 illustrate various video information allocations, according to various embodiments of the invention. [002] Figure 7 illustrates a sequential arrangement of video files. An executable code that should be read at the start of the video playing process (denoted "autoran.exe" 80) is stored on first optical video disc 30(1). Video information is stored in three video files "moviel.mpg" - "movie3.mpeg" 82(1) - 82(3) are stored on three consecutive optical video discs 30(1)- 30(3). Once the retrieval of first video file "moviel.mpg" 82(1) is completed the second video file "movie2.mpg" 82(2) is read. Once the retrieval of second video file "movie2.mpg" 82(2) is completed the third video file "movie3.mpg" 82(3) is read. [003] Figure 7 also illustrates a file (denoted "playlist .1st" 84) that stores the locations of video files "moviel.mpg" "movie3.mpg" 82(1) - 82(3).

[004] Playing the video files can include retrieving and executing "autorun.exe" 80 and then retrieving one video file after the other while using location information stored in "playlist.1st" 84.

[005] Figure 8 illustrates a sequential arrangement of video files as well as multiple access information files. The multiple conditional usage information files "key_partl .ke" - "key_part3. ke" 90(1)- 90(3) are stored in optical video discs 30(1)- 30(3) respectively. All key parts should be retrieved and optionally compared to conditional usage information that is stored in another memory unit in order enable playback of the video content. Conveniently, after an initialization stage (or even during this stage) the compact optical video disc player retrieves different parts of the conditional usage information (also referred to as a coding key) that are located in one or more optical video discs.

[006] The conditional usage information that is retrieved from the optical video discs is compared to conditional usage information stored in another memory unit.

[007] Figure 9 illustrates a non-sequential storage of video information. Different fragments 82(1,1) - 82(3,3) of a video stream are spread in a non-sequential order among three optical video discs . The order and location of these video fragments should be passed to the processor in order to enable the proper retrieval of the video content. Fragment location information can be stored in various manners. It can be at least partially stored at a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs, but this is not necessarily so. At least a part of the fragment location information can be included in the conditional usage information.

[ 008 ] According to an embodiment of the invention there are multiple predefined manners (or algorithms) for spreading the video fragments, and the fragment location information includes a value that selects between these possible manners.

[ 009 ] According to another embodiment of the invention the fragment location information is encrypted and the conditional usage information includes a decryption key.

Location of lead in information

[0010] A DVD includes a lead in area that includes lead in information. The lead in information should be read before video information (or so called "session" information) can be read.

The lead in information includes control information.

[0011] Each DVD standard defines a predefined lead in area location. This enable the DVD player to start reading the lead in information once a DVD is inserted to the DVD player.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the invention the location of the lead in area can deviate from the standard location, while enabling a compact optical video disc player to retrieve the lead in information. The non-standard location of the lead in area can be stored in the compact optical video disc player during production. Additionally or alternatively, the

non-standard location of the lead in area can be stored in a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs. OK. [0013] The standard lead in area will include information that will be regarded by standard compact optical video disc player such as standard single disc DVD players as erroneous. [0014] The lead in area can be shifted from the optical video disc center by 0.1-1.0mm. Thus, it can be located in a annular area delimited by two imaginary coaxial circles having a radius of 23.2mm and 23.8mm. It is noted that the lead in area can be located in other locations. It is further noted that different optical video discs can include differently located lead in areas. OK. Loading optical video discs

[0015] The multiple optical video discs can be loaded in various manners . According to one embodiment of the invention each out of the N optical video discs has its own loading mechanism. For example, the compact optical video disc player can include N slots, N sliding trays, and the like. These different loading mechanisms can be arranged in various manners such as but not limited to a stack, a two dimensional array or a row.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the invention a shared loading mechanism is used. Prior art DVD players include cassettes or other loading mechanisms that enable to store multiple DVDs (or multiple CDs) and load a single DVD to a DVD player. An example of such prior art mechanism is illustrated in U. S patent 6044047 of Kulas. These loading mechanisms can be amended to enable the provision of multiple optical video discs to multiple locations accessible by the multiple optical video disc engines .

[0017] Figure 10 is a flow chart of method 200 for playing a video stream according to an embodiment of the invention. [0018] Method 200 starts by stage 220 of initializing the compact optical video disc player.

[0019] Stage 220 can include loading the multiple optical discs to the compact optical video disc player, connecting an

external memory unit to the compact optical video disc player, reading lead in information or lead in location information, activating one or more optical heads, and the like. It is noted that optical heads can remain active (and maintain proper focus) even when then are not scheduled to read an optical disc . This can shorten the transition between one optical head to another. [0020] Stage 220 can include searching lead in information in response to lead in location information stored on at least one optical video disc. The searching can include reading lead in location information from a memory unit that differs from the multiple optical video discs. Stage 220 can include reading lead in information located at a location that differs from a location of lead in information within optical video discs of standard optical video disc systems.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the invention stage 220 can also include retrieving conditional usage information stored at multiple optical video discs; and determining in response to the conditional usage information, whether to read video content from the optical video discs. The determining can include comparing conditional usage information stored at multiple optical video discs and conditional usage information stored at a memory unit that differs from the optical video discs; and determining, in response to the comparison, whether to read video content from the optical video discs . According to an embodiment of the invention

[0022] Stage 220 is followed by stage 230 of reading video stream fragments that are stored on optical video discs by a optical video discs player by utilizing multiple optical heads coupled to multiple servos.

[0023] Conveniently, stage 230 includes reading optical video discs that are formatted according to one of the following formats: DVD-5, DVD-9, DVD-10, DVD-I8, HD-DVD, Blue Ray, VMD and FMD.

[0024] Stage 230 can include at least one of the following: (i) reading video content from the multiple optical video discs in a sequential manner; (ii) reading video content from the each

optical video disc in a non-sequential manner; (iii) reading video fragments that are spread in a non-sequential manner among the multiple discs; (iv) retrieving video stream fragments in response to fragment location information; wherein at least a portion of the fragment location information is stored on at least one optical video disc; (v) retrieving video stream fragments in response to fragment location information; wherein at least a portion of the fragment location information is retrieved from a memory unit that differs from the multiple discs ;

[0025] It is noted that while stage 230 is executed by a certain optical head another optical head can read other information. Thus, stage 230 can be executed in parallel to other stages. For example, method 200 can include locating, by an optical head, a video fragment while reading, by another optical head, another video fragment. Additionally or alternatively, method 200 can include reading metadata required for processing a video fragment while reading, by another optical head, the video fragment..

[0026] Stage 230 is followed by stage 240 of processing the video stream fragments to provide a video stream.

[0027] Stage 240 of processing can include at least one of the following or a combination thereof: (i) converting analog video stream signals to digital video stream signals by at least one analog to digital converter; wherein a number of optical heads exceeds a number of analog to digital converters; (ii) converting analog video stream signals to digital video stream signals by an analog to digital converter that comprises at least one output and multiple inputs; wherein a number of inputs of the digital to analog converter exceeds a number of outputs of the digital to analog converter; (iii) converting analog video stream signals to digital video stream signals by at least one analog to digital converter and decoding the digital video stream signals by at least one video decoder; wherein a number of analog to digital converters exceeds a number of video decoders .

[0028] Stage 240 is followed by stage 250 of sending the video stream to a video output unit. Stage 250 can include sending the video stream to a display that is proximate to the multiple optical heads. Thus, the compact optical video disc player can be connected to a screen that is located in proximity to compact optical video disc player.

[0029] Method 200 can include optional stage 260 of writing video content on multiple discs. This can occur when the optical video discs are also writable.

[0030] The present invention can be practiced by employing conventional tools, methodology and components. Accordingly, the details of such tools, component and methodology are not set forth herein in detail. In the previous descriptions, numerous specific details are set forth, in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it should be recognized that the present invention might be practiced without resorting to the details specifically set forth.

[0031] Only exemplary embodiments of the present invention and but a few examples of its versatility are shown and described in the present disclosure. It is to be understood that the present invention is capable of use in various other combinations and environments and is capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept as expressed herein.