REALTIME PLAYBACK METHOD FOR VIDEO RECORDING SYSTEM

1 . A realtime playback method for a video recording system, comprising:

receiving input video data through the recording system and saving the input video data as buffered data; and

when the video recording system operates in a realtime playback mode, converting the buffered data to output video data.

2 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the input video data is converted into first video data and saved as the buffered data.

3 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising when the video recording system operates in the realtime playback mode, combining the buffered data and the input video data to form the output video data.

4 . The method as claimed in claim 3 , wherein, after the buffered data and the input video data are combined into the output video data, the output video data conforms to a picture in picture (PIP) format.

5 . The method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising when the video recording system operates in the realtime playback mode, saving a copy of the buffered data to a storage device.

6 . A video recording system, operable in at least a relay mode or a realtime playback mode to continuously receive input video data and provide output video data, comprising:

a recorder comprising a first memory unit continuously saving the input video data as buffered data;

a second memory unit coupled to the recorder;

a player coupled to the second memory units; and

a controller directing the video recording system to convert the input video data into the output video data when the video recording system operates in the relay mode, and, when the video recording system operates in the realtime playback mode, routing the buffered video data to the second memory unit and directing the player to retrieve the buffered video data from the second memory unit as the output video data.

7 . The system as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising:

a video input unit receiving and converting the input video data into first video data and transmitting the first video data to the recorder which saves the first video data as the buffered data.

8 . The system as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising:

an output unit coupled to the player and the controller and receiving the input video data, wherein when the video recording system operates in the relay mode, the controller directs the output unit to convert the input video data into the output video data, and, when the video recording system operates in the realtime playback mode, the controller directs the player to display the output video data through the output unit.

9 . The system as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising:

an output unit coupled to the player and the controller and receiving the input video data, wherein when the video recording system operates in the relay mode, the controller directs the output unit to convert the first video data into the output video data, and, when the video recording system operates in the realtime playback mode, the controller directs the player to display the output video data through the output unit.

10 . The system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the first memory unit further comprises a cyclic buffer.

11 . The system as claimed in claim 6 , further comprising:

a storage unit storing a copy of video data stored in the second memory unit.

12 . The system as claimed in claim 11 , wherein, when the video recording system operates in the realtime playback mode, the controller directs the storage unit to store a copy of the buffered data.

13 . The system as claimed in claim 6 , wherein when the video recording system operates in the realtime playback mode, the controller further combines the buffered data and the input video data to form the output video data.

14 . The system as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the output unit combines the buffered data and the input video data into the output video data in picture in picture (PIP) format.