Video processing system with layered video coding and methods for use therewith

1. A video processing system comprising:

a network transceiver configured to receive a video stream that includes an independent video layer stream and a first dependent video layer stream, wherein the independent video layer stream includes a plurality of grayscale data, wherein the first dependent video layer stream includes a plurality of color data, and wherein the first dependent video layer stream does not include the plurality of grayscale data; and

a video decoder that, in accordance with a first mode of operation, is configured to decode the independent video layer stream into a grayscale video signal, and in accordance with a second mode of operation, is configured to decode the independent video layer stream and the first dependent video layer stream into a color video signal.

2. The video processing system of claim 1 , wherein the independent video layer stream does not include the plurality of color data.

3. The video processing system of claim 1 , wherein decoding of the first dependent video layer stream is dependent on data from the independent video layer stream.

4. The video processing system of claim 1 wherein grayscale data includes luma data and the color data includes chroma data.

5. The video processing system of claim 1 wherein, in the second mode of operation the video decoder synchronizes the independent video layer stream and the first dependent video layer stream to form a synchronized stream and to generate the color video signal based on the synchronized stream.

6. The video processing system of claim 1 wherein the video decoder, in the first mode of operation generates the grayscale video signal based on the independent video layer stream, without the first dependent video layer stream.

7. The video processing system of claim 1 wherein the video stream further includes one or more graphic streams, and where the video decoder selectively overlays the one or more graphic streams in response to user input received via a user interface.

8. The video processing system of claim 1 wherein the video decoder selects the first mode of operation of the second mode of operation in response to user input received via a user interface.

9. A method comprising:

receiving a video stream that includes an independent video layer stream and a first dependent video layer stream, wherein the independent video layer stream includes a plurality of grayscale data, wherein the first dependent video layer stream includes a plurality of color data, and wherein the first dependent video layer stream does not include the plurality of grayscale data;

determining if a first mode of operation of a second mode of operation is selected in a decoder;

decoding the independent video layer stream into a grayscale video signal, when the first mode of operation is selected; and

decoding the independent video layer stream and the first dependent video layer stream into a color video signal when the second mode of operation is selected.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the independent video layer stream does not include the plurality of color data.

11. The method of claim 9 , wherein decoding of the first dependent video layer stream is dependent on data from the independent video layer stream.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein grayscale data includes luma data and the color data includes chroma data.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein, in the second mode of operation the decoder synchronizes the independent video layer stream and the first dependent video layer stream to form a synchronized stream and to generate the color video signal based on the synchronized stream.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein decoding in the first mode of operation generates the grayscale video signal based on the independent video layer stream, without the first dependent video layer stream.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein the video stream further includes one or more graphic streams, and where the method further comprises:

selectively overlaying the one or more graphic streams in response to user input received via a user interface.

16. A video processing system comprising:

a user interface configured to generate user input; and

a video decoder configured to receive a video stream that includes an independent video layer stream and a first dependent video layer stream, wherein the independent video layer stream includes a plurality of grayscale data, wherein the first dependent video layer stream includes a plurality of color data, and wherein the first dependent video layer stream does not include the plurality of grayscale data;

wherein the video decoder selects one of: a first mode of operation or a second mode of operation, based on the user input;

wherein the video decoder, in accordance with the first mode of operation, decodes the independent video layer stream into a grayscale video signal, and in accordance with a second mode of operation, decodes the independent video layer stream and the first dependent video layer stream into a color video signal.

17. The video processing system of claim 16 , wherein the independent video layer stream does not include the plurality of color data.

18. The video processing system of claim 16 , wherein decoding of the first dependent video layer stream is dependent on data from the independent video layer stream.

19. The video processing system of claim 18 wherein grayscale data includes luma data and the color data includes chroma data.

20. The video processing system of claim 16 wherein, in the second mode of operation the video decoder synchronizes the independent video layer stream and the first dependent video layer stream to form a synchronized stream and to generate the color video signal based on the synchronized stream.