Decoding a single frame can be done a completely deterministic constant-time basis using hardware acceleration, common in embedded systems. Decoding two consec

Decoding a single frame can be done a completely deterministic constant-time basis using hardware acceleration, common in embedded systems. Decoding two consecutive frames would obviously require two such cycles, which the hardware may or may not be spec’d for. With three, four or n skipped frames, you would require (at least) n frames prebuffering, rendering and graphics memory to guarantee smooth playback. I think it makes sense to differentiate between mastering formats and consumption formats. One does not, after all, ship studio masters of albums or songs people listen to.