a central processing unit cpu 132 can thus access the decoded data from data decoder 126 via the system bus 130 video data decoded by video decoder 122 is passed to a graphics processor 136 which is a computer optimized to process graphics information rapidly graphics processor 136 is particularly useful in processing graphics intensive data associated with internet browsing gaming and multimedia applications such as those associated with mheg multimedia and hypermedia information coding experts group set top box applications it should be noted however that the function of graphics processor 136 may be unnecessary in some set top box designs having lower capabilities and the function of the graphics processor 136 may be handled by the cpu 132 in some applications where the decoded video is passed directly from the demultiplexer 110 to a video encoder graphics processor 136 is also coupled to the system bus 130 and operates under the control of cpu 132 stb 22 may incorporate a smart card reader 140 for communicating with a so called u201c smart card u201d often serving as a conditional access module cam the cam typically includes a central processor unit cpu of its own along with associated ram and rom memory smart card reader 140 is used to couple the system bus of stb 22 to the smart card serving as a cam not shown such smart card based cams are conventionally utilized for authentication of the user and authentication of transactions carried out by the user as well as authorization of services and storage of authorized cryptography keys for example the cam can be used to provide the key for decoding incoming cryptographic data for content that the cam determines the user is authorized to receive stb 22 can.