1. A method for capturing video frames from a plurality of video channels, the method comprising: forming a list of a least two descriptors for each of the plurality of video channels in a memory accessible to a direct memory access (DMA) engine, wherein a first descriptor and a second descriptor are programmed for each video channel to define a storage location for a sequential frame of video data for the channel; capturing video data from the plurality of video channels, wherein for each video channel, video frames are received at a frame rate for that video channel; storing captured video data in a location in a memory of the first descriptor programmed for the corresponding video channel; upon storing video data of a complete video frame of a corresponding video channel updating the second descriptor programmed for the corresponding video channel to indicate storing a complete frame of the corresponding video channel; periodically checking status of second descriptors for each of the plurality of video channels to identify video channels having a stored complete frame of video data, the periodicity less often than once per each completed frame of the plurality of video channels; and selecting the identified stored complete video frames for additional data processing.