Adaptive multi-standard video coder supporting adaptive standard selection and mid-stream switch-over. Automatic or semi-automatic selection and reselection between various respective communication protocols or standards (e.g., or profiles of such protocols or standards, subsets of such protocols or standards, etc.) may be made based on any of a number of local and/or remote considerations. For example, characteristics associated with one or more other devices, communication links, communication networks, etc. within a communication system may direct the automatic or semiautomatic selection and reselection between such communication protocols or standards (e.g., or profiles thereof, or subsets thereof, etc.). Also, characteristics associated with local operating conditions (e.g., available processing resources, available memory, etc.) this may be used in accordance with making such selection and reselection. Moreover, consideration may be made with respect to which communication protocol/standard provides relative benefit over others based on a given communication systems present capabilities and conditions.