Method of managing an audiovisual data distribution system, the audiovisual data distribution system per se and a system for storing data

摘要

An audio/visual content distribution system comprises local distribution sub-systems, each including as components at least a head-end server including a gateway server providing a data connection to the internet, and a plurality of receivers connected to the head end server by means of a digital network, the head-end server comprising storage means for storing audio/visual content and being adapted to manage distribution of audio/visual content data to the receivers within the local distribution sub-system; means for providing for each receiver a menu of audio/visual content stored at the respective head-end server and avallable for distribution within the local distribution sub-system; means for receiving a the respective head-end server a request from at least one of the receivers for audio/visual content; means for sending the requested audio/visual content data from the respective head-end server to the or each receiver that requested the audio/visual contents over the digital network; wherein each receiver comprises a local control unit and an audio/visual display, the local control unit comprising a main port by which the display is connected to the network so as to receive audio/visual content from the head end server, and a guest port by which a computer can be connected to the network so as to communicate with the internet via the gateway server. A method of distributing audlofvisual content In such a system comprises routing audio/visual content data and internet data from the head end server via the digital network to the local control unit; and directing audio/visual content to the main port, and internet data to either the main port or the guest port.