TELEVISION DELIVERY SYSTEM

摘要

A system for delivering broadcast television over the Internet Protocol is described. A broadcast provider obtains television signals from traditional sources such as satellite or cable and encodes the signals for delivery to a subscriber/user over an IP enabled broadband network. An IP multicast protoc ol is used for conventional TV programming and near video on demand movie selections. An IP unicast protocol is used for video on demand services. A user/subscriber has a television/set top box or a PC with appropriate softwa re to decode the IP format for program viewing. An interactive electronic progr am guide, viewable on the subscriber's monitor, provides the subscriber with access to a range of viewing features and system management functions.