| 摘要 |
<p>A system for transmitting video programs to remote locations over a switched telephone network, comprises: a central data facility (10) for storing digital compressed versions of video programs. There is a request interface (28) connected to said central data facility (10) and to the telephone network, said request interface receiving request for video programs made over the telephone network (12) and communicating them to said central data facility. A distribution interface (30) is connected to the central data facility and to the telephone network. The distribution interface initiates connections over the telephone network with remote locations in response to requests received by said request interface, and transmits thereto compressed versions of video programs previously requested through said request interface, such compressed versions being transmitted in less time than is required to view the programs in real time. A receiver at each remote location connects to the telephone network and receives compressed video programs transmitted from said distribution interface, stores the received programs, and subsequently plays the video programs at a real time rate on a video display. <IMAGE></p> |
