Video and audio on demand-today´s CATV networks on their way to interactive communications networks

In digital TV, technology has progressed to a stage where concepts and ideas can be implemented straight away. The adoption of MPEG-2 as a world standard has laid the foundations for the global transmission of compressed digital video and audio services. In order to test the technology, its effectiveness and acceptance among the users the Deutsche Telekom AG is planning to set up a number of pilot networks in Germany using different transmission procedures. FUBA and its partner TV/COM have formed a working group together with Digital Equipment GmbH and Nokia Consumer Electronics in order to participate in the Deutsche Telekom AG tenders. The article describes the system concept developed by the working group in order to successfully operate in the new market. The author discusses the services and applications for the pilot projects and components of the system (including video server, transmission system and set-top box)