A broadcasting scheme with supporting VCR functions for near video-on-demand systems

This paper proposes a new broadcasting method for more complete video-cassette-recorder (VCR) functions to be executed. In our approach, film S is divided into n equal parts and played through k channels. The user simultaneously downloads the film segments from k channels into the set-top-box (STB) and plays them according to their order. The initial p segments in the progammed film will not have fast forwarding capabilities. Every time the user wants to initiate d times fast-forwarding, according to our broadcasting strategy, the segments saved in the user's STB and those that are being continuously downloaded from k channels will be sufficient to provide the user with the portions of the film needed when fast-forwarding is initiated. As such the broadcasting strategy we have proposed not only allows the user to pause and rewind, but also to fast-forward. (C) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.