Abstract: A compiling system which can mass produce individually customized media, such as videotapes in a highly efficient and cost effective manner. High volume production is realized by matrixing synchronized system resources, such as videodisc players, videocassette recorders, and graphic generator units. The resources are managed using a predetermined client/server model of computing over a local area network. The resources are synchronized by supplying all time dependent system nodes with the same time base criteria, which in turn, is also utilized to synchronize non-time dependent resources.

Abstract: The compiling system and method of the present invention enables the recording of individually customized information onto blank storage media devices, and includes a data base memory device for storing information signals indicative of customized recipient information pertaining to a group of recipients. A presentation memory device stores a group of pre-recorded signals indicative of a group of information segments to be compiled selectively. A computing device responds to stored information signals indicative of customized recipient information for selecting certain ones of said pre-recorded signals indicative of certain ones of said segments and for causing signals indicative of certain ones of said segments to be retrieved selectively in a given sequence for compilation purposes. A recording device responds to retrieved signals indicative of certain ones of said segments for storing said retrieved signals onto individual ones of the storage media devices.