Abstract: A terminal is provided at which a user can selectively preview or order a videocassette. The terminal comprises customer identification means for receiving information relative to the user; mode selection means enabling the user to choose a preview or order mode; cassette selection means for selecting and identifying a desired videocassette; terminal control means including a memory coupled to the customer identification means and the cassette selection means to receive and store information representative of the user, the data, and the selected videocassettes. Vending means are provided for storing a plurality of videocassettes and for selectively vending the selected videocassette; and vending control means are coupled to the terminal control means for communicating the information between the memory and the vending means to command the vending of the selected videocassette when the order mode has been selected.

Abstract: An ordering terminal for videocassette program material including a keyboard, credit card reader, TV monitor and speaker and display board. The user can order videocassette program material from the terminal and can preview proposed selection before ordering. The terminal is in communication with a central processing station which in one embodiment of the invention provides complete processing of the customers order. In another embodiment of the invention, the terminal stores videocassette program material and dispenses the program material directly in response to a customer's order. Internal computer and control logic coordinate the functions of the various elements of the system. Videocassettes are returned either by mailing the videocassettes back to the central processing station or by providing a return slot in the terminal for receiving the videocassette after use.