Abstract: Client computer(s) retrieve and display synchronized annotated multimedia streams from servers dispersed over a diverse computer network which includes local area networks (LANs) and/or wide area networks (WANs) such as the internet. Multimedia streams provided to the client computer(s) can include a compressed video stream for display in a video window and an accompanying compressed audio stream. Annotations, i.e., displayable events, include textual/graphical data in the form of HTML pages with Java applets to be displayed in one or more event windows. The video/audio and annotation streams are produced and then stored in stream server(s). Annotation streams include annotation frames which provide either pointer(s) to the event(s) of interest or include displayable data embedded within the annotation stream. Accordingly, each annotation frame includes either an event locator or an event data.

Abstract: A method for displaying streamed digital video data on a client computer. The client computer is configured to receive the streamed digital video data from a server computer via a computer network. The streamed digital video data is transmitted from the server computer to the client computer as a stream of video frames. The method includes receiving a first plurality of video frames at the client computer. The plurality of video frames represents a subset of the stream of video frames. The stream of video frames comprises independent playable video frames and dependent playable video frames. The method further includes displaying the first plurality of video frames on a video display terminal associated with the client computer. There is further included issuing a rewind command from the client computer to the server.