Abstract: A system and method for transmitting data over a channel, in which the data are categorized in at least two different categories. For example, the data are categorized according to the effect on perceived degradation on the data when error mitigation is performed on the data. Corrupted data of the first category are replaced using a first replacement method, such as retransmission and forward error correction. The corrupted data of the second category are replaced using a second replacement method different from the first replacement method, e.g., error mitigation or interpolation.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method in which users may join a communication mode such that the multimedia content received by the user is closely matched to a predefined profile. The content may be transmitted by unicast, multicast or radio broadcast. Moreover, depending on an individual's request(s) and that of other users in a network, a user may switch between a radio broadcast, multicast and unicast to meet the user's preferences based on a profile. Profile data may include content type, transmission quality, cost considerations, etc. The two-way nature of the system and method also enable a user to request and receive information and complete transactions.