Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting information recorded on information storage from a central server via a high data rate digital telecommunications network to subscribers connected to the network. The telecommunications network is capable of two-way communication. The central server includes a central communication interface connected to the network, a magazine containing a very large number of disks, disk players, a controller for transfer of the disks between the magazine and the disk players, a central computer, a memory for storing information relating to the locations of the disks, and a multiplexer. Each of the subscriber stations includes a communication interface connected to the network, a computing terminal, a demultiplexer, a data rate expansion circuit, a digital-to-analog converter, and a transducer for converting analog signals into humanly perceptible signals.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting information recorded on a collection of digital disks from a central server via a high data rate digital telecommunications network to subscribers connected to the network. Apparatus of the invention includes a central server (1) connected via an interface (5) to a digital telecommunications network (2) to which subscriber stations (3) are connected. The server center includes a central computer (4), a digital disk magazine (7), digital disk players (10.sub.1, 10.sub.2, . . . , 10.sub.n) and disk transferring equipment between the magazine and the players, which includes a conveyor (8) and a disk handling device (50) controlled by a disk controller (6) itself controlled by the central computer. One application delivers personalized sound programs selected from a very large directory to the subscribers.