Abstract: Methods for slice-based encoding of program guides and user interfaces. The program guides include multiple video streams for picture-in-picture and other applications. A method for encoding the program guide includes encoding a first set of slices for each of a plurality of graphics pages; and encoding a second set of slices for each of a plurality of video streams. The user interfaces are multi-functional and may be used for electronic commerce and other applications. A method of generating the user interface includes encoding a set of slices for each of a plurality of objects, each object being characterized by an identity, at least one attribute, and at least one operation. In one embodiment of this method, the plurality of objects include an electronic commerce object, where the electronic commerce object is attributed with a first hyper text markup language (HTML) page.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of utilizing a plurality of independent fiber channel arbitrated loops for moving, replicating and storing video information on storage devices in an interactive video information system. A plurality of servers are each comprised of a plurality of server modules. Each server module comprises a plurality of fiber channel (FC) disk drives coupled by a local port to a first fiber channel arbitrated loop within each server module. The plurality of FC disk drives on each of the plurality of server modules are also coupled to a second FC loop, via a backup port on each FC disk drive. By utilizing two independent FC loops in this configuration, data may be sequentially transmitted from a first server module, across the backup FC loop, to a second server module.