Abstract: The invention provides an interactive system and method for the control of video playback devices such as video tape recorders. The system allows user interaction with a prerecorded program which includes live video displays and alphanumeric displays. The user can select the program desired and also inputs answers to specific questions asked by the program. A standard video playback device is modified by the addition of a small computer and memory circuit, and character display circuitry. The invention operates the video playback device to produce a video output. Prerecorded program information includes data dumps interspersed with video display segments and the data in the data dumps is recovered by a data recovery circuit. The computer then commands the video playback device to access different portions of the recorded video program in response to user input and the operating instructions provided by the data recovered.

Abstract: A system for formatting data on video tape for high accuracy recovery in which binary data is recorded on the video signal track of video tape in a prearranged format of three redundant blocks of data words between successive vertical sync pulses. Each redundant block of data words is preceded by a set of at least three redundant sync words and the last block of data words is followed by a fourth set of redundant sync words. The redundant sync words in each set are separated from each other by a plurality of blank horizontal sync pulse intervals. Circuitry for recovering data in this format is disclosed together with a system for writing data in this format.