Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for switching between browser and video modes in a standalone VCD-ROM system including a VCD player and a VCD-ROM disk. A browser program is first executed in the VCD-ROM system. The browser program allows a user to navigate through the content of the VCD-ROM disk by selecting hypertext links. The hypertext links are selected by clicking on clickable text, buttons, and graphics. The system also allows the user to play a video by selecting an associated hypertext link. When the video is selected, the method of the present invention saves the return address and the address of the video. The video is then played on the video system. When the video is finished playing, the method of the present invention reloads the return address into the system. This returns the system to the original browser mode of the browser.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for distributing digital content includes a local storage medium, a local digital content reader, a remote digital content enabler, and a transmission medium. The local digital content reader transmits a request signal through the transmission medium to the remote digital content enabler requesting an enabler signal to unlock the digital content stored on the local storage medium. The remote digital content enabler processes the request signal and then transmits the enabler signal back to the local digital content reader. The enabler signal enables the local digital content reader to read at least one of the digital contents stored on the local storage medium.