Abstract: Disclosed is a system that is capable of providing high resolution video data using a low bandwidth communications channel. A local mass storage device such as an optical storage disk is sent to a user. Data may be stored on the disk in a random fashion. The user is connected to a server through a low bandwidth connection and makes queries based upon metadata index categories. Pointers are provided by the server over the low bandwidth data communications channel to the user. The user employs the pointers to access the high resolution data provided on the local mass storage device. The pointers can be provided over the low bandwidth communications channel at a rate sufficient to allow display of the data at the user's computer. The system can be implemented for various marketing applications, pay-for-view applications, training applications, video or audio conferencing, etc. The system can be employed over the Internet, intranets, managed networks, RF networks, optical networks, etc.