Abstract: In a video-on-demand system, memory-based video streams are seamlessly replaced with disc-based video streams. This is achieved by first switching each memory-based video stream to a mixed video stream; and later, switching each mixed video stream to a disc-based video stream.

Abstract: In a video-on-demand system, disc-based video streams are seamlessly replaced with memory-based video streams. This is achieved by first switching each disc-based video stream to a mixed video stream; and later, switching each mixed video stream to a memory-based video stream.

Abstract: A control program for a co-processor in a video-on-demand system directs the co-processor to perform the steps of: a) obtain a transmission control list, from an external source, which identifies a group of several video data packets and a respective subgroup of internet protocol headers for each video data packet in the group; b) partition into pieces, each video data packet and its respective subgroup of internet protocol headers as identified by the transmission control list; and, c) send the partitioned pieces, along with an additional header for each piece, to an output port during a series of spaced apart time intervals.

Abstract: A control program for a supervisor processor in a video-on-demand system directs the supervisor processor to perform the steps of: a) transfer a group of video data packets, from an externally stored complete video into a memory for the supervisor processor; b) build in the supervisor processor's memory, a respective subgroup of internet protocol headers for each video data packet in the group; and c) construct, in the memory of a co-processor, a transmission control list which indicates how each video data packet in the group, and its respective subgroup of internet protocol headers, can be accessed from the supervisor processor's memory by the co-processor.

Abstract: A video-on-demand system is comprised of a supervisor processor and a co-processor which are intercoupled via a bus. The supervisor processor has a supervisor memory and the co-processor has a co-processor memory. A supervisor control program is in the supervisor memory, which includes—a) a means for transferring a group of video data packets from an externally stored complete video into the supervisor memory, b) a means for building in the supervisor memory, a respective subgroup of internet protocol headers for each video data packet in the group, and c) a means for constructing in the co-processor memory, a transmission control list which indicates how each video data packet in the group and its respective subgroup of internet protocol headers can be accessed from the supervisor memory.

Abstract: Video data is moved thru a video-on-demand system by the following steps: a) segregating, from an operating system program, a hidden section of a random-access semiconductor memory which cannot be paged by the operating system program; b) writing video data into the hidden section of the memory at addresses which are selected by a video server application program; c) sending, from the video server application program to a network interface circuit, messages which identify the selected addresses; and d) issuing read commands, from the network interface circuit with the selected addresses as identified in the messages, which read the video data directly from the hidden section of the memory into the network interface circuit for transmission to a network.