Interactive multimedia communications experiment with a networked CD-i prototype

Compact Disc-interactive is a platform which matches the bit rate of the ADSL transmission technology and the MPEG video compression algorithm. ADSL technology, coupled with the MPEG video compression algorithm, provides an ideal medium for delivery of video-on-demand and multimedia services over the existing telephone copper based loop plant. The ADSL allows for video delivery with full user control, simultaneous with existing voice services, over a single non loaded twisted pair up to 18kft or 5.5km in length. A working prototype of the complete end to end system including a networked CD-i player is demonstrated and described. The necessary technologies are now here for possible residential multimedia applications. Our experiment demonstrates feasibility of networking of the existing multimedia platforms which were originally designed for CD-ROM based stand alone systems. The approach to applications porting by virtualization these platforms is advantageous due to the existing popularity of titles as well as the existing application development systems for creation of new applications