Multimedia system with separately transmitted supplementary data overlaid onto broadcast video stream based on user input

摘要

A system and method of receiving multimedia content from a server comprising a video stream 302 and supplementary data, and overlaying a graphical element 312 based on the supplementary data onto the video stream for subsequent display 318, wherein multimedia content is provided to a plurality of decoders by broadcasting a video stream to the decoders, selecting supplementary data to be transmitted to a specific decoder based on the input received from that decoder, and transmitting the supplementary data to the decoder separately from the video stream. Identified users may have their input acknowledged with personalised messages as part of the visual graphic. A record of user input may be modified and stored on the decoder. When multimedia content is transmitted a timer 308 may start and messages corresponding to the value of the timer may be displayed. Supplementary data may be given higher priority if there is network traffic. The video stream may comprise audio. The system allows TV viewers to interact and participate with a live quiz show and become a remote contestant in a bid to compete and win prizes.