An interactive videotex system with distributed processing and storage of video picture information in nodes (12) disposed throughout a cable television distribution system. The nodes (12) are coupled to the feeder cable (30) of the cable distribution system. Each node (12) in the system receives a substantially identical copy of the interactive video picture information and related data from a regional processing center (4). The users at home televisions (38) associated with a particular node (12) interact directly with the video picture information in that node (12), rather than with the information stored in the regional processing center (4) or some other remote location, which enables the system to quickly display photographic quality images and complex graphics, as well as sound, at the users' televisions (38) in response to commands received by the users. The nodes (12) can also be used for decompressing compressed television programming and distributing the decompressed programming to home televisions (38) connected to the system. IMAGE
展开▼
