A system and method are provided for providing a full service cable
television system. The cable system incorporates a digital and analog
transmission architecture capable of delivering a high number of high
quality television programs, advanced cable services, and online services
to a subscriber's home. The cable system comprises a cable headend, at
least one fiber transport, at least one distribution hub, at least one
hybrid fiber coax plant, and a plurality of set-top terminals. Programs
and services are transmitted to the set-top terminals in both digital and
analog formats to maintain downward compatibility with existing systems.
The set-top terminal incorporates a central processing unit, a unified
memory architecture, a memory management unit, communications circuitry,
I/O control circuitry, and audio and video output circuitry. Through these
components the set-top terminal provides advanced cable services such as a
comprehensive channel navigator, an interactive program guide, Impulse
Pay-Per-View activation, Near-Video-On-Demand and Video-On-Demand
programming, and advanced configuration controls. The set-top terminal
also provides online services such as World Wide Web browsing, Internet
E-Mail, and Home Shopping.
