A communication system having programmable, addressable receivers that
receive, store, process, and send digital and conventional video, audio
and control signals for use in, among other things, a cable video network
(9). Conventional audio and composite video and digital data signals are
assembled into a single transmission by an automated production system.
The transmission is delivered to the addressable receivers where the
audio and video signals and some portion of the data may be selected and
processed for re-transmission (114, 116, 118, 120, 98). The receivers may
be addressed individually, in units or in groups for the purpose of
receiving information on the basis of one or more pre-selected criteria.