The coming of digitally compressed video opens the door to a variety of new services that up to now were either impossible or impractical to deliver over broadband RF systems.
The data stream of digitally compressed signals that delivers high quality video and audio services is equally at ease delivering any number of additional services, such as interactive video guides, multiple promotional channels, and sophisticated advertising and shopping services. The cable system operator can now offer these services because digital compression makes it possible to send still frame images, low bit rate video, and teletext within a single stream.
This paper explores how digital compression makes the expansion of the services possible.