PC-based virtual set-top box for internet-based distribution of video and other data

For use in connection with a communication network capable of communicating with a plurality of video content servers storing a plurality of video files for download to a subscriber, a network video player for downloading a first selected one of said plurality of video files comprising:

• a browser program stored on a computer-readable storage medium capable of being executed by a processing system comprising a central processing unit (CPU) and a memory;
• and
• a video download control program stored on said computer-readable storage medium capable of being executed by said processing system,
• wherein said browser program and said video download control program are capable of transmitting video outputs and audio outputs generated by said browser program and said video download control program to a television set via a wireless transceiver system coupled to said processing system and are further capable of receiving via said wireless transceiver system user commands and user data transmitted by a viewer control device operated by a viewer of said television set, wherein said received user commands and user data are used by said browser program and said video download control program to browse said plurality of video content servers and to download said first selected video file.