Standalone video cd-rom switching method and system

A method for switching between browser and video modes in a standalone video CD-ROM system, the method comprising the steps of:

• loading data segment of a browser program into a memory unit to enable a user to browse the content of a CD-ROM disk in the browser mode;
• selecting a video to play within the browser mode;
• switching from the browser mode to the video mode;
• playing the selected video in the video mode;
• and
• returning to the browser mode to enable the user to resume browsing the content of the CD-ROM disk.

A standalone video CD-ROM system comprising:

• a video CD-ROM disk containing a browser program and data including text, graphics, images, audio, and video;
• a means for browsing the video CD-ROM disk;
• a video CD player for playing back the content of the video CD-ROM disk in first and second modes wherein the first mode plays back data excluding video and the second mode plays back video only;
• a means for selecting a video to play back;
• and
• a means, responsive to the selecting means, for switching from the first mode to the second mode to play back the video and then back to the first mode.