Statistical remultiplexer performance for video on demand applications by use of metadata

A cable system for delivering video on demand (VOD) programs comprising;

• a statistical remultiplexer having a look ahead buffer for receiving a plurality of program streams and a buffer for receiving at least one VOD program stream, said VOD program stream including metadata describing the bandwidth requirements of said VOD program stream;
• said statistical remultiplexer adapted to allocate bandwidth in response to said metadata;
• said statistical remultiplexer adapted to re-multiplex said VOD program streams with said plurality of program streams for delivery to a subscriber;
• a VOD server, coupled to said statistical remultiplexer, for providing at least one VOD program stream and metadata to said statistical remultiplexer;
• and
• a cable distribution system for distributing said plurality of program streams and said VOD program stream from said VOD server to said statistical remultiplexer and for distributing said remultiplexed streams to said subscriber.

A cable system for delivering video on demand (VOD) program content to a subscriber comprising;

• a source of VOD program content;
• a set top box at a subscriber's location that receives VOD program content from said source and that sends VOD function requests relating to said VOD program content to said source;
• a statistical remultiplexer, coupled to said source, adapted to allocating bandwidth to said VOD program content;
• said statistical remultiplexer further adapted to receive metadata from said source, said metadata associated with said VOD program content wherein said metadata provides information regarding bandwidth requirements for yet to be transmitted portions of said VOD program content;
• said statistical remultiplexer adapted to use said metadata to allocate bandwidth so that the latency associated with determining the bandwidth allocation for said portion of said VOD programming content is less than about one second;
• and
• a cable distribution system for distributing VOD program content from said statistical remultiplexer to said subscriber.

A method for minimizing latency in a video on demand (VOD) cable system, said method comprising the steps of:

• determining metadata for VOD program content;
• associating said metadata with said program content;
• transferring said metadata to a statistical remultiplexer;
• determining bandwidth requirements for said program content for a future period of time in response to said metadata;
• transferring said program content to said statistical remultiplexer;
• and
• allocating said bandwidth in a transport stream to said program content in accordance with said determination.

A system to minimizing latency in a video on demand (VOD) cable system comprising:

• means for storing program content;
• means for generating metadata from said program content;
• means for linking said metadata to said program content;
• means for storing said metadata;
• and
• a digital video network for streaming said program content to a viewer and for responding to a VOD function request from said viewer with low latency.

A method for minimizing latency in a video on demand (VOD) cable system, said method comprising the steps of:

• storing metadata relating to VOD program content where said metadata identifies bandwidth requirements of portions of said VOD program content;
• transferring said metadata with said VOD program content to a statistical remultiplexer in response to a viewer request;
• and
• using said metadata at said statistical remultiplexer to determine the bandwidth requirements for transferring said requested VOD program content to said viewer.