Prefetched data in a digital broadcast system

An apparatus for scheduling and broadcasting on demand data, the apparatus comprising:

• a first channel server suitable for the transmission of digital broadcast data via a first channel;
• a second channel server suitable for the transmission of digital broadcast data via a second channel;
• a data broadcast controller for:
• parsing an on-demand data file into a plurality of blocks of data;
• preparing a scheduling matrix comprising said plurality of blocks of data;
• and
• prefetching a set number of blocks of data from said scheduling matrix to form a set number of prefetched blocks of data;
• determining a prefetch delay time that is associated with receiving said set number of prefetched blocks of data;
• wherein said data broadcast controller reduces a bandwidth necessary for transmission of a remaining blocks of data from said plurality of blocks of data by prefetching said set number of blocks of data;
• and
• a transmitter for transmitting said set number of prefetched blocks of data on said first channel, and transmitting said remaining blocks of data as scheduled in said matrix on said second channel.

An apparatus capable of receiving and handling a plurality of digital data services such as VOD and digital broadcast, said apparatus comprising:

• a databus;
• a first communication device suitable for coupling to a digital broadcast communications medium, said first communication device operable to receive digital broadcast data over at least a first and second channels;
• memory bi-directionally coupled to said databus;
• a digital data decoder bi-directionally coupled to said databus;
• and
• a central processing unit (CPU) bi-directionally coupled to said databus, said CPU implementing a control process controlling said memory, said digital decoder, and a demodulator, said control process executing instructions for combining the received digital broadcast data from said first and second channels to reproduce an on-demand digital data file;
• wherein the received digital broadcast data on said first channel includes prefetched data blocks from said on-demand digital data file and the received digital broadcast data on said second channel includes data blocks from said on-demand digital data file in accordance with a scheduling matrix, and wherein said prefetched data blocks are prefetched based on a determined reduction of bandwidth that is necessary for transmitting the received digital broadcast data on said second channel and a determined prefetch delay time that is associated with transmitting said prefetched data blocks on said first channel.