Online video distribution

A system for encoding online video comprising:

• a video player for processing online video data, the video player including:
• i. a video decoder configured to receive a viewable video stream comprising a sequence of viewable video frames,
• ii. a hyperlink decoder configured to receive hyperlink data comprising at least link address information and position data defining a plurality of positions within a plurality of respective video frames, and
• iii. a video display including a plurality of operating icons and configured to for user access to control functions for the viewable video stream,
• wherein the video player is configured to encode a unique frame number indicia into at least the plurality of respective video frames to generate an encoded video stream, wherein the unique frame number indicia unambiguously and exactly identifies a specific frame of the respective video frames and wherein the unique frame number comprises non-image pixel data in a group of adjacent pixels within the video frame, and wherein the group of pixels includes a number of pixels arranged in a predetermined pattern which:
• i. is retained throughout the video,
• ii. is distinguishable from pixels in the video frame adjacent to the group of pixels, and
• iii. which indicates that the unique frame number indicia exists in that frame;
• and
• wherein the video player is configured to respond to user commands provided at the video display to combine the encoded video stream and the hyperlink data for download wherein the encoded video stream and the hyperlink data are displayed simultaneously on the video display.