Store-and-forward applications represent a very different category of multimedia broadcast services. These services involve storing or saving a large (e.g., multimedia, database, or spreadsheet) file and forwarding or delivering that file to the intended audience for use at a later time or date. Store-and-forward applications range from simple file-delivery services to sophisticated, automated, and/or interactive multimedia reception and display devices.

File-Delivery Applications

File delivery is the transmission of computer files by a user from a single site to many sites around the country or around the world. Files at the receive sites are stored on a specific computer or server where the intended user has access to them.

Applications exist in both the enterprise and the entertainment/communications markets. For satellite file delivery to be an attractive option, at least one of the following must apply:

• A single origination site (or from a few origination sites by backhauling files to a central uplink location) distributes a file to many downlink sites.
• An individual or a collection of files, as large as one gigabyte or more, needs to be delivered simultaneously.
• The current method of distribution involves the use of compact discs (CDs) or digital video discs (DVDs) in which the content quickly becomes outdated.
• Timeliness (either speed or punctuality) is an essential component in the successful delivery of the files.

File Delivery to the Enterprise

Enterprises can use satellite file delivery as an enabling technology to deliver high-quality communications cost-effectively.

Video servers at remote enterprise sites are becoming more prevalent. These servers enable on-demand playback of video content by individual users. On-demand playback has the potential to significantly improve the availability and accessibility of content, compared to physical storage media (e.g., videotape), to enterprise users. In the on-line world, the most recent content is always available. However, updating the content on the video servers is the primary challenge to making these systems successful. The size of typical video files makes delivery over WANs impractical. Satellite file delivery provides the capability necessary to update video servers in a region or around the world. Furthermore, it can be a simple addition to a satellite network that already supports the delivery of real-time streaming content. Satellites can also be very useful to networks with large corporate databases that are replicated in multiple locations. These databases typically track parts, prices, pictures, or other information that need to be updated regularly. A satellite file-delivery system can replace manual updating processes, eliminating the need to ship CDs or DVDs to multiple sites.

Another valuable satellite file-delivery application is the transmission of large published documents. Satellites can be used to efficiently distribute published documents containing pictures or graphics that can be very large. In addition, applications such as newspaper or newsletter distribution, where the documents are created centrally and printed locally, can be streamlined using satellite technology. Satellite distribution offers a compelling option to deliver these high-bandwidth files simultaneously to all sites.

Entertainment/Communications Market

For the entertainment and communications market, satellite file delivery has already made a significant impact on the distribution of electronic content—even though the services are not necessarily associated with an IP–based network, such as the Internet.

In the United States, many broadcast and cable television commercials are delivered electronically to local stations. The commercials are digitized and stored for transmission to broadcast locations on a just-in-time basis. Once at the broadcast location, the commercials are played at the appropriate time and for the lifetime of the campaign specified by the advertiser. When it is time to replace the old commercial with a new one, the new one is downloaded to the broadcast location—by satellite.

While disk storage capacity limits the technology to use for commercials, it could easily be expanded to accommodate syndicated broadcast television content as the cost for disk storage systems decreases over time.

At some point in the near future, the demand for higher-quality images or more cost-effective distribution of movies will drive Hollywood and the movie theater chains to convert from film to an electronic format such as high-definition television (HDTV). When this happens, satellite file delivery will be an important contributor due to its reliability, cost-effectiveness, and ability to send electronic copies of first run-movies very securely.

Multimedia Display Devices

Satellite file delivery by itself is a powerful technology for certain applications. It can also be an enabling technology for sophisticated multimedia display devices. The combination of satellite file-delivery capabilities, video and audio compression standards, and decreasing costs of large volume, hard-disk storage devices on computers has created the ability to develop multimedia display devices. These multimedia display devices can include high-quality video and audio presentations in either an automated or an interactive viewing environment.

The advantages of the computer-based playback system include the following:

• Messages or advertising can be created and distributed from a central location, providing better control over the content seen by the viewer.
• Programming content can be changed dynamically and consistently at a large number of sites by a small number of people.
• The devices can operate unattended, meaning the systems remain up-to-date because no human interaction is required.
• Satellite file delivery can minimize the costs for distribution by establishing a broadband WAN to deliver the content anytime or anywhere it is needed.

A computer-based playback system can be effective anywhere a videotape playback system is being used or where video information can enhance the opportunity to sell a specific product. Video and audio programs are played back from MPEG files on the computer. The programs are output to an adjacent television or a network of televisions for display. Different programs, or combinations of programs, can be scheduled to play at different times of the day or days of the week. New files (programs) and playback schedules are downloaded into the system over the satellite. Customized programs or program playback schedules can be developed for specific regions or locations to target the demographics of typical customers. The key to the success of this application is to provide fresh and entertaining content. Satellite file delivery enables the cost-effective distribution of updated content to the remote site.

An automated multimedia display device showing high-quality video and audio segments can be an effective tool to communicate corporate benefits, safety, or news to employees in common areas. As with point-of-sale products, the key to the success of information display devices is satellite file delivery, which provides the most cost-effective solution to delivering appropriate, timely content.

Interactive Multimedia Server/Display Applications

The interactive exchange of information between the target audience and the device creates another category of multimedia display. The actual devices used to display the information can be similar to one used in the point-of-sale application. The primary difference is the addition of an interface device (e.g., a touch-screen monitor or a keypad), in which a user can select information on demand.

Advantages of this type of system are similar to the point-of-sale system, such as the following:

• Creation and distribution of content from a central location
• Use of high-quality video and audio in the programs displayed
• Updating content dynamically at a larger number of sites by a small number of people
• Effective distribution at minimized costs

Interactive kiosks are a growing application for entertainment/communications businesses. Kiosks provide information or entertainment related to a certain subject or range of subjects. This is similar in design and function to point-of-sale, except that content is displayed at the discretion of the user, not a prescheduled playback list.

The major difference between this device and existing kiosks is this device can display high-quality video content that can be easily updated using satellite file delivery.