1. A method for synchronizing a data transfer with an audio/video stream comprising:
- receiving an audio/video stream;
- receiving a data transfer including a descriptor of when said data transfer may be combined with said audio/video stream;
- obtaining time information from said audio/video stream; and
- combining said data transfer and said audio/video stream when said time information is in substantial agreement with said descriptor.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of receiving a data transfer further comprises:
- receiving said data transfer on a first channel or network and receiving said audio/video stream on a second channel or network.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining time information further comprises:
- checking the value of a time stamp in MPEG data.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of obtaining time information further comprises:
- checking time information contained in a blanking interval.
5. A method for synchronized utilization of a data transfer with an audio/video stream comprising:
- receiving information specifying a first time value when a data transfer may be combined with an audio/video stream;
- monitoring said audio/video stream for a second time value prior to said first time value by a predetermined amount;
- requesting a data transfer;
- receiving a data transfer; and
- combining data from said data transfer with data from said audio stream associated with said first time value to produce a modified audio/video stream.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of requesting a data transfer further comprises:
- checking if a network or channel connection has been established; and
- if a network or channel connection has not been established, establishing a network or channel connection.
7. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of combing further comprises:
- monitoring said audio/video stream for a third time value wherein said third time value is after said second time value and prior to said first time value by a specified amount.
8. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of receiving a data transfer further comprises:
- processing data from said data transfer.
9. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of requesting further comprises:
- providing information identifying a user.
10. A method for modifying an audio/video stream employing user information comprising:
- receiving an audio/video stream identifier identifying an audio/video stream that may be modified;
- monitoring said audio/video stream for information corresponding with said identifier;
- requesting a data transfer wherein said request includes supplying user identification information;
- receiving a data transfer containing a time descriptor;
- combining said data transfer and said audio/video stream when time information contained within said audio/video stream is in substantial agreement with said time descriptor.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of requesting further comprises:
- providing said audio/video stream identifier.
12. The method of claim 10 wherein said step of receiving an identifier further comprises:
- receiving said identifier in an audio/video stream.
13. A method for modifying an audio/video stream employing user information comprising:
- issuing information to a client system identifying an audio/video stream;
- receiving a request for a data transfer from a client system including a user identifier and an audio/video stream identifier;
- selecting a data transfer using said user identifier and said audio stream identifier; and
- transmitting said data transfer to said client system.
14. A system for combining a data transfer with an audio/video stream comprising:
- a video server;
- a data server;
- a client system operable to receive said audio/video stream from said video server and said data transfer from said data server;
- a network management component operable to provide isochronous data transfer from said data server to said client system; and
- a processing component in said client system operable to monitor said audio/video stream for time information and to combine said data transfer with said audio/video stream.
15. The system of claim 14 wherein said client system is a set top box, satellite receiver or personal computer.
16. A method for modifying an audio/video stream comprising:
- receiving an audio/video stream containing timing information on a first channel of a network;
- receiving a data transfer on a second channel of a network; and
- combining said data transfer with said audio/video stream using said timing information.
17. A system for combining an audio/video stream with a data transfer comprising:
- a processor;
- a memory;
- a communications component for receiving data across a network;
- a media component for receiving an audio/video stream across a network;
- a mixing component operable to combine part of said data transfer with part of said audio/video stream; and
- a software program operable to check time information in said audio/video stream and to affect combination of said data transfer with said audio/video stream when said time information corresponds to a predetermined value.
18. The system of claim 17 wherein said processor and said memory are elements of a set top box.
19. The system of claim 17 wherein said processor and said memory are elements of a personal computer.
20. The system of claim 17 wherein said communications component provides isochronous transfer of data.
21. A method for producing user specific audio/video content comprising:
- broadcasting an audio/video stream; and
- transmitting a data transfer to a specific address wherein said data transfer contains information that may be combined with said audio/video stream and said data transfer also contains a variable indicating a time in said audio/video stream at which said information may be combined with said audio/video stream.
22. The method of claim 20 wherein said step of transmitting further comprises:
- establishing an isochronous data connection between a client system and a server.
23. A method for modifying audio associated with an audio/video stream comprising:
- receiving a broadcast audio video stream;
- receiving alternate audio information; and
- replacing audio information in said audio/video stream with said alternate audio information.
24. The method of claim 23 wherein said step of replacing further comprises:
- identifying first audio packets in an MPEG audio/video stream;
- removing said first audio packets; and
- inserting second audio packets containing said alternate audio in said MPEG audio/video stream.
