You are there ... and in control (digital interactive video)

Digital interactive video is based on compressing the data before it is processed and stored, which reduces the data rate so much that personal computers (PCs) can handle it, bringing digital interactive video within the reach of today's small businesses and tomorrow's ordinary consumers. Potential applications are indicated, and the process of compressing sound and image data is discussed, focusing on the hardware and software that makes interactive video possible. One application, surrogate travel, is examined in some detail.