Patent ID: 8116612

Claim:
A method of digital video program reproduction within defined premises, said method comprising: receiving a plurality of electronic audio-visual programs; storing said programs in a centralized memory; providing a first program reproduction device and a second reproduction device adapted to reproduce programs for viewers/users; networking said centralized memory and said first and second program reproduction devices together; selecting a program as a selected program; distributing the ability to control reproduction of said selected program among the first and second reproduction devices so that, at the selection of a viewer, said reproduction of said selected program is seamless between said reproduction devices such that the first reproduction device may live-pause the reproduction of the selected program and the second reproduction device may resume reproduction of the selected program; designating as part of a hierarchy, a control ranking to each of said first and second reproduction devices; and during control conflicts, allowing the reproduction device attempting to control playback having the highest control ranking, to control the reproduction of said selected program.