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Definition: datacasting


Sending data in the vertical blanking interval (VBI) of TV broadcasts. For years, a variety of data has been datacasted to set-top boxes, including weather maps, stock data, games, music videos and V-Chip program ratings. In 2003, Disney introduced its MovieBeam service that datacasts pay-per-view movies over local ABC and PBS stations to a receiver with a built-in antenna. The movies are stored on the receiver's hard disk until the consumer wishes to pay to see one. See vertical blanking interval.