Unusual software carriers. (Was :Vinyl Data- Classic Computers )

[Keith Monahan]

Jos Dreesen / Marian Capel wrote:
> In addition to radio and teletext, there was also a TV program in 
> Germany that transmitted software by burying the data in the first few 
> scanlines of the videosignal.

I think there was some TV program here in the US that did something 
similar.  They sold relatively inexpensive decoders, that I think 
attached via rs-232, which allowed you to receive the data.  I believe, 
however, that they used the entire screen, or a box in the center of the 
screen, and everything was visible.

I think this was during the 80's.  I just stumbled on youtube-ish videos 
a couple years ago, and was impressed that they were doing such, ummm, 
high-tech stuff back then.(or seemingly high-tech, right? Distributing 
software/programs via TV sounds more current-generation comcast cable 
capabilities than 80's-tech)  I think that was a great idea for wide 
distribution of things.  Like multicast traffic today.

Anyone know what the name of the programs, or the name of the decoder 
boxes/technology?

Keith