Concepts and technologies for video alternate network access points and receivers that enable wireless delivery of video content to multiple customer premises over a service area are provided herein. In an embodiment, a system includes a satellite dish receiver that is configured to receive a satellite video feed, and a video alternate network access point that is communicatively coupled to the satellite dish receiver. The video alternate network access point can perform operations that ingest the satellite video feed directly from the satellite dish receiver. The operations can activate a microcell transceiver embedded within the video alternate network access point, and identify a multicast-broadcast single-frequency network channel. The operations can then transmit, to a video alternate network receiver device from the microcell transceiver, the satellite video feed over at least the multicast-broadcast single-frequency network channel.

Embodiments are provided for syncing multiple electronic devices for collective audio playback. According to certain aspects, a master device connects (218) to a slave device via a wireless connection. The master device calculates (224) a network latency via a series of network latency pings with the slave device and sends (225) the network latency to the slave device. Further, the master devices sends (232) a portion of an audio file as well as a timing instruction including a system time to the slave device. The master device initiates (234) playback of the portion of the audio file and the slave devices initiates (236) playback of the portion of the audio file according to the timing instruction and a calculated system clock offset value.

A system is described for distributing over the air (OTA) channels within buildings and homes. The system can implement one or more active multi-mode antennas for improved performance and reliability. The system can be configured as a mesh network where multiple nodes are distributed to improve the probability of channel capture across the VHF and UHF frequencies used for over the air TV distribution. A node consists of a beam steering antenna that operates at the VHF and UHF frequencies for TV signal reception, a receiver and demodulation circuit, a transcoder to convert the received information for re-distribution, and a transceiver capable of operation at a secondary frequency band for use in re-distributing the information to communication devices in proximity of the node. The secondary frequency band can be the common WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) system such as Wi-Fi, with the Wi-Fi transceiver also containing beam steering antennas for improved in-building propagation of the re-distributed information.

A system is described for distributing over the air (OTA) channels within buildings and homes. The system can implement one or more active multi-mode antennas for improved performance and reliability. The system can be configured as a mesh network where multiple nodes are distributed to improve the probability of channel capture across the VHF and UHF frequencies used for over the air TV distribution. A node consists of a beam steering antenna that operates at the VHF and UHF frequencies for TV signal reception, a receiver and demodulation circuit, a transcoder to convert the received information for re-distribution, and a transceiver capable of operation at a secondary frequency band for use in re-distributing the information to communication devices in proximity of the node. The secondary frequency band can be the common WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) system such as Wi-Fi, with the Wi-Fi transceiver also containing beam steering antennas for improved in-building propagation of the re-distributed information.

In some embodiments, a first receiver in a plurality of receivers receives a signal via a unicable line from a satellite transmission. The unicable line connects the plurality of receivers to an interface that receives multiple inputs from a satellite reflector dish. The first receiver generates a first unicable message for delivery on the unicable line and detects a characteristic on the unicable line to determine whether a second unicable message from a second receiver in the plurality of receivers is being sent on the unicable line. When the second unicable message is detected, the first receiver delays transmission of the first unicable message by a time period. When the second unicable message is not detected, the first receiver transmits the first unicable message on the unicable line.

In some embodiments, a first receiver in a plurality of receivers receives a signal via a unicable line from a satellite transmission. The unicable line connects the plurality of receivers to an interface that receives multiple inputs from a satellite reflector dish. The first receiver generates a first unicable message for delivery on the unicable line and detects a characteristic on the unicable line to determine whether a second unicable message from a second receiver in the plurality of receivers is being sent on the unicable line. When the second unicable message is detected, the first receiver delays transmission of the first unicable message by a time period. When the second unicable message is not detected, the first receiver transmits the first unicable message on the unicable line.

Systems and methods for distributing over the air (OTA) content are provided. In one example, an antenna system can include a network access point. The antenna system can include an OTA antenna system configured to receive an OTA signal associated with media content. The OTA signal can be a VHF signal or a UHF signal. The OTA antenna system can be coupled to the network access point via a universal serial bus (USB) connection. The access point can be configured to perform operations, including receiving a signal associated with the media content from the OTA antenna system via the universal serial bus connection; and communicating media content via a network communication link to one or more client devices. The OTA antenna system can include a modal antenna configurable in a plurality of antenna modes. Each antenna mode can be associated with a distinct radiation pattern or polarization.

A media system includes a plurality of set-top boxes coupled to a coax network and a controller. The controller displays a first passkey to a user in response to receiving a request from the user to activate playback of a media content on a particular set-top box. The set-top box receives the first passkey from the user and determines whether the user is authorized to activate playback of the media content by comparing the first passkey received from the user with a second passkey obtained from a passkey module on the set-top box. When the user is determined by the set-top box to be authorized to activate playback of the media content, the set-top box determines a radio frequency channel of the coax network according to the first passkey received from the user and begins playback of the media content received on the radio frequency channel on a display device.

A media system includes a plurality of set-top boxes coupled to a coax network and a controller. The controller displays a first passkey to a user in response to receiving a request from the user to activate playback of a media content on a particular set-top box. The set-top box receives the first passkey from the user and determines whether the user is authorized to activate playback of the media content by comparing the first passkey received from the user with a second passkey obtained from a passkey module on the set-top box. When the user is determined by the set-top box to be authorized to activate playback of the media content, the set-top box determines a radio frequency channel of the coax network according to the first passkey received from the user and begins playback of the media content received on the radio frequency channel on a display device.

Embodiments are provided for syncing multiple electronic devices for collective audio playback. According to certain aspects, a master device connects (218) to a slave device via a wireless connection. The master device calculates (224) a network latency via a series of network latency pings with the slave device and sends (225) the network latency to the slave device. Further, the master devices sends (232) a portion of an audio file as well as a timing instruction including a system time to the slave device. The master device initiates (234) playback of the portion of the audio file and the slave devices initiates (236) playback of the portion of the audio file according to the timing instruction and a calculated system clock offset value.