A collection of well-formed, but possibly semantically invalid, binary encoded multimedia data components or packages as well as the binary encoded announcement, signaling, and interchange protocols used in their transmission are converted into one or more well-formed extensible markup language (XML) files. Such XML files may then be validated according to one or more pre-defined XML schemas, or similar schema languages, in order to verify that the data and protocol structures and substructures adhere to prior defined semantic constraints.

A method and apparatus for secure transfer and playback of multimedia content enables the secure transfer of multimedia content from a digital video recorder (DVR) to a personal computer (PC) and further to a handheld device. A DVR determines which devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) are authorized to share and/or retrieve content from the DVR. The DVR receives a connection request from a PC on the LAN, authorizes the connection request and establishes a secure connection between the DVR and the PC. Once the secure connection is established, the DVR receives a request for multimedia content from the PC, prepares the multimedia content for transfer and transfers the multimedia content to the PC.

A controller receives an encrypted media stream (“EMS”) and an identifier indicative of a selected content key from a headend. The EMS is encrypted with an encryption key and can be decrypted with a corresponding decryption key which is determinable from the selected content key. The controller receives indexes and content keys from the headend prior to receiving the EMS. Each index respectively corresponds to an identifier with one index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The content keys correspond to the indexes with one content key corresponding to the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key. The controller selects the index corresponding to the identifier indicative of the selected content key upon receiving the EMS, determines the selected content key from the selected index, determines the decryption key from the selected content key, and decrypts the EMS with the decryption key.

A data analyzer engine can be configured to receive feedback indicating different content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumed content amongst the different content and produces a content guide to include multiple selectable channels from which content is available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. The content guide can include one or more selectable viewing options to view a rendition of content being identified as more or most popular. Each of one or more playback devices or other suitable resources retrieves and initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. Accordingly, a subscriber can view different available content options as well as an identification of content that is currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers.

Systems and methods for rewinding a video to a point before the video was first viewed. Video transmitted by a media source is cached by a remote server. Upon a trick-play request for the video, the server generates a rewind stream that includes the video that was transmitted by the media source before the user started to view the video. Upon receiving the rewind stream, the user's equipment may cache the rewind stream in a rewind buffer and rewind or play from the rewind buffer. The server may also generate and transmit a forward stream of the video that the media source has not yet transmitted. The user's equipment may cache the forward stream in a forward buffer. To perform trick-play operations with the video, the user's equipment may migrate the playback of the video to the rewind and forward buffers and rewind or fast-forward the video from the buffers.

The present invention is directed to a CATV & MoCA® device, such as a RF signal amplifier. The RF signal amplifier includes a RF input port to receive signals from, and transmit signals to, a service provider. The RF input port is connected to an active communication path with a downstream signal amplifier leading to an input of a resistive splitter network. The resistive splitter network has plural interconnected resistors, which split the amplified signal received at the input of the resistive splitter network and provide the signal to plural “CATV & MoCA®” output ports. Upstream CATV signals received by the “CATV & MoCA®” output ports are combined by the resistive splitter network and sent to the RF input port to be transmitted to the service provider. MoCA® signals received by any one of the “CATV & MoCA®” output ports are carried by the resistive splitter network to the other “CATV & MoCA®” output ports, and potentially to other “MoCA® only” ports of the RF signal amplifier.

An entry device includes an entry port, a filter connected to the entry port, a plurality of first output ports, and a plurality of second output ports. A first path extends from the entry port, through the filter, to the first output ports. The first path is configured to pass cable television (CATV) signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of multimedia over coax alliance (MoCA) signals from passing therethrough. A second path extends from the entry port, through the filter, to the second output ports. The second path is configured to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals and at least a portion of the MoCA signals from passing therethrough. A third path extends from the first output ports, through the filter, to the second output ports. The third path is configured to pass the MoCA signals therethrough and to prevent at least a portion of the CATV signals from passing therethrough.

Embodiments are related to supporting delivery of content to one or more content destination nodes. Content utility feedback information associated with a set of content items is received. The content utility feedback information may include an indication of past content consumed, an indication of signaling regarding a content item of interest, one or more characteristics of one or more of the content items, or any combination thereof. A content item predicted to be of interest to a content destination node is determined from the set of content items based on at least a portion of the content utility feedback information. A content distribution time for delivery of the content item to the content destination node is determined. A process for providing the content item to the content destination node is initiated based on the content distribution time.

A radiofrequency (RF) wireline communications system includes an interference filter for filtering interference noise at a cable interface that couples a cable of the system to functional circuitry. The interference filter includes a first termination resistance element coupled between a first cable conductor and a system ground, and a first termination reactance element coupled to the first termination resistance element. The first termination reactance element has a first termination reactance value selected to direct signals on the first cable conductor, having predetermined frequency characteristics, away from the system ground, and the first termination resistance element has a first termination resistance value selected as a pull-down resistance for interference signals having other than the predetermined frequency characteristics, that are not directed by the first termination reactance element away from the system ground, to cause the interference signals, having other than the predetermined frequency characteristics, to propagate to the system ground.

A data analyzer engine can be configured to receive feedback indicating different content currently consumed by subscribers in a cable network environment. The data analyzer engine analyzes the feedback to identify most popular consumed content amongst the different content and produces a content guide to include multiple selectable channels from which content is available for retrieval over a shared communication link in the cable network environment. The content guide can include one or more selectable viewing options to view a rendition of content being identified as more or most popular. Each of one or more playback devices or other suitable resources retrieves and initiates display of the content guide on a display screen. Accordingly, a subscriber can view different available content options as well as an identification of content that is currently the most popular consumed content amongst viewers.