There is provided a frame converter that writes input data included in an input frame to a buffer to accumulate the input data and outputs data read from the buffer as output data included in an output frame, the frame converter includes a setting unit configured to set a time interval from start of resizing of data rate of the input data to start of resizing of data rate of the output data when resizing of an accumulation amount in the buffer is performed in which data rates of the input data and the output data vary, and an adjustment unit configured to adjust to approximate the data rate of the output data to the data rate of the input data after the time interval has elapsed since the start of resizing of data rate of the input data.

Methods and apparatus for performing multiplexing of video or other content (e.g., programs) within a network using feed-back from a subsequent digital program insertion stage, and/or feed-forward information from a prior multiplexing stage. In one embodiment, the network comprises a hybrid fiber coax (HFC) cable network having headend and hub-based statistical multiplexing stages, and communication between the two stages is used to improve the visual quality performance and bandwidth utilization of the output multi-program stream during conditions where downstream content is inserted into the transport stream. Business methods associated with the various multiplexing features described above are also disclosed.

To provide a wavelength multiplexing device and the like that can effectively identify whether impairment occurs at a location before or after a separation and switching module, a wavelength multiplexing device (100) is connected to one or more optical fiber line systems and to one or more optical transceiver systems and is disposed between the optical fiber lines and optical transceivers so as to input and output optical signals, and is provided with the following: first optical switches (12a-12c) that output an optical signal input from an optical line to an optical transceiver; second optical switches (12d-12f) that output an optical signal input from an optical transceiver to an optical fiber line; and a local optical loopback circuit (13) that feeds back and outputs an optical signal input from an optical transceiver (21-23) to that optical transceiver.