Set-top electronics and network interface unit arrangement

Claim 1

A set-top electronics and network interface unit arrangement for use with an internal network having a hub and a direct circuit crossbar which are configured to provide a network connection between the set-top electronics and the network interface unit, and are further configurable to selectively provide a direct circuit connection between the set-top electronics and the network interface unit, the set-top electronics and network interface unit arrangement, comprising: a network interface unit having at least one network interface module adapted for connection to an external network, a transport device, coupled to the network interface module, for selecting a single program from a plurality of programs in a first signal received from the external network via the network interface module, and an internal network interface, coupled to the transport device, for interfacing to an internal network, wherein the network interface unit provides a second signal that includes the single program to the internal network; and a set-top electronics unit having an internal network interface device adapted for connection to the internal network for interfacing to the internal network to receive the second signal from the network interface unit via the internal network, and a signal converter coupled to the network interface device for converting the second signal as received by the internal network interface device to a third signal that is suitable for use by an end terminal, wherein the third signal includes information corresponding to the single program, and wherein the set-top electronics unit is further configured to re-route the second signal received from the network interface unit via the internal network by examining an address within the data packet and sending the data packet to the hub if the address within the data packet is different from an address assigned to the set-top electronics unit.