Multimedia residential gateway
A system and method for distributing data, including television, video and audio data. One embodiment of the system includes a first media processing unit coupled to a data bus, the first media processing unit comprising a first decoder and a first interface unit; a second media processing unit coupled to a data bus, the second media processing unit comprising a second decoder and a second interface unit; and a communications processing unit connected to the first media processing unit and the second media processing unit, the communications processing unit configured to receive data from a telephone network and provide the received data to at least one of the first media processing unit and the second media processing unit.
1. A system for distributing data, the system comprising:
a DSL modem configured to receive data encapsulated in IP according to a data transport protocol and configured to extract at least portions of the received data from the encapsulation;
a data bus connected to the DSL modem, the data bus configured to transport at least a portion of the extracted data and configured to transport control signals;
an MPEG bus connected to the DSL modem, the MPEG bus configured to transport at least a portion of the extracted data;
a first media processing unit connected to the data bus, the first media processing unit configured to receive and decode at least a first portion of the data transported by the data bus or the MPEG bus, the first media processing unit further configured to provide the decoded data corresponding to the first portion of the data to a first television; and
a second media processing unit connected to the data bus, the second media processing unit configured to receive and decode at least a second portion of the data transported by the data bus or the MPEG bus, the second media processing unit further configured to provide the decoded data corresponding to the second portion of the data to a second television; and
a logic unit configured to determine whether the at least a portion of the extracted data should be transported over the data bus or over the MPEG bus.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first media processing unit includes a first interface unit configured to provide a first interactive program guide for viewing on the first television and wherein the second media processing unit includes a second interface unit configured to provide a second interactive program guide for viewing on the second television, the first and second interface units being independently controllable.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the first media processing unit comprises:
a first interface unit configured to provide a first parental control unit for viewing on the first television.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the second media processing unit comprises:
a second interface unit configured to provide a second parental control unit for viewing on the second television.
5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a digital media recording system coupled to the data bus.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the digital media recording system is configured to be controllable by the first media processing unit and the second media processing unit.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first media processing unit comprises:
a first digital media recorder interface unit configured to provide controls for viewing on the first television.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the second media processing unit comprises:
a second digital media recorder interface unit configured to provide controls for viewing on the second television.
9. The system of claim 5 , wherein the digital media recording system comprises a first virtual digital media recording unit and a second virtual digital media recording unit, wherein the first virtual digital media recording unit is associated with the first media processing unit, and wherein the second virtual digital media recording unit is associated with the second media processing unit.
10. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
an Ethernet system configured to provide data connectivity between a local data network and an external data network, the system for distributing data being connected with the local data network.
11. The system of claim 10 , wherein the local data network comprises a home computer.
12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the external data network includes the Internet.
13. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a modulator connected to the first and second media processing units, the modulator configured to modulate an output of each of the first and second media processing units onto a distinct VHF channel.
14. The system of claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second media processing units has an associated unique user interface.