A system for providing video-on-demand service, broadband internet access
and other broadband services over T-carrier systems including a pull
multiplexer cherrypicker at the head end is disclosed. The pull
multiplexer receives upstream requests and cull out MPEG or other
compressed video packets, IP packets and other data packet types to
satisfy the requests or to send pushed programming downstream. The
downstream can be DSL or HFC. Each customer has a cable modem, DSL modem
or a gateway which interfaces multiple signal sources to a LAN to which
settop decoders, digital phones, personal computers, digital FAX machines,
video cameras, digital VCRs etc. can be attached. Each gateway can coupled
the LAN to a DSL line or HFC through a cable modem or a satellite dish
through a satellite transceiver. A PSTN and conventional TV antenna
interface is also provided.
