Abstract: A system and method for establishing communication between a remote Internet resource and a media device is provided. The connection is established through a cable card providing the connection between the remote Internet resource and the media device. The cable card comprises a cable card socket that has an interface to receive the encoded information over the IP connection, decrypt it and send it to the media device, through a cable card connector. The use of the cable card reduces cost, power supply and the space occupied. It also ensures that an improved quality of communication is achieved at an affordable cost.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a software product to control a plurality of surveillance video camera/encoder combinations. The method includes receiving a plurality of encoded video streams from a respective surveillance camera/encoder combination, and accepting a measure of the level of activity for each encoded video stream. Each measure is obtained from the output of the camera of the corresponding camera/encoder combination. The method further includes assigning output bit rates for each encoded stream according to the accepted level of activity such that a maximum overall bit rate is not exceeded. One version is for controlling camera/encoder combinations that accept remote bit rate control, and a second is for controlling camera/encoder combinations that send at a pre-set bit rate. One version includes a network connection between the camera/encoder combinations, and the method or apparatus for central control.