Abstract: A digital, cable ready television functions without a standard point-of-deployment (POD) interface module. The television utilizes an IEEE 1394 compatible interface and module to perform processing functions, such as descrambling scrambled signals, and providing electronic program guide (EPG) information. The television receives an input signal containing scrambled signals. The scrambled signals are switched out of the main transport data stream to the descrambler via the IEEE 1394 compatible interface. The scrambled signals are descrambled in accordance with permission information embedded in the input signal and recombined with the main transport data stream, via the IEEE 1394 compatible interface, wherein descrambled signals replace scrambled signals. The combined signal is provided to a display/audio device in any appropriate format, such as HD-MPEG. The IEEE 1394 compatible interface module may also provide copy protected content.