Abstract: For the preparation of data such as digitized television channel signals or television channel bundles, useful data are periodically replaced by a frame marker (F) in at least one of N parallel partial data streams of different bit significance. For this replacement, a partial data stream of low bit significance is selected because there the degradation is lowest. Because of this measure, the bit rate does not have to be increased in order to include a frame marker and a simple structure is possible for the multiplexer and demultiplexer at the respective transmission interfaces.

Abstract: A distribution system, useful with radio and television distribution, for distributing a signal having a plurality of channels includes a central station. The central station produces a first frequency division multiplexed signal in which signals from a plurality of channels or channel groups are frequency-converted and combined, and introduces the first frequency division multiplexed signal into transmission media of the distribution system. The first frequency division multiplexed signal may include occupied channels, freely selectable occupied channels, and free channels. A plurality of further stations receive the first frequency division multiplexed signal from the central station and process it with signals of a plurality of further channels to produce a second frequency division multiplexed signal. The signals of the plurality of further channels may be put in free channels, or used to replace signals in freely selectable occupied channels of the first frequency division multiplexed signal.