Abstract: A system for monitoring a selected channel signal included within a multiplex of channel signals and for transmitting a representation of the selected channel signal to a monitoring location is disclosed. The system includes a demultiplexer which receives the multiplex of channel signals and demultiplexes the selected channel signal in response to a channel select command. A transmitter unit receives the demultiplexed channel signal from the demultiplexer, compresses the demultiplexed channel signal, converts the compressed demultiplexed channel signal to a packet signal and transmits the packet signal to the monitoring location via a telecommunications link.

Abstract: A transmitter unit for receiving a channel signal and transmitting a representation of the channel signal to a monitoring location. The transmitter unit includes an encoder unit which compresses the received channel signal to a selectable bit rate. The encoder also converts the compressed channel signal to a packet signal for transmission to the monitoring location via a telecommunication link and adjusts a packet rate of the packet signal to conform to the bit rate of the compressed channel signal. The transmitter unit also includes an infrared control unit for receiving a demultiplexer command signal from the encoder unit and transmitting the demultiplexer command signal by an infrared signal.