Abstract: A set top box (STB), an interactive television and a personal computer (PC) are coupled together as part of a network, preferably a home network. A processing request is received by the STB, wherein the processing request is preferably a request to manipulate a corresponding data. The corresponding data is preferably content stored within the home network. In response to the processing request, the STB first determines if a processing capability of the STB is sufficient to perform the processing request. If the STB includes sufficient processing capability, then the STB processes the request. If not, then the STB determines if the PC has sufficient processing capability to process the request. If the PC includes sufficient processing capability, then the STB issues a command to the PC to perform the processing request. Once the PC receives the command from the STB, the PC performs the processing request on the corresponding data and sends the processed data from the PC to the STB.