IP to DVB subchannel mapping

A method of receiving data files, using an intelligent STB comprising:

• receiving a plurality of data packets including a first plurality of data packets corresponding to a selected subchannel of data via a transmission medium, wherein each said data packet includes a identifier indicative of an IP address value;
• filtering said plurality of data packets in response to said identifier in order to retrieve said first plurality of data packets;
• decode said first plurality of data packets in order to reconstruct at least one selected data file.

A broadcast server method for transmitting digital data comprising:

• attaching an packet identifier (PID) value to data to enable the data to be viewed at a destination, wherein the PID value is responsive to an IP address corresponding to said data.

A method of encoding digital data for broadcast comprising the acts of:

• receiving a sequence of data packets, said sequence being composed of a plurality of data packets containing digital data, wherein each data packet includes an identifier;
• and
• encoding each of said data packets with an packet identifier (PID) value responsive to said identifier.

An packet identifier (PID) encapsulator unit for assigning PID values to data packets comprising:

• an apparatus for receiving a plurality of data packets, each data packet having an identifier;
• and
• a PID mapping processor operative for assigning a PID value to each said packet at least partially responsive to said identifier.