Apparatus and method for distributing signals

A method for distributing signals from a server apparatus to a first client device and a second client device, comprising steps of:

• receiving signals from a broadcast source;
• generating first analog signals responsive to said received signals;
• generating second analog signals responsive to said received signals, wherein the first analog signals have a different encoding than the second analog signals;
• detecting an available frequency band on said transmission medium, wherein said available frequency band is used to provide said first analog signals to said first client device;
• providing said first analog signals to said first client device via a transmission medium connecting said server apparatus and said first client device in response to a first request signal requesting a first desired analog signal by identifying a first program;
• detecting an available frequency band on said transmission medium, wherein said available frequency band is used to provide said second analog signals to said second client device;
• and
• providing said second analog signals to said second client device via said transmission medium connecting said server apparatus and said second client device in response to a second request signal requesting a second desired analog signal by identifying a second program, thereby causing said transmission medium to be shared between said analog signals and cable broadcast signals distributed over said transmission medium.

A server apparatus, comprising:

• a receiving element operative to receive broadcast signals;
• first processing elements operative to generate first analog signals responsive to said received signals;
• second processing elements operative to generate second analog signals responsive to said received signals, wherein the first analog signals have a different encoding than the second analog signals;
• and
• a controller operative to detect available frequency bands on said transmission medium, wherein said first analog signals are provided to a first client device via a transmission medium connecting said server apparatus in response to a first request signal requesting a first desired analog signal by identifying a first program and said first client device and further wherein said second analog signals are provided to a second client device via said transmission medium connecting said server apparatus and said second client device in response to a second request signal requesting a second desired analog signal by identifying a second program, and further wherein said available frequency bands are used to provide said first analog signals to said first client device and to provide said second analog signals to said second client device.