Apparatus and method for converting multimedia content, and multimedia content distribution system

An apparatus for converting multimedia content, the apparatus comprising:

• a storage unit which stores original data received from a multimedia content provider;
• an authentication unit which determines whether a viewer is authorized with respect to the original data stored in the storage unit;
• a decryptor which decrypts the original data if it is determined by the authentication unit that the viewer is authorized;
• and
• a data combiner which combines the original data and the data decrypted by the decryptor.

A method of converting multimedia content, the method comprising:

• receiving original multimedia content data from a multimedia content provider;
• decrypting the original multimedia content data;
• and
• combining a total or portion of the original multimedia content data and the decrypted data.

A system for distributing multimedia content, the system comprising:

• a provider which provides encrypted multimedia content data;
• two or more display devices;
• a content conversion apparatus directly connected to one of the two or more display devices;
• a decryptor which decrypts the encrypted multimedia content data received from the provider, and
• a combinor which combines the decrypted data and a total or portion of the encrypted multimedia content data, and transmits the combined data to the other display devices.