Method and system for providing different formats of encoded content in a switched digital video (sdv) system

A switched digital video (SDV) system, comprising:

• an SDV manager configured for determining the format of an SDV channel of digital content from a content source that is provided to at least one service group, wherein the at least one service group includes a plurality of end user network elements,
• wherein, if all of the end user network elements within the at least one service group receiving the SDV channel are capable of receiving the SDV channel in a first format, the SDV manager determines that the SDV channel is to be delivered to the end user network elements within the at least one service group receiving the SDV channel in the first format, and
• wherein, if at least one of the plurality of end user network elements within the at least one service group receiving the SDV channel is capable of receiving the SDV channel only in a second format, the SDV manager determines that the SDV channel is to be delivered to the end user network elements within the at least one service group receiving the SDV channel in the second format;
• and
• a transcoder coupled to the SDV manager, wherein the transcoder is configured to transcode the format of the SDV channel from the first format to the second format in response to instructions from the SDV manager.

A computer readable medium storing instructions that, when executed on a programmed processor, carry out a method for providing a switched digital video (SDV) channel of digital content from a content source to at least one service group, wherein the at least one service group includes a plurality of end user network elements, comprising:

• instructions for transmitting the SDV channel in a first format (mpeg4) from the content source to at least one edge device in a distribution hub coupled to the content source;
• and
• instructions for delivering the SDV channel from the at least one edge device in the distribution hub to at least one service group coupled to the distribution hub,
• wherein, if all of the end user network elements receiving the SDV channel within the at least one service group are capable of receiving the SDV channel in the first format, the SDV channel is delivered to the end user network elements receiving the SDV channel in the first format, and
• wherein, if at least one of the plurality of end user network elements receiving the SDV channel within the at least one service group is capable of receiving the SDV channel only in the second format, the SDV channel is delivered to the end user network elements receiving the SDV channel in the second format.