Methods for Transporting Digital Media

A data network device for connection to other network devices to transport media packets between them, the network device comprising:

• a media port for performing at least one of (1) receiving media signals from a media device and (2) transmitting media signals to a media device;
• a clock port coupled to receive a system time signal;
• and
• a local clock generator coupled to use the system time signal and a network time protocol to generate a local clock signal synchronised to the system time signal for both rate and offset, the local clock signal governing both the rate and offset of the received or transmitted media signals.

A method of operating a data network device to transport media packets, comprising the steps of:

• generating or receiving a system time signal for the network;
• configuring a plural number of the network devices such that each is able to perform at least one of (1) sending packets to other network devices, and (2) receiving packets from other network devices;
• configuring the network devices to perform at least one of (1) receiving media signals from a media device, and (2) transmitting media signals to a media device;
• connecting each network device to receive the system time signal;
• and,
• operating each network device to use the system time signal and a network time protocol to generate a local clock signal synchronised to the system time signal for both rate and offset, the local clock signal governing the rate and offset of the received or transmitted media signals.