Regional common-use block of CATV system and CATV system using the regional common-use blocks

A regional common-use block for use in a CATV system, comprising:

• a plurality of converters for converting video, audio and data signals separated from an inputted multiplexed signal;
• an upward signal decoding portion for separating subscriber request signals from a signal stream input into the common-use block by a plurality of subscribers;
• a plurality of switching circuits for switching connections between the converters and the subscribers' lines based on the separated subscriber request signals, wherein said switching circuits enable a plurality of subscribers to be connected to the output of a single converter;
• and
• a plurality of modulators for modulating TV signals transmitted to subscribers' lines with a predetermined modulation frequency of at least one of a plurality of vacant channels.

A method for using a regional common-use block in a CATV system, comprising:

• separating video, audio and data signals from multiplexed signals inputted by a CATV center;
• converting the separated video, audio and data signals into TV signals with a plurality of converters;
• separating subscriber request signals from a signal stream input into the common-use block by a plurality of subscribers, wherein the separating is perform by an upward signal decoder;
• switching connections between the converters and subscribers' lines based on the separated subscriber request signals, wherein said switching enables a plurality of subscribers to be connected to the output of a single converter;
• and
• modulating TV signals transmitted to subscribers' lines with a predetermined modulation frequency of at least one of a plurality of vacant channels, the modulating being performed by a plurality of modulators.

A method for using a regional common-use block in a CATV system, comprising:

• converting video, audio and data signals separated from an inputted multiplexed signal with a plurality of converters;
• separating subscriber request signals from a signal stream input into the common-use block by a plurality of subscribers, wherein the separating is perform by an upward signal decoder;
• switching connections between the converters and subscribers' lines based on the separated subscriber request signals, wherein said switching enables a plurality of subscribers to be connected to the output of a single converter;
• and
• modulating TV signals transmitted to subscribers' lines with a predetermined modulation frequency of at least one of a plurality of vacant channels, the modulating being performed by a plurality of modulators.