System and method for maintaining timing synchronization in a digital video network

A method for maintaining timing synchronization in a digital video transport system, comprising the steps of:

• receiving in a filter a digital video transport stream comprised of a plurality of packets and containing a plurality of programs with a timing reference value associated with each;
• filtering said transport stream to obtain at least a desired one of said plurality of programs;
• supplying said desired program to a buffer and monitoring said desired program to detect the presence of said timing reference value within any of said packets that is valid;
• copying said timing reference value into a counter;
• incrementing said counter by an amount corresponding to the time said desired program resides in said buffer;
• supplying said timing reference value to a multiplexer;
• and
• overwriting said timing reference value into said desired program after said desired program leaves said buffer.

A method for transporting a video signal, a bi-directional data signal, and a telephone channel, comprising the steps of:

• receiving in a transceiver a signal comprising a video signal, a bi-directional data signal, a telephone signal, and a control channel, wherein said video signal, said bi-directional data signal and said control channel are digitally combined;
• separating said video signal, said bi-directional data signal, said telephone signal and said control channel;
• routing said video signal to a video decoder;
• routing said bi-directional data signal to a data interface;
• routing said telephone signal to a telephone;
• and
• routing said control channel to a processor.