Video and data communication system having downstream network interface entitlement profile for restricting transmission to selection device

For use in a broadband communications system including a broadband host digital terminal within a broadband network and in communication with and downstream of an information source, and a network interface in broadband communication with and downstream of the host digital terminal within the broadband network for receiving information therefrom, wherein a standard selection device may be connected to the network interface for requesting a desired item from the information source for reception from the host digital terminal over the broadband network, a selection device comprising:

• a testing selection device configured to connect to the network interface and capable of requesting a desired information item from a test information source for reception at the network interface, the host digital terminal having a profile corresponding to the network interface, wherein the profile is indicative of a limited set of entitled information items that the network interface is entitled to receive from the host digital terminal over the broadband network, the limited set including information from test information source, and wherein the host digital terminal sends the desired information item downstream to the network interface when the desired information item is within the set of entitled information items.

A method for managing a communications system including a broadband host digital terminal in communication with and downstream of at least one information source, and a network interface in communication with and downstream of the host digital terminal for receiving information therefrom, wherein a selection device may be connected to the network interface for requesting a desired item for reception, the method comprising:

• establishing a profile at the host digital terminal, the profile corresponding to the network interface and being indicative of a limited set of entitled information items that the network interface is entitled to receive;
• and
• upon receiving a request for a desired information item, sending the desired information item downstream to the network interface when the desired information item is within the set of entitled information items.