Premises gateway apparatus and methods for use in a content-based network

A premises gateway device for use in a content distribution network, comprising:

• a first apparatus configured to:
• receive first Internet Protocol (IP)-encapsulated video content signals and second non-IP encapsulated video content signals from said network;
• create a trusted domain of authorized ones of a plurality of consumer devices disposed within a premises network created by said premises gateway device for delivery of said first or second video content signals thereto, said trusted domain comprising at least said premises gateway device and said plurality of consumer devices;
• and
• transmit said first and said second video content signals to at least one of said authorized ones of said plurality of consumer devices in said trusted domain;
• and
• a second apparatus configured to:
• receive via at least one interface thereof third data signals from said at least one of said authorized ones of said plurality of consumer devices;
• and
• transmit said third data signals to one or more entities of said network, thereby enabling said premises gateway device to act as a communications proxy for said authorized ones of said plurality of consumer devices.

A method of delivering video services over a network via a gateway device, comprising:

• receiving signals from and transmitting signals to a network entity on behalf of individual ones of a plurality of client devices, thereby enabling said gateway device to act as a communications proxy for said individual ones of said plurality of client devices;
• receiving at least one request for one or more content elements from said individual ones of said client devices;
• based at least in part on said at least one request, receiving said one or more content elements from a content source;
• creating a trusted domain of authorized ones of said plurality of client devices disposed within a premises network created by said gateway device, said trusted domain comprising at least said gateway device and said plurality of client devices;
• and
• delivering of said one or more content elements to said authorized ones of said plurality of client devices.