A centralized gateway connects to a broadband digital network for
receiving various types of video feeds. The gateway provides output
television signals directly to conventional inputs of standard television
receivers. Port extenders connected to the gateway via a local-area
network allow users to select a video feed sent by the gateway to a
television associated with each port extender. The port extenders each
provide a convenient and low cost termination point for keyboards, mice,
joysticks, digital cameras, and other peripheral devices to interact with
computer-based network services via the centralized gateway. The
capabilities of the port extenders and the gateway provide a substitute
for a personal computer in basic Internet access activities as well as a
lower cost system for providing network based video programming to
multiple televisions.