Patent ID: 7761902

Claim:
A method of providing video content, the method comprising: receiving a channel change data packet from a set-top box device at a subscriber premises via a packet-based video distribution network, the channel change data packet including data indicating a requested channel and a channel change index value, wherein the subscriber premises includes a plurality of set-top boxes, a plurality of display devices, or a combination thereof, wherein the channel change index value is a number of set-top boxes of the plurality of set-top boxes, display devices of the plurality of display devices, or combination thereof, that are receiving video content at the subscriber premises; reading the channel change data packet to identify the channel change index value; determining an available bandwidth at the subscriber premises to receive video content of the requested channel via the packet-based video distribution network based on the channel change index value; and allocating an overhead bandwidth to the set-top box device based on the channel change index value.