Patent ID: 8046809

Claim:
A multicast video service control system for Internet protocol television transport, comprising: a service distribution platform having a multicast table, the service distribution platform configured to receive channels from an Internet protocol video source and the multicast table configured to include an entry for each of the channels and to add and delete receiving ports as a result of receiving Ethernet packets comprising “joins” and “leaves” associated with the entry for each channel in the multicast table; a service concentration platform communicating with the service distribution platform by forwarding Ethernet packets comprising “leaves” and “joins” to the service distribution platform; and at least one set-top box physically distinct and remotely located from the service concentration platform communicating with the service concentration platform via Ethernet packets including a receiving port and configured to generate “leaves” and “joins” and forward the “leaves” and “joins” to the service concentration platform wherein the “leaves” and “joins” are snooped by portals connected between the at least one set-top box and the service concentration platform.