Media codec devices obtain and decode media signals and then distribute them to downstream devices. The media codec devices may obtain media signals from multiple service providers or other sources, including protected media signals. The media codec devices may be decoupled from the source of the media signals by maintaining a managed collection of decoder information including decoder keys, decryption algorithms, and codecs within a memory of a decoder, where such decoder information may be updated by adding new decoder information and/or removing existing decoder information to add or lose service providers while the media codec device is in the possession of the consumer. The media codec device may be decoupled from playback devices at the premise of the consumer by utilizing media transfer devices that receive decoded media signals from the media codec device and transfer them for ultimate delivery to playback devices.