What is the primary purpose of a modem in a home network?

The primary purpose of a modem in a home network is to convert digital data to analog signals. This process is essential for enabling digital devices, such as computers and routers, to communicate over traditional telephone lines or cable systems that transmit analog signals.

When data from your computer is sent out over the internet, it is in a digital format. However, much of the infrastructure for internet connections, especially with DSL or cable service, relies on analog signals. The modem serves as a translator, converting these digital signals into a format suitable for transmission over analog mediums and vice versa, allowing for bidirectional communication. This function is crucial for accessing the internet and is fundamental to how home networks operate.

The other options presented relate to different functionalities not primarily associated with a modem's role in home networking. For example, connecting devices wirelessly typically involves a router, while transmitting data over long distances can be a function of various network devices, such as repeaters or switches, depending on the specific technology in use. Encoding video signals is generally a function of other specific devices meant for video processing and not the primary role of a modem.