Set Top Box:
A Pandora’s box of conversions, connections and conundrums…
…The ubiquitous Set Top Box, is also known as the STB, or converter, decoder, Intelligent Set-top Box, Smart Encoder, Digital TV Converter, DTV Converter, Digital Decoder, DTV Tuner, descrambler, Digital Set-top Box, addressable converter, demodulator, Smart TV Set-top Box, ITV enabled Set-top Box, Internet-enabled Set-top Box, ITV enabled Set-top cable box, Satellite-enabled Set-top Box, Cable-enabled Set-top Box, Smart TV Set-top Box, Super Box, All-in-one Set Top Box, Integrated Set Top Box, Hybrid Cable Box. Glad you asked?
Know that just because a TV has the set-top box functions built in, it doesn't mean it's a digital TV. In that case it's just an analog TV with set-top box functions.
Set-top boxes (STB) interface your television or PC or PC-TV and your telephone, satellite or cable feed. In terms of ITV, the STB receives encoded and/or compressed digital signals from the signal source (satellite, TV station, cable network, etc.) and decodes (and/or decompresses) those signals, converting them into analog signals displayable on your non-digital television. The STB also accepts commands from the user by remote control or keyboard and transmits these commands back to the network.
Interactive television STBs can act as television receiver, modem, game console, web browser, a way of sending e-mail, Electronic Program Guide (EPG), even CD ROM, DVD player, and video-conferencing.
Classes of set-top boxes:
(1) Broadcast TV Set-top Boxes- The more elementary level set-top box with no return channel (back-end interactivity), possibly containing some memory, interface ports and some processing power. Older type.
(2) Enhanced TV Set-top Boxes - These have interactivity through a return channel, usually a phone line, and are the majority of today's set-top boxes. Due to the interactivity, these are capable of Video on Demand, e-commerce, Internet browsing, e-mail communications and chat. They are giving way to…
(3) Advanced Set-top Boxes - In many ways, like a PC with processors, memory and optional large hard-drives or DVRs. Often hooked up to broadband connections. Example: Explorer 6000 & 8000 set-top boxes from Scientific Atlanta. Hi-Def functionality.
(4) All-in-one Set-top Boxes - A fully integrated set-top box. Features could include everything from high-speed Internet access to digital video recording to games and e-mail capacity.
(5) Hybrid Digital Cable Box – A specialized and often more expensive Cable TV set-top box with high end functions. Example, the DVD player equipped Motorola DCP501.
But wait...See CableCard for an explanation of the conversion process and why in many circumstances, the CableCard would deliver a superior picture. Just remember that TODAY's CableCards are not interactive: no Pay-Per-View, etc.) and that the next generation WILL BE, and that's why cable companies want you to wait.
Copyright © 2005, 2006 www.cinemas-de-recherche.org | Home Theater Made Easy | Home Theater guides and reviews | set top box
|
