Set-top Box

Set-top box

This term describes a specialized computer that translates incoming digital signal into a form suitable for viewing on a standard TV. signal source can be a digital satellite or terrestrial broadcasting, cable television channel and video-on-demand program sent down telephone lines.

Set-top box, sometimes reduced to a set-top or STB, is somewhat misleading term as the device does not necessarily have to be placed on top of the TV and not necessarily a box.

Other projected uses for the set-top box include the control of the interactive viewing, for example with home-shopping channel, or WebTV, it can also decode the signals on a subscription or pay-per-view channels. Timing is obviously compounds, helped by the acceptance of its form and rhythm, although, as one commentator has noted, it is normally located below the set than the top.

Set-top boxes can be connected with the main categories:

(1) Broadcast TV set-top box -. more elementary level set-top box without a back channel (.refundable channel )You can however come with some memory ,interface ports and some processing power [ [/P >

(2) Enhanced TV set-top box - These back channel (return channel), often through telephone lines, a principal of today's set-top box. These are capable of video on demand, e-commerce, Internet browsing, e-mail communication, chat and much more. They ceded the next category.

(3) Advanced set-top box - fully integrated set-top box. These have good processors, memory and optional large hard-drives. They often are used with high speed connection. Advanced set-top boxes are more likely to be integrated with DVRs and high-definition TV oriented functionality. See media centers.

(4) All-in-one set-top box - fully integrated set-top box. Features could include high-speed Internet access, ITV, digital video recording and playing. Instead, the "trailer" can be used in tandem by the original subscribers set top box and / or TV. See media centers.

(5) Sidecar - This type of set-top box provides an additional transport stream data from the network operator (content provider,) to compliment the original stream that is received by the subscriber via their original set-top box. With Charter Communications, BMC-8000 (Broadband Media Center) is / was a trailer frame that works in tandem with the Motorola DCT-2000. fully integrated unit will not require a Sidecar.

(6) Hybrid Digital Cable Box - specialized and often expensive cable TV set-top box with high end features. Motorola Broadband's DCP501 home theater system is / was an example. It also has a DVD player.