 |
Set-top Box |
Technology
The set-top box, along with the television and the remote control, enables subscribers to be
connected to a video server and browse through a selection of movies or contents.
The key components of the set-top box and the function of each of component are:
- line transceiver:
- receives the incoming signals and permits the sending of control information back to
the video server
- demodulator:
- demodulates the incoming signal to baseband to recover the compressed digital video
stream
- decompression unit:
- converts the compressed digital video signal to analog form and is presented to the TV
monitor
- back-channel interface:
- the media that enable subscribers to interact with the whole system
- remote control:
- physically allows subscribers to navigate or control the whole system
- microprocessor:
- manages the various blocks of hardware inside the set-top box
Business Highlight
- IBM, Apple Computer and converter maker Scientific-Atlanta has joined together to
produce a set-top box that using the Apple-IBM-Motorola Power PC silicon and the
IBM-Apple produced Kaleida multimedia software.
- SGI is working with Scientific-Atlanta and Toshiba on the set-top box
- HP is also working with Sybase, Inc., Oracle Corp. and Microsoft to ensure HPÆs set-
top box will be compatible with these companies' products.