Set Top Boxes News

Set-top Boxes (STB) are devices that connect to a television and an external signal, thereby turning the signal into content that can be displayed on the television. There is a large variety of set top boxes that have been popular in the past few decades.

• Cable Converter Box – This type of STB is used to convert television channels to an analog RF signal on a single channel, often VHF 3 or 4, thereby allowing a television that is not “cable ready” to receive cable channels. These were popular prior to the late 1980s.
• Professional Set-Top Box – also called integrated receiver/decoders (IRDs), these are designed for more robust field handling and rack mounting environments. IRDs, unlike standard consumer STBs, can output uncompressed SDI signals.
• Hybrids – There are also a number of Hybrid IPTV STBs, which allow traditional TV broadcast to be combined with internet delivered video and personal multimedia content. This method allows users to access a larger variety of content without purchasing separate boxes for each device. Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) is a popular brand of Hybrid IPTV STBs.

Popular STBs currently on the market include Google TV’s Revue, Apple TV, and Roku’s Netflix STB.