Set Top Box

Set Top Box

STBs can make it possible to receive TV signals, connect to networks, play games via a game console browse networks including the Internet, interact with electronic program guides(EPG), virtual channels, electronic storefronts and walled gardens, send e-mail, and video conference. Many STBs are able to communicate in real time with devices such as camcorders, DVDs, CD players and music keyboards. Some have huge hard-drives and smart card slots to put your smart card into for purchases and identification.

BIS STANDARDS FOR SET-TOP BOXES

Recently the Radio Communication Sectional Committee of Bureau of Indian Standards finalised the draft for the set top box used for conditional access for analog and digital. This draft was approved by the electronics and Telecommunications Division Council and now these standards are available as IS 15244 of 2002 for analog box and IS 15245 of 2002 for digital box. These specifications are being printed in the following pages for the information of our readers.

The technical Committee responsible for the formulation of these standards has reviewed the provisions of the following international publications and has decided that these may be used in conjunction till Indian Standards on these subjects are published.

Radio frequency connectors: Part 2 Coaxial unmatched connectors.

EN300429 ‘Digital video broadcasting(DVB): Framing structure, channel coding and modulation for cable system.

EN 300468 ‘Digital video broadcasting(DVB): Specification for service information (SI) in DVB systems.

ETR211 ‘Digital video broadcasting systems for television: Guidelines on implementation and usage of service information (SI) in DVB systems.

ETR 289 ‘Digital video broadcasting(DVB): Support for use of scrambling and conditional access (CA) within digital broadcasting systems.

BIS STANDARDS FOR SET-TOP BOXES

It has been made mandatory for the manufacturer/service provider to declare to the subscriber the capability of STB and its interoperability on various networks in the instruction manual to be supplied with the STB.

Manufacturer has also to ensure compatibility/interfacing of STB with consumer electronic equipment such as television, audio system and VCRs etc. in the country.

As far conditional access system or the scrambling method id concerned, there are no restrictions except that in the digital STBs, they must confirm to DVB-C(EN300429) and DVB-CSA(ETR-289)standards. Any SMS can be used by the service provider but it must ensure consumer interest and provide efficient, responsive and accurate billing and collection . At the same time an arrangement has to be made between the broadcaster and service provider for excess to relevant data related to the respective channels for biling purpose. Some of the other standards that the Set Top Box must conform to are:

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