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set-top box

A device that converts cable TV channels to TV input. Set-top boxes are also used for movies from the Internet (see last paragraph below). For years, the set-top box (STB) referred to the...

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Definition: set-top box

A device that converts cable TV channels to TV input. Set-top boxes are also used for movies from the Internet (see last paragraph below). For years, the set-top box (STB) referred to the venerable cable TV box that "sat on top" of the TV set. Even though there is no place to rest a box on top of a flat panel TV, the term is still used.

However, a satellite TV set-top box is officially known as a "satellite receiver." A set-top box for over-the-air digital broadcasts is called a "converter box," because it changes the signals to analog for older TVs (see TV converter box).

For digital service, the set-top box decodes the MPEG-based digital signals, decrypts the premium channels and stores and displays the program guides and channel numbers. HD set-top boxes offer high-definition signals in addition to standard definition (SD). For analog service, set-top boxes descramble the premium channels and manage the higher channel numbers older TVs do not support. See HDTV and MPEG.

Built-In DVR
A digital set-top box may have a built-in hard drive for pausing, rewinding, recording and playing back TV programs. Third-party DVRs, such as Tivo models, perform the digital decrypting and decoding with plug-in CableCARD modules that contain the cable company algorithms normally found in the set-top box. See CableCARD and DVR.

Cable TV and Internet Access
Although most cable companies offer TV and Internet service, the regular cable TV set-top box does not provide Internet access. Where the cable enters the house, it is divided into two lines by a small, passive "splitter." One line goes to the cable TV set-top box, and the other is fed to the cable modem for Internet access.

Movies From the Internet
Set-top boxes for Netflix and other Internet-based movie providers obtain their input through the home network, either via an Ethernet connection or Wi-Fi. Such boxes are called "media hubs," along with numerous other names (see digital media hub). Instead of converting cable channels to TV signals, they convert IP packets to TV signals. See hybrid set-top box and cable modem.


set-top box

Set It On Top
For years, people placed their cable boxes on top of their TV sets; hence the \"set-top\" name.



set-top box

set-top box

Big and Little
The Motorola set-top box (top) connects to the cable company's coaxial cable for input, whereas the Apple TV digital media hub (bottom) obtains its signals via Ethernet or Wi-Fi. The entire Apple TV is that tiny black box on top of the CD changer.



set-top box

Analog and Digital Outputs
Set-top boxes send digital signals to new TV sets and analog signals to older TVs. This is the back of a Roku Digital Video Player that streams Netflix, Hulu Plus and Amazon Video on Demand. See Toslink, S-video, component video, composite video and HDMI.





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