STB : Time for Interoperable STB

Technology is available to introduce interoperability among set-top boxes and
to make single set-top box compatible with prevalent digital video broadcast
signals or compression-MPEG2, MPEG4, HD video, DVB-T (terrestrial), DVB-S
(satellite) or DVB-C (cable).

With DTH industry crossing 11 mn subscribers mark in last December,
subscribers now desire to get more flexibility. An official of Information and
Broadcasting Ministry, at an event recently mentioned that the Bureau of Indian
Standards is working on standardization code for interoperability of set-top
boxes. Although the current regulation requires interoperability, operators have
said that the government itself flouted such norms by allowing the launch of
MPEG-4 STBs by DTH players which at present are not compatible with MPEG-2
boxes.

But in this era of technology, compatibility issues will soon become history.
Chip companies are aggressively pushing for chipsets that can enable single STB
to carry MPEG2, MPEG4 and HDTV signal. An example is STB236 from NXP. This
chipset claims to enable OEMs to create affordable digital TV and hybrid IP STBs
with the highest SD/HD picture quality. It offers a flexible, advanced platform
for all types of STB (terrestrial, cable, satellite, IP) and DVR solutions. It
supports the latest high definition (HD) video standards, and helps to create a
unique set-top box. The source decoder, PNX833X, incorporates key connectivity
protocols such as USB2.0, SATA and Ethernet. The HD version is pin-to-pin
compatible to its SD version.

The technology, as we have seen the trend, is obviously not going to limit
itself. STB can be considered to be a collection of a number of small functional
blocks or modules, with each module performing a well defined function. STB is
said to be interoperable if it can receive any service from any network. It is
possible to have such an interoperable STB. But except for two of the six DTH
operators, none has shown willingness to go for interoperability option as older
players and early starters have invested heavily in creating the market for DTH.

Since market forces along with Trai and Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting have started talking about interoperability, it would not be easy
for reluctant operators to hold interoperability among STBs for a long time. The
DTH market will see a new business model, which is expected to be in-line with
mobile phone services. Even it can bring in video-on-demand or movie-on-demand
cards on the line of calling cards where subscribers will be free to use
services offered by different DTH service provider by using just one STB.
According to B Sundareshan, senior consultant, Broadcast Engineering Consultants
India, said in order to lower the price of STBs they should be based on an 'Open
Architecture' and also should make it 'interoperable' across different networks
as it will lead to a cost reduction of STBs.

As of now DTH operators sell their own customized STBs, manufactured from
third party vendors. The cost of this customized STB checks customers from
drifting to other DTH service providers. Market sources expect that
interoperability norms will allow third party manufactures to independently sell
STBs like in the case of GSM mobile phones. This in turn will invite tough
competition among STB manufactures and help in lowering the cost of STBs.

Prasoon Srivastava

prasoons@cybermedia.co.in