The Unpredictable Certainty White Papers (1997) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
The Evolution of the Analog Set-Top Terminal to a Digital Interactive Home Communications Terminal
The Evolution of the Analog Set-Top Terminal to a Digital Interactive Home Communications Terminal
Pages 168-177
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From page 168... ...
Next, conditional access and addressability allowed programmers and network operators to offer subscription-paid premium programming. Today, advanced analog home communications terminals (HCTs)
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From page 169... ...
In addition, FM satellite receivers, large satellite receiving antennas, and video processing equipment provided cable headends with the necessary electronic equipment to receive and distribute these programs over selected channels in the cable system. HOW THE ANALOG CABLE SET TOP EVOLVED For the first time, there were more channels available over the CATV system Han the normal Channel 213 VHF television could tune.
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From page 170... ...
~, -- Cal -- r To aid in program selection, advanced analog set-top terminals today feature downloaded fully integrated program guides and a system navigator that informs subscribers of the vast programming available. Also, using He 150 kbps average bandwidth available in the vertical blanking interval of a standard video channel, these units incorporate "virtual channels" that can be used to send sports updates, financial services, news, and other types of digital services.
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From page 171... ...
and rewind features by making use of the staggered simulcast nature of NVOD channels and the built-~n Intelligent software resident in the HCT to keep track of the appropriate channel needed to view a desired program segment. Digital Communications with Analog TV Signals: An Added Dimension While current cable systems use analog signals for video and audio, advancements In digital technology now allow cable systems to add a digital video layer to increase channel capacity with little or no increased distribution bandwidth.
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From page 172... ...
A hybrid fiber coax system transmits the digital information on analog RF carriers designed to be frequency multiplexed into a normal broadband channel. The bandwidth required is compatible with a normal analog video channel so that the digital signals can be assigned a vacant space in He spectrum or, because of enhanced ruggedness, cam be placed at the upper end ofthe spectrum outside the guaranteed performance range of a distribution plant.
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From page 173... ...
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From page 174... ...
However, a large portion of He projected increase is in the vague category defined as "other services" that include home shopping and other services whose revenue potential is not proven. Currently, a reasonable compromise is to provide advanced analog HCTs with NVOD capability for the near term, but add additional capacity using digital broadcast, and over digital interactive services on a customer demand basis with digital interactive HCTs.
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From page 175... ...
If ~nteroperability and portability are to be realized along with network integrity and flexibility, the home terminal must split into a part that must tee provided by the network operator and a part that is not necessarily a part of the network and could evolve to becoming consumer electronics sold at retail. A first part of the terminal that could be called the network interface module (NIM)
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From page 176... ...
Today's advanced analog HCTs include digital communications that provide controlled access, downloadable digital applications (e.g., electronic program guides and virtual channels) , and a significant revenue-produc~ng service with analog video and NVOD.
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From page 177... ...
. EDiC provides the plant configuration that allows a smooth transition to the future and can be Me platform for a fully interactive network that includes video, audio, telephony, and data without sacrificing analog services and associated revenues.
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