SET-TOP BOXES
Though they're found in 65 percent of US homes, cable set-top boxes remain a dense, dark mystery for most of us. Perhaps that's because cable boxes are kindly loaned to us by our friendly cable provider. But that's changing fast. Cable companies have upgraded their pipe and now offer digital service to 50 percent of subscribers. By 2000, more than 2 million households are expected to sign up for digital cable. As set-tops go digital and dozens of new features are added, manufacturers plan to eventually sell their hardware at retail outlets. Here's a look under the hood, in detail, of the Explorer 2000, rolled out in October by Scientific-Atlanta (www.sciatl.com/) - so far, it's the only two-way real-time digital set-top on the market.
Smartcard slot Order pizza over the tube; use a smartcard (or credit card) to pay for goods, then download more funds onto your smartcard via an input slot on the front of the box.
Analog and digital TV broadcast tuner Digital cable offers a customizable, programmable viewing guide; more pay-per-view options and premium channels; and even a search tool to help you find upcoming Waco documentaries or shows starring Tom Selleck.
Downstream data tuner, upstream data transmitter Offer Web browsing and email - some of the same services you get with a PC, but with a connection nearly 200 times faster; HTML and JavaScript compatible.
Analog componentry The equivalent of your existing analog set-top box.
Home-video connectors S video, SPDIF, basebands, and RF connectors to your TV, VCR, and other home electronics.
Network processor Custom designed by Scientific-Atlanta around a 54-mips Sun MicroSparc RISC processor; handles DES decryption, protocol stacking, memory management, and IP data filtering.
Media processor Codesigned by Scientific-Atlanta, PowerTV, and SGS-Thomson; it decodes MPEG video and audio, as well as Dolby Digital.
USB port Plug in peripherals, everything from printers to digital cameras.
Memory 2 Mbytes of ROM, 2 Mbytes of flash memory, and 10 Mbytes of DRAM.
Ethernet port Use your computer to make an IP phone call by piggy-backing on the box's built-in cable modem.
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