Set-top box
Also known as: STB
A set-top box or set-top box is an electronic box that serves to receive digital television. Thanks to the set-top box, as a subscriber you have access to your provider's digital TV channels and radio stations and additional services. Most Internet providers and cable companies provide at least one set-top box free of charge with a subscription for digital television.
The provider 's information and images usually come in through a network cable connected to the cable modem, dsl modem or other device responsible for the Internet connection. The set-top box transmits its image signal to the television by connecting it with an hdmi cable or scart cable. To operate the set-top box and zap between channels, the box usually has its own remote control.
In addition to decoding and transmitting digital channels, a set-top box can add additional services and features to a television. These include a TV guide, apps and the ability to watch additional programs, movies and series on demand. Some set-top boxes feature a hard drive to record programs locally. More often, programs can be watched back via video on demand and recorded programs are stored in the cloud.
With some providers it is also possible to use digital TV without a set-top box. As a subscriber, you must then have a TV that supports this, which is the case with many smart TVs. Often the signal of the channels is encrypted in connection with agreements with rights holders. In that case, each connected TV must be provided with a so-called smart card to decode the signal of the digital channels.
