Most of us do not have many PCs. So the only sources of entertainment are tablets, laptops, or smartphones. And most people are buying set-top boxes to make this journey of entertainment more exciting than it actually has been all these years.
Many chipmakers are attempting to inject some innovation into the television screen by expanding the capabilities of these digital boxes beyond basic live TV. Broadcom, a leading semiconductor company in the United States, recently demonstrated solutions for cable and satellite (DTH) pay-TV that can provide interactivity to even the most basic boxes.
Some entry-level high-definition (HD) digital boxes, dubbed "hybrid" machines, are specifically built to do more than just watch live television. These boxes are so designed that, according to Broadcom officials, can read HTML 5, the latest markup language for structuring and delivering material on the World Wide Web. In reality, HTML 5 is now used to build the majority of what we see on the internet. Weather widgets, stock price widgets, wheat price widgets, fish price widgets, and so on can all be found on these digital boxes. It means that with these digital boxes in place, one may not need a full computer to use such applications; instead, one can simply take the remote and click on the widget, and the necessary information will appear on the TV screen. It also generates compelling business cases for developers and service providers to develop apps and begin delivering services that are relevant to TV viewers.
Adoption of a set-top box: a necessity and not a choice
The features that it offers at this cheap price have driven many of the users into a necessity mode rather than a choice mode. Let us see how:
1. E-program guide: The EPG, better known as the electronic program guide, provides users with continuously updated catalogues, displaying any and all upcoming programs to be telecast on various channels. This feature makes life easier by informing us when our favourite shows will air and when repeats will be broadcast. This is unquestionably one of the most valuable features of modern digital television.
2. Favourite set-up: On a set-top box, users can easily mark their favourite channels as favourites, a feature that allows them to find their favourite channels whenever they need them. When memorising the channel numbers is a difficult task, this option comes in handy. This feature works in the same way that most web browsers' 'bookmarks' feature does.
3. Instant recording: Customers can now record live television broadcasts to a connected hard disk drive using set top boxes. The function was an instant hit, and it is currently included as a standard feature in most set-top packages. Users can rapidly review, erase, and overwrite previously recorded broadcasts.
4. Child lock: Parental controls are available on some set-top box for users above the age of 18. Parents can utilise filters to block channels that are inappropriate for children. They can block some or all of the channels in a certain category, as well as a large number of channels in other categories.
5. Best remote control: Many set-top box manufacturers include remote controls that work with a variety of television brands and models in addition to the offered box. These types of remote controls are known as universal remote controls. They are more convenient and user-friendly because they can handle most of the key aspects of your TV as well as your set-top box.
Every smart choice is not a smart TV
Both devices are used to take the level of pleasure to new heights. A smart TV, on the other hand, comes with a plethora of features. The cost of a smart TV is much more than that of a set-top box. Furthermore, considering the limited number of apps supported, purchasing an STB appears to be the more cost-effective option. After all, you can use a smart TV with a set-top box. Set-top-box technology is rapidly developing, and new gadgets are always being released, but nothing beats a fully functional smart TV.
What holds the future of a set-top box?
The future of a set top box is anything but not bleak because of the low initial cost. When compared to streaming services, the upfront cost is substantially lower. They also have plans where you pay a lower monthly fee for the second and third connections. In addition, for a monthly fee, you can access over a hundred channels of shows and movies.
The aspect of viewing a whole new level of entertainment. And the future is bright. There will be millions of buyers on a buying scale and the sale is going to end up in millions in the future. People will be willing to view their choice of channels by paying extra.