Recently the government of India has placed their deadline for the digitization of the TV channels compulsory, with effect from October 31 for the major metros. This step would be spread to the rest of the nation by the end of 2014.
All the technical gibberish aside what do you have to know and understand about the Set Top Boxes, STBs?
1. What is a set-top box (STB)? An electronic device capable of reading the enrypted signals sent from the cables or satellites and transmit it into the TV signals for display.
2. Why do you need an STB? STBs are now compulsory all over the nation, as per the Cable Television Networks Act. They provide better experience with the TV sets and also allow the homes with the signals to be identified such that no house receives illegal channels. The act would be enforced by the end of December 2014 all over the nation.
3. What happens if you don’t get an STB?
You would not have a single channel on your TV soon after the law is enforced completely. The signals you are currently receiving without a STB would be turned down soon.
4. How do you know if you are in the DAS area? Sooner or later you would be under the DAS regions. If you are from the major metros, you have to convert by the end of October. If you have a city with the population more than 1 million you have time till March 2013 and rest of the cities, municipalities and villages have to convert by 2014.
5. How do you shift from analogue to DAS?
Contact your cable operator to install a STB. Several other DTH (Direct-to-home) services are also available from private providers currently. Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV, Videocon D2H and Reliance Digital TV.
6. What is the difference between DTH and digital cable?
DTH allows you to get the transmissions via a satellite receiver installed on your roof top or your balcony where it can draw signals from the sky. However, in times of extreme weathers like incessant rains, there is a chance of signal disruption. Digital cable is underground cable service capable of doing the same but it is not portable once you install it at a home. You have to ask for another connection if you move.
7. How much does it cost to install an STB?
There are nominal installation charges for the set top box which include charges for wiring, one year insurance and warranty etc. The average charges are just under 800. A few DTH providers are also providing the installation free of charge with specific contracts for a year. Without the offer a DTH service would be prices around Rs 1500 for the installation. High Definition connections are priced higher.
8. How much will it cost to subscribe to channels?
For the cable services, you can opt for the FTA, free-to-air, channels for just Rs 100 per month. For all the paid channels too you have to pay around Rs 300 per month. A charge of Rs 180 is levied on a selection 80 channels from both FTA and paid channels.
DTH gives you two options: 1: A-la-carte: Your choicest channels can be paid for individially per month. Each channel is priced differently and the prices are mentioned on the website of the operator. Under this option, your minimum bill per month cannot be less than Rs.150.
2: A mix of channels (belonging to various genres) under different packages are available to suit the general need of different types of customers ranging between Rs200 and Rs325 on an average per month for around 100 channels. Discounts are available for longer subscriptions.
9. What if you have more than one TV at home?
Each TV will need a separate STB. However, most cable and DTH operators offer discounts on the second and third TV.
10. What are STB options available?
Based on viewing habits and preference, you can opt for a standard definition (SD), high definition (HD) or high-definition digital video recorder (HD-DVR) STB.
(AW- Anil)
