FAQs on SET-TOP BOX (STB) & DIGITIZATION

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FAQs on SET TOP BOX (STB)
Source: LiveMint

1. What is a set-top box (STB)?
It is a device that converts digital or encrypted signals into content that can be watched on the small screen. These signals can reach an STB through cable or satellite dish.

2. Why do you need an STB?
The government has made STBs compulsory through an amendment to the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act. STBs make for a better viewing experience because of the digital signal, help identify television homes and prevent illegal channels from being beamed into India. The entire country is supposed to watch television via STBs by December 2014.

3. What happens if you don’t get an STB?

You will face a TV blackout. All analogue signals will be turned off after 31 October in Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai, which means
people in these cities cannot view any channel unless they install an STB.

4. How do you know if you are in the DAS area?

The shift from analogue to digital television system will be in phases. If you live in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, you fall under the
first phase of DAS which has a 31 October deadline. Cities with a population of more than 1 million have to shift by 31 March, 2013. All
urban areas (municipal corporations and municipalities) have to move to DAS by Sepetmber 2014 and the rest of India by 31 December,
2014.

5. How do you shift from analogue to DAS?

You have to install an STB. This can be done either through your cable operator or by subscribing to the services offered by direct-to-home
(DTH) companies such as Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel Digital TV, Videocon D2H and Reliance Digital TV. DTH is a satellite-based service
unlike cable. The advantage of DTH is all-India coverage. You can use the same DTH operator even if you move cities. Cable is a ground
distribution network and you may have to change your operator if you move to a different place even within a city.

6. What is the difference between DTH and digital cable?

DTH means having to install a dish antenna along with an STB, although your apartment complex may need only one such device if
everyone subscribes to the same service. Digital cable, on the other hand, uses fibre optic cable. Both DTH and digital cable can also be
used for broadband, video-on-demand, and other value-added services. One disadvantage of DTH is that signals can be disrupted in bad
weather.

7. How much does it cost to install an STB?

As an introductory offer, almost all larger cable operators are offering an STB at around Rs799, with a one-year warranty and manuals. No
additional wiring is required for digital cable as just the STB needs to be installed.
A DTH STB will cost between `1,600 and `2,000 depending on the company you choose. The cost includes hardware (STB and dish),
installation and a one-month subscription package, although this will vary depending on the number of channels and whether you’re opting
for high-definition
As of now, the option of equated monthly installments (EMIs) is not available for cable but a few DTH operators offer this on HD STBs.
Cable operators offer the option of leasing the STB. However, a certain amount will be deducted from the fee paid for the STB.

8. How much will it cost to subscribe to channels?

Through a cable operator: Cable operators are offering 100 free-to-air (FTA) channels for `100. If you opt for a combination of FTA and paid
channels, it will cost around `270 to `300 per month for roughly 250 channels. This is up from `180 per month for around 80 channels (mix
of FTA and paid channels).
DTH gives you two options:
1: A-la-carte, under which you can choose individual channels based on price. The pricing for each channel is
mentioned on the operator’s website. Under this option, your minimum bill per month cannot be less than `150.
2: A mix of channels (belonging to various genres) under different packages that cost between Rs200 and Rs325 on an average per month for around 100 channels. DTH operators offer monthly, half-yearly and annual subscription options. Long duration subscriptions come with
discounts.

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. HD boxes will need an HD TV. The HD and HD-DVR STBs cost `3,000 to `4,000. HD units are currently being
offered only by DTH players. Subscribing to India’s dozen or so HD channels will cost about `100 per month.

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very informative thread.....
 
All you wanted to know about Set Top Box (from FirstPost)

Currently most cable operators provide the TV signals in an analogue form, said Roop Sharma, President, Cable Operators Federation of India (COFI).

When you install an STB, the box will convert the analogue signal into a digital signal and offer you better picture and sound quality. Both cables as well as satellite dishes can be connected to a STB.

If you don’t install the STB you simply won’t be able to watch the id*ot box since the TV channels will be blocked out. If you still haven’t installed an STB, you must have already seen some channels blacked out, and it’s just a matter of time before all channels do.

Like it or not, you will have to install an STB to watch TV, going forward. But you have two choices to choose from. You could do this via your local cable operator (digital cable) or choose the Direct-To-Home (DTH) option. For instance, Tata Sky, Dish TV, Airtel Digital, and Reliance D2H are companies that offer you DTH service.

Keep in mind, while the DTH would need you to install a separate dish antenna as well, it gives you the flexibility to take your DTH connection to a different location just in case you move elsewhere.

A digital cable restricts you this privilege, which means when you relocate, you have no option but to change your operator. If you have more than one TV, each TV will need a separate STB.

Pricing:


Most local cable operators would give you an STB for around Rs 799, while the DTH–STB will cost you Rs 1600 plus depending upon the kind of STB you choose and the company. Roop Sharma also said, “The pricing of the Set Top Box is Rs 799. But local operators are also getting it at a higher price of 1000 to 1200. So, the local cable guy has no option but to give you a higher rate.”

Another Multiple System Operator (simply put, a big cable service provider who operates across cities) an employee said, “You could choose between types of set top boxes as well, standard definition and high definition, and those with HD personal recorder, of course HD ones will cost more and could go as high as Rs 4000.” Even DTH -STB comes in HD formats. Some cable operators even allow you to lease an STB, for instance, indigital offers STB at a rental of Rs 22 per month with refundable deposit of Rs 750, provided certain conditions are agreed upon.

Subscriptions:


Cable operators will give you 100 free-to-air channels for Rs 100. If you want to have more channels you will have to bear a cost and that will be in the range of Rs 250- Rs 300 per month depending upon the channels you choose. DTH too has various packages to choose from, and could be in the range of Rs 150 to R s350 a month. You could get a discount if you choose an annual subscription model over monthly subscription. If you are not interested in packages, you can also choose from various a-la-carte channels for both digital cable as well as DTH. Not to mention that you will have to bear a cost for individual channel.

There is a good possibility that your local operator gives you a low quality China made STB, and you can’t do much about it, unless you switch to DTH. But it is common knowledge that DTH do give disrupted signal during to bad weather, typically rain in our regions. To choose digital cable or DTH, is your call. But you will have to buy the STB, like it or not.

Source: Digital deadline is 31 October: All you wanted to know about Set Top Box | Firstpost
 
After 5 years from purchase of STB, its property of customer in digital cable. Is it same in dth?
 
The I&B Ministry's Final Digitisation Timelines



Phase Area I&B Ministry's Final Deadline
Phase-I Fours Metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai. 31st October 2012
Phase-II Cities with a population More than one Million 31st March, 2013
Phase-III All urban areas (Municipal Corp/Municipalities) 30th September, 2014
Phase-IV Rest of India 31st December, 2014
 
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