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Digital Set-Top-Box (STB/PVR)

The Digital Set-Top-Box (STB/PVR) is a video/audio subsystem that supports digital/analog video broadcasting (cable, satellite, terrestrial)

Block Diagram


1394 Supply AC Adaptor Audio Amp (Line Out) Clock Common Interfaces DDR Power DSP Fan Control Green Mode Power HDD Power IRDA LCD Backlight Level Shifters (A) Level Shifters (B) Logic Low Power Wireless MSP430 RTC/IR Decoder NTSC/PAL Decoder PLL Clock Proc Core / I/O Power RF Tuners Smart Card or Cable Card Power Stereo Audio CODEC System Power Temp Sense Tuner Supply USB Power Video Amp (A) Video Amp (B) Video Amps Video Decoder

Design Considerations

As the cable television and satellite television industries enjoy another year of sustained growth, many cable/satellite operators are continuing to invest in the “digitalization” of their systems. This is resulting in the transition of the TV transmission infrastructure from an analog environment to a digital one, the set-top box market, which is a key part of this digital upgrade. Once a cable/satellite system has made the transition, subscribers have access to an increased number of video channels, high speed Internet service, and even telephony voice service. The IP set-top box (STB) is to a broadband communication link (i.e., DSL, cable, etc.) and is used to receive/decode digital TV broadcasts and allow Internet access and additional functionality through the TV.

When designing the next set-top box platform, there is no need to shop around for video components. TI offers a complete range of video solutions to meet the specific needs of the new digital set-top box. TI’s comprehensive solutions cover the entire signal chain. Including everything from the initial capture of video content to the final viewing experience and “all-format” component video back ends with color space conversion and automatic sync insertion, which can process all SDTV and HDTV formats. TI has a variety of IP STB solutions which handle complex processing functions such as encoding and decoding media streams, transcoding (converting from one format to another) and transrating streams (scaling from a higher to a lower bit rate) to accommodate various system-level dependencies, compression, decompression, encryption, as well as packetization and transport of media streams.

A Digital Set-Top-Box (STB/PVR) system would include:

  • DSP - performs MPEG encoder/decoder, and voice/AC3/MPEG audio processing.
  • RF Demodulation - performs COFDM/QAM/QPSK demodulation, Forward Error Correction (FEC) and video mux.
  • MCU - controls system electronic, network, and user interface.
  • Memory - stores executing code and data/parameters.
  • Video Interface - selects video source to be decoded/encoded by ADC/DAC and DSP. Both the video front end and output stages require high-performance op-amps to amplify the video signal.
  • Audio Interface - allows audio to be digitized by the audio codec and processed by DSP to provide high-quality audio for MPEG/AC3 requirements.
  • User Interface - allows the user to communicate with system network, control video/audio I/O sources, and perform voice/data communication.
  • Broadband & Wireless Connectivity - allows interactive TV, gaming, streaming audio and video, voice over IP (VoIP), and video telephony to transmit and receive through ADSL, cable modem, and 802.11 interface.
  • Power Conversion - converts the input power from the AC adaptor to run various functional blocks.

Application Notes

  • HDMI Transmitter/Receiver Support on TMS320DM6467 (spraav4.htm, 8 KB)
    05 May 2008 Abstract
  • TMS320DM6441 Power Consumption Summary Application Report (spraau3.htm, 9 KB)
    08 Apr 2008 Abstract
  • DaVinci Technology Background and Specifications (Rev. A) (sprt401a.pdf, 108 KB)
    04 Jan 2007 Download
  • DaVinci System Level Benchmarking Measurements (spraaf6.htm, 9 KB)
    28 Sep 2006 Abstract
  • High Resolution Video Using the DM642 DSP and the THS8200 Driver (Rev. A) (spra961a.htm, 9 KB)
    03 May 2004 Abstract
  • Interfacing an LCD Controller to a DM642 Video Port (Rev. B) (spra975b.htm, 9 KB)
    03 May 2004 Abstract
    

Selection and Solution Guides

Selection Guides

  • Digital TV and Set Top Box Power Management Solutions (slub010.pdf, 999 KB)
    15 Feb 2006 Download

Product Bulletin & White Papers

Product Bulletin

  • DaVinci Technology - Digital Video Innovation Product Bulletin (Rev. D) (sprt378d.pdf, 948 KB)
    13 Feb 2007 Download

White Papers

  • Multicore Embedded POV: Cutting to the core of the problem (spay036.pdf, 72 KB)
    18 Aug 2008 Download
  • Transcoding with DM6467 and DaVinci Technology Drives Video Market Evolution (spry109.pdf, 58 KB)
    01 Feb 2008 Download
  • Getting the Most Out of Your Image-Processing Pipeline White Paper (spry105.pdf, 263 KB)
    10 Oct 2007 Download
  • Optimizing Video Encoders with TI DSPs White Paper (spry106.pdf, 94 KB)
    10 Oct 2007 Download
  • Reaping the Benefits of SoC Processors for Video Applications White Paper (spry096.pdf, 124 KB)
    28 Mar 2007 Download
  • HD Transcoding Connects Home Video Applications White Paper (spry097.pdf, 470 KB)
    20 Mar 2007 Download
  • BDTi Analysis of TI Digital Video Evaluation Module Whitepaper (spry095.pdf, 648 KB)
    12 Feb 2007 Download
  • Transforming Performance to Safety in Automotive Applications Whitepaper (spry093.pdf, 114 KB)
    13 Nov 2006 Download
  • The Challenges of Providing Interoperable Solutions in Today's IPTV Market (spry081.pdf, 273 KB)
    27 Apr 2006 Download
  • Enhance DMA Efficiently Manages Multiple Real-Time Data Streams White Paper (spry080.pdf, 92 KB)
    13 Feb 2006 Download
  • The DaVinci Effect: Achieving Digital Video Without Complexity White Paper (spry079.pdf, 70 KB)
    06 Dec 2005 Download
  • Driving IPTV Growth: The Challenges and Perspectives (sphy004.pdf, 134 KB)
    26 Sep 2005 Download
  • The Future of Digital Video White Paper (spry066.pdf, 56 KB)
    08 Sep 2005 Download
  • DaVinci Technology for Digital Video White Paper (spry067.pdf, 55 KB)
    08 Sep 2005 Download

News Releases & Authored Articles

News Releases

Date Headline
04 Aug 2008 TI unveils next-generation 3-A DDR termination regulator
19 May 2008 Texas Instruments extends Puma 5 family of DOCSIS 3.0® chipsets with next-generation set-top-box and video gateway front end solution
12 Feb 2008 TI introduces tiny USB power management switches with adjustable current limit
11 Feb 2008 TI introduces DirectPath™ 2VRMS audio line driver
03 Dec 2007 TI Delivers First Single-Chip, Real-Time HD Video Transcoding Solution with DaVinci™ Technology
31 Oct 2007 TI Introduces 2-A and 3-A SWIFT™ Converters with Dual Outputs for Digital TVs and Set-Top Boxes
13 Sep 2007 TI Introduces Multi-Standard, Triple Consumer Video Amplifier Family
22 Aug 2007 TI Introduces Two High Performance HDMI Switches
13 Jun 2007 TI Simplifies LCD TV Power System Design with TPS40K™ DC/DC Controller
02 May 2007 Highly-Configurable Codec from TI Enables Independent Converter Sampling
26 Feb 2007 Texas Instruments Launches New Development Platform for DaVinci™ Technology to Speed Development of Digital Video Products
07 Nov 2006 TI Introduces Single-Chip Mixing and Re-encoding, Enabling Existing AVRs to Support HD DVD and Blu-ray Surround Sound
06 Nov 2006 Texas Instruments Sees Transcoding as Key to the Video Entertainment Market
24 Oct 2006 TI Introduces Industry's First Triple Video Amplifier with Integrated Filters and HV Sync Capability
08 Sep 2006 TI's DaVinci™ Technology Combines Flexibility with Cost-Effective Integration for Converged Applications Including IP-Set Top Boxes, Video Telephony and Portable Multimedia Players

Authored Articles

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