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STB / DVR / Streaming Media

Block Diagram (SBD) for a STB / DVR / Streaming Media audio/video system that supports cable, satellite, terrestrial, or IP broadcasting, as well as a hybrid capability.

Block Diagram

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Sample Rate Converter Audio Transmitter Audio Amp (Line Out) Stereo Audio Codec SRC & Audio Clock PLL Clock DSP IEEE 1394 Ethernet Interface HDMI/DVI Interface IRDA RS-232 Transceiver USB Interface Interface: WLAN Logic Temp Sense Fan Control Power: AC/DC Supply LCD Backlight Smart Card or Cable Card Power USB Power DDR Power Processor Core & I/O Power System Power MSP430 RTC/IR Decoder RF/IF Video Input Amp Video Output Amp (A) Video Output Amp (B) Video DAC Video Decoder NTSC/PAL Decoder RF Tuners

Design Considerations

TI offers a complete Digital Set-Top-Box (STB) solution which converts signals into content which can then be displayed on a television screen. This solution can be easily used to create standalone Streaming Media products or Digital Video Recorder (DVR) systems. Additionally, this solution can also be used as a sub-system to add streaming media capability to various consumer products. With the addition of a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), this platform can be made to support DVR or Personal Video Recorder (PVR) functionality as well. Added system savings can be achieved by compressing content before storing.

Core subsystem includes:

  • Digital Media Processor - At the heart of the system, TI’s family of Digital Media Processors can handle complex processing functions such as decoding, transcoding/encoding (converting from one format to another) and transrating (scaling from a higher to a lower bit rate) of various media streams, as well as having the ability to accommodate system-level functions such as decryption, encryption, packetization and transport of media streams. Besides broadcast content, a TI-based STB can seamlessly support content from a home network or from the Internet directly. TI’s fully programmable devices enable quick compatibility with new codec technologies used by any Internet site or PC, including future versions that may not be anticipated at the time of product design. Furthermore, the DSPs are software-compatible meaning the software investment can be re-used across various products from SD boxes to HD boxes and beyond, reducing development time and cost.
  • MCU - The MSP430 microcontroller can be used for everything from managing the interface with the remote control to managing the power consumption of the unit through control and application of several different operating modes. The MSP430 can enable longer battery life in the remote and a drastic decrease in the power consumption of the STB with almost no increase in the complexity of the system.
  • Video Interface - The video source to be decoded/encoded is selected by the ADC/DAC and DSP. Both the video front end and output stages require high-performance op-amps to amplify the video signal. For this solution it is critical to support multiple ATSC DTV formats, NTSC/PAL, composite and S-Video. Supporting full HD at 1080p resolution with 3D adaptive filtering will be the norm very soon.
  • Audio Interface - Allows audio to be digitized by the audio codec and processed by the DSP to provide high-quality audio for MPEG/AC3 requirements. The audio is also converted back to analog format and made available via the stereo output jack and headphones. With such features as high SNR (Signal-to-Noise Ratio) and analog low-pass filtering, a high-quality audio output is guaranteed.
  • User Interface - Allows the user to control video/audio I/O sources and communication with the system network. The user interface also includes connectivity to the remote control via an IrDA or low-power wireless device residing on the unit itself as well as on the remote control unit. Many consumer products are beginning to utilize an RF remote control thanks to the RF4CE initiative being led by TI.
  • 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 - Including the AC-to-DC conversion to create the main power for the unit itself, most every functional block in the STB requires a particular power solution; core and I/O power for the main processor, DDR memory, as well as power for the tuner and video/analog signal chains. TI offers all necessary power solutions to meet stringent energy conservation mandates.

Application Notes

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Selection and Solution Guides

Most useful technical documents for STB / DVR / Streaming Media Help

Selection Guides

Product Bulletin & White Papers

Most useful technical documents for STB / DVR / Streaming Media Help

Product Bulletin

White Papers

News Releases & Authored Articles

News Releases

Date Headline
01 Apr 2009 Texas Instruments reaches one million mark in Puma 5 shipments, driving rapid DOCSIS® 3.0 service growth in worldwide cable market
29 Oct 2008 TI expands 1394 portfolio with industry's most secure content protection
30 Sep 2008 TI introduces lowest power video amplifiers for component and composite SDTV in consumer applications
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
26 Feb 2007 Texas Instruments Launches New Development Platform for DaVinci™ Technology to Speed Development of Digital Video Products

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