Guide to Cable Set-top Boxes

Digital cable set top boxes are hot items as U.S. markets transition to digital broadcast. Analog television signals will become a technology of the past following the Federal Communications Commission mandate that full power TV stations must broadcast digital-only signals.

Cable set top boxes were common in the mid-1970s, but became less ubiquitous as television manufacturers integrated cable-ready tuning systems into sets. However, cable TV boxes are making a strong comeback as manufacturers of digital cable set-top boxes open new markets overseas and prepare U.S. consumers for the digital TV transition. Read on to learn how to:

1. Add the latest digital cable set-top boxes to your lineup;

2. Offer consumers options beyond the traditional cable set top box;

3. Develop new solutions for business customers.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Increase revenue during the digital TV transition with digital set top boxes

Keep equipment revenue strong with the latest digital cable set top boxes, satellite receivers and DVR systems. Major cable companies and U.S. satellite TV providers can take advantage of direct relationships with cable TV box manufacturers and their satellite receiver equivalents. Statistics show annual revenues for cable set top boxes hitting a whopping $4.2 billion, with future earnings expected to continue that trend.

I recommend: Contact digital cable set top box manufacturer Motorola, and add their Dual-Tuner DVR High-Definition Set-Top Boxes to your cable TV box inventory. Hughes Network Systems provides phenomenal HD satellite receiver/DVR combos that offer customers tremendous versatility.

Embrace new cable set-top box technologies to grow your customer base

Plug into the personal media market for customer satisfaction. Customers want control of their own digital content, using technology to seamlessly receive, buffer, record and migrate video and audio between devices. The digital TV conversion offers content providers the chance to move beyond traditional thinking and expand customer bases like never before.

I recommend: Partner with SageTV, a cutting-edge hardware and software provider that offers the media integration solutions your customers want. Move beyond the basic digital cable set top box with Sling Media. The Slingbox Pro HD provides full integration between digital set top boxes, DVR and even the customer's own media-enabled smartphone.

Explore or expand business services for your digital cable set-top box customers

Meet the growing needs of your business customers. More and more businesses depend on video to keep leaders and team members informed. Digital set top boxes benefit today's business customers with key video services like up-to-the-minute financial information and severe weather tracking. Think outside the box and achieve superior market share.

I recommend: Bundle business telecommunication services to attract more customers. Contact Adtran, an industry leader in networking infrastructure to design integrated video, voice and data solutions. Harmonic Inc. offers new digital head end architecture that will deliver advanced solutions for businesses including traffic grooming and video conferencing.

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Plan new service integration strategies through your customers' cable TV boxes that include major consumer hardware and software providers such as Apple and Microsoft.

The official source of Cable Set-top Boxes is the Cable Set-top Boxes page at Business.com