Datacasting - Hardware

There are certain minimum datacast components required to access the datacast service. The datacast hardware may be employed by either a professional broadcast service or individuals either through their TV or their personal computer. The initial criterion for digital TV datacasting hardware include cards plugged into personal computers or television. A new digital television set is not an inherent requirement. But whether computer or TV-based, an end-user's datacast system must have the following minimum components:

• A means of receiving the digital TV signal. Individuals or broadcast services may employ the building's existing antenna or install an antenna. If the individual or broadcast service is receiving the digital TV signal by satellite a receiving dish is required. Alternatively to receive the signal by cable, their cable system will need to be capable of carrying the digital TV signal.<p> • A tuner is an inherent digital datacasting item to decode the digital TV signal. The tuner may be included in the computer card, set-top box, or integrated into a high definition digital television.<p> • Obviously the broadcast service or individual requires either a computer monitor or television screen to view and operate the datacast materials.<p> • An adequate amount of hard drive space for storing the datacast content. Commercial datacast service recommends a minimum of 10 GB. Like the tuner, the hard drive can be incorporated in a computer system, a set-top box, or integrated into a TV.<p> • A security and privacy system that allows users and content providers to securely exchange the personal, financial, and transaction data necessary to unlock proprietary content.<p>

References

1. International Datacasting - products & technology (2004) [on-line] Available at: http://www.intldata.ca/products/default.asp Accessed: October 12, 2004.<p> 2. Image Technics Inc. - DTV systems (2004) [on-line] Available at: http://www.imagetechnics.com/dtvsystems.htm Accessed: October 12, 2004.<p> 3. Brown, G. (2004) How Stuff Works - Digital TV [on-line] Available at: http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/hdtv1.htm Accessed: October 12, 2004.<p>

Amy Harbrow 21:29, 28 Oct 2004 (EST)