Last updated on January 23rd, 2024 at 02:18 am
A cable box is a device that receives and decodes digital signals transmitted by a cable television service provider.
It then displays on your TV whatever programs are broadcast by the cable TV station.
In the days of old, you could receive cable TV without a cable box. Those days are gone with the advent of digital TV broadcasts.
These days you can’t watch cable programming on television except through a cable TV box.
Cable TV Box Basic Function
Cable boxes come in various shapes and sizes. However, they all perform the same basic function.
Firstly, they receive the digital signals that are transmitted by your cable company.
Secondly, they decode the signals.
Finally, they send the decoded signals to your television.
When these steps are complete, you get to watch a show on your TV.
Some cable boxes also have additional features. They allow you to pause and rewind live TV. Add to that the facility the ability to record shows, and access on-demand content.
How to Use a Cable TV Box
Safety first. Before setting up your cable TV box to work, make sure you turn it off together with your TV set.
Next, connect the box to your television using an HDMI cable. You may also use composite video (RCA) cables (yellow, red, white) if your TV doesn’t come with HDMI connectivity.
If your cable box comes with component video ports, you may use them, too. Component video provides better picture quality than composite video.
Then connect the box to your cable source using a coaxial cable.
You will also need to power the box using an electrical outlet (AC power source)
Once the box is connected and powered on, you will need to tune your television to the correct input channel to receive the signal from the box.
Follow the instructions in the manual that comes with the cable TV box.
You may also want to watch the video below for guidance.
Types of Cable TV Boxes
Several different types of cable TV boxes are available on the market. Here are a few examples:
Standard Cable Box
This is an entry-level cable box. It receives the digital signals that are transmitted by your cable company. Then it decodes them to allow you to watch your favorite shows on television.
High-Definition (HD) Cable Box
This cable box is no different from a standard cable box as mentioned above. However, it is created to support high-definition (HD) programming. It is capable of decoding the digital signals that are transmitted by your cable company and displaying them in HD quality on your HDTV.
Digital Video Recorder (DVR) Cable Box
A DVR cable box is a cable box that has a built-in digital video recorder (DVR). This allows you to record your favorite shows and movies and watch them at a later time. Some DVR cable boxes also can pause and rewind live TV.
Hybrid Cable-IPTV box.
As the name suggests, a hybrid cable-IPTV box offers cable and IPTV services in a single box.
This saves you the cost and trouble of getting an IPTV box to watch TV shows via the Internet.
Some of these hybrid units have a personal video recorder (PVR) feature.
Viewers may record shows for later viewing.
The main drawback of a cable IPTV box is it requires separate subscriptions for cable TV and IPTV services.
Cable Modem
A cable modem is a device that is used to connect your home to the internet through a cable television service.
It receives the digital signals that are transmitted by your cable company. It then converts them into an internet signal to be received and processed by your computer or other internet-enabled devices.
Cable Modem Router
A cable modem router is a device that combines a cable modem with a wireless router. It allows you to connect to the internet using a cable television service and also create a wireless network in your home.
What is a Cable Converter Box?
A cable converter box converts a digital cable signal into an analog signal. It then sends the signal to an analog television.
It’s an ideal companion for a television set that lacks a built-in digital tuner, which is required to receive digital cable signals.
To use a cable converter box, you will need to connect the box to your cable outlet using a coaxial cable. Then you would have to connect the box to your television set using an HDMI or composite video cable.
Box successfully connected? Go ahead and tune your television to the correct input channel to receive the signal from the converter box.
Some cable companies offer their own branded converter boxes. Others may allow you to use a third-party box. It’s a good idea to check the matter with your cable provider. Then you’ll know what your available options are
References
Modern Cable Television Technology By David Large, James Farmer
Introduction to Cable TV (CATV): Systems, Services, Operation, and Technology
By Lawrence Harte
Cable TV: From Community Antennas to Wired Cities – Harvard Business School
