set-top box

TV signal converter

A set-top box is an electronic device that sits on or near a television and converts incoming signals into content the TV can display.

Cable boxes, satellite receivers, and streaming devices are all set-top boxes.

The term dates from when such devices literally sat atop the television set: The cable company charges a monthly fee for the set-top box.

hardware

HDMI

Audio-video interface standard

smart card · USB · Ethernet · coaxial · infrared · component · composite · power adapter · AV cable · antenna

streaming

Netflix

Subscription streaming service

  • HuluVideo streaming platform
  • Amazon PrimeE-commerce membership program
  • HBO MaxWarner's subscription streaming platform

Peacock · Roku · Chromecast · Fire TV · YouTube TV · Pluto TV · Kodi · on-demand · VOD · OTT

brands

Roku

Digital media player brand

  • Apple TVStreaming media player
  • Fire TVAmazon's media streaming hardware
  • TiVoDigital video recorder brand

Sky · Freeview · Xfinity · DirecTV · Dish Network · Magnavox · Manhattan

broadcast

cable

Heavy-duty woven line

tuner · signal · broadcast · digital television · guide · DVR · recording · subscription · pay-per-view · descrambler

interface

menu

List of available dishes

  • remoteDistant or controller
  • guideLeader or instruction book
  • firmwareHardware's permanent programming

settings · parental controls · favorites · search · voice control · app store · software update · home screen · navigation · accessibility

Categories
Opposites
device integration

set-top boxsmart TV

Internet-enabled viewing screen

native apps

content delivery method

set-top boxstreaming app

On-demand video service

broadcast tower · screen mirroring · transmitter

signal origin

set-top boxDVD player

Device for watching films

VCR · physical media

Family

top, box, set, boxes, sets, set-top boxes

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Used worldwide · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G