Cisco Systems has launched two new set-top boxes to cater to the growing consumer demand for High Definition viewing, live TV recording and other interactive features.
The data to analog set-top box, ‘PDS1000 SD MPEG-2 DTA' is the mass market product that the company is offering. It is inbuilt with the regular features such as channel list, favourites, and parental control. It has a special infrared extender option that allows the user to place the set-top box out of sight. Cisco claims that this set-top box is 30 per cent cheaper than the regular available devices.
The second set-top box launched by Cisco is the HD Zapper that supports high definition television experience, video on demand and access to applications. This device combines television and Web experience. The cost of this device is six times the cost of a regular set-top box.
Through these set-top boxes, Cisco has sought to address concerns of piracy and increase the average revenue per user for multi-service operators. Consumers have to purchase these devices from operators directly