Overview of interactive TV from the viewpoint of the cable TV settop converter´s RF modem

The Digital settop converters that are on the drawing boards now will be able to support near video on demand (NVOD), electronic program guide and simple interactivity. Most of the return path information will be information relating to services received and billing information. The first settops will be closely followed by settop converters that support full video on demand with more capable graphics and interactivity. They are characterized by the ability to receive both analog and digital television signals. This paper discusses one implementation of a CATV settop converter´s digital RF modems and how a PC modem might differ from the CATV modem.