Learn how to bring digital TV, data, and interactivity to the television.

Examine the new architectures being developed by the cable industry as part of the OpenCable initiativeReview the recent history of interactive TV, including the Time Warner Full Service Network and Pegasus programUnderstand the concepts of hybrid fiber coax architectureLearn how the cable TV industry is evolving with converging with the data networking industry

The cable industry is in the midst of a revolution. Existing cable systems that were engineered for broadcast television are being called on to support a host of new applications and services which require upgrading those cable systems to high-speed, two-way communications networks. "OpenCable Architecture is the first book to focus on this new technology, answering many questions and describing how the components of an OpenCable network interconnect.

Written by one of the primary architects of the OpenCable initiative, this book explains key concepts in practical terms. It describes the digital headend, optical transport, distribution hub, hybrid-fiber coax, and set-top terminal equipment and how these componenets are interconnected.

Whether you're a television, data communications, or telecommunications professional, or an interested layperson, "OpenCable Architecture will help you understand the technical and business issues surrounding interactive television services. It will provide you with an inside look at the combined efforts of the cable, data, and consumer electronics industries to develop those new services.