Smaller cable TV operators are starting to benefit from a shift to technology from the computer world, with low-cost and end-to-end video headend equipment solutions, enabling them to move from analogue to digital TV networks. New technologies such as Gigabit Ethernet, internet protocol (IP), programmable digital signal processor chips, along with open standards such as DVB and Simulcrypt, are allowing equipment suppliers to bring down the cost of equipment for the digital video headend, and provide flexibility for adding services in the future. And the falling costs are enabling more companies to act as single sources for all the equipment that is needed, simplifying the integration of a digital headend. Relatively new players such as Scopus and Skystream are using these technologies for new 'all-in-one' architectures that they say significantly reduce the costs of moving from analogue to digital systems.
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