Switched video

In US cable systems, equipment in the home sends a channel request signal back to the distribution hub.

For switched video to work on cable systems, digital television users in a subscription group must have devices capable of communicating to the distribution hub in a compatible manner.

CableLabs proposed in the CableCARD 2.0 specification that two-way communication be supported with a scheme that required more powerful hardware capable of running Java software.

Consumer electronics companies also prefer a lighter weight solution, and so absent a standard, the conversion to switched video may require many years.

BigBand Networks (acquired by Arris Group in 2011[1]) was the switched video pioneer, and received the Technology & Engineering Emmy Award in 2008 for innovation in the HFC market.

How switched video works in a cable company's last mile compared to a conventional network.