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UPC/NTL box - Ethernet port

  • 30-12-2009 10:13PM
    #1
    Joey Joe-Joe Jr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 441 ✭✭


    Hi folks,

    I recently got ntl digital+ with a DVR in one room and a basic decoder in another. I've noticed that there are ethernet ports on both the boxes and am wondering if anyone knows what what functionality, if any, these ports might offer.
    I suspect that they are probably just for service, like firmware upgrades and the like.

    Anyone know for sure?

    The DVR is a Thomson DCI 6221


Comments

  • #2
    St Senan
    Moderators, Regional South East Moderators Posts: 3,585 Mod ✭✭✭✭St Senan


    Wrong place to post


  • #3
    Joey Joe-Joe Jr
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 441 ✭✭Joey Joe-Joe Jr


    Indeed


  • #4
    Kensington
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,683 ✭✭✭Kensington


    Short answer: They provide no functionality at present, nor are there any plans to in the future.

    Long answer: The Ethernet port is to allow UPC to double up the set top box as a cable modem, if they wish. The latest STBs they are dishing out have built in DOCSIS cablemodems to allow for interactive TV, Video on Demand etc. through the cable network in the future (and indeed, some of the very first STBs that were rolled out from the digital service launch had Ethernet ports [Pace Di40xx series], although these are severely restricted in what speeds they can provide you with. You wouldn't be getting a 20MB service through them!)

    So, instead of providing someone who takes digital TV and broadband with a seperate set top box, and a seperate broadband cable modem, for example, they could just provide you with a single set top box if they wished - the set top box feeds your TV via a SCART lead as normal and then you could plug your PC or WiFi router into the Ethernet port of the STB and get your internet through the STB too. This was quite popular with NTL over in the UK (and in some cases, is still done via their successor, Virgin Media).

    However, UPC have chosen not to go down this route for anyone who choses digital TV and broadband with them, instead opting to install a combined cablemodem/ATA unit which provides broadband and a telephony service via one box, in the hope that anyone who takes broadband will also take telephony and no further equipment will be required to provide the phone service.


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