DTA History

The challenge for cable operators in converting to an all-digital video platform is the cost of set-top boxes for second and third TVs in many of their customer’s homes.  Until recently, the only choice cable operators had was to deploy expensive function rich boxes from either Motorola or Cisco, which didn’t make economic sense thus very few systems in the US are currently all digital.  

By providing cable operators access to low-cost DTAs for secondary TV sets, operators can cease transmitting analog video in exchange for more efficient and better quality digital signal and reclaim significant bandwidth to use to offer additional advanced services.

Evolution Digital understood early on that reclaiming analog bandwidth to improve video offering and free up bandwidth for HSD, telephony, and additional advanced services is the most economical solution for cable operators.

Until recently these DTAs have not been broadly available due to FCC regulatory restrictions which only succeeded in driving up the costs of the high-end set-tops. 

Evolution Digital overcame this restriction by applying for and receiving a first-of-its-kind FCC “equipment waiver” for its low-cost DTA that allows any cable operator to deploy these units.

Thus opening up the low-cost DTA market for all operators, which subsequently allowed other STB vendors to submit a waiver under the “Evolution Waiver Order” guaranteeing that their boxes were no more advanced than the Evolution DTA.

Evolution has successfully disrupted the cable set top industry by overcoming regulatory and competitive barriers. By unlocking the low-cost DTA market with its FCC equipment waiver, Evolution has enabled cable operators to make the all-digital transition economically.  

The previous options of switched digital video and system rebuilds would have cost millions to undertake the all-digital transition and was quite frankly out of reach for many operators.  Evolution is committed to open standards for both set-tops and content security, providing operators with choices previously unavailable.

Evolution Digital prides itself on being a leader in the development of DTA’s.  With the first launch in mid-2008 at Massillon Cable TV, Inc. to now over 1.5 million SD and HD DTA’s successfully deployed throughout the US and Latin America.

The focus of Evolution Digital is on the future possibilities of the DTA product line.  To Evolution this is not a mere product that is seen as a throw away device, but more a baseline to allow future technology to flourish in a low-cost, open platform environment.  Evolution will support cable operators with their current goals and continually innovate for technologies of tomorrow.