Overview and Test Procedures – AS/NZS 62087 Set Top Boxes

A Digital TV (DTV) set top box (STB) is used to convert digital TV signals to a signal compatible with the existing audiovisual display technology, including analogue RF, composite video, s-vhs, component video or DVI/HDMI. Digital TV STBs are used for free-to-air digital TV services and subscription TV services.

From 1 December 2008 in Australia and 9 June 2011 in New Zealand, all DTV set top boxes must comply with new minimum energy efficiency requirements. The detailed technical requirements are set out in AS/NZS 62087.2.1:2008 Power consumption of audio, video and related equipment – Minimum energy performance standards (MEPS) requirements for digital television set-top boxes.

The test method for the determination of energy consumption and other requirements is set out in AS/NZS 62087:2004 or the forthcoming AS/NZS 62087.1 (Int). The new interim standard has the same measuring conditions for STBs as the 2004 edition. These standards are based on IEC62087.

Those digital receivers that are integrated with other equipment such as television receivers, digital recorders and DVD players are not included at this time. STBs have different requirements if they are designed for free-to-air (FTA) broadcast television or subscription television (STV). These are described below:

DTV STB: free-to-air (FTA)

A commercially available electronic product with a primary purpose to receive and decode FTA terrestrial digital television broadcast signals, for use by a video display device or a recording device.

DTV STB: Subscription TV (STV)

An electronic product with a primary purpose to receive, decode and descramble digital television broadcast signals from a cable or satellite source, for use by a video display device or a recording device. Products intended to receive and decode FTA digital television broadcast signals from a cable or satellite source are included in this definition.

The STB must also have the ability to decode video transport streams that are MPEG 2 MP@HL for High Definition STBs and MPEG 2 MP@ML for Standard Definition STBs.