Digital Spy has received more exclusive details about the Di4010 digital cable set top box manufactured by Pace Micro for ntl:home. The box, the January 7 deployment of which was first reported on this site, contains a raft of changes and improvements over its Di4001(x) generation predecessors. Some of these changes have an immediate impact on the customer operation of the box, while others are more subtle - but equally important.

The Di4010 is the first box that is interoperable between "original" ntl:home franchises and former Cable and Wireless ConsumerCo (ex-CWC) areas. The internal systems support both DAVIC ("original" ntl) and DOCSIS (ex-CWC), which are different specifications for cable modem operations. The box also fully supports having software developed for both areas loaded onto it. It should be emphasised at this point though that at the moment, the Di4010 will only be deployed in "original" areas, and that no date has been set for alignment of the two platforms. The STB broadband service currently available in ex-CWC areas will not be available in "original" areas in the forseeable future. What has occurred however, is the ability for ntl to switch original ntl areas over to the ex-CWC software and super headend at some point in the future; a major step forward in the full alignment of all ntl:home areas.

Physical Changes
No changes have been made to the appearance or operational functionality of the front of the box. Around the back however, significant changes have been made.


Rear diagram of Di4010


Hardware Changes
Immediately noticeable will be the numerous physical changes made to the box. These changes include the removal of redundant equipment, and are the results of cost-cutting and the need to make the system interoperable between both ntl digital TV systems. In summary, the physical changes to the box are:
  • Analogue passthrough: Removal of the internal RF bypass facility, and replacement with an antenna-in socket on the back. This is in preparation for the termination of analogue terrestrial transmissions on ntl:home cable. Socket for externally-powered bypass unit to take terrestrial channels from cable should this ever be required, for example in areas with poor terrestrial coverage.
  • Ports: Removal of serial and parallel ports. Functionality replaced by single USB port - which may be used in the future for broadband STB services or a printer connection. Ethernet port also included, a feature that was in all Di4001 boxes until the streamlined 2-B version.
  • Faster processor: New processor is faster than Di4001 generation boxes. Faster operation in certain circumstances may be noticeable.
  • Cooler operation: Problem with Di4001 generation boxes running hot resolved with Di4010. Box is also lighter due to reduced number of components.
  • Hi-fi connection: No phono sockets on Di4010; connection to hi-fi will require a SCART-to-phono lead.
  • Smart-card slots: Di4010 has single smart card slot, like version 2-B of Di4001NC boxes.
  • Streamlining: Non-necessary components such as battery-backed real time clock removed.


Software Changes
The different hardware structure of the box necessitates a restructuring of the software code used on the Di4010. These changes are summarised as follows:
  • EPG: All Di4010s are already equipped with v5.26 of software, a modified version of the v5.20/6 software deployed on Di4001I/Di4001NC boxes. There will be no code download when the boxes are launched. No functionality differences will be apparent to the customer between the different sets of code. Version on the help screen will read "v5.26 [01.xx-165A]", where 5.26 is the EPG code, v1.xx is the Pace Build code, and 165A is the hardware identifier code for the Di4010 model.
  • Startup differences: Different messages are displayed on the front LED display during bootup. The STB will be configured for each franchise and will only accept code downloads from the franchise in which it is first installed; different behaviour from the Di4001 generation.
  • Engineering screens: Numerous changes to these information and configuration pages to reflect changed or removed components and/or software.


Bugs
Some bugs have already been identified. ntl:home plans to work through these bugs post-deployment:
  • Menu: does not always respond with an on-screen display.
  • Channel changes: sometimes cause a noticeable flicker.
  • Audio on VCR SCART: an audio pop may be heard on changing channels.
As reported previously on Digital Spy, these boxes will be deployed from January 7 onwards to all new ntl:home digital customers. Existing customers requiring a swapout due to a technical fault with their existing box may receive a new Di4010 - but this is not guaranteed in any way. ntl:home aims to concentrate solely on deploying these boxes to new customers, to manage the supply as closely as possible and also keep costs to an absolute minimum.

Discussion about the Di4010 continues in our forums.