From Set Top Box to Home Media Center

Abstract: Although Set-top-Boxes(STBs) are widely deployed today to connect a media source to a display (traditionally a television set), the market is changing due to the introduction of Internet Protocol Television, Over-the-Top streaming devices, gaming console, home theater Personal Computer, smart TV, etc. There is an evolving concept of a Home Media Center (HMC). This HMC provides consumers with an integrated home media environment and experience. This thesis explores the transition from STBs to HMCs. The specific questions that this thesis project answers are: What will a future HMC look like? What will its functions be? What interfaces and protocols will it use? Who will make these HMCs?  How can STB vendors evolve to be HMC vendors or will they simply cease to exist?  This thesis project designed and evaluated a hypothetical HMC prototype based upon current technology trends and user expectations. This prototype was used with 68 volunteers to identify and prioritize the most important features that a HMC should provide. Based upon the most important of these features a conceptual HMC prototype is designed to define a HMC product roadmap for 1, 3, and 5 years. This roadmap is used to project the economic impact of HMCs on the current STB industry.  This economic analysis considers Sweden as the target market. This thesis could be used by current STB vendors to define their own company specific roadmaps to support their transition to the future HMC market.