Editing Digibox (section)

==Base technical details==
The Digibox's internal hardware specifications are not publicly disclosed, however some details are clearly visible on the system. All early boxes except the Pace Javelin feature dual [[SCART]] outputs, an [[RS-232]] serial port, a dual-output [[RF modulator]] with passthrough, and [[RCA]] socketed audio outputs, as well as a 33.6 [[modem]] and an [[Low-noise block converter|LNB]] cable socket. A [[VideoGuard]] card slot, as well as a second smart-card reader are fitted to the front (these are for the Sky viewing card and other interactive cards). All share an identical user interface and [[Electronic program guide|EPG]], with the exception of Sky+ HD boxes which have used the new Sky+ HD Guide since early 2009. The DRX595 dropped the RF modulator outputs. A PC type interface was fitted internally to some early standard boxes but was never utilised by Sky. The latest HD boxes only have a single SCART socket but have a RCA/phono socket for composite video output. All Sky+ and HD boxes have an optical sound output.

The serial port outputs data used for the [[Sky Gnome]] and Sky Talker.<ref>[http://www.dusky-control.com/gnome-protocol.shtml Dusky Control documentation for Sky Gnome protocol]</ref> The Sky Gamepad sends data to the box via the serial port.<ref>[http://www.heenan.me.uk/control-sky-from-pc/gamepad-protocol.html Gamepad protocol documentation]</ref>

Uniquely, the second RF port outputs a 9&nbsp;V power signal which is used to power 'tvLINK' devices that can be attached to the RF cable next to a TV in a remote room. The tvLINK has an IR detector and sends commands from the remote control back to the Digibox on a 6&nbsp;MHz carrier on the RF cable. This allows the Sky box to be viewed and controlled from another room by running a single RF cable.

All Digiboxes run on OpenTV (the latest HD boxes now use what is known internally as Project Darwin software) with Sky's EPG software and [[News Datacom|NDS]] [[VideoGuard]] conditional access. The Digibox receives software updates over the air, even when in standby mode should an update be available. The software features Sky-controlled channel numbering, the ability to view OpenTV or [[WapTV]] applications provided as "interactive" or "teletext" content on channels (with the full-Internet style service available at first via [[Open....|Open...]] and later [[Sky Active]]), parental controls, the ability to order [[Pay per view|PPV]] events and some basic control over lists of favorite channels and show reminders.

Early decoders seemingly support only 700 channels approximately in their channel listing, as Sky has announced it is halting SD channels' launch applications,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.rapidtvnews.com/default.asp?sourceid=&smenu=1&twindow=Default&mad=No&sdetail=2053&wpage=&skeyword=&sidate=&ccat=&ccatm=&restate=&restatus=&reoption=&retype=&repmin=&repmax=&rebed=&rebath=&subname=&pform=&sc=1966&hn=rapidtvnews&he=.com|title = Rapid TV News - Broadcast Technology Daily}}</ref> with over 100 awaiting launch, over 600 existing channels, and an average closure rate of 1 per week.