3. Computers in the home - entertainment

As well as domestic appliances that make the running of the home much easier you can also find computer systems in the devices we used to entertain ourselves. Here are some examples:

Set-top satellite box

This contains a computer system in order to:-

• Check that the subscriber account is valid by reading the inserted smart card
• Handle channel decryption
• Provide functions such as the Electronic Program Guide
• Handle recording and playback.

DVD Player

Its computer system handles the user interface and the playback of the disks.

Television

Many modern televisions have a number of extra features such as displaying photographs and displaying streamed content from the internet. This needs a fairly sophisticated computer system to handle all its functions

Smart phone

Its computer system runs whatever application ('app') you have currently selected.

It also handles all the complicated aspects of setting up a call and receiving calls.

It handles the phone book and contact list, as well as many other features.