Recruiter's Glossary

Examples: Studio Production • MCR • Intercom

STB

Term from Broadcasting industry explained for recruiters

STB (Set-Top Box) is a device that connects a regular TV to digital television services, satellite signals, or streaming content. Think of it like a translator that takes complex TV signals and makes them viewable on your television. Cable boxes from companies like Comcast or satellite receivers from DirecTV are common examples of STBs. In the broadcasting industry, professionals work on designing, testing, and maintaining these boxes to ensure viewers can watch their favorite shows and access interactive features like program guides and on-demand content.

Examples in Resumes

Managed quality assurance testing for new STB models before market release

Led development team in creating user interface for next-generation Set-Top Box

Supervised installation and troubleshooting of STB systems for major cable provider

Typical job title: "STB Engineers"

Also try searching for:

STB Engineer Set-Top Box Developer Digital TV Engineer Broadcast Systems Engineer Cable Systems Engineer Consumer Electronics Engineer Embedded Systems Engineer

Where to Find STB Engineers

Industry Organizations

Professional Networks

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you manage the rollout of a major STB software update to millions of customers?

Expected Answer: Looking for understanding of large-scale deployment strategies, customer impact consideration, and risk management. Should discuss testing procedures, rollback plans, and customer communication strategies.

Q: What strategies would you use to improve STB performance while keeping manufacturing costs low?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate knowledge of hardware-software optimization, component selection, and balance between features and cost. Understanding of market requirements and manufacturing processes is important.

Mid Level Questions

Q: How do you ensure good video quality while managing bandwidth constraints?

Expected Answer: Should explain basic concepts of video compression, streaming quality management, and bandwidth optimization in consumer-friendly terms.

Q: What methods do you use to troubleshoot STB connectivity issues?

Expected Answer: Should describe systematic approach to identifying problems, from basic signal checks to more complex network diagnostics, with focus on practical solutions.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic components of an STB?

Expected Answer: Should be able to explain main parts like tuner, processor, memory, and outputs in simple terms, showing basic understanding of how an STB works.

Q: Explain the difference between cable and satellite STBs.

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic differences in how these systems receive and process signals, and different requirements for each type.