# Integrated receiver/decoder

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An **integrated receiver/decoder** (**IRD**)[1] is an electronic [device](/source/Integrated_circuit) used to [receive](/source/Receiver_(radio)) a [radio-frequency signal](/source/Radio-frequency_signal) and convert [digital](/source/Digital_data) information transmitted in it.

## Consumer IRDs

Main article: [Set-top box](/source/Set-top_box)

Consumer IRDs, commonly called [set-top boxes](/source/Set-top_box), are used by end users and are much cheaper compared to professional IRDs. To curb content piracy, they also lack many features and [interfaces](/source/Interface_(computer_science)) found in professional IRDs such as outputting uncompressed [SDI](/source/Serial_digital_interface) video or [ASI](/source/Asynchronous_serial_interface) [transport stream](/source/MPEG_transport_stream) dumps. They are also designed to be more aesthetically pleasing.

## Professional IRDs

Commonly found in [radio](/source/Radio), [television](/source/Television), [cable](/source/Cable_television) and [satellite](/source/Satellite) broadcasting facilities, the IRD is generally used for the reception of contribution feeds that are intended for re-broadcasting. The IRD is the interface between a receiving [satellite dish](/source/Satellite_dish) or [telco](/source/Telecommunications_company) networks and a broadcasting facility video/audio infrastructure.

Professional IRDs have various features that consumer IRDs lack such as:

- SDI outputs.
- [ASI](/source/Asynchronous_serial_interface) inputs / outputs.
- [TSoIP](/source/Professional_video_over_IP) inputs.
- [AES/EBU](/source/AES/EBU) Audio decoding.
- [VBI](/source/Vertical_blanking_interval) reinsertion.
- [WSS](/source/Widescreen_signaling) data and pass through.
- [Transport stream](/source/MPEG_transport_stream) demultiplexing.
- [Genlock](/source/Genlock) input.
- [Frame synchronization](/source/Frame_synchronization) of digital video output to analogue input.
- [Closed captions](/source/Closed_captioning) and [VITS](/source/Video_signal_generator)/[ITS](/source/Issue_tracking_system)/[VITC](/source/Vertical_interval_timecode) Insertion.
- Video [test pattern](/source/Test_card) generator.
- Remote management over [LAN](/source/Local_area_network)/[WAN](/source/Wide_area_network).
- [GPI](/source/General_Purpose_Input/Output) interface - For sending external alarm triggers.
- [Rack](/source/19-inch_rack) mountable.

## Uses

- [direct broadcast satellite](/source/Direct_broadcast_satellite) (DBS) [television](/source/Television) applications like [DirecTV](/source/DirecTV), [Astra](/source/SES_Astra) or [DishTV](/source/DishTV)
- [fixed service satellite](/source/Fixed_service_satellite) (FSS) applications like [VideoCipher](/source/VideoCipher), [DigiCipher](/source/DigiCipher), or [PowerVu](/source/PowerVu)
- [digital audio radio satellite](/source/Digital_audio_radio_satellite) (DARS) applications like [XM Satellite Radio](/source/XM_Satellite_Radio) and [Sirius Satellite Radio](/source/Sirius_Satellite_Radio)
- [digital audio broadcasting](/source/Digital_audio_broadcasting) (DAB) applications like [Eureka 147](/source/Eureka_147) and [IBOC](/source/IBOC)
- [digital video broadcasting](/source/Digital_Video_Broadcasting) (DVB) applications like [DVB-T](/source/DVB-T) and [ATSC](/source/ATSC_Standards)

## See also

- [ATSC tuner](/source/ATSC_tuner)

## References

1. ["What is IRD? Competitors, Complementary Techs & Usage"](https://sumble.com/tech/ird). *sumble.com*. 24 November 2025. Retrieved 16 December 2025.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Integrated receiver/decoder](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_receiver%2Fdecoder) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrated_receiver%2Fdecoder?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.