Book excerpt: NEW EDITION NOW AVAILABLE! ISBN 1-55860-828-1 Based on a tutorial workshop, this book overviews the technical details involved in a cable system. A complete descriptive reference of a cable television system. This book is the most up-to-date and comprehensive reference available on cable television technologies. It covers issues not addressed in any other book such as modern headend design, reliability calculations, modern architecture, and equipment interface. * Summarizes key standards including DOCSIS, DVS, NRSS, DSWG, EIA-542, and IS-23 * Explains digital cable, analog cable, data on cable, telephone on cable, and headend practices * Features distribution systems, from drops through fiber optics and covering everything from basic principles to network architectures * Includes coverage of digital video compression, digital modulation techniques, subjective video quality expectations, and consumer electronic equipment interface issues