Integrated receiver/decoder

Definition
An integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) is an electronic device used to pick-up a radio-frequency signal and convert digital information transmitted in it.

Overview
A consumer IRD, commonly called a 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 found in professional IRDs such as outputting uncompressed SDI video or ASI transport stream dumps. They are also designed to be more aesthetically pleasing.