Abstract: The communication device 111 included in the active cable comprises a controller 11, a comparator 12, a resistor 13, a voltage source 14, and a redriver 16. The comparator 12 receives the voltage value of the SBU signal line and the reference voltage value output from the voltage source 14, and compares the voltage value of the SBU signal line with the reference voltage value to detect the level of the sideband signal. The controller 11 receives the detection result of the sideband signal level from the comparator 12, and sets the redriver 16, which is an active device, to the low-power-consumption state when the sideband signal level stays at L level for a predetermined period of time or longer.

Abstract: An approach is provided for managing digital video recorders. One or more parameters related to a digital video recorder are retrieved. A configuration message is generated, at a set-top box, for transmission over a data network to a data repository. The set-top box is coupled to the digital video recorder. The configuration message specifies the one or more parameters.