b-LAN TVs

What is b-LAN?

Before the introduction of flat screen TVs, hotels using LodgeNet (now SONIFI) services were required to have a ‘box’ strapped to the back of the TV or nearby furniture.  That box enabled the decryption of video content and acted as a gateway to restrict unauthorized access to pay per view movies. The ‘set-back box’ is about the size of a pack of playing cards and typically has three cables coming from it: power cable, coaxial TV cable, and b-LAN (which looks like an Ethernet cable.)

For all intents and purposes, b-LAN is an abbreviated name for SONIFI's set-back box. When you see b-LAN on a Hospitality TV description, it implies that SONIFI's set-back box is built into the TV’s housing. Only customers subscribing to SONIFI's services or similar services i.e. ‘On Command’ (was acquired by SONIFI) require b-LAN TVs. Most, if not all, b-LAN TVs are equipped with the Pro:idiom chipset.