Digital set-top boxes to TV - how to choose?

Over the past few years, digital television has been actively replacing analogue channels. To date, the "figure" can offer a high-quality picture of broadcasting in HD.But in order to join digital TV, you need a modern TV, with a built-in digital tuner, or you can buy a separate TV tuner to an existing TV.It is quite compact and relatively inexpensive. What are the digital set-top boxes to the TV, how to choose a device to make it multifunctional and relatively inexpensive, we'll tell you in the article today.

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The main advantages of digital television

Skeptics have argued that with the development of Internet technologies and mobile devices, television will generally be replaced from the life of society. But new technologies are being introduced into the sphere of television, and now the digital one is replacing the usual analog.

Advantages of "numbers" are undeniable:

• Higher level of picture quality.
• The signal is more resistant to interference.
• A lower power transmitter is required to transmit the signal.
• The full potential of modern TVs is revealed.
• "Digit" allows you to get the sound and image of the highest quality, even if the signal is transmitted over a huge distance.
• More channels - due to the fact that broadcasting is carried out in certain frequency bands.

To receive digital programs you need a special receiver - a digital receiver for the TV.

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What is a digital receiver for TV?

To date, a digital signal can be transmitted using:

• Ether.
• Cable.
• Satellite TV.

Popular types of

For most users, receivers that receive terrestrial television are most interesting. Such devices, until recently, worked on the DVB-T standard, but today they are universally replaced with more advanced models - DVB-T2.

This device is a small device designed to fix a digital signal for the subsequent transfer to any TV.The TV tuner T2 for TV turns an analog cable signal into a digital one.

Features of the tuner

The device has a wide range of functions, which can vary, depending on the manufacturer and the cost. The simplest devices can not offer many additional functions, but expensive models, not only receive the signal, but also help them to manage.

Important! You can install the equipment even at the dacha, and a normal antenna will receive and transmit channels in HD quality.

In addition, users of the digital set-top box have a lot of functions:

• Teletext.
• Recording transfers to external media.
• TV Guide.
• Stop the broadcast.
• Continue viewing the transmission at any convenient time
• Play video from external memory.

Important! If you have a kinescope TV, then it makes no sense to buy a digital set-top box, since the characteristics of the embedded systems will not allow you to enjoy either a good picture or a high-quality sound.

If you have a LCD and PDP model with a large diagonal and good resolution, then regardless of whether the TV supports the DVB-T2 standard or not, the receiver will improve the picture quality.

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How to choose a digital set-top box for a TV?

It is very important when buying a device in an online store to take into account the fact that in each country there are their own standards. For example, the receiver for digital television in Russia works with the following broadcast options:

• Satellite broadcasting - DVB-S2, DVB-S.The tuner is connected to a satellite dish, and the prefix from the dish is no longer used. In case you need to decode a closed channel, you get a card.
• Cable broadcasting - DVB-C.The prefix broadcasts the channels of the regional cable provider package. In this case, the TV is connected through the cable of the broadcasting provider.
• Digital broadcasting - DVB-T2.To receive the signal, a normal indoor antenna is sufficient. At the same time, you do not need to buy any additional devices, except the tuner.

Important! When purchasing equipment, choose the option for the appropriate broadcasting standard, paying special attention to the most important characteristics of the tuner.

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Characteristics of digital consoles

To answer the question of which digital set-top box to TV is better, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the main characteristics of the device.

The most important characteristics that are responsible for the quality of playback are as follows.

Resolution and

standard The prefix must comply with the DVB-T2 standard( encoding in MPEG-4 mode).Receivers that support the DVB-T standard will soon lose their relevance and will be withdrawn from production. So do not buy such a device, which you just need to submit to the store.

Important! If your TV has SDTV resolution, then you can not buy the receiver, since there is no need for a high-frequency signal.

Multimedia format

Tuner T2 perfectly performs the function of a multimedia player for viewing show programs and movies. If you want to purchase a two-in-one device and do not know which T2 tuner to choose, then pay attention to the processing of video and audio signals.

Important! It is desirable that the device supports all formats: MPEG-4, SD / HD, AVC / H 264, USB PVP and others.

connection interfaces For all budget options for devices, connection interfaces are most often standard. They are used to switch additional external media.

In more expensive models, there may be some additions. If you are going to view the transmissions not only in high resolution, but also with high-quality sound, when you purchase a tuner, check if there is an HDMI connector in it. Do not be superfluous, and USB-port, which will allow you to view media files from compact drives.

Control of

Most models of receivers are equipped with an additional control panel. However, it is worth paying attention to those options for consoles that allow you to work on the control panel located on the device itself.

The main hardware buttons should be located on the body of the set-top box: on / off, channel switch, etc. In case the original console is lost, you can always leave the position and switch channels using the buttons on the case.

Additional features:

• Almost every DVB-T2 tuner supports the function of recording video currently being broadcast to a hard disk or memory card.
• Some consoles are equipped with the TimeShift option. Thanks to this function, you can always "postpone viewing" or just put the broadcast on pause.

Important! The length of the recording depends on the memory capacity of the storage device.

• Another good extra feature is the scheduler. This option is required to set the beginning and end of the recording. If you are not only forced to interrupt the view, but you do not even exist at the time of transmission, thanks to the additional function, you can schedule and record video using not very large storage devices.

Important! Before buying the device, be sure to consult the seller, whether there is a hard disk in the tuner or a USB port for the memory card.

Support for HD

If you like watching movies in high definition, then get a digital set-top box with HD support.

Important! The best models are those that produce movies in Full HD and Quad HD.

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How many channels can I watch with a prefix?

In our time, digital television is absolutely free. The subscription fee is also absent:

• Today in the figure you can watch the main federal channels: ORT, NTV, Russia and others.
• Entertainment channels are also available: Carousel, TNT, Muz-TV and others.

Important! Usually, up to 16 channels are available free of charge. But, if you do not have enough free channels, then connect the paid channels, using the services of the provider. In this case, you will be able to access about 250 channels.

To connect thematic channels in the receiver there must be a special CI slot into which the "cam module" is installed, as well as a card for access to the coded channels.

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Which digital set-top box should I buy for a TV?

To select a TV tuner T2 for your TV, get acquainted with the popular representatives of these devices.

Telefunken TF DVBT201

This is one of the simplest models of devices. The receiver only requires renaming the channels. The device has a USB port for the USB flash drive, so it can be used as a media player.

Important! The only drawback - the case is very hot.

World Vision T55D

This is one of the best models for the ratio of price and quality. The device supports digital broadcasting, working with DVB-T and DVB-T2.Among the additional functions can be identified:

• Record video for later viewing.
• TV Guide.
• Teletext.
• TimeShift.

Important! The device supports resolution up to 1080r.

Strong SRT 8202

One of the best tuners in the modern market. It accepts digital broadcasting DVB-T and DVB-T2 as up to 1080 r. This device has additional options:

• Support for recording video to external media.
• Stopping programs.
• Teletext.
• TV Guide.

From the USB flash drive it is possible to play files in the following formats:

• MP3.
• AVI.
• JPEG.
• MKV.
• BMP.
• M2T.
• MOV, etc.

All programs work quite fast, AC3 sound is supported. Build quality is excellent. In the kit there is a small remote control, easy to use.

Important! The receiver has a compact size, so that in any apartment, he can find a place. The device is equipped with a small display, which displays all the basic information.

Galaxy Innovations Matrix Lite:

• The main difference of this tuner is that it supports not only digital broadcasting, but also cable and satellite.
• The device is small in size and light in weight( 230 g).In addition to standard functions( TV guide, teletext, video recording), the device, thanks to the LAN interface, supports Internet browsing. This option allows you to watch videos from YouTube, watch the weather and use the applications of RSS, Google Maps, etc.
• The receiver can not only be hidden behind the TV, thanks to its small dimensions, but also attached to the wall( wall mount included).
• For the minimum power consumption, the developer has implemented a special function.
• In addition, there is the ability to quickly update the software and quickly find channels.

Important! However, for all the additional innovations and functions you will have to pay 2-3 times more than for the usual models.

Romsat T2050

The receiver is designed and focused on the domestic user. This is an excellent budget model, working with digital broadcasting standards with a maximum resolution of 1080p. In addition to viewing a large number of channels in high quality, the user has the ability to view movies and videos, listen to music from external media.

There is an additional function of delayed recording, thanks to which, you can watch your favorite program at a convenient time. Also there is a TV guide and teletext.

Important! The main advantage of this model is the quick start function, thanks to which, the broadcast starts at lightning speed, immediately after the device starts working.

Metal case - another advantage of the model. In addition, thanks to the function of connecting tablets and smartphones to the receiver, it became possible to watch video from devices on the TV.

Digital TV, of course, is much better and more progressive than analog, so the decision to purchase a TV receiver is right. The main thing is to get as much information as possible about all the functions of the device in order to find the model for your needs and not to overpay for unnecessary options. We hope that our information has helped you to choose a TV tuner T2 for your TV, and now you enjoy watching movies and programs in a completely different quality. Pleasant views!