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

Over the past few years, digital television has been actively replacing analogue channels. Today, the “figure” can offer high-quality picture broadcast in HD. But in order to get involved in digital television, you need a modern TV with a built-in digital tuner, or you can buy a separate TV tuner for an existing TV. It is quite compact and relatively inexpensive. What are the digital set-top boxes for the TV, how to choose a device so that it is multifunctional and relatively inexpensive, we will tell in an 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 supplanted from society. But new technologies are being introduced into the sphere of television, and now the usual analogue is being replaced by digital.

The advantages of “numbers” are undeniable:

• Higher picture quality.
• The signal is more resistant to interference.
• To transmit a signal, a less powerful transmitter is needed.
• The full potential of modern TVs is revealed.
• “Digital” allows you to receive the highest quality sound and image, even if the signal is transmitted over a huge distance.
• A greater number of channels - due to the fact that broadcasting is carried out in certain frequency ranges.

To receive digital programs, you need a special receiver - a digital receiver for the TV. Follow the link to find out how to set up a TV tuner on a TV.

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What is a digital TV receiver?

Today, a digital signal can be transmitted using:

• Ethereal.
• Cable.
• Satellite tv.

Important! Our review will help you choose the best TV model. “TV rating”.

Popular views

For most users, receivers receiving terrestrial television are of most interest. 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-sized device designed to capture a digital signal for subsequent transmission to any TV. The T2 TV tuner for the TV converts the analog cable signal to digital.

Tuner features

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

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

In addition, users of a digital set-top box have a ton of features:

• Teletext.
• Record transfers to external media.
• TV guide.
• Stop broadcasting.
• Continue watching the program at any convenient time
• Play video from external memory.

Important! If you have a CRT, 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 high-quality sound.

If you have an 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.

Important! Want to forget about family quarrels over watching TV? We told in detailhow to connect Tricolor to two TVs from one receiver.

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

When buying a device in an online store, it is very important to take into account the fact that each country has its own standards. For example, a receiver for digital television in Russia works with the following broadcasting options:

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

Important! When buying equipment, choose the option for the appropriate broadcast standard, paying particular attention to the most important characteristics of the tuner.

Important! Image quality depends on the device on which you are viewing it. Find out what4K TVs.

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Characteristics of digital consoles

To answer the question which digital set-top box is better for the TV, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics of the device.

The most important characteristics that are responsible for playback quality 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 phased out. Therefore, do not buy such a device that the store just needs to file.

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

Multimedia format

The T2 tuner perfectly serves as a multimedia player for watching shows and movies. If you want to buy a two-in-one device and don’t know which T2 tuner to choose, 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 device options, connection interfaces are most often standard. They are used for switching additional external media.

More expensive models may have some add-ons. If you are going to watch programs not only in high resolution, but also with high-quality sound, when buying a tuner, check if it has an HDMI connector. There will also be a USB port, which allows you to view media files from compact drives.

Control

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

The main hardware buttons should be located on the console’s case: on / off, channel selector, etc. If the standard remote control is lost, you can always get out of the way and switch channels using the buttons on the case.

Additional features:

• Almost every DVB-T2 tuner supports the function of recording the video currently being broadcast on 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 recording time depends on the memory capacity of the storage device.

• Another good extra feature is the scheduler.This option is required to configure the start and end of recording. If you are not only forced to interrupt viewing, but are generally absent at the time of transmission, thanks to an additional function, you can schedule and record video using not very voluminous storage devices.

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

HD support

If you like to watch movies in high definition, then purchase a digital console with HD support.

Important! Models producing movies in Full HD and Quad HD are best suited.

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How many channels can I watch with a prefix?

Nowadays, digital television is absolutely free. There is also no subscription fee:

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

Important! Usually, up to 16 channels are available for free. But, if you don’t have enough free channels, then connect paid ones using the services of a provider. In this case, about 250 channels will be available to you.

To connect thematic channels, the receiver must have a special CI slot in which the “cam module” is installed, as well as a card for access to the encoded channels.

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Which digital set-top box is better to buy for a TV?

To choose a T2 TV tuner for your TV, meet the popular representatives of these devices.

Telefunken TF DVBT201

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

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

World Vision T55D

This is one of the best models in terms 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 1080p.

Strong SRT 8202

One of the best tuners on the market today. Accepts digital broadcasts of DVB-T and DVB-T2 in quality up to 1080 p. This device has additional options:

• Support for recording video to external media.
• Stop programs.
• Teletext.
• TV guide.

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

• MP3
• AVI
• Jpeg.
• MKV.
• BMP
• M2T.
• Mov etc.

All programs work fast enough, AC3 sound is supported. Build quality is excellent. Included is a small remote, easy to use.

Important! The receiver has compact dimensions, so that in any apartment he will 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 YouTube videos, watch the weather and use RSS, Google Maps, etc.
• The receiver can not only be hidden behind a TV, due to its small size, but also attached to the wall (wall mount included).
• To minimize energy consumption, the developer has introduced a special function.
• In addition, there is the ability to quickly update software and quickly search for channels.

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

Romsat t2050

The receiver is designed and focused on the domestic user. This is a great budget model that works with digital broadcasting standards with a maximum resolution of 1080p.In addition to watching a large number of channels in high quality, the user has the ability to watch 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. A TV guide and teletext are also available.

Important! The main advantage of this model is the quick start function, thanks to which, broadcasting begins immediately, immediately after the start of operation of the device.

The metal case is another advantage of the model. In addition, thanks to the connection function of tablets and smartphones to the receiver, it became possible to view video from devices on the TV.

Important! You can enjoy your favorite TV and radio broadcasts using a personal computer. To have this opportunity, use our instructions onsetting up a TV tuner on a computer.

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Stock footage

Digital television, of course, is much better and more progressive than analog, so the decision to purchase a receiver for the TV is the right one. The main thing is to get as detailed as possible with all the functions of the device in order to choose a model according to your needs and not overpay for unnecessary options. We hope that our information helped you choose the T2 TV tuner for your TV, and now you enjoy watching movies and shows in a completely different quality. Have a nice view!