Rostelecom offers its subscribers a full package of services. Using the provider’s services, you can get literally everything at once. This includes telephony and home internet. Today the provider offers interactive television Rostelecom. It works using the digital IPTV protocol. The subscriber, depending on his wishes, can organize wireless television in the apartment or connect the set-top box with a cable through a router.
How interactive TV works
The first thing a subscriber receives when connecting to IPTV from Rostelecom is fully digital channels. This means consistently good picture and sound quality, regardless of the length of the cable network in the apartment. Online TV Rostelecom receives data to form a picture and video signal sent to the TV via the Internet. The operation of the system is somewhat different from the analog solutions familiar to the user.
- Extremely outdated analog TV from a home antenna broadcasts a radio signal in the meter frequency range. Channels are divided into broadcast bands.
- Cable television is also a transmission of data via a radio signal. This is done in the UHF frequency range, with channels divided into broadcast bands.
- Satellite broadcasting also broadcasts channels in certain frequency bands. Each has a separate transponder. Its task is to continuously transmit data in digital format.
- The modern terrestrial broadcasting network T2 operates with digital data. However, it is still an adapted system that uses radio frequencies over a wide range for transmission.
All of the listed broadcasting systems operate on the principle of constant data transmission to the user. The latter is required, roughly speaking, to switch between individual channels. The user sees only the picture that the provider is currently broadcasting.
The main advantage of digital television lies in changing the principle of information transmission. It is provided upon user request. This gives the provider the opportunity to offer numerous useful services. In particular, there is an archive of already shown programs for viewing in the future, an individual storage of recorded programs.
A user who has a connection to Rostelecom interactive TV can control viewing just like a regular CD player. That is, pause programs, rewind advertisements, return to interesting fragments. Online TV Rostelecom can act as an alternative means of collecting collections of your favorite shows. It will not be difficult to record the desired program, including setting up the set-top box timer for this.
Digital television Rostelecom
IP television is a definite step forward compared to traditional analogue and cable television. The image quality here is much higher, and the list of channels amounts to many tens and even hundreds. And although there are now a number of companies on the market that provide access to digital television, only a few of them can satisfy the diverse needs of consumers. Judging by the fact that the number of subscribers connected to Rostelecom digital TV is steadily growing, this company is one of such operators.
Rostelecom offers its customers several tariff packages with a different set of TV channels at different prices. This allows you to choose exactly what you need and pay only for those channels that are interesting.
To connect, you need special equipment - a TV set-top box. It connects the modem to the TV via wires. An alternative is video senders that transmit signals via wi-fi. This allows you to do without wires.
Equipment required for viewing
The minimum equipment package required to use the Rostelecom interactive TV service is a digital set-top box. After proper installation and connection to the Internet, you can set up channels on it and enjoy all the benefits of digital television. Today, users are offered several options.
- Standard attachment. The list of its capabilities includes operating channels, supporting high-definition television, and three-dimensional image display. The device is connected to the router with a cable.
- Premium class console. It is equipped with a built-in hard drive and supports HD TV and three-dimensional images. The undoubted advantage of the device is the Dolby Digital surround sound system.
To connect set-top boxes wirelessly, you will need to purchase a special WiFi adapter. The subscriber does not have to use the devices offered by the provider. You can buy an adapter that meets a number of criteria. It is recommended to find out which ones exactly from the operator of the Rostelecom subscriber service branch.
The interactive television service is provided for several devices, up to 5 in a home network. The option that allows such access is called Multiscreen. It is activated automatically as soon as the subscriber pays for the selected broadcast package and begins to use not only a TV, but also a smartphone, computer, or tablet to watch programs.
To access channels without a set-top box, you will need certain software. IPTV player can be installed and configured to work on modern smart TVs, or use versions for a computer or smartphone. For mobile platforms, the provider offers its own development. By installing Rostelecom software, you can get maximum convenience when watching interactive television channels.
Connecting STB to TV
The Rostelecom TV set-top box comes with cables that will allow you to connect it to absolutely any TV - hdmi, tulips and old SCART.
If you have a modern TV - LCD or plasma, then it is best to connect the set-top box to the TV via an HDMI cable. Why? I have already posted a detailed answer here - link. In short, it is this standard that provides the best picture quality and allows you to experience high picture quality on the HD channels of the telecom operator. Here is the HDMI connector on the receiver:
It is better to connect the STB and TV in a disconnected state. Despite the fact that this is relatively safe, it is best to exclude the possibility of failure of one of the devices due to potential differences.
How to connect interactive TV from Rostelecom
To connect to interactive TV from Rostelecom, you will need to visit the provider’s subscriber service office. Here a contract is concluded and the provision of additional services is stipulated. Their list includes both laying cables throughout the apartment and connecting equipment.
Advice! If the user is not sure that he is able to configure the router and set-top box on his own, he can order these services from the provider.
Before visiting the office, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the channel packages offered and the cost of subscription. This information is presented on the provider's official website. Packages offered today:
- Starter of 100 channels of different topics, for 320 rubles per month;
- Optimal, more than 120 channels, 420 rubles;
- Advanced, with additional educational and movie channels, for 620 rubles per month;
- cinemaVIP, where there are more than 125 channels and access to the film library, for 379 rubles monthly.
For those who do not want to limit themselves in anything, there is a Maximum package. All channels of all directions are open here, as well as access to a library of films and other useful content. You can order the necessary subscriptions directly in the office, when signing an agreement with the provider. All that is required after this is to connect the equipment and wait for the selected broadcast package to be activated.
My opinion
I haven’t used IPTV from other providers (they just don’t exist in our city). Therefore, there is nothing special to compare with. But it seems to me that “Interactive Television” from the same Beeline is no worse. The problem is that Beeline provides its services mainly in big cities, and therefore people simply have no alternative but to connect to Rostelecom.
To connect or not? That is the question
This matter is purely personal, my article is not advertising, and in no case do I impose my opinion on anyone. Based on your personal preferences and needs. I can only philosophize a little on this topic.
For example, why do elderly people need a multifunctional set-top box in their apartment with a bunch of incomprehensible functions, and even with a separate remote control? And all this despite the fact that they watch a couple of channels. Operating and watching your favorite programs should probably bring some degree of joy and pleasure, compatible with simplicity, and not discomfort.
The example is quite cynical, forgive me, but this is my opinion and does not claim to be the truth in all...
On the other hand, a person who quickly learns new things, and also easily navigates modern technologies for home life, will find a lot of interesting and useful things for himself, and will use “Interactive TV” to the fullest, as they say, the program.
Thank you for your attention and I look forward to your comments.
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Independent connection and configuration of a router, set-top box for IPTV
If the user knows a little about how to configure the equipment of his home digital network, he will be able to cope with connecting interactive TV on his own. Unfortunately, the Rostelecom set-top box works on the principle of clearly identifying the data channel. Therefore, to properly configure the network, you may need instructions for the router.
Setting up the router
The main thing that will have to be changed in the router settings is the port or their group to access the IPTV protocol . To do this, in the corresponding settings block you need:
- indicate the number of the physical port to which the Rostelecom set-top box is connected;
- change the IGMP proxy parameter according to the provider's recommendations.
Important! If the Rostelecom set-top box is connected with a cable that directly enters the apartment from the provider’s box in the house, you will not have to make any equipment settings.
Setting up the set-top box
How exactly to set up channels and start using the Rostelecom set-top box will be explained in the instructions for its operation. When you first start the device, it will independently check the firmware version and, if necessary, download a set of updated software.
Remote control binding
The remote control that comes with Rostelecom equipment is universal. It must be forcibly initialized to communicate with the set-top box and TV. This is done like this:
- the set-top box turns on;
- on the remote control you need to press two buttons OK and TV simultaneously until the latter blinks twice;
- you need to enter the four-digit code for linking the remote controls, which is indicated in the operating instructions for the TV.
You can find the desired combination by searching. To do this, hold down the OK and TV buttons, after blinking twice on the keyboard, dial 991. Then you need to press the channel up button. With each click, the remote control will change the access code. When you select the one you want, the TV will turn off. Once this happens, to bind the remote control, just click OK.
How to exit Wink on TV
After connecting Wink services, the interface on your TV changes. Now there are new tabs, menus and other items. Most users want to return to the old menu look, but do not know how to do it.
To exit the Wink platform, do the following:
- There is a horizontal menu at the top. Go to “My”; Select the “My” tab at the top
- Select the gear-shaped button located below; Click on the "Settings" button in the menu
- In the next window, click on the “Software Update” button; Select "Update Software"
- On the last screen, click on the “Return old interface” item in Rostelecom. Click on “Return to old interface”
Confirm this action. The system notifies us that a reboot is required to return to the previous menu. The TV will reboot, and some more time will pass before the settings we selected take effect.
Reboot TV
Perhaps after you have left Wink on TV, you will want to disable Wink Rostelecom services. In this case, you will need to change your account settings.
This may be useful: Registering a VOD TV divx.com in Russian.
