Interactive TV from Rostelecom is not only the broadcasting of hundreds of TV channels in excellent quality, but also the ability to independently control viewing. Buying equipment for IPTV is not difficult at all. Thanks to ongoing promotions at RTK, you can purchase a set-top box for just 1 ruble per month.
It is important to understand that home television from Rostelecom will only work on the TV if an Internet connection is provided to the apartment. The cable transmitting the signal must be connected to the modem of the RTK provider.
When the interactive television service is turned on, employees come to the subscriber’s home to connect and configure the Rostelecom set-top box through the router. But there are situations when a person has to independently set the parameters for stable operation of IPTV. For example, he changed his place of residence, or turned off equipment for a period of long-term repairs. How to connect and configure IPTV RTK via modem?
How it works
Rostelecom clients can join the world of digital television using a small set-top box and a specially configured router. At the same time, the service assumes that the user can use not only a TV to watch TV channels, but also his laptop, computer or even a mobile phone (smartphone). This became possible thanks to the Zabava service. In order to start watching digital television from Rostelecom, you need to set up a router.
Why a router? Because the provider provides a TV set-top box already configured, and to start watching hundreds of TV channels, you just need to connect the set-top box to the TV with the appropriate cables and then log in using your login (the data is in the agreement with Rostelecom).
With routers or routers it is somewhat more complicated; not all are suitable for connecting to Rostelecom IPTV. The device must have support for IGMP broadcast or multicast traffic, otherwise it will not be possible to configure it to transmit data for digital television. The company provides its customers with suitable routers, and below we will look in detail at how each of them is configured.
Assembly instructions
There are several cable connectors on the back of the console. Some of them may not be useful, so you should not look for missing components. Each connector is labeled, which will greatly simplify the connection.
- We connect the power supply to the appropriate connector. The device should only be connected to the network after the general assembly has been completed.
- We connect the network cable to the LAN connector. We connect it to a router or switch.
- If you decide to use a standard tulip cable, then connect it as follows: insert the black end into the set-top box (the connector is labeled AV), and its colored plugs into the corresponding grooves in the TV. If the grooves on the back wall of the TV are not painted, then you should know that the white and red plugs are inserted into the left and right inputs, respectively, and the yellow one is in the middle.
- Connecting an HDMI cable is even easier - we connect the connectors on the TV and the set-top box with an HDMI cable.
The TV may not have an HDMI input. Check availability before purchasing additional equipment.
- If the Wi-Fi connection method is selected, then insert the Wi-Fi adapter into the USB connector.
Setting up TL-WR842ND from TP-Link
This manufacturer is the most popular and widespread in our country. It produces almost the entire range of network equipment, including routers, which Rostelecom offers its customers. To configure the router to work with your provider, you need to go to its control panel. To do this, you need to connect the router to your computer and plug it into the network. Further:
- We launch the browser, type in the address bar the address of the router, which is in the contract or on the device itself.
- We log in, that is, we enter the username and password into the appropriate lines on the initial page of the control panel that opens (this is also on the router and in the accompanying documentation).
- If the password does not match, then we do a hard reboot by pressing the RESET button on the back of the router. The parameters will return to factory settings, and the password will definitely work.
- After authorization, we are taken to the main page of the control panel.
- Go to the section (select in the left column) Network and select IPTV.
- On this page we edit the parameters - enable IGMP Proxy (switch to Enable state).
- In the Mode line, select the Bridge mode.
- IPTV Port - set the number of the port through which the connection to the set-top box will be used (usually there are four of them).
- After that, click Save and close the browser. It is advisable to reboot the router.
Attention! You cannot connect a computer to the port that you specified, that is, allocated for television, because this port simply will not see the network.
If you no longer need the router for digital television, then it is better to do a hard reset of the parameters again or change the settings to the original ones manually. Other models from the manufacturer have an identical interface, so the setup will be the same. The only difference may be in Russification and some section names.
Convenient interactive TV menu
A huge advantage of modern IPTV is the breadth of subscriber capabilities. Owners of the Rostelecom set-top box for interactive TV are offered:
- convenient menu for selecting TV channels;
- the ability to watch a TV program;
- broadcast control function, which allows you to pause broadcasts and continue watching from the desired point;
- recording the program onto the subscriber’s desired media (flash card);
- rental of films, for each of which the provider has a special price;
- additional applications that allow you to receive a lot of useful services at the request of the equipment owner.
In addition, it is possible to set an access code, parental controls and a number of other functions.
DIR-300 from D-Link
This company is also one of the most widespread manufacturers in our country. The router settings will be based on the example of DIR-300.
- Open the browser (the router must be connected to the computer and to the network), enter the address of the router, which is in the contract or on the device itself, into the address bar.
- We log in, that is, we enter the username and password into the appropriate lines on the initial page of the control panel that opens (this is also on the router and in the accompanying documentation).
- If the password does not match, then we do a hard reboot by pressing the RESET button on the back of the router. The parameters will return to factory settings, and the password will definitely work.
- After authorization, we are taken to the main page of the control panel.
- In the menu on the left we find Advanced Network, go there.
- On this page we look for Multicast Streams and enable it, that is, set it to Enable multicast.
- We save the changes by clicking on the Save settings button, close the browser, and reboot the router.
Accessories
Rostelecom is one of the leading providers of telecommunications services in Russia. She was one of the first to offer a digital television service. According to the most conservative estimates, several million Russians use the company’s services.
Rostelecom clients were among the first to have the opportunity to watch their favorite films and TV shows in high quality. Interactive television allows you to record a program, pause the show, scroll the program forward or backward, and even view files that are archived by the provider.
All this became possible thanks to the use of an IP set-top box. Today the market offers dozens of different models, both domestic and foreign. One of the best today is the SML-482 HD set-top box, produced by Smartlabs.
Regardless of the reviews you may read about the equipment you purchase, we strongly recommend that you check the components when purchasing. If there is no wire or adapter or remote control, you will not be able to even install the equipment, let alone configure it.
Standard kit includes:
- STB set-top box.
- Power supply or, alternatively, a 12V and 1.2A adapter. A regular power cable for the set-top box will not work.
- Remote control.
- AAA battery for the remote control. May not always be present.
- Wires:
- AV or “tulip”, 1.5 meters long;
- Ethernet, 3m long;
Note! Some configurations do not include an HDMI cable, which is used to connect to LED and LCD screens. You need to purchase it in addition, otherwise the image will be unclear and blurry.
- Adapter 3xRCA - SCART.
- Rostelecom instructions for operating the device and installing it.
- A package of papers that includes a warranty card, a manual for the remote control, including a reference book with the necessary codes.
Additionally, you will need a router with a LAN port (using the port the set-top box will connect to the Internet) and a TV receiver. If the distance between the devices is more than 3 meters, you need to purchase an extension cord or, as an option, a patch cord. It is sold in any computer store or market.
As soon as you have all the necessary components on hand, you can begin connecting the set-top box and further configuring it.
RT-G32 from Asus
Routers from this manufacturer are configured in approximately the same way - in the parameters we enable multicast data transmission on a specific channel and save the settings.
- Open the browser (the router must be connected to the computer and to the network), enter the address of the router, which is in the contract or on the device itself, into the address bar.
- We log in, that is, we enter the username and password into the appropriate lines on the initial page of the control panel that opens (this is also on the router and in the accompanying documentation).
- If the password does not match, then we do a hard reboot by pressing the RESET button on the back of the router. The parameters will return to factory settings, and the password will definitely work.
- After authorization, we are taken to the main page of the control panel.
- Here in the menu on the left we look for the LAN section.
- Next, go to Routing.
- We look for the multicast routing parameter and set it to Enable.
- Click on the Done button and close the browser. We reboot the router.
Actually, everything is actually quite simple, but for some users for the first time it may seem like too complicated a procedure. The main task when setting up is to enable multicast, that is, the transmission of a television signal, since by default routers are configured to transmit regular digital data.
The most common problems when setting up and operating IPTV
In some cases, even properly installed equipment may not work properly. This happens with any device. What problems may a Rostelecom client encounter:
- If the code of the set-top box and the TV matches, a conflict will occur with the set-top box receiver. In this case, the screen will not display the channels available according to the connected service, but regular television. The solution to the problem may be to change the set-top box code. To do this, the setup mode starts on the set-top box. You can call it by holding the OK button for a few seconds. Next, a code is selected in the range from 3020 to 3024.
- Another possible problem is outdated firmware. In this case, a screensaver with a rabbit appears on the screen.
- A blue screen appears if the video input is selected incorrectly.
- If you forget to pay your subscription fee on time, most channels will be disabled. You will have access to only five to ten channels, instead of the usual hundred or more.
Connecting an IPTV set-top box
So, we have set up the router, it’s time to put everything together so that we can finally start watching digital television. First, we connect the router and the console with a patch cord (included with the set-top box). If a specific port was specified where you opened multicast, then insert the network wire there. We connect the TV to the set-top box using HDMI or whatever suits your needs. We now plug all this into the power grid, including the TV. On it you will see an authorization dialog box. We take the remote control of the set-top box and enter the numbers that are indicated in the contract as a login with a password. If you have forgotten them and you do not have the agreement with you, then call Rostelecom, provide your details, and they will tell you your login and password.
After authorization, you will be taken to the interface of the digital television set-top box from. There is no need to configure the set-top box itself, everything is already ready for use; in rare cases, the set-top box can update its software, then you will have to wait a few minutes. However, you can customize the viewing system itself, organizing everything to suit your needs and schedule. It is advisable to study all the features of the service - they will make your life much easier.
Types of equipment for interactive TV
Having decided to connect modern television, the first thing you need to think about is the right choice of equipment. In order not to make a mistake in making the final decision, you should think in advance about:
- the method of connecting the receiver to the TV (especially important for Smart-TV);
- connectors required by the subscriber and USB connectivity;
- the amount of available internal memory of the selected device.
Additionally, there may be other requirements. Considering the huge range of equipment available in 2021, you should not limit yourself in your desires. And to simplify the choice, you should turn to specialists for help, simply conveying the existing requirements to them.
Consultants will definitely select the equipment that will be ideal for the client.
