How many channels and which ones does a digital set-top box show: not just numbers

Free DVB-T2 digital television channels are received from the Ostankino television tower and local repeaters. The main three frequencies for tuning by number: 30 - 546 MHz, 24 - 498 MHz, 34 - 578 MHz. Also, several more frequencies are used in the Moscow region; you can find a list of transmitters with their parameters on the coverage area page, and here is a prevention schedule. How many digital channels are tuned in your area depends on where the antenna is pointed, because... 30 units come from Ostankino, and only 20 from other TV towers. There are no plans to increase the number to three multiplexes on local towers. There are no pay TV or scrambled channels available.

Price: free or paid?

All the availability of digital television is rather conditional. Because you can only enjoy it when you connect the TV to an individual or collective antenna. And if the cost of the first depends on its model and technical capabilities, then the second costs a metropolitan resident approximately 230 rubles/month.

It is also worth understanding that digital quality TV is a new branch of its development. This type began to actively displace analogue, due to the quality of its image and sound. However, since this is a new technology, to use it you must have a TV with a built-in DVB-C tuner. But older generation TVs are capable of receiving exclusively analog TV.

Thus, in order to be able to enjoy a high-quality picture, a Moscow resident must connect to an antenna, as well as purchase a new generation TV, or equip his or her set-top box for receiving digital TV, the cost of which can range from 900 to 5 thousand rubles.

Second multiplex of digital channels

List of available channels in Moscow without additional decoding

The free digital TV package consists of 49 items. This is exactly the number of TV channels you can watch without additional decoding, among them:

1. First channel.
2. Russia 1, K and 24.
3. TV Center
4. Carousel.
5. Match TV.
6. Channel 5.
7. NTV.
8. Public TV of Russia.
9. Saved.
10. Ren-TV.
11. STS and STS Love.
12. TV-3.
13. Friday.
14. Home.
15. MUZ-TV.
16. Star.
17. TNT and TNT 4.
18. World.
19. BOOM TV.
20. Moscow 24.
21. Shop24.
22. Euronews.
23. 2x2.
24. YU.
25. RBC-TV.
26. Disney.
27. Che.
28. Shopping live.
29. News.
30. Confidence.
31. Super.
32. 360.
33. Discovery.
34. TV-1000 and TV-1000 Russian cinema.
35. Animal Planet.
36. Doctor.
37. Techno 24.
38. Paramount Comedy.
39. My planet.
40. MOTHER.
41. Eurosport 1.
42. Cartoon
43. TLC.
44. RU.TV

These channels are distributed into 3 multiplexes, consisting of 10 points, and a package of the remaining TV channels. The contents of each multiplex and its frequency can be found in the table.

If you install the CAM-Module and pay an additional fee, you can get more than 170 different TV channels of similar quality, the list of which is presented in the table:

It is also worth understanding that there is not a single HD channel in the free package. They are provided to people exclusively for a fee.

Since the beginning of this year, Moscow residents can enjoy digital TV for free, i.e. without installing a CAM module. However, the free package currently includes only 49 positions, so many Muscovites continue to pay for a collective antenna.

First multiplex of digital channels

Third multiplex of digital channels

On the third multiplex, programs are shown in a certain order, on each button there are several TV channels that replace each other. This is a way to avoid advertising laws. The channels, at their own expense, organized the broadcast of the third multiplex in Moscow and the Ostankino region, accumulate the required number of hours of free broadcasting and after that have the right to include advertising in their programs.

If the indicated frequencies are not received or you do not know which direction to point the antenna, find your exact location on the interactive DTV map and click on it, the map will show in which direction the nearest tower is and at what frequency it broadcasts.

Digital signal reception methods

There are four options for connecting free and pay TV channels:

• Cable. In this case, the signal is received via cable. The main disadvantage is the subscription fee. This method is not available everywhere.
• Satellite. Here, the signal is transmitted via satellite and received through an installed personal dish. There is also a specific subscription fee charged here. Requires the purchase of equipment designed for satellite TV.
• Terrestrial (DVB television). Terrestrial repeaters distribute a signal that can be received by an indoor or outdoor antenna. This connection option does not require additional financial expenses. A convenient way to watch TV programs in modern broadcast format.

The digital set-top box (Dvb T2) picks up channels differently than the previously described option. The signal level is low. It is difficult to catch it in case of bad weather, as well as its location far from the TV tower.

The lowest price is receiving digital TV using an antenna, which is installed and configured independently by the user. You can add various channels.

What you need to view

To show digital television channels, special equipment is required:

• Antenna;
• Set-top box for digital television or TV with a DVB T2 tuner. The device must support the MPEG 4 standard and be capable of operating in Multiple PLP mode.

As for the antenna, you can opt for a standard analog one. If you have a new model TV, then it may have an integrated digital tuner. In this case, there is no need to buy a set-top box.

If you don't know if your model has a digital TV tuner, check the technical data sheet. Alternatively, enter the model name in the search engine.

There are two types of antenna devices:

1. Active - when amplifiers are used, a connection is made to a source of electrical energy. When using a receiver, 5-V is supplied through it. This can be done through the settings in the menu – “Antenna power”. Using an active device is not always the right decision. Since if you are close to the tower, the signal may disappear completely.
2. Passive - there are no additional amplifiers here. They are used most often in areas with a stable signal. This option is easier for connecting several TVs.

Let's look at the features of choosing a digital tuner.
Anyone who encounters such a purchase for the first time most likely thinks that all consoles are identical. The main condition for making the right choice is to avoid making mistakes in key technical characteristics. There are other points that can affect the further operation of the equipment and the breadth of the functional component:

• There are no buttons on the external panel of the device - this obliges the user to work only with the remote control. This is not always practical.
• If the tuner does not have a USB port, the device cannot be used as a media player. With the presence of such equipment, you can record TV shows, view photos and videos.

Please note that a set-top box with a separate power supply is considered a chic option. Most often, this element is built inside. The most common cause of tuner failure is a malfunction of the power supply. If this device fails, you can take it to a service center or replace the entire set-top box. But a separate unit is an opportunity to replace the component without any problems.

Often the TV device is attached to the wall as high as possible, in the kitchen, for example. In such a situation, it is not comfortable to use a classic console. There are modified devices of more compact sizes that are attached behind the TV using tape. The receiver is controlled by a remote control through a separate sensor, which is attached to the external panel of the TV. Power is supplied via the TV's USB port.

The set-top box can be used together with a PC monitor if there is an HDMI port. With this option, you can view the broadcast from a standard antenna.

What are multiplexes

Multiplex is a connection in one digital package of different TV channels during digital television broadcasting, combined before transmission over the channel and separated at the final receiving element (subscriber's receiver) with the allocation of 1 or 2 TV channels.

Digital television in Russia in the DVB T2 format offers 20 TV channels, which are divided into 2 packages, this is called multiplexes. These are free to watch digital channels - there is no set subscription fee. The user only needs a TV; a set-top box with a decoder that receives the DVB T2 frequency range (if such a decoder is not available on the TV) and an antenna.

Package No. 1 is a group of information, news and development channels (Russia 1 and 2, 1 and 5 channels and others).

This package operates wherever digital television is present. If there is a working digital TV tower nearby, you will most likely receive all 10 channels. The user will be able to catch either all 10 at once, or not just one. The reason for this is that channels 1 of the multiplex are transmitted at the same frequency. Broadcasting is carried out at a frequency of 546 MHz using DVB-T2.

Package No. 2 includes entertainment TV channels (STS, Muz TV, TNT and others). The package in question is not available throughout the Russian Federation. To study the coverage area of ​​this multiplex in detail, you need to look at the digital TV coverage map.

Quite often the composition of channels in this package changes. Competitions are held among programs, as a result of which the list may differ. Frequency 498 MHz with DVB prefix.

Package No. 3 is in development, but it will be paid. A cheaper and simpler option is to use cable and get more than 100 channels from 200 rubles per month.

This package will work in test mode. In it, users will also be able to find programs of maximum HD clarity.