How to choose a digital set-top box

The Federal Program for the Development of Television and Radio Broadcasting in the Russian Federation for 2009 – 2021 involves the widespread transfer of television to the digital format DVB-T2. If your home TV does not support this format, you can purchase a digital set-top box and enjoy TV broadcasting in higher quality. Additional features that most set-top boxes are equipped with increase the level of comfort when watching movies and TV programs. IPTV set-top boxes allow you to connect your TV to the Internet, expanding the range of media programs viewed by the viewer.

The best manufacturers of digital set-top boxes - which company to choose

The best set-top boxes on the market are supplied by manufacturers who have many years of experience in producing digital equipment and take into account past shortcomings, improving the quality of their products year after year.

These include trademark prefixes:

Supra;
Defender;
BBK;
Oriel;
D-Color;
Telefunken.

In the rating of the best TV set-top boxes based on customer reviews, you can see the models that Russian consumers recognize as the highest quality and easiest to use.

Operating principle and design of a digital set-top box

Main elements of the device:

1. Body;

2. Monoboards for receiving and processing digital signals;

3. Switching power supply network board;

4. Infrared remote control.

The set-top box receives a digital signal, decodes it and converts it into an analog format for further broadcast by the TV.

Using a set-top box improves the quality of the programs viewed by the viewer, regardless of the TV model. Even if you connect the set-top box to a TV that was purchased ten years ago, you can watch programs in higher quality.

The set-top box can be used with any televisions, including those with picture tubes. It must be taken into account that the quality of image and sound depends not only on the signal, but also on the screen resolution and the capabilities of the built-in audio systems. Therefore, an old TV with a kinescope will not allow you to enjoy all the capabilities of a digitized signal.

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What is the difference between receivers of different price categories?

The cost of DVB-T2 receivers varies in an impressive range - from 800 to 16,000 rubles. How can an average user choose the best auto tuner without spending too much money? Remember that the most expensive models are smart consoles with a wide range of functionality. If we consider relatively inexpensive devices, they will differ in the number of interfaces and signal transmission speed.

The best models support video recording. To use this option correctly, you must additionally connect an external hard drive or flash card. Using the video recording function, you can watch the match of your favorite football team or TV show at any convenient time. Users will be able to pause the broadcast.

There are a number of other features that directly affect the cost of equipment:

HD support;
alternative control system;
Internet connection;
manufacturer country;
set of interfaces.

Let's briefly look at each of these nuances. Let's start with HD support. If you plan to watch new movies or TV series, then support for high-quality images will be highly desirable. The best option would be to purchase a device that supports Full HD or Quard HD.

Alternative control is the presence of buttons on the front panel of the set-top box, as well as a remote control in the basic configuration. Some models support voice control. Whether it's worth overpaying for it is up to you to decide. What interfaces can be considered mandatory? Inexpensive devices are equipped with HDMI. Older tuners connect via RCA. Of course, the first option is considered preferable.

The manufacturer is another extremely important point. The cheapest models are offered by Chinese companies. Of course, industrial and handicraft products from China are significantly different. For example, some equipment from well-known brands is assembled in the Middle Kingdom. You should not buy products from little-known manufacturers; trust trusted brands.

Types of digital set-top boxes

DVB-T2 set-top box

In a few years, Russian television will be broadcast only in the DVB-T2 format, completely leaving analogue transmission. DVB-T2 is a format for terrestrial digital television broadcasting, with signal broadcast over standard airwaves in the range of decimeter and meter waves received by a conventional antenna.

Innovative technologies that have expanded the capabilities of this broadcast format provide signal transmission, including in HD quality and even in 3-D. Of course, to receive signals in these formats, the TV must have certain characteristics.

Using a digital receiver expands the capabilities of a regular TV and allows you to:

1. Record a program or movie onto a USB drive;

2. Play audio or video files recorded on the media;

3. Watch a television broadcast after a certain period of time, temporarily stopping it (TimeShift “delayed viewing” mode is an additional function, not all models have it);

Advantages:

Possibility of free viewing of ten all-Russian channels: information, news and development. Viewing ten free entertainment channels depends on the region (it is covered by a DVB-T2 signal or work is underway on the construction of television towers);
Increased number of channels in the broadcast package;
Transfer of additional information in digital packages;
Easy to connect, configure and manage.

Flaws:

The performance of the device depends on the signal reception area. Viewers living in regions that are distant from the broadcasting tower will additionally need an amplifier.

Smart TV set-top box

In current media technologies, the capabilities of the Internet are increasingly being used - television channels are opening their websites and portals on it. Some of the TV models offered by manufacturers have a Smart-TV function, which allows you to use the Internet to watch media programs.

To provide an ordinary TV with access to a modern media environment, it is enough to connect a Smart-TV (IPTV) set-top box to it - this is an effective and affordable alternative to the expensive latest generation TV model.

Connecting the set-top box: step-by-step instructions

Set-top boxes for older TVs are connected in a similar way, and the main differences are in the connection of ports and contacts. Make sure in advance that if, for example, the TV only has a SCART port, then your set-top box also has this output, or you have a SCART-RCA adapter. Accordingly, for other cases.

In general, a digital set-top box is connected to an old TV step by step as follows:

De-energize the devices: this is a mandatory step. All connection operations should always be performed when the equipment is unplugged from the outlet.
Connect the antenna to the set-top box and align it correctly, oriented towards the nearest TV tower.
Connect the device and TV with compatible cables. The features of different TVs will be listed below.
Turn on your devices. Depending on how you connected the devices, select “Source” in the TV menu - HDMI or AV. Or press “AV” on the remote control. The third option is to run the built-in “channel search” on the TV so that it finds the “set-top box channel”. At this stage, a problem often arises that the receiver does not search or does not find channels, be prepared for this.
Following the instructions on the screen and using the device’s remote control, start searching for TV channels. Two free multiplexes with Russian television will be found, that is, 20 channels. If something goes wrong, then change the position of the antenna, raise it higher, remove it from the shielding surfaces and repeat the steps. In the future, you will be able to switch channels on the receiver without the remote control.
Now you can watch digital television on your “box”, as well as use all the other functions of the set-top box that it has.

It’s worth mentioning separately about the features of outdated TVs:

For devices with HDMI or triple tulip, no difficulties should arise. Usually the color of the “tulip” plugs and connectors is the same. But if there are not three connectors, but two, then you can ignore the red one and connect only yellow and white;

the antenna output is called “RF”, accordingly on the set-top box it is designated as “RF-OUT”;

There is one significant problem with archaic Soviet tube devices: not all of them are compatible with set-top boxes. It's not about wires or formats, but about the signal. Technically, TV boxes can rarely broadcast the high-frequency signal these TVs require. Therefore, in this case, you need to separately buy an external RF modulator. It costs about 1500-2500 rubles and is a regular adapter. But its cost is comparable to the cost of a digital set-top box. Therefore, for the most “ancient” models, you need to select a device that supports an RF signal.

DVB-T2 digital set-top box selection parameters

Connector type

When choosing a device, you need to focus on the type of connector on the TV, which depends on the year of manufacture. These can be composite tulip connectors (RCA) or SCART. More modern models may have an HDMI connector.

If the set-top box meets all the desired parameters, but has an inappropriate connector, you can consider purchasing an additional adapter.

Encoding

The more compression formats a device supports, the better. But the receiver must support MPEG-4 signal encoding; this is the compression format used by DVB-T2 set-top boxes.

Screen resolution

Older models of TVs with LCD and LCD screens, as well as with a kinescope, have SDTV (standard definition television) resolution. This is a standard for analog television, which is not capable of supporting HD video, much less 3D.

Therefore, if you are not planning to purchase an HD or 3D TV in the near future, there is no point in purchasing a set-top box that supports these formats. You can purchase a simpler option and save money. (Although even budget models for 800-900 rubles support HD).

Supported media format

If the set-top box is intended to be used for viewing photos and videos, or listening to music from external media, you need to make sure that the device can support the following formats:

1. Video – MKV, AVI, AVC/H.264, DivX, MPEG4;

2. Audio – MP3, WMA, AAC, AC3;

3. Photo – JPEG, JPG, RAW.

Control

Traditionally, most models are controlled using a remote control. In some devices, commands can only be issued using it.

If the remote control fails or is lost, you will not be able to control the receiver. Therefore, it is preferable to choose a set-top box that combines two control methods - from the remote control and from the front panel.

Extended capabilities

The more functional the device, the higher its price. Therefore, it is worth deciding on the need to expand functions so as not to overpay. Or, on the contrary, purchasing the simplest option may result in regrets about the missing convenient additions.

These include:

1. Availability of a card reader;

2. Availability of an HDMI connector (high-definition multimedia interface);

3. Availability of LAN input (for connecting to the Internet);

4. Availability of several USB connectors;

5. Availability of a full-fledged Internet browser;

6. Ability to view two video streams on the screen simultaneously;

7. Possibility of connecting a hard drive (for recording and storing video);

8. Ability to view photos and listen to audio files;

9. Ability to record a stream from three channels at once in high quality;

10. Support for DVB-S2 format (standard definition and high definition satellite broadcasting).

What is it and why is it needed

First, ask yourself a question: why do I need a console? And you will receive several answer options.

The first and most common. I don’t need anything from the set-top box, just watch TV. In this case, almost any will do. (Next I will tell you what to pay attention to).
Additionally, I want to watch movies from a flash drive. In this case, you need a decoder that supports AC3 audio. Which allows you to watch videos with sound. Otherwise you will watch silent movies.
I choose a digital set-top box for my dacha, but I want to watch cable TV on it in winter. Under such conditions, you need to purchase a decoder that supports two formats, dvb-t2 and dvb-c (digital plus cable TV).
I have the Internet at my dacha, and I want to combine watching digital and IPTV. And this is also possible; stores offer set-top boxes that work in three formats: dvb-t2, dvb-c and IPTV.

So how to choose a dvb-t2 set-top box and what to pay attention to. Next, we will consider the main functions, controls and interfaces of the decoder.

Parameters for selecting a digital IPTV set-top box (Smart-TV)

Connection type

1. For relatively modern TV models, connection via the HDMI connector provides the best quality of the broadcast signal.

2. For older TV models, connect to the VGA or AV ports.

CPU

It is preferable to choose a set-top box whose processor has at least 4 cores. This will eliminate freezes and other similar misunderstandings during work.

Memory

The amount of RAM must be at least 2 GB, preferably more if you plan to install various applications and games. The minimum amount of internal memory is 8 GB, it is not particularly important, since if there is a shortage, you can always expand it by installing MicroSD cards.

operating system

Devices on the Android platform have a lower price; this OS has a larger number of applications, including gaming, social, and office applications.

Form

1. If your needs are minimal, you can purchase an inexpensive TV stick.

2. For stable operation and the ability to connect other devices, you can purchase a TV box; it has several additional ports (USB, Optical, VGA and others).

Digital broadcast standards

Digital broadcasting in the European part of our continent is designated DVB. This standard is divided into a number of subcategories, each of which has its own separate purpose:

DVB-S and DVB-S2 – digital satellite television.
DVB-T and DVB-T2 – digital terrestrial TV;
DVB-C and DVB-C2 – digital cable.

The presence of the number 2 at the end means that this version has been updated and is more consistent with current standards.

Which digital TV set-top box to choose?

1. For an old TV with a picture tube or LCD panel, with SDTV resolution, you can purchase an inexpensive set-top box that is not designed for broadcasting in FULL HD format.

2. For fans of sports competitions and fans, a set-top box with the ability to record TV broadcasts is suitable. Having recorded a program that was broadcast at night, you can watch it at any convenient time;

3. Fans of watching spectacular films in high quality will need a set-top box that supports the HD format.

4. To watch videos, movies and surf websites, you can purchase a budget Smart-TV set-top box with up to 1 GB of RAM and a 2-core processor. Most likely, applications will take a long time to load. But there is enough resource to watch the video.

5. An IPTV set-top box with a 4-core processor and 2GB of RAM can handle applications and games that are demanding on hardware resources. Watching videos with them is more comfortable.

6. For users who have large collections of videos and media on HDD drives and plan to purchase an IPTV set-top box to view them, you need a device with a SATA port through which you can connect an external drive.

How to switch to digital if cable TV is connected

Cable subscribers may also notice the letter “A” next to the channel logo. The fact is that some companies have agreed with the central operator to preserve the broadcast in the old format. Over time, they will completely switch to digital, and if subscribers want to switch from analog cable broadcasting to digital TV, they will need to take a number of actions.

How to do it:

Using the remote control, open the main menu of the receiver. Here, find the section called “Channel”, represented by a satellite dish icon, and open it.
Now you need to go to the “Autosearch” tab. Several options will appear on the screen, among which you should select “Cable”. In the next column, set the “Digital” command, then click on the “Start” button.

Users who wish to keep programs in the old format must select the "Analogue and Digital" option. After the transition to the new broadcast format, cable TV subscribers (unlike those who tuned in to free TV channels) will be able to view the content that is provided for in the operator’s contract. Viewers who watch programs via antenna will be able to access 20 free channels (10 in each of the multiplexes).

What is the difference between the new and old broadcast format? The main difference is that with analogue television the signal is continuous, transmitted via an antenna and depends on weather conditions. In the case of digital, there is a phenomenon when several channels can be broadcast at once on the same frequency. The quality and level of the signal do not depend on the weather, the picture is of higher quality, in addition, you have access to additional functions of the set-top box or TV receiver.