TOP 12 Best set-top boxes for digital TV (DVB T2) | Review of proven models 2021 + Reviews

Home » Uncategorized

Editor's Choice

Yaroslav Dragun 02.11.2021

The best set-top box for digital TV

Digital television is becoming more and more popular. Almost all countries have already switched to this format. There are very few analogue broadcasts left. But to receive digital channels you need a special set-top box. This is a device that connects to your TV and allows you to receive channels. There are different models of these devices with different characteristics. Some of them have additional functions.

D-COLOR DC1302HD

D-COLOR DC1302HD The most expensive TV set-top box in our rating. Among the key features, it is worth highlighting full support for Dolby Digital 5.1 and a built-in high-sensitivity tuner called Maxlinear 630. The design of the console is also beyond praise.

The tuner easily copes with DVB-T and DVB-T2 standards, fully supports HD content, and has delayed viewing and teletext options . There is an HDMI port, a USB connector and one composite port. There is also an informative display and a remote control.

PROS:

• Great design
• High build quality
• Dolby Digital1 support
• There is a high sensitivity tuner
• Has an HDMI port
• There is full support for HD content
• USB port available
• There is an informative display
• Remote control included

MINUSES:

• Not all broadcast standards are supported
• High price

VIDEO: D-Color 1302HD - DVB-T2 receiver review

D-Color 1302HD - DVB-T2 receiver review

TOP 12 Best set-top boxes for digital TV (DVB T2) | Review of proven models 2021 + Reviews

Which TV set-top box for digital television is best to buy?

Even the highest quality set-top boxes do not have longevity - the average service life is 3-5 years, most fail much earlier. Therefore, you should only buy products that come with a warranty. Usually the warranty card is issued for 1 year, less often for 2 years.

Old analog TVs can only have an input for a SCART connector (oblong, designed for 20 pins). Therefore, you should purchase a SCART-RCA or SCART-HDMI adapter along with the set-top box.

You should also pay attention to functionality. Features that any user will need: video recording, HD support, the ability to control not only with the remote control, but also with buttons on the device itself (the remote control can get lost, break, or run out of batteries). Enjoy the shopping!

Thanks to All.ru in Yandex.Zen

Features of set-top boxes of different price categories

As practice shows, set-top boxes can be divided into several groups depending on price. In this case, the functionality may differ significantly:

• Budget models. It is recommended to use them only when watching TV periodically. For example, a budget receiver can be installed in a country house. Typically, such set-top boxes do not have additional functionality, but they cope with all the basic functions. Equipped with standard connectors.
• Economy class. Manufacturers of models in this price category usually provide them with a card reader, which, if necessary, will expand the list of channels. Also, using economy class set-top boxes, you can record documents of various formats on an external drive.
• Average price category. Typically, devices can receive and process several types of signals. They provide excellent picture and sound. Ideal for daily use. They have many additional features that we listed above.
• Premium class. Receivers of this group combine all the functionality of modern devices. Such models serve as a full-fledged media center: they display picture and sound on the screen not only from the TV signal source, but also from various sources (flash drives, memory cards) and directly from the Internet. Premium models have browsers installed, which allows you to surf the Internet as if you were on a regular PC. The presence of an operating system makes it possible to improve the functionality of the set-top box.

If you do not need all the functionality offered, then you should stick to cheap models. Since it makes no sense to compare cheap and expensive devices, the ratings of DVB-T2 receivers are compiled for each group separately.

BBK SMP240HDT2

Products from Ali, better known as BBK, which for a long time created the image of an inexpensive but reliable manufacturer of equipment.

This tuner is not a new product, despite this it is ready to create competition with other models and manufacturers. It should be noted that, despite the affordable price, the model is functional, reliable and of high quality. Therefore, it boldly won the trust of users and found itself in the top three.

In reviews on forums and websites, you can notice a trend that users are satisfied with the functionality and high-quality reception of the digital signal. There are plenty of positive reviews online. [catalog_item id=”2256″] The set-top box works with the DVB T2 format, the receiver is equipped with additional HDMI ports. Thanks to the latter option, owners of the set-top box will be able to enjoy HD images. There are ports for connecting external drives, flash drives, and a hard drive.

Pros of the model:

• Excellent value for money.
• Easy to find in the market.
• Simple and easy to understand setup.
• Channels switch quickly, and it also responds instantly to user commands.
• There is an HDMI port.
• There are additional buttons for switching channels located on the front panel.

Disadvantages - you need to point the remote control at the console.

Advantages of set-top boxes for DVB-T2 TV

Digital television receivers are capable of not only receiving and transmitting signals to the TV screen. They have a number of advantages:

• Very easy to use
• Easily connects to TV
• Interference is eliminated during signal transmission
• Improves broadcast quality and clarity
• Makes the sound clear and rich.

In addition, you do not have to pay to use a digital television tuner. The DVB T2 set-top box opens up a number of additional features:

• TV guide (select channels by genre or rating)
• Play subtitles in multiple languages
• Teletext
• Access to the Internet
• Pause and rewind while watching a channel
• Smart-TV on regular TVs (creating your own program from TV series, films using popular resources; access to social networks; communication via Skype; your own photo and video storage).

Each specific model has its own functionality.

Do you need an antenna?

TV broadcasts are carried out via meter and decimeter bands. To receive digital broadcasting of the DVB-T2 standard, you need an antenna that can receive signals in the decimeter range. It is worth noting that a digital antenna is no different from a regular one, and the inscriptions on the boxes screaming that there is an antenna for digital television inside is most likely an advertising slogan.

As you know, antennas can be indoor or outdoor, active (equipped with a special amplifier), or passive.

When choosing, you should take into account the location of your home, the terrain or terrain features. If you are located far from the repeater tower or in a lowland, then it would probably be better to choose an outdoor active antenna. If visibility is direct, then a passive indoor antenna can provide good quality of reception of digital signals. It should be remembered that an excessively strong repeater signal and a powerful antenna with an amplifier may not always be a good indicator of the quality of signal reception. An excessively strong reception signal is also not always good or necessary.

How to choose the best model: look at the technical specifications

It is impossible to accurately answer the question of how to choose a good model and which one is better. It all depends on the financial capabilities and expectations of the future user. However, when choosing, you should take a closer look at the main criteria, namely:

1. Supported information encoding methods. Today, the most popular encoding method is MPEG, which has “evolved” to MPEG-4. It allows you to compress and transmit video and audio data, 3D content, information at low bit rates.
2. TV screen resolution. Outdated TV models can only support the television broadcast standard such as SDTV. In turn, receivers support HD format and higher. Thus, it is absolutely pointless for owners of old TVs to buy a digital set-top box - the picture quality will still not be better.
3. Additional connectors. Budget models are equipped with standard SCART or RCA connectors. But if the purpose of buying a receiver is to watch TV channels in high quality, then you need to take a closer look at models that are equipped with HDMI.
4. Supported data display formats. Those who plan to use the receiver not only to watch channels, but also to play their own audio and video files should pay attention to this criterion. For example, can the tuner play music in AAC format?

The most common video formats:

• AVC/H.264
• AVI
• MPEG-4

Most common audio formats:

• MP3
• Dolby Digital (AC3)
• WMA

The most common photo formats:

• JPEG
• PNG

5. Availability of additional control buttons on the console panel. Despite the fact that the models are equipped with remote controls, the presence of buttons on the box itself is a big plus. For example, if the remote control breaks down or its battery suddenly runs out.

6. Availability of a card reader. Today, more than 30 channels broadcast in digital format absolutely free of charge. But if this amount is not enough for the user, it is worth taking a closer look at models that already have a unit installed for receiving additional channels.

7. Additional features. Digital receivers have impressive functionality. For example, using the TimeShift feature, you can record your favorite movie while the user is at work. In addition, it would be useful to have USB connectors for connecting external storage devices onto which your favorite programs will be recorded. Some models even allow you to connect a hard drive.

8. Sensitivity. The higher this parameter, the better the quality of the picture on the screen. Manufacturers designate the criterion as “input signal level”. Tuners with good sensitivity are considered models where the input signal level is 28 dBµV.

BBK SMP123HDT2

For digital television, this model of set-top box is considered convenient and practical. The receiver is easy to use thanks to the specially designed InErgo menu. Even if you just quickly glance through the menu, you can understand how to configure and connect the device.

All options are displayed on the remote control. The connection to the TV is via HDMI or composite output. You don't need to aim to change the channel. The USB port allows you to play video content from flash drives.

Advantages of the model under consideration:

• Easy control due to a unique menu.
• High quality signal reception.
• HD image output.
• Small dimensions.
• Digital radio.

The disadvantages in this case are that it only supports files with the mp3 audio codec and that channel switching is slow. [catalog_item id=”2336″] When choosing a console, you need to pay attention to the previously described factors. Also, don’t forget about testing devices. You can find video reviews and the process of testing the model you like online, or you can ask a store consultant to connect the set-top box to the TV.

Comparison of models

To make your choice easier, take a look at the comparison table of the above-described models.

What to look for when choosing

When choosing a receiver for watching digital TV, you need to approach this process responsibly. Since the model range is quite extensive, you have to make a choice based on certain criteria. Then it won’t hurt to watch a video review about the console that suits you.

Teniks DTR-122

Key points to pay attention to when choosing a console:

• Speed ​​and stability of operation. This point is extremely difficult to determine, since this type of characteristics combines several factors. To get more detailed information regarding this item, it is best to read the reviews of those who purchased and tested the device.
• Signal reception. Based on the reviews, it turns out that not all set-top boxes are able to quickly connect to all TV channels and find a wireless connection. To get more detailed information about the selected model, read the reviews and check the operation of the device directly in the store.
• The ratio of cost and quality, technical characteristics.
• Operating system used.
• Ease of operation.
• Interface.
• Additional functions. For example: SD card support, voice search, mobile control, etc.

BBK SMP240HDT2
After analyzing these criteria, you will be able to come to a conclusion which receiver is optimal for you.