If we compare the picture quality of digital and analogue broadcasting, then the first technology is confidently in the lead in this confrontation. The only condition required for digital reception is the availability of suitable equipment.
New TV models already have a built-in decoder, so their owners only need to find a good decimeter antenna. For those who want to connect an outdoor set-top box for digital TV, in addition to the device itself, a special adapter and cables will be required. What methods of connecting equipment exist will be discussed below.
What to do if there is no HDMI input?
Almost all old TVs have an RCA interface (popularly called tulips). You can try to go around, but “with crutches”. You will need an HDMI adapter for tulips.
Trying to solder RCA to an HDMI cable is pointless. The first is an analog interface, and the second is digital. To transfer information between them you will need an active signal converter, which you will have to buy.
There are 2 types of adapters sold in stores:
1 HDMI2AV and its analogues. This box has the necessary ports. Inside there is a microcircuit that converts one signal into another, and there is even a choice between regions. It works in both directions, you can connect the old console to the new TV.
2 Wired adapters. They look like the most ordinary wire, with RCA plugs on one end and an HDMI connector on the other. They work very poorly, since a small chip under the HDMI housing is used for conversion. There is no heat removal or pulsation equalization provided here. In addition, there is no additional power, and without it, high-quality information transfer is impossible.
The conclusion suggests itself: it is impossible to make an adapter from HDMI to VGA or RCA with your own hands!
It is preferable to take HDMI2AV. Due to the smoothing of ripples and voltage, the signal is smooth and without interference. In addition, it has a number of side advantages:
- Reliability. The box is strong, does not creak, and can be installed behind the TV.
- Regionality. On the case you can select the PAL and NTSC region if you want to connect an old set-top box to the new TV.
- Minimum interference when transmitting information.
- Connection to any analog interfaces. Through additional adapters you can output video to other ports: VGA, SCART, etc.
- You can output video not only from HDMI, but also from DVI. In fact, this is the same interface - only the pinout of the HDMI cable is different. But if you buy a wire like this, the problems disappear.
How to connect a set-top box to an old TV
After the entire country switched to the DVB-T2 broadcast format, many subscribers were faced with the need to purchase additional equipment. Outdated TV models do not have a built-in decoder, and if the TV receiver is quite happy with its owner or there are several devices in the house (one of which is an outdated type), there is no need to rush to the store to buy a decoder. With the help of an external receiver, cables and a special adapter for the jack of the TV receiver and set-top box, you can get a picture that will not be inferior in quality. When considering the option with an old TV, it is immediately worth noting that we are talking about models released at least after 2010.
DVB-T2 tuners have a similar operating principle, but may differ in the set of functions. More expensive models read a larger number of formats, have internal memory and the ability to connect flash drives. Inexpensive set-top boxes do not have such rich functionality, but they cope with the main task in the same way as expensive decoders. If you examine the connectors of a standard tuner, you will notice three main interfaces: an antenna input, an HDMI cable connector, and an RCA connector. In the case of outdated TV models, you will have to deal with the latest type of interface, popularly known as “tulip”. They are connected by color, since each of the wires is responsible for either the image or the sound. Now you need to examine the TV connectors. If there is no RCA interface, there must be at least a SCART. To connect the set-top box you will need a special SCART-tulip connector.
The step-by-step process for connecting an old TV receiver to a DVB-T2 receiver is as follows:
- First, connect the antenna connector to the digital tuner.
- Next, connect the “tulip” type plugs (select them by color). If this connector is not available on the TV, the connection is made using a tulip-SCART adapter.
- The next step is to connect the TV and receiver to the mains. After turning them on, you need to select the AV display mode using the remote control.
- A corresponding menu will open, through which the user can search and configure available TV channels.
The number of channels will depend on the region and the distance to the nearest repeater. Currently, there are two free multiplexes operating in Russia, each of which includes 10 TV channels. Subscribers who want to access more diverse content have the opportunity to connect to cable television or purchase equipment for receiving satellite TV.
Converter connections
HDMI2AV
The most common device. You can find a lot of reviews and even firmware on the Internet. The average price is 500 rubles.
Preparing the device
The kit includes the converter itself and a MiniUSB cable; the power supply is not included. Suitable for any 0.5 amp phone. The wire is short, so it is better to buy a longer one and better quality.
To connect you will need:
- Power unit. As was said, a regular one from an old phone will do, but not from a “fast charger”. However, power can be supplied from the TV (if there are USB connectors) or a TV box if you are going to connect it.
- HDMI male-to-male cable. The "standard" format is used here.
- Papa-papa tulips. By the way, if your TV does not have such a connector, you can buy an adapter from bells to MiniJack.
Now you can start connecting.
Connecting the converter
Connect the power first. Unfortunately, there is no LED or any operation indicators on the case, so you won’t be able to check the functionality right away.
Then you need to connect the HDMI cable from your computer or other device. Then connect the bells to the TV.
The completed connection looks like this: The converter starts working immediately after switching on. You just need to select the desired input port and you're done.
HDMI AVerMedia ET111
Devices of this type are called “whistles”. It contains bell jacks, a USB cable for power, and an HDMI port on the back.
The connection is practically no different from the previous one:
- First you need to turn on the power. The wire here is soldered into the device, so it can be inserted into the USB connector of the device.
- Tulips are connected in the same way. Here the connectors are located outside the housing.
- On the reverse side, a standard pinout wire is inserted into the HDMI connector.
There are similar devices for converting VGA and extended bells.
Please note that there is no region switcher, so some devices may not work. By default, the whistle operates in NTSC mode.
The average price is 3500 rubles.
3RCA
A similar “whistle”, but with a slightly different design. First of all, the main power supply here is equipped with charging, like on old consoles.
Tulips have a male format, so no additional cables are needed. An important feature: the resolution switch button. When pressed, the “whistle” switches from 720p mode to 1080p.
HD to 3RCA
The simplest Chinese adapter costs only 300 rubles. Made very simply:
- On one side there is a male HDMI plug. It is inserted directly into the TV.
- On the reverse side there are 3 ports for tulips.
Basically, the converter is designed to turn an HDMI connector into an RCA connector. The converter is cheap and convenient, but does not have additional power supply or settings. For this reason, there may be problems with regions and interference.
Russian stores often sell counterfeits in a similar case. Often there is no analogue to digital converter.
HDMI to RCA cable
Perhaps the worst connection method, but the most accessible. These cables are sold in almost every electronics store. It's not worth buying!
The pinout of the HDMI connector does not have analog outputs, so the signal from RCA is “incomprehensible” to it. In some cases, such cables have a converter in the plug housing. In this case they may work, but it is quite difficult to find.
The price can reach 400 rubles!
Connecting a digital set-top box to a TV
To receive channels in high quality image and sound, you need a set of equipment consisting of three main components: a TV, a receiver and a UHF antenna. In some cases, the decoder is already built into the TV, so all that remains is to choose a decimeter design, and in large populated areas you can also use a passive room device. Owners of older models of TV receivers will need to purchase a special set-top box to receive the DVB-T2 format. It is recommended to connect it via the HDMI or DVI interface, and then the subscriber will receive a signal in Full HD quality. Using a special cable, you need to connect the connectors, and then connect the UHF antenna. At this point, the preparatory stage will be completed, after which you should begin setting up the available channels. If the interfaces on the TV receiver and set-top box do not match, you will need a special adapter to connect the equipment.
HDMI
RCA
SCART
Depending on the TV model, there are several basic schemes for connecting a digital receiver:
- Via HDMI cable. This method is considered the most convenient and effective, and also provides the highest quality image and sound. Even budget set-top boxes have an HDMI interface, but older TVs may not have it. When using a cable of this type (using a remote control), you should select the “Source” option among the signal sources.
- Via RCA connectors. VGA and HDMI are different types of signals, but using a special adapter with a built-in chip, their connection becomes possible. When using a double-sided cable with tulips, it is important to observe the color coding.
- The SCART connector is obsolete. It can be found in earlier TV models, but it is practically not found in modern DVB-T2 tuners. To connect two different interfaces in this case, you will also need to purchase a special adapter.
How to choose the right HDMI cable?
Consumers often ask “How to choose the right cable for an hdmi to tulip adapter and what characteristics to pay attention to first.” Experts answer: HDMI performs its primary task - transmitting zeros and ones. The most important parameter when choosing a cable is its bandwidth. Steel and aluminum are not the best conductors. Copper conductors are the best option. The material is inexpensive. But a silver wire or one with the same coating is a stupid waste of money.
The thickness of the wiring is also important - it is measured in gauges. The lower this value, the thicker the wire. The optimal AWG value is given in the table below.
More interesting and useful information in the video.
Connection features
Connecting different television panels to external acoustics often follows the same principle; slight differences depend on the brand of the TV manufacturer. Let's take, for example, the two most popular brands - LG and Samsung.
How to connect speakers to an LG TV
Modern LG LCD panels basically have all possible connectors for connection:
- Optical interface;
- RCA connector, also known as “tulip”;
- SCARD (not on all models);
- HDMI port;
- Line output;
- Bluetooth connection.
Connecting external acoustic equipment occurs in the usual way and does not require any additional manipulations.
How to connect speakers to a Samsung TV
Modern Samsung television panels, starting with the 5 series, are not equipped with RCA and SCARD connectors. To connect external acoustics to the TV, the following connectors are provided:
- Digital optical output;
- HDMI RCA port;
- Headphone and headset jack;
- Bluetooth module.
Connecting external speaker systems to Samsung TVs follows similar instructions for other models. The only nuance that is worth paying attention to is the correct choice of suitable cables and adapters.
