A TV is no longer such an indispensable thing for a modern person as it was a few years ago. But even Internet users sometimes need access to free digital terrestrial television. To do this, you need a TV that supports the DVB-T2 standard and an antenna. For an old TV set, you will need a set-top box to receive digital channels.
Choosing a receiver is relatively easy - based on functionality and price. It is much more difficult to determine which antenna is needed for digital television - for this you need to know the requirements for its parameters and installation features.
How do you know if your antenna works with digital TV?
Let's assume that you already have an antenna, but you don't know whether it will work with digital television. The easiest way is to Google the model and look at the description: if it has the DVB-T2 standard, then there is no need to change the device. If such a standard is not specified, then check in what range the antenna operates. Meter (30 - 300 MHz) was used for analog TV, digital signals are transmitted in decimeter (300 - 800 MHz).
Selenga HD950D
Works with DVB-T/T2 and DVB-C broadcast standards - digital terrestrial and cable television. Has 2 USB connectors. Supports Dolby Digital, external hard drives. The declared functions of viewing IPTV, YouTube and MEGOGO, via a Wi-Fi adapter (not included). In practice, difficulties arise with this: the set-top box does not accept all adapter models, it gets hot, and freezes. Price - 1100 rubles.
Pros:
- easy setup;
- stable signal reception;
- built-in power supply;
- recording and playing video from a flash drive;
- connection via RCA or HDMI;
- LED display;
- progressive scan;
- Dolby Digital support;
- additional functionality related to access to online video services.
Minuses:
- short power cord;
- No HDMI cable included;
- gets very hot in Internet mode;
- freezes when using IPTV, YouTube, and other online services;
- The warranty seal is glued to the shipping film of the case.
A good set-top box for receiving digital terrestrial and cable television. There are problems with additional functionality: to use IPTV you need to look for compatible equipment, but even if successful, the set-top box heats up and freezes. It is advisable to pay 1,100 rubles for it if cheaper models cannot cope with TV signal reception.
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Types of antennas
When selecting suitable equipment for receiving digital channels, you should start with information about its classification. DVB-T2 antennas are divided according to the following characteristics:
Depending on the installation location - indoor, outdoor, universal, automotive. Based on the presence of an amplifier - into passive (without signal amplification) and active.
Antennas are also divided according to their radiation pattern - into narrow-directional and broad-directional. This indicator affects the accuracy of tuning receivers to transmitting stations.
This might be interesting:
- How to make an antenna for digital television with your own hands
BBK SMP240HDT2
The time-tested model appeared in 2015. It differs from all competitors above in dimensions and weight (132×32×117 mm, 400 g). This benefited performance: reliable reception of the DVB-T/T2 signal, less heating compared to budget competitors. Supports AC3. In terms of functions, everything is standard: video recording, including time-shifted, TV guide, teletext, parental controls, video playback from a flash drive. Price - 1280 rubles.
Pros:
- easy setup;
- stable signal reception;
- built-in power supply;
- recording and playing video from a flash drive;
- connection via RCA or HDMI;
- LED display;
- AC3 support.
Minuses:
- small remote control;
- short power cord;
- There is no HDMI cable included.
A good model in terms of price-quality ratio. The majority of users note stable signal reception without freezing or overheating.
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Antenna Requirements
You can try to catch DVB-T2 channels using regular indoor and outdoor antennas. Sometimes you don’t even have to buy additional equipment for this. But to improve the quality of the signal, the user must know which antenna works with free digital television, and with which devices it will not be possible to watch TV.
Main requirements for receiving channels:
The antenna must operate in the UHF range. Devices that receive signals only in the meter range are not suitable for DVB-T2 television.
An amplifier is desirable. If we are talking about a city where a TV tower is nearby, you can do without it. But at the dacha, in rural areas, an amplifier is necessary.
The device must be highly directional so as not to introduce additional distortion into the signals.
If the signal is noisy, try an antenna with filters on the output. You can purchase a filter to protect against LTE signals separately, but they cost from 600 rubles. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account which TV channels they will miss, so as not to be left without their favorite programs. Interference often comes from mobile phone towers, and filters successfully cut it off.
An important criterion for selection is the number of televisions . To connect one home TV receiver, passive devices are most often chosen. If there are several of them, and the signal is routed using a regular “crab”, it is better to buy active models .
However, you can buy an amplifier separately if you already have an antenna, but you are unhappy with the image quality. This is a small unit with its own power: a signal from the antenna is supplied to the input, the output is connected to the TV.
Cadena CDT-1753SB
Tuner from a Chinese manufacturer, popular on the Russian market. It differs from STARWIND CT-100 by the presence of a display that displays the serial number of the channel on air or the clock in standby mode. The receiver copes better with reproducing photos and videos from a flash drive, and supports a large number of modern formats and codecs. Does not accept a DVB-C signal, has 1 USB connector, although it is 100 rubles more expensive. Is it worth paying more? Let's consider its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros:
- price;
- compactness;
- easy setup;
- recording and playing video from a flash drive;
- connection via RCA or HDMI;
- LED display.
Minuses:
- The kit does not include cables for connecting to a TV;
- sometimes it gets very hot and reboots;
- switches channels for a long time, periodically giving the “No signal” error;
- short power supply cable;
- No HDMI cable included;
- does not support AC-3;
- small remote control.
It is difficult to definitely recommend this model. Yandex users. Markets note cases of manufacturing defects, and the signal quality is rated 4.6 out of 5 points. To justify the model, I can say that the stability of the signal depends on the receiving antenna. As with the STARWIND CT-100, you should test the device with your antenna and TV before purchasing.
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Indoor antenna
When choosing which antenna to buy for digital TV in an apartment, they take into account not only the distance of the tower from the television receiver, but also its power. A 100-watt transmitter provides good signal reception at a distance of up to 10 km, a kilowatt transmitter - 35 km, a 5 kW model - up to 50 km. True, information about power is not easy to find out - but usually in large cities it is at least 5 kW. At the same time, there is practically no direct visibility of the TV tower in urban environments, and the distance at which channels can be received without an amplifier is reduced.
Indoor antennas without an amplifier are a good option for a strong signal area. These are the simplest models, the cost of which does not exceed 500 rubles, for example, Hyundai H-TAI100.
If the signal from the tower is not strong enough, and there is no possibility or desire to hang the antenna outside, you should opt for an indoor antenna with an amplifier . For example, Ritmix RTA-100 AV with a gain of 32 dB. Another popular and affordable option is the Delta K131A.03 TV antenna, with which the signal is amplified by 40 dB.
HARPER HDT2-5010
It has larger dimensions compared to its competitors (168×37×95 mm.) Receives only terrestrial digital TV. Equipped with standard connectors - antenna input, USB, HDMI, composite output. Price - 1090 rubles. It is justified by the stability of signal reception.
Pros:
- price;
- easy setup;
- built-in power supply;
- stable signal reception compared to budget competitors;
- recording and playing video from a flash drive;
- connection via RCA or HDMI;
- LED display.
Minuses:
- bright red display backlight;
- small remote control;
- does not accept DVB-C;
- no support for MKV and AC-3;
- No HDMI cable included;
- short power cord;
- 1 USB connector.
A popular TV set-top box from a brand from Taiwan. Reliably receives the signal, does not experience problems with overheating and freezes. Since it does not receive cable TV and does not support the AC-3 codec, I recommend TELEFUNKEN TF-DVBT224. The main thing is to install and configure a high-quality antenna before use.
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Outdoor antennas
The beauty of outdoor antennas is that they can be of any size and can be installed higher, where the signal is better received (for example, on the roof). It is not surprising that such devices provide reliable reception. In areas of strong and medium signal, outdoor antennas may not have an amplifier. In order to catch digital channels over a long distance or in poor reception conditions (difficult terrain, tall buildings), not only amplification is required, but also precise direction of the antenna towards the transmitter.
How to determine this exact direction? The easiest way is to look at your neighbors' antennas; they already have everything set up. Another option is to simply twist it in different directions and evaluate in which position it provides a good picture and sound.
As for the height of placement, you can act on the principle “the higher, the better.” For a city this can be 25-30 m, in a suburb or small town - 20 m, in a village - at least 10 m. The best place for placement is the highest point (the roof or gable of a house).
The most popular outdoor models include devices with log-periodic and wave designs. If you need an outdoor option without amplification, the Hyundai H-TAE140 .
Models with an amplifier cost a little more, but still for 1000-1500 rubles. It's quite possible to find a great option. For example, here is Locus L 025.09 with a relatively high gain.
By the way, there are also universal antennas. For example, One For All can be screwed to the wall of the house both inside and outside. These models look very unusual for devices of this type, but according to the manufacturer they provide good reception at a distance of up to 25 km from the transmitter, and are also equipped with a filter against interference from 3G/4G networks.
Oriel 421D
Offers the user reliable reception of DVB-T/DVB-T2, DVB-C signals, a built-in browser for accessing the network and using IPTV (Wi-Fi adapter for these purposes must be purchased separately). In addition to standard connectors, it is equipped with a coaxial (SPDIF) output for connecting external acoustics. The weak point of the model is the media player: it does not play all formats. Price — 1390 rubles
Pros:
- appearance;
- functionality (access to online video services);
- reliable signal reception;
- LED display;
- built-in power supply;
- recording and playing video from a flash drive;
- AC3 support;
- coaxial digital audio output.
Minuses:
- remote control;
- the built-in media player does not support many formats;
- short power cord;
- No HDMI cable included;
- In Internet mode, it does not play all the content and freezes.
A good set-top box for watching digital TV. With Internet access, not everything is so transparent: the built-in browser is not very functional, and when working with online video services it can freeze and refuse to play certain content. Therefore, I recommend World Vision Foros Combo T2/S2. The difference in price is minimal, it also has problems with access to the network, but it is possible to watch satellite TV.
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Antennas for the garden
Devices for receiving digital channels intended for dachas do not differ from ordinary street ones. Although, due to the fact that summer cottages are usually located outside the city, the antenna must be active. The characteristics of the amplifier are selected in the same way as for urban conditions, and the suspension height is the same as for rural areas or approximately 10 meters.
One of the typical options for a summer residence is a “Double Square” antenna, simple and effective. If you cannot find such an antenna, you can purchase the Locus Meridian-60AF Turbo with a signal amplification of 31 dB.
Features of purchase and installation
Having decided on the type and model of the antenna, you should move on to the purchasing stage. To do this, you can contact any store that supplies electronics. It is advisable to choose a model that comes with fasteners. The remaining parts, including cable and adapters for multiple TVs, must be purchased separately.
In addition to choosing and purchasing an antenna, you should install it correctly in an apartment or on the street. The device can be attached to a wall, window or balcony frame. If the antenna is installed on a mast, it is recommended to fix it on a pipe with a diameter of 4-5 cm. The structure should remain motionless even under gusts of wind: in this case, the signal will be stable. Installation near surfaces that create interference, such as metal tiles and power lines, is not recommended.
World Vision Foros Combo
The appearance of this receiver immediately reveals that it belongs to the premium segment. Slightly rounded corners, a large display, beautiful buttons, the shape of the ventilation holes on the case - it looks solid, unlike the competitors presented in the rating above. The functionality has been expanded by installing a GX660 processor and the presence of 8 MB Flash and 64 MB RAM memory. Internet access is supported via a Wi-Fi adapter (not included). The manufacturer recommends using Ralink RT5370 or Mediatek MT7601, promising stable access to Youtube, Weather, IPTV player, Megogo, DVBFinder. There are 2 USB connectors: you can connect an adapter to one, and a flash drive to the other. The receiver has 2 built-in tuners: one for receiving satellite TV, the second for digital terrestrial and cable TV. In both cases, signal reception is stable. There is no composite output; instead, a 3.5 mm (mini-jack) and an adapter to RCA are offered. Price - 1310 rubles.
Pros:
- appearance;
- functionality (access to online video services);
- progressive scan;
- reliable signal reception in all digital TV standards;
- LED display;
- built-in power supply;
- recording and playing video from a flash drive;
- AC3 support.
Minuses:
- small remote control;
- short power cord;
- No HDMI cable included;
- sometimes it gets very hot and freezes;
- not enough memory;
- capable of understanding a limited number of USB Wi-Fi adapters.
A multifunctional device from a well-known telecommunications brand at a reasonable price. It clearly outperforms the previously presented consoles in terms of both design and multimedia capabilities. If possible, definitely choose this model. If you want to save money, consider Selenga HD950D - the most budget set-top box with network access. Models work cheaper to receive digital TV signals, but reception stability sometimes leaves much to be desired.
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