5 rules for choosing a digital set-top box for your TV

*Overview of the best according to the editors of Healthy Food Near Me. About selection criteria. This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

The digital set-top box allows you to watch TV programs in high quality and expands the number of channels available for viewing. Today we will tell you what types of TV tuners are and what you need to pay attention to when buying.

The best manufacturers of digital TV set-top boxes

The most popular receiver manufacturers are:

  1. BBK;

  2. Lumax;

  3. Aver Media Nechnologies;

  4. Harper;

  5. Sven;

  6. Oriel;

  7. D-color;

  8. Skytech;

  9. Telephunken.

Types of digital set-top boxes

Terrestrial DVB-T/DVB-T2

According to the Federal program “Development of TV and radio broadcasting in the Russian Federation for 2009-2018”, outdated analog television is being replaced everywhere by the new broadcasting standard – DVB-T2. If the TV does not support this format, a dedicated DVB-T2 receiver is used.

The DVB-T2 digital format allows you to get a clearer picture (for example, HD formats up to 1,920 by 1080 pixels), compared to the outdated analog (720 by 576 pixels). It also enhances audio quality (produces surround or stereo sound if you have the right hardware) and makes it possible to watch videos with subtitles in multiple languages.

DVB-T2 is the latest digital terrestrial television broadcasting standard. Adopted by many European and Asian countries, it provides a higher bit rate than its predecessor, DVB-T, making it more suitable for HDTV signal transmission.

Advantages

  1. High quality sound and picture (SDTV, HDTV, UHDTV, 3D-TV formats);

  2. No subscription required;

  3. Multifunctionality – recording a movie on removable media, stopping a TV program while watching (Timeshift function), digital broadcasting, high-speed Internet access, etc .;

  4. The signal is caught using a conventional television antenna;

  5. Expansion of the number of channels, compared with analog television;

  6. Ease of use.

Disadvantages

  1. The population living at a great distance from the place of signal transmission needs to use additional amplifiers.

Interactive IPTV

Digital set-top boxes that support IPTV or interactive TV allow you to use the World Wide Web to watch TV programs and videos. With their help, you can play games, communicate in social networks, choose a package of channels that is not tied to broadcasting standards.

In addition, using the IPTV receiver, you can use Time Shift, watch videos from a USB drive, listen to the radio, study the program using the TV guide.

Advantages

  1. Watching TV programs and videos in high quality HD;

  2. Dolby Digital 5.1 sound support;

  3. The digital set-top box connects to almost all TVs;

  4. More than 150 channels, including on-air (the number depends on the provider);

  5. Lots of extra features.

Disadvantages

  1. When the provider’s server is overloaded, the picture may “slow down”;

  2. The use and configuration of numerous IPTV functions causes difficulties for “non-advanced” users.

DVB-C / DVB-C2

DVB-C/DVB-C2 digital set-top boxes provide viewing of channels (including on-air) provided by the cable provider.

Advantages

  1. High quality picture;

  2. A large number of channels (depending on the provider);

  3. Watch TV programs with subtitles;

  4. Ease of use and connection.

Disadvantages

  1. Picture and sound quality varies by provider.

DVB-S/DVB-S2

DVB-S/DVB-S2 receivers support satellite broadcasting. TV channels are selected by the user according to their preferences and financial capabilities.

Advantages

  1. Broadcast video standard (SDTV) and high definition (HDTV);

  2. Support for XNUMXD TV;

  3. Additional features: TV guide, subtitle viewing, teletext, etc.

Disadvantages

  1. To receive the signal, additional equipment is installed: cable, satellite dish, bracket, etc.

  2. Often there is a need to reconfigure satellite equipment;

  3. Expensive service.

How to choose a digital set-top box – practical tips

Choose digital set-top boxes that support DVB-T2, not DVB-T. The outdated DVB-T broadcasting standard will soon lose its relevance and will not be used;

Don’t buy fancy receivers that support HDTV quality or 3D TV if you have an older TV that only supports standard SDTV.

If you plan to use a digital TV set-top box to watch movies or listen to music from removable media, make sure the receiver supports the correct format. For example, to view images, a TV tuner must “read” JPEG, RAW formats, and for video, AVI, MPEG4, etc.

Most consoles are controlled using the remote control. However, when the remote is broken or lost, the receiver turns into a useless “box”. Therefore, choose models that can be controlled by pressing the buttons on the receiver itself.

Consider the receiver’s connector type for connecting to the TV. He can be:

  1. RCA is a classic. Provides average signal quality. Suitable for most older TV models. If it is used by modern devices, the resolution will not exceed 720 pixels.

  2. SCART – Suitable for most TV models. Provides high quality signal.

  3. HDMI – transmits a signal with a high resolution. Suitable for modern TVs.

  4. S-Video – provides signal transmission worse than HDMI, but better than SCART.

Before buying, study what additional features this or that set-top box offers. This can be Internet access, video recording, the ability to play games, etc. Make sure you need these features. The price of the device depends on the number of additional features.

Attention! This material is subjective, is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to the purchase. Before buying, you need to consult with a specialist.

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