Best Digital TV Set-Top Boxes 2022

Top 10 rating according to “KP”

1. Apple TV 4K (average price – 14 thousand rubles)

This multimedia set-top box with great features will suit not only Apple fans, but also other users. It connects to a TV or other device via an HDMI interface. The device can work not only with widescreen options, but also with standard definition TVs.

Apple TV 4K is the fifth generation set-top box. With it, you can conveniently play content from iTunes, duplicate the screen of MacBook and other iOS devices, launch applications from the App Store and go to the website of the desired TV channel to start broadcasting the TV signal online.

Advantages and disadvantages

2. Nvidia Shield TV (average price – 14 thousand rubles)

Nvidia Shield TV runs Android TV. The set-top box is perfect for watching TV in 4K resolution with HDR support, as well as movies from storage media.

In addition, the device is designed for those who like to play on the big screen. All thanks to NVIDIA GameStream gaming service and GeForce Now mode.

Overall, this is one of the most multi-tasking devices on the market: it can be used as a media player for local files, set-top box for OTT services and a game console.

Advantages and disadvantages

3. Xiaomi Mi Box International Version (average price – 6 thousand rubles)

Another option running Android TV. It also allows you to connect to YouTube, Google Play Movies, Netflix, iVi and other services, install game applications and listen to music. In short, everything that a smartphone can do is only on the big screen.

The model supports 3D video playback and 2160p 4K UHD format. And with the help of the Wi-Fi module, it is easily integrated into the home Internet space. The set-top box is running the Android 6.0 operating system, and the data processing speed is provided by the AMLogic S905X processor and 2 GB of RAM.

Advantages and disadvantages

4. Galaxy Innovations Phoenix (average price – 5 thousand rubles)

A solid combined HD receiver, which is currently capable of receiving almost all broadcasting standards. The device is based on a dual-core processor ALi3516, which can work with DDR3 RAM.

GI Phoenix plays TV channels both in normal quality and in Full HD high-definition format. It perfectly receives terrestrial and cable TV channels of digital television and, in the presence of an external drive, records and plays media files in a variety of formats. And when connected to the network, you have access to the weather forecast, reading the news, watching videos on Youtube, as well as movies and programs from various services.

Advantages and disadvantages

5. Harper HDT2-1512 (average price – 2 thousand rubles)

The budget option surprises with the support of HDTV standards – high-definition television. In addition, the HDT2-1512 has a TimeShift function that allows you to pause the live broadcast to continue watching at a convenient time.

The receiver also works as a media player, plays audio and video content, as well as images from external media. There are also basic features – recording programs on a timer and parental control.

Advantages and disadvantages

6. Dune HD Duo 4K (average price – 40 thousand rubles)

Dune HD Duo 4K is the ideal media player for playing not only TV but also your home video and audio collection.

The VXP-powered video processor provides professional studio-level video processing, while the powerful ESS SABRE32 Reference delivers high-quality analog audio outputs. In addition, the device uses the MVC codec, which allows you to play 3D video. In general, a model for real fans of quality.

Advantages and disadvantages

7. Skyway Play (average price – 4 thousand rubles)

Skyway Play is a great assistant for any TV, from “grandmother’s” to modern 4K resolution. This is an Android box with 8GB storage and 1GB RAM. A quad-core processor from Hisilicon is responsible for all computing processes.

The performance is enough to play media in almost any format, including the new Ultra HD with 4K support. With Skyway Play, you can also watch movies in online cinemas and other services. And if the standard package is not enough, there are many other ways to connect to IPTV and OTT television, including in HD format.

Advantages and disadvantages

8. Google Chromecast Ultra (average price – 8 thousand rubles)

The most compact media player in the collection also boasts support for 4K content. It connects directly to the TV, but does not have its own interface – you need to choose what to watch on your smartphone or other device.

You can also send videos to Chromecast and from your computer or laptop. And despite being a Google device, it works with iPhones, iPads, Android mobile devices, as well as Macs, Windows computers, and Chromebooks.

Advantages and disadvantages

9. Oriel 421 (average price – 1,5 thousand rubles)

This receiver is used to receive cable (DVB-C) and digital (DVB-T2) TV broadcasts. The digital receiver works with Wi-Fi, which means that IPTV, YouTube, Megogo, RSS and many other applications will become available to the user.

Using the USB input, the user will be able to watch movies and series from a flash drive or hard drive. And the TimeShift function will allow you to pause the on-air TV show in order to return to viewing when it is convenient.

Advantages and disadvantages

10. D-Color DC1302HD (average price – 1,4 thousand rubles)

The budget receiver is intended exclusively for viewing digital television. The device has support for DVB-T and DVB-T2 standards, and in addition to analogues, it has a built-in player that can read files from USB Flash drives up to two terabytes in size.

Also DC1302HD has support for all popular audio and video codecs, as well as the function of recording TV programs. The TimeShift function allows the user to pause playback, and the Dolby Digital chip removes any sound restrictions for comfortable movie viewing.

Advantages and disadvantages

How to choose a set-top box for digital television

Today, there is a huge range of set-top boxes for digital television on the market. Such devices allow you to expand the capabilities of not only modern widescreen monitors and plasmas, but also TVs of an older year. “KP” gives advice on choosing a prefix.

Device brand

The brand plays an important role when choosing a console. Recently, many Chinese devices have appeared on the market, many of which cannot be called high-quality. Conversely, manufacturers with a name do not often allow themselves to launch their new models on the market. Therefore, pay attention to reviews about the model, country of manufacture and release date.

Warranty

Not all manufacturers are willing to give long-term warranties for their devices. Choose those options that offer at least 1-2 years of warranty service. And if the company, in principle, does not give guarantees, we can safely talk about the low quality of the receiver.

Specifications

Experts recommend paying attention to models that allow you to record video from the screen to removable media or a hard drive, set a recording delay or stop the show during a live broadcast. Thanks to these technical features, you can record movies and programs that go at an inconvenient time for the user.

Movie lovers should buy a set-top box for receiving digital terrestrial television with HD support.

Convenient menu

Here it is important that the set-top box has not only a convenient control panel, but also a panel with the main buttons on its body. This is insurance in case of loss of the remote control, and just an additional way to control.

Also note that the menu should not be only in a foreign language. A good manufacturer will take care of the issue of how users will deal with the controls, so the absence of the language may indicate a poor quality of the receiver.