Overview of digital set-top boxes for TV

An increasing number of people are seeing the benefits of using DVB-T2 digital terrestrial television. This broadcast standard came to the masses in 2015, featuring a high-quality image. With its help, the capabilities of technically obsolete televisions have expanded. To get the advantages of such a device, you need to understand the question - “which digital set-top box is better now”, which will be discussed in the article.

Appearance

What is the point of installing the tuner

A set-top box is necessary to expand the capabilities of classic broadcasting. This is a compact device whose functions allow you to:

• Digitize broadcast television broadcasting;
• Play multimedia data from USB-carriers;
• Record TV programs to a flash drive (.ts format);
• Pause live broadcasts;
• TimeShift - function of delayed viewing.

It happens that the DVB-T2 standard is already supported by the TV, but even in this case it is beneficial to use the tuner for a number of reasons.

Smart TV set-top boxes - a new type of device with advanced functionality. They allow you to watch videos online, visit web pages and much more. There are two types of their work:

• They store files and programs on the built-in hard drive. To start using, just install a special application;
• All files are stored on the "cloud" - storage on the network. An internet connection is required to access it.

The best digital set-top boxes display all the information of Internet resources on a large screen TV. Modern tuners support various memory cards and existing formats. A game can be installed on the built-in disk or in the “cloud”, which will turn the TV set-top box into a console. A keyboard is easily connected to the tuner to communicate with friends via Skype or another messenger. The following connectors are used to connect digital television: VGA, HDMI, AV.

Smart tuners with dual or quad core processors quickly and efficiently process information and load web pages.

Connecting a device opens up new features

Subtleties of the choice of consoles

Before considering the TOP of digital set-top boxes, you need to understand that each country has its own standard for broadcasting. The option for Russia supports the following digital broadcasts:

• DVB-S2, DVB-S - satellite broadcasting. It is realized by connecting the receiver to a satellite dish. To decode blocked channels you have to purchase a card;
• DVB-C - only packages provided by the regional cable provider are available for broadcast. A provider cable is connected to the TV;
• DVB-T2 - Launches on-air digital broadcasting. To receive a signal, it is enough to install a regular indoor antenna. To receive digital television DVB T2, you do not need to buy other equipment.

What model to pay attention to

When buying suitable equipment, one must not forget about the appropriate broadcast standard. Each console has its own list of characteristics. And for the choice to be right, you should understand the varieties, because it is easy to overpay for unnecessary functions. Consider the main selection criteria:

• Standard and resolution;
• Multimedia formats. A modern set-top box is capable of not only showing digital broadcasts, but also working as a video player, for which a USB drive is connected to the device. This allows you to watch your desired movies or programs at any time, naturally stored in advance.It is better to choose those tuner models that support a larger number of available formats;
• Control. A convenient control panel comes complete with all consoles, but it is important that there is the ability to switch channels, turn the device on and off with the buttons located on its body;
• Interface. Almost all models have the same interfaces, but it is better to give preference to those where there are HDMI and USB sockets. This will allow you to enjoy maximum transmission quality;
• A set of additional features. The parameter is optional, but in some cases facilitates the use of the console. For example, the popular TimeShift function makes it possible to pause live broadcast and continue viewing at any convenient time.

What you need to connect and configure the tuner

Connecting and setting up equipment is straightforward. To connect to the TV, “tulips”, VGA or HDMI connectors are used (the latter is characterized by high transmission quality). It happens that the tuner is not equipped with suitable cables, which you need to ask at the time of purchase.

The setup is also not complicated. The antenna cable is connected to the tuner, after which the latter starts the scan mode, which will find all available channels. After that, the settings are saved. If you need to adjust the broadcast, visual tracks are available that display the quality of wave capture.

All necessary connectors for connection

How many channels can I watch through the console

When buying a digital receiver, a person is interested in what channels he can watch. In Russia, this is the first and second multiplex with the following main broadcasts: NTV, ORT, Russia channel. Free, as a rule, about 16 broadcasts. If you use the services provided by the cable provider, the number of broadcasts reaches 250. The cost of packages depends on the place of residence and the conditions of a particular operator.

TOP TV tuners for DVB-T2 standard

BBK SMP240HDT2

The BBK set-top box for digital TV transmits video in the following formats: MPEG-2 and MPEG-4, while the airtime is protected from distortion and possible noise. When watching TV through this tuner, the user does not have to face such problems as ripples on the screen or interference. The picture will always remain as clear as possible.

To get high quality images, no special cables or satellite dishes are needed. A regular indoor or outdoor antenna will be enough. The brand opens up additional opportunities for users: the presence of an interactive menu Electronic Program Guide - a kind of program guide.

Benefits:

• The prefix for viewing digital channels stably receives a high-quality signal;
• Availability of the TimeShift function;
• You can connect external media via the USB port.

BBK Tuner Model

Oriel 202

A kind of simplified set-top box, providing access to digital broadcasting. All that is needed to get started is to connect the receiver to the TV, and the antenna to the device. Due to the presence of a USB port, a flash drive is connected to the device, on which any films, series or TV shows can be recorded. If desired, digital air recording is available through the “delayed viewing” function.

Oriel 202

Benefits:

• Easy to connect and use;
• There is a USB port;
• Availability.

Disadvantages:

• In the process, it can heat up;
• There are no control buttons on the case;
• Not the most convenient remote;
• Not all audio formats are supported.

Tesler DSR-11

This model of a TV tuner is dressed in a stylish white case, under which modern technologies are hidden. Thanks to the USB port, the set-top box is easily used as a media player. When buying, you need to know that the device is available in the market in 2 versions: if the case is not marked “Dolby Digital Plus”, then the console will not support sound when playing .mkv video format. I would like to add that the version with support for the AC3 codec is more common.The device is characterized by low cost and excellent quality of digital signal reception.

Tesler DSR-11

Benefits:

• Low price;
• The tuner has a good sensitivity indicator;
• All the necessary popular connectors are present;
• Attractive appearance.

Disadvantages:

• There is a modification of the device that does not support the AC3 codec;
• The remote control is not the most convenient.

Sven EASY SEE-150 DD LED

The peculiarity of this device is that it transmits high-quality sound. And thanks to the built-in media player, you can watch any movies and shows in popular formats. By inserting a USB flash drive into a special connector, it’s easy to record live broadcasts, which is available due to the “delayed viewing” function.

Benefits:

• High quality audio and video;
• The device supports updates;
• Can record TV broadcast;
• Turns on quickly;
• A large number of connectors.

Disadvantages:

• The infrared receiver has a small range of action.

Popular console from Sven

TELEFUNKEN TF-DVBT205

In this line, the TELEFUNKEN device is characterized by the greatest number of functions. Among them: recording live broadcasts, viewing video files through a media player and so on. The device copes with its tasks perfectly, but sometimes certain bugs slip: for example, in a shared directory with a video some file may not be displayed.

TELEFUNKEN TF-DVBT205

Benefits:

• There are all the necessary connectors;
• The media player “sees” all popular formats;
• High sensitivity;
• The remote control is comfortable to hold in your hand.

Disadvantages:

• High cost;
• Insufficient network cable length.

Conclusion

In this article, we figured out the question - how to choose a digital set-top box for ourselves and what to look for when buying. The user needs to determine the necessary broadcast standard and select the digital set-top box, the functions of which will be enough for a pleasant and useful pastime. Many tuners have many built-in utilities that the user simply may not need, and you have to pay extra for them.