Digital TV set-top boxes: how to choose

A digital set-top box (also called a receiver or tuner) will soon be required by all owners of televisions with standard analogue DVB-T transmission - this format is morally outdated. In the near future, our country is planning a massive transition to DVB-T2 (a standard widely accepted in Europe) - the most modern format for digital broadcasting.

Which console should I choose?

If you are the owner of an old TV model that is not equipped with a built-in DVB-T2 receiver, you will have to either change the TV or purchase a set-top box. The tuner will significantly expand the capabilities of your TV.

Thanks to innovations in the field of digital technology, signal transmission in a new format can be carried out in HD and 3-D quality. It all depends on your TV - of course, if you have an elderly veteran “living” with a picture tube and an outdated audio system, it will be impossible to fully appreciate the delights of the new television broadcasting format. But if you once purchased a completely modern TV (PDP or LCD), with a decent screen resolution and a large diagonal, the tuner will reveal all the possibilities of digital broadcasting for you.

Types of consoles

Today on the market you can find two current types of set-top boxes that expand the range of capabilities of a standard TV. This:

1. DVB-T2,
2. Smart TV (IPTV).

The DVB-T2 digital tuner has the following advantages:

• you will be able to watch 10 channels for free (of course, all-Russian channels - this includes news, and various information and educational channels);
• there are more channels in the broadcast package;
• various additional information is transmitted in digital packets;
• The tuner is easy to use - it is easy to connect, configure and control.

IMPORTANT. The broadcast of ten public entertainment channels still depends on the region - in some places, work is only underway on the construction of television towers.

The capabilities of the tuner depend on the proximity of the tower broadcasting the signal - if you live far from it, you will have to additionally purchase an amplifier.

The Smart-TV digital receiver will interest you if you cannot imagine life without the Internet. In addition, current media technologies can no longer do without it. Many TV channels have long had their own portals on the network. With a smart receiver, you can use the network to watch TV without having to purchase a new and expensive TV model with built-in smart functionality. Hence the question arises, which receiver is better to buy.

Pros of Smart TV:

• you will really save money if you purchase this set-top box in addition to your existing TV instead of buying a new TV;
• you will get access to all the “riches” of the Internet - various services and content repositories;
• the need to download films, educational videos, clips and other video content to your computer and copy to media will disappear;
• it will be possible to independently create a local network in order to watch films, videos and photos from your computer on a large TV screen;
• Android OS provides access to various applications and games on the same platform.

IMPORTANT. Connecting a smart set-top box yourself is usually not difficult, but you will have to work hard with additional characteristics. If you are comfortable with modern technologies, great; if not, it is better to entrust the setup to a specialist.

Producing countries

If you analyze the situation on the console market in Russia, you can see that the main place in it is occupied by the following manufacturing countries:

1. China (and this is the most budget-friendly product, the choice of which is very large);
2. Russia (domestic manufacturers have firmly occupied their niche);
3. Japan.

There are a lot of Chinese consoles with tempting prices on the market, but in order not to buy a completely vague noname, focus on the BBK and Xiaomi brands - their tuners, at least, receive good reviews. If you definitely want to buy a Japanese tuner, pay attention to the products of the Supra company. Recommended Russian manufacturers:

• Oriel,
• D-COLOR,
• TESLER,
• Rolsen,
• World Vision.

By the way, if you see a Telefunken brand set-top box, do not mistake it for a German product. Under a licensing agreement, electronics under this brand are produced in Russia.

IMPORTANT. Remember that the main evidence of a brand’s reliability is its transparency: information about reputable manufacturers is always available on the Internet, where you can also read reviews of their products and ratings.

What can digital set-top boxes do?

DVBT-2:

1. digitizes broadcast television;
2. allows you to record the desired TV programs onto a USB drive;
3. plays multimedia files from a USB drive;
4. makes it possible to watch TV broadcasts at your convenience (TimeShift delayed viewing option).

Smart-TV is essentially a miniature computer with an OS - usually Android, but it can also be Windows or Linux. To connect to the Internet, use a regular cable connector or a Wi-Fi adapter.

1. allows you to watch TV programs, movies, any video content (but without recording to external media);
2. provides access to video hosting sites on the Internet;
3. makes it possible to browse the web, communicate on social networks and instant messengers (Scype and similar programs) - you can attach a keyboard to the receiver;

Through applications, you can download and install your favorite games on the cloud or disk (the tuner in this case works as a game console with image output on the TV screen, in this case you will also need a keyboard).

Smart set-top boxes come in two types: TV stick (looks like a flash drive, has a minimal number of ports) and more expensive TV boxes (looks like a router, more reliable in operation, as they are cooled inside using radiators). TV boxes sometimes already have a keyboard.

Connection interfaces

You can connect external devices to any current receiver using standard connectors; you can figure them out easily.

Nuances:

• if you want to watch media programs in high quality and the same resolution, check if there is an HDMI connector or YpbPr video output;
• free channels are not the limit of your desires, and you want to connect yourself to several different thematic 3D or HDTV packages for an additional fee? You need a CI slot to be present (a special module with a card is placed there - it provides access to encrypted channels);
• If you want to connect an HDD or flash drive to the tuner and watch recordings on them, check if there is a USB port.

IMPORTANT. HD fans! Receivers that support Quard HD and FULL HD will suit you best.
Rating of consoles

It is extremely difficult to compile some top digital set-top boxes - as many users as there are requirements for this type of equipment. What is quite suitable for one person may not be suitable for another: when choosing a device, people take into account the quality of reception, support for certain codecs (or lack thereof), ease of settings, ergonomics of the remote control and other characteristics. Therefore, the reviews make a mixed impression.

Among simple and budget receivers with DVB-T2 support, users noted the following models:

1. VVK SMP145HDT2;
2. Oriel 421, 202 and 120;
3. D-COLOR DC1301HD.

Of the multifunctional devices noted:

• World Vision Foros Combo T2/S2 and Premium;
• VVK SMP240HDT2;
• Telefunken TF-DVBT210;
• Oriel 963;
• D-COLOR DC1302.

The best Smart-TV tuners:

• two Xiaomi models - Mi Box International Version and Mi Box 3 Enhanced Edition (for Android);
• M8 Android TV Box;
• two “apples” - Apple TV 4K and TV Gen 4 32GB.

IMPORTANT. Familiarize yourself with the functionality of the product in as much detail as possible before purchasing it; it is also advisable to take into account the experience of previous buyers - reviews on the Internet will help you.

From them you can learn not only about the advantages and disadvantages of a particular model - users often share their impressions about the features of connection and configuration, this information may be useful to you.

What to look for when purchasing

Have you decided to purchase a receiver and don’t want to overpay? When choosing your option, pay attention to the following important nuances:

Standard, screen resolution.The main thing you need is support for the DVB-T2 format (don’t buy with DVB-T - it’s a waste of money, the format will soon become completely irrelevant). Also, don't invest in an HDTV device if your TV's screen resolution is standard definition TV (SDTV). The same applies to 3D - why do you need this function if the TV does not reproduce a three-dimensional image?

Control features. As a rule, every decent tuner comes with a remote control. But look at the front panel of the set-top box: are there “main” control buttons there - on/off, changing channels. They will be very useful if the remote control gets lost or breaks and you don’t have time to find a new one.

Multimedia formats. If you plan to use the receiver as a multimedia player, pay attention to what video and audio processing formats it supports. Look for formats you are familiar with: MP3 and MP4, MPEG, MPEG4, AVI, DivX, WAV and others like that.

Additional options. Check to see if your tuner has a TimeShift feature—if it does, you won't have to worry about missing an important show, an episode of a great TV series, or a crucial sports match. In this case, connect an external storage medium with the required amount of memory to the receiver via USB. Next, use the scheduler function and set the exact start and end time of the recording. And then you can leave with peace of mind and watch the recording of the desired TV program later.

IMPORTANT. For your own psychological comfort, check in advance where the service center or technical support is located. Protect yourself from possible problems: manufacturing defects, difficulties with fine settings (especially for smart consoles).