Useful Tips

HOW TO CHOOSE TV BOX - which TV box to choose for digital TV, reviews

Depending on the model, the digital tuner (aka a receiver, aka a TV receiver) is capable of receiving three signals.

  • Terrestrial - through a decimeter antenna. This signal is received by DVB-T, DVB-T2 tuners. The second is an advanced digital broadcasting standard with the MPEG-4 compression algorithm.
  • Satellite - via a parabolic antenna. Catch DVB-S and DVB-S2 tuners.
  • Digital cable TV - via DVB-C tuners and updated - DVB-C2.

Receivers are designed for one type of signal (for example, DVB-T2), for two and for all at once - the so-called Combo. If you only have a decimeter antenna at your disposal, and there are no plans to change anything in the future, it is wise to choose the T2 tuner. In other modifications, the TV box is also a functional media center. You will be able to watch videos from external media, record TV shows, listen to music. And what is important - get access to YouTube, IPTV, on-line cinemas, social networks, Skype.

Choosing a TV box: 3 tips

If you need a set-top box for a minimum set of free channels, we recommend choosing a DVB-T2 receiver. Consider three parameters.

Case and power supply

  • A tiny body is not the best choice. The more voluminous the console, the more impressive the motherboard in it. Accordingly, better heat dissipation.
  • An external power supply is easier to replace in the event of a breakdown, but the built-in one is more reliable and of better quality (controlled by the manufacturer).
  • Lots of ventilation holes, a metal case with a built-in power supply is a great option.
  • The console should have a good response. The one that is programmed is generally chic!

Connection

First, take a look at the connectors on your TV.

  • There is an HDMI output - what you need, high-quality picture and sound are provided.
  • There is only RCA (tulip) - no problem. After analog television, this is already a fairy tale.
  • There is only a SCART connector - then complete with an adapter.

If the kit does not include a cable, but the connection is available, buy the missing one. For everything to work exactly, the antenna must be decimeter, and the transmitter must be directed to the nearest settlement. (Author's note: the receiver is the antenna, and the transmitters are located throughout the country. It is important that the transmitter signal reaches the antenna, each has its own range (30, 50 or 100 km), the trick is to direct the antenna where the signal will be maximum. It is desirable, with a minimum of obstacles (big cities), or at least get into the range of the repeater (villages, small towns)).

Additional features

  • The presence of a USB connector (s) will be a plus. You can watch a video or photo from a flash drive.
  • Dolbi Digital (AC3) audio support speaks for itself. Turn it on and listen to yourself with pleasure! Examples of good models are the Eurosky ES-18 and the World Vision T62A.

How to choose a TV tuner: for satellite signal and not only

If you need a receiver for a satellite dish or want to add functionality, take note of the 5 characteristics described below. And yes, do not ignore the three points that are described above.

  • DVB-S, DVB-S2 (satellite) and Combo models accept terrestrial (DVB-T2) and cable (DVB-C, DVB-C2) signals.
  • The USB 2.0 connector is good, the USB 3.0 connector is excellent.
  • WiFi module (no extra wires) and / or LAN port give faster speed and reliable connection. The main thing is to have a good home Internet that will pull YouTube, IPTV and Megogo.
  • CI + for the CAM module is required when connecting conditional access cards. Opening up encrypted channels would be a plus.
  • The more processor performance and system memory, the better. Examples of good satellite tuners Openbox S3 CI HD and Sat-Integral S-1412HD Rocket.

Which tuner is better to buy to make the TV also SMART

When the TV with a large diagonal is not SMART, buy a Smart set-top box. True, the price of such models is higher, but not comparable to the cost of a new "smart" TV.

7 features of consoles with SMART.

  1. Powerful multi-core processor (2, 4, 8 cores). The higher the clock speed, the more productive.
  2. Minimum 1-2 GB of RAM and 8-16 GB of permanent memory, expandable. Because the processor and memory affect the performance, speed and compatibility with Internet services and applications. These parameters distinguish a normal TV from a SMART.
  3. The presence of a LAN-port, which gives a faster and more reliable wired connection in comparison with WiFi.
  4. Support for the H.265 codec (HEVC) is important for video content (UltraHD, sometimes 4K is mentioned for advertising purposes).
  5. The presence of a CI + slot will be a plus.
  6. UltraHD-resolution (3840 x 2160) is good for TV with large diagonals.
  7. Reception of terrestrial, satellite, cable channels favorably distinguishes such set-top boxes from IPTV - set-top boxes that do not work without the Internet. We recommend Uclan Ustym 4K Pro and Openbox AS4K CI Pro.

Which receiver to choose for digital TV: table

Prefixes"Pros"

"Minuses"

First level

  • Simple, inexpensive
  • Watching terrestrial or satellite TV for free + viewing photos or videos from USB
Minimum functions

Basic approach

  • Budget price, advanced features
  • Watching terrestrial, satellite, cable TV for free and / or paid
  • Viewing / recording content from / to external media
  • Access to Internet resources (YouTube, Megogo, IPTV)
  • The processor is weak
  • Out of memory
  • The functionality is significantly reduced
Smart consoles

  • Powerful processor, RAM
  • Wide opportunities for viewing terrestrial, satellite and Internet television
  • Viewing, recording high-quality video content (UltraHD), Internet resources (Kodi, Skype, social networks), games, reading books
Higher price

Reviews of set-top boxes for digital TV

Alyona, review of Geotex GTX-35: “Works well, tuned by itself when turned on».

Vladimir, comments on Uclan Ustym 4K Pro: “With wicardd 1.19, c oscam works with a bang! It is activated and installed even through the mobile version of total comander. Flexible settings, online firmware is updated daily, you can install any emulator from a flash drive».

Shishko Viktor Mykolajovych, Openbox S3 CI HD: "Very good receiver, shows the necessary channels. I bought this receiver precisely because it supports MPEG-4 and has a CI slot. This is with the expectation of the future, so that later you will not buy a new receiver. I stitched it myself, I downloaded the channel base myself, though I had to google it almost a day, but I set it up for myself and plowed. Fortunately, there is a USB on the receiver - it saved, without it I would not have found any sense there, but so I inserted a USB flash drive with the necessary program, and installed what was required».

Interesting article: "Projector or TV: which is better"

Watch the video: how DVB-C differs from DVB-T

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