Digital set-top box. This is the name of the device for watching television in a modern format. Today, almost every home has a TV receiver, which means that this year many Russians will have to buy a tuner (receiver). These names are also used to refer to the same digital set-top box. How is analog television different from what is coming to replace it now?
Features
First of all, it is worth mentioning that in analog broadcasting, each channel has its own frequency. Digital stations are combined into so-called "multiplexes". These groups may also include digital radio stations. For example, now in Russia there are two multiplexes. The total number of TV channels in them is twenty. This also includes three digital radio stations: Radio Rossii, Vesti FM and Mayak. A digital set-top box is required to watch these multiplexes.
Internal and external models
SomeTVs have the ability to show TV in a modern format without the need to connect digital set-top boxes to them, since such a device is already built into them. How to find out if the TV model is endowed with such a function? To do this, you need to look at the instructions for the device. Information about this is often also indicated on the packaging of the product.
Broadcast standard
In addition to the information that the TV is equipped with a built-in digital set-top box, the documentation must also indicate the format that this device can work with. On the territory of Russia, digital television is broadcast in the DVB-T2 standard. The abbreviation can be deciphered as "digital television of the second generation" (short for English words). It will be possible to set up the reception of digital broadcasting only if the device is designed to work with this particular standard. If the instructions specify a different format, for example, DVB-C, then watching a new generation of television with its help is possible only on the territory of those countries where such a standard is adopted, but not in Russia.
If your TV has the function of viewing digital TV, then it remains only to set it up correctly. This procedure will be described in detail at the end of the article about digital set-top boxes. And now it's time to talk about what to do if the TV model is not equipped with a built-in device for receiving modern TV.
External device
In this case, you should consider buying a digital set-top box. Fortunately, there are a lot of such equipment in stores now. In addition, it is placed, as a rule, in a conspicuous place, since this product is inis currently in high demand and will not lose its popularity in the foreseeable future. Why? It is known that in the current 2019 they promise to fully complete the transition to digital television. Analogue broadcasting, which has existed in our country for more than half a century, will be gradually switched off.
The final cessation of this standard is scheduled for the summer months. At the end of this period, only regional channels will remain in analogue mode. But gradually they will also be transferred to digital. Therefore, you should not wait until your TV stops showing your favorite programs and think about purchasing a digital set-top box.
Variety of patterns
As a rule, TV tuners differ from each other in the presence or absence of certain additional functions. The most useful of them can be considered the recording of TV programs, as well as "Time Shift" - a shift in the time of the show. Also, it may not be superfluous to be able to play various media files (video, audio, photo). Some set-top boxes can be connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi, which allows you to watch videos.
But if these functions do not interest you, then you can safely buy one of the most affordable models, the main thing is that the device provides stable signal reception.
Connection
After purchasing the model they like, the user, as a rule, is faced with the problem of how to connect a digital set-top box.
First of all,it is necessary to connect to it an antenna capable of receiving television waves in the decimeter range. Such devices are not uncommon, since some analog channels were transmitted at the same frequencies. When the antenna is connected through a special "jack" on the back of the device, it's time to "docking" the set-top box and TV.
How to connect a digital set-top box to a TV? Most often, an HDMI or RCA connector is intended for this purpose (which the Russian people gave the beautiful nickname "tulip"). If the connectors on the TV and the receiver do not match, then the connection can be made using an adapter. If you have a stereo system, then it can be connected to the set-top box through the tulip connector.
When all the above steps are completed, it remains only to figure out how to set up a digital set-top box.
Settings
The easiest option is to use the automatic channel search called up using the menu. If it fails, then the broadcast frequencies in your area will need to be specified manually.
After that, the connection process can be considered complete, the same can be said about the article, which briefly talked about digital set-top boxes.
