Set-top boxes of "Rostelecom" have been actively used relatively recently. Initially, many people started by connecting IPTV of some companies, the most acceptable of which could only be called Beeline. After many of these companies were reorganized and turned into part of Rostelecom, the entire service was completely rebooted, in particular, many new specialists were invited, the Smartlabs platform was acquired, and software was developed that has a single interface for all currently used models of IPTV set-top boxes. In other words, in order to launch really high-quality set-top boxes of Rostelecom, they did quite a serious job, although the service was fine-tuned to an ideal state and continues to this day.
At the moment, the company is betting heavily on developing the digital television service, and at the same time, in almost every way, it is trying to fight to ensure that new users are constantly connected to it. That is why Rostelecom set-top boxes are becoming more and more popular. People try likeyou can learn more about the main features of the service from this company.
SML-482 HD
Technically, such devices can be called the most modern and advanced among all those used by Rostelecom. The most powerful processor, the maximum amount of RAM and a fairly compact body - these are the main advantages of the SML-482 HD, which distinguish the device from the rest. No special problems were found in the process of using this set-top box by users, and they are extremely rarely returned with various malfunctions or defects. It is worth noting that with the release of this SML-482 HD, the company began to gradually introduce the 3D TV support service and other more advanced services.
SML-282 HD Base
This attachment is almost identical to the SML-292 Premium, and the differences between them are quite minor. Outwardly, they are approximately the same - the premium model, which provides digital TV, has two USB connectors versus one for the standard one, while it is worth noting that it represents slightly more powerful hardware and differs in support for USB-Wi-Fi modules. A good set-top box with excellent hardware potential. There is also no information that these Rostelecom set-top boxes are often defective or of poor build quality.
Infomir MAG-250
Sufficiently long time set-top box of this modelis widely used. It is worth noting that many people connected digital TV from those companies that later joined Rostelecom, but at the same time they had already installed such set-top boxes. If we consider the device from a hardware point of view, then it has definitely not exhausted itself yet, and the only complaint that has not been corrected to this day is the relatively weak fastening of the power connector, as well as the connector through which the cable is connected to the TV. In this regard, quite often this TV set-top box is simply returned by many users, as subscribers can accidentally break the connector out of the mount.
One of the most significant software features of this device is that it can be flashed using standard firmware from Infomir, and then used as a standard media player with the ability to download a playlist and watch any digital television channels without any restrictions. It should be noted that initially the supply of this equipment was carried out only with software and a remote control from Infomir, but over time, MAG-250 TV set-top boxes began to be supplied with a proprietary remote control from Rostelecom.
Infomir MAG-200
This model began to spread quite widely during the rise of Rostelecom and its distribution of digital television throughout the country, but it should be noted that the model itself is already obsolete, so subscribers describeddevices are practically not issued. At the same time, the set-top box for television can be used to this day, moreover, using native firmware from Infomir, it allows you to watch any channels of modern digital TV without any restrictions using a preloaded playlist. The supply of such equipment was carried out exclusively with the proprietary remote control of the Infomir company, as well as with factory firmware. Further migration to the Smartlabs platform was carried out separately.
IPTV RT STB HD
If you remember the Infomir MAG-250 device, then almost immediately you can see absolutely identical characteristics with those offered by this prefix "Rostelecom". The instruction, software and remote control included in the package were used from Smartlabs, while recently a rather interesting feature of this equipment has begun to appear - when interacting with certain models of routers from Rostelecom, the device works at least strangely. In this regard, the set-top box must first be pre-flashed, and only then connected to the device. Otherwise, the Ethernet link on the router constantly starts to disappear on the port to which this device is connected. At the same time, it is worth noting that, for example, the standard Sagemcom router does not have such a problem at all, while the rev.1 model is already not showing its best side.
IPTV HD 101
Thisthe first prefix "Rostelecom" 2.0, which began to be delivered in a branded box with headphones. The bundle of this device includes an HDMI cable, but users often note that it does not always work correctly and appropriately. If we consider the hardware characteristics of this equipment, they are almost identical with the MAG-250 model, since there is absolutely the same processor, but there is almost twice as much RAM.
Prefixes can be attributed to the middle group in terms of quality, and from time to time they are delivered to service centers with various nutritional problems. It is also worth noting that they completely lack an internal portal, as a result of which the company almost immediately switched to connecting the Rostelecom set-top box of the IPTV HD 103 model, which had not only the standard version of the package, but also an additional Wi-Fi and mini.
Yuxing YX-6916A
Chinese made model. These set-top boxes can be called the first of their kind, which were supplied with an additional HDMI cable in the kit, and they were used even when Rostelecom did not acquire most companies in this area. It is worth noting the fact that the quality of such equipment is quite high, as evidenced by the almost complete absence of returns of such devices with defects, while they themselves have been working for several years without any complaints or complaints from users.
The only problem with thesedevices can be called the transition to software from Smartlabs, because of this it was necessary to carry out a complete flashing of devices manually. Another well-known nuisance is watching video using a USB connector, since there are a number of codecs that this Rostelecom set-top box does not support. The standard for her with such a disadvantage is the lack of sound when trying to view.
Motorola VIP1003
This model is available in small quantities. Over time, the company decided that this Rostelecom interactive set-top box would not be used, so it is currently being provided to users exclusively from old stocks. At the same time, it is worth noting that consumers almost never respond badly about the operation of this equipment - it functions clearly and without any problems.
Standard connection option
In the vast majority of cases, the set-top box is connected via an Ethernet cable, which the installer runs through the apartment to the TV from the router. The only drawback of such a scheme is that the LAN cable will need to be hidden somewhere, because otherwise the people living in this room will regularly stumble on it, but at the same time, the Rostelecom digital set-top box connects much more reliably via compared to other methods, and is also not so sensitive to all kinds of electromagnetic interference device.
Connect via Wi-Fi
Several different options can be used here.
The first one involves the use of specialized wireless media bridges of the Motorolla 2400 model, which are supplied by Rostelecom itself. The set-top box, the password for which can be found on its box, connects wirelessly, which greatly simplifies operation and makes the device more convenient to use.
The main advantage here is that to ensure multicast transmission using such a media bridge, the 5 GHz band is used, which is practically not used anywhere today. It is also worth noting that this model of equipment ensures the transmission of information over fairly large distances, by the standards of Wi-Fi. However, there are some disadvantages.
The first disadvantage is the considerable cost, which is approximately five thousand rubles for a set of two devices. Users call the second disadvantage that the equipment is not so easy to set up, because you need to perform a sufficiently large number of actions to ensure the coupling of two adapters.
As an alternative to such a device, you can use cheaper analogues that are produced under the brands TP-Link and D-Link, which will save a total of up to one and a half thousand rubles.
The second connection option is the use of a standard Wi-Fi module of the router, as well as an adapter from the set-top box itself. The main difficulty here is that the router must have the function of logically separating LAN ports from Wi-Fi. In addition to this, you will needtry to choose an adapter model with which the Rostelecom HD set-top box of your choice can interact normally. Although here you can go for some trick, and instead of a standard USB adapter, use a specialized access point that can work in Wi-Fi client mode.
How to do it?
After you are done with all the settings of the router you are using, you can start connecting your set-top box through it. First, connect your set-top box and router using a special patch cord. If you previously specified the port that will be used as a bridge, then in this case you will need to connect the cable to it.
Also connect your TV to the HDMI port on the set-top box. If you have previously tried to connect through any other interfaces, then in this case you will need to additionally configure the TV itself in order to switch it to using HDMI. In the end, just connect the device to the mains, then activate it.
The machine's login window will be displayed on the TV screen. After that, you need to specify the username and key that the provider provides to you during the process of concluding the contract. If you have forgotten this information, you can always find a copy of the contract, view the information in your personal account or check it with the technical support operator.
After entering all personal data, it will be possible to use the "IP-TV" service. It should be noted that some special settingsThe set-top box you purchased is not required to ensure the normal operation of this service. It is noteworthy that you almost immediately have the opportunity to use a special parental control system, integrate all kinds of social networking services, add a variety of weather widgets and a number of other interesting "chips".
Connection via electrical network with PowerLine PLC adapters
Such adapters allow the user to connect a full-fledged local network through an electrical one. The cost of a pair of devices in the kit will be approximately two and a half to three thousand rubles. The main advantage of using this option is that the data transmission reliability is comparable to the quality of a cable connection. The downside of this design is that if there are strong power surges in the mains, the adapters can simply burn out, and as a result, the risk of burning out the LAN port on the router or the set-top box used increases.
Can I connect IPTV without a set-top box?
Indeed, at the moment such an opportunity is provided. Recently, Rostelecom has begun to actively promote a new service that provides for subscribing to several packages of TV channels at once, and also allows you to watch digital TV directly through a laptop, computer, smartphone or tablet.
It is also worth noting that the Zabava application is being actively implemented by the company as pre-installed on many TVs from LG, and inIn the near future, it is also planned to additionally integrate it into equipment from Philips and Samsung. However, you need to understand correctly that you will not be able to connect digital TV services if you do not rent a TV set-top box, because the activation passport for this service provides for the mandatory provision of such a device to the subscriber for rent or full redemption.
Can I watch videos from a flash drive through a set-top box?
For quite a long time, user files contained on a flash drive were usually saved in the cloud, while each subscriber had the opportunity to place files up to 7 GB there or expand it up to 30 GB for a certain amount. Ultimately, the company faced such a problem that after downloading the video, it needed additional processing in order to then transfer it to the subscriber's screen. At the same time, transcoders could not cope with such a load, as a result of which the video was processed for several months. For this reason, the service quickly lost its popularity, and a lot of negative reviews appeared about it. That is why, since 2013, set-top boxes allow you to watch video files directly from USB drives without any problems.
Today, all set-top boxes can play video from USB drives, but there are some restrictions on the video and audio codecs used. So if you have such a problem that you have no sound when you try to play a movie, you can just try to compress it with some other codec.
How elseare these prefixes allowed?
This question is often asked by those subscribers who have already disconnected from the services of the Rostelecom company, but at the same time bought the set-top box and do not understand how it can be used with benefit. In fact, it is unlikely that it will be possible to apply it anywhere else, and the only exception here is perhaps devices from the Infomir company, as well as RT HD Standard, which, if desired, can be easily reflashed using standard software so that later you can was to use them as a standard media player.
It is also worth noting that some SML-282 and SML-482 models that have the MTS logo come across from time to time, and it is likely that in the future it will be possible to use such set-top boxes as devices from this operator, while the rest models will remain dead weight in any case.
Where can I download the firmware and how to use it?
Set-top boxes from Rostelecom are configured in such a way that after connecting to the provider's network, the special Smartlabs firmware is automatically downloaded and installed. At the same time, there is no way for subscribers to download this firmware on their own, and even if you have it on hand, it is unlikely that you will be able to upload it to the device on your own.
In order for your Wi-Fi set-top box to receive the necessary firmware, you just need to reboot it. When you turn it on again, the device will automatically check for new available software versions, andif there are any, the automatic update procedure will be activated. That is why, if you experience any problems during the operation of such equipment, first of all try to simply reboot it, as in many cases a standard firmware update to a newer version is required.
How to use the hard drive?
On a fairly large number of models of the proposed set-top boxes, it is possible to use an HDD format hard disk, but many users do not know how it can be usefully used. First of all, it is worth noting the fact that only 2.5 ″ disks can be installed in devices, but even if you put them in a set-top box, many of them really don’t know how to work, since the transmission recording is automatically sent to the cloud, and Set-top boxes can only play files from USB drives.
MAC address
To find out the MAC address of your set-top box, just look at the sticker located on the bottom panel of the device from Rostelecom. The 2.0 prefix also often has a sticker with the serial number and this address on the box. Another option: after the operator menu is loaded, you can go to the "Settings" item and go to the "System Information" section.
Thus, you can independently connect and configure the purchased equipment without resorting to any help from qualified specialists. Often, the setup and connection procedure does not cause any difficulties,and in addition, you can always check the instructions that come with each model of set-top boxes or routers.
If you fail to cope with this problem on your own, then you can already contact the specialists of Rostelecom. In the overwhelming majority of cases, service centers are present in almost every major city, and at the same time provide subscribers with the opportunity to order paid services for connecting such devices. Among other things, there are many private craftsmen who perform similar work.
