Digital television is not so long ago, but has already firmly entered our lives. However, not all of us managed to get TVs with built-in digital receivers. There are two ways to solve this problem - buy a new and modern TV or install a small DVB-T2 receiver in your home.
The second option is the most profitable and acceptable, because the receivers cost an order of magnitude less than the new "TV box". However, even here some difficulties may arise if you do not know what to focus on during the purchase.
DVB-T2 receivers
Today, TV towers and analog and digital signal broadcast in the same range. Therefore, to receive high-definition video channels, there is no need to install a new antenna - ordinary decimeter "horns" that each of us probably have will do.
You must also remember that not all TVs are capable of "reproducing" a digital signal. Of course, by connecting a DVB-T2 receiver to an old TV box, you will be able to viewfavorite channels, but you won't notice any difference in picture quality.
Modern digital receivers are small devices that look very similar to DVD players. Most models have a simple LCD display on the front panel, control buttons.
On the rear wall of such a device there are connectors for connecting to an antenna and to a TV, additional slots for flash cards, adapters and other devices, as well as a power switch. When choosing a DVB-T2 receiver, it is necessary to focus on the rear panel.
Receiver Specifications
The first important feature of a digital receiver is the supported video resolution. This setting must match the resolution of your TV. So, if the screen only supports SDTV, then there is simply no need to buy a set-top box that supports HD video - the TV will still broadcast as before. The same applies to the built-in 3D function.
The presence of the necessary connectors for connecting the set-top box to the TV is the second most important parameter. The vast majority of equipment uses an RCA cable, or "tulips", for connection. Some terrestrial DVB-T2 receivers use SCART cables along with RCA ports.
In addition, you can use one of the built-in interfaces to connect to a TV. As a rule, an HDMI port very often acts as such. The presence of all the listed connectors will allow you to connect two TVs to one receiver at the same time.
Built-in interfaces
On the market you can often find equipment with a built-in USB interface, thanks to which you can connect a flash drive, phone and in some cases even a laptop to the receiver. However, such a DVB-T2 receiver is somewhat more expensive than a conventional installation. Most often, the described features are used to record a TV show on a flash drive or to play audio and video files stored on a flash drive.
The built-in CI slot for connecting a conditional access card, which allows you to view paid channels, has a significant impact on the price. Today, almost all channels broadcast in Russia are free-to-air, but in the future, such an opportunity may be very useful.
Additional features
The receiver may have a large number of built-in functions that the owners are not even aware of. The most popular is the ability to "stop time" - TimeShift. But this possibility is just a trick that makes the DVB-T2 digital TV receiver more expensive.
The fact is that this function is only available for satellite receivers. In "antenna" devices, when "time stops", a screenshot is taken and the sound is turned off, but the transmission itself continues to go.
Another popular feature, the TV guide, which allows you to view the program guide, works somewhat better. Its functionality depends on the specific channel. Setting a timer to automatically turn a channel on or off are the only additional features that workfail-safe.
Connecting a set-top box to a TV
There are two ways to connect a digital set-top box. If your antenna has a ready-made coaxial cable, then simply insert it into the DVB-T2 digital TV receiver, and then proceed with channel tuning. In some cases, you have to buy your own coaxial cable, especially if your antenna has a built-in amplifier.
In this case, you will also need an f-type screw connector. To install it on the cable, it is necessary to cut off the insulation layer, distribute the metal foil and mesh along the contour and get to the copper core. Then you can screw the connector into the receiver.
There are many more ways to connect a TV to a set-top box. You can use "tulips", RCA, SCART or HDMI cables. Difficulties will not arise here. After pairing the devices, all that remains is to set up the DVB-T2 digital receiver in the same way as you set up a channel search on a TV.
Budget models
The cost of budget models is in the range of 1-2 thousand rubles. Their functionality is sufficient for comfortable TV viewing.
Our list opens with the VVK SMP240HDT2 receiver worth up to 1.5 thousand rubles. There is a built-in USB interface, which makes it possible to record TV programs and view media files. The HDMI connector can be used to connect an HD TV. Among the minuses, it should be noted the poor response to the remote control and the coincidence of commands with the signals of the remote controlTV.
The prefix D-COLOR DC1302 has all the same built-in functions as the previous representative. But this DVB-T2 digital receiver is more user-friendly - it responds better to remote control commands. Buyers also noted a stylish metal case with plastic inserts. Among the minuses is the late switching of channels.
The Oriel 963 receiver is less functional than the previous representatives - there is no HDMI. Users especially liked the simple channel setup - it can be done with just a couple of clicks. But the menu is not very convenient and clear - you have to deal with it.
Special Representatives
These prefixes presented below can be called special for some additional features that are not available in the models already described. In addition, the cost of these devices also does not exceed 2 thousand rubles.
SUPRA SDT-94 is a digital DVB-T2 receiver with HD resolution support and USB interface for viewing data from flash cards. Separately, users noted good signal reception, regardless of the type of antenna connected, as well as a simple channel search. A special feature is the parental control function, which blocks certain channels until the password is entered. The main disadvantage is the decrease in image quality when connected via a composite output.
A more original model is the Rolsen RDB-532. The receiver has a compact size and low power consumption, which allows it touse as a portable or car receiver. To do this, you only need to buy a power cord. It does not have an HDMI connector, but the ability to view multimedia has been preserved. This DVB-T2 television receiver has no complaints from users. Its functionality is fully consistent with the price.
SMART receivers
This group of devices is the most expensive. However, they are more functional and able to access the Internet, and also have a number of other features.
The Dune HD Solo 4K receiver, in addition to watching TV channels directly from the Internet in 4K format, playing multimedia, recording video, accessing the global network, a convenient menu and the functions already described for other models, can be used as a wireless point access to a Wi-Fi network. At the same time, providing high speed to several users at the same time. Of the minuses, the high price should be noted - about 24 thousand rubles.
IconBIT XDS94K is a much less functional DVB-T2 digital terrestrial receiver. But it also costs 4 times less than the previous representative. In addition to browsing Internet resources, playing multimedia, the device can be used to make video calls, you only need to buy a webcam. Additionally, a mouse and keyboard can be connected to the receiver. Among the minuses is a rather long loading of channels.
