TVs have become an integral part of the interior of any apartment, they create their own special, homely atmosphere in the home. With their help, we entertain ourselves in long evenings, learn about the latest events in the world and relax with a group of friends. And now, with LCD and plasma TVs, we can not just watch our favorite show, but enjoy it thanks to the high-definition picture.
However, not all "TV boxes" are able to please us with a clear picture. Even if you have a plasma or LCD device, you may need a receiver for your TV, without which you simply cannot receive a digital signal. In this regard, the question of how to choose a receiver is quite obvious. So that the purchase does not disappoint you, you need to study all the nuances.
What is the receiver for?
Receiver is a multi-channel amplifier with decoders for digital audio and video streams. Before, when CRT TVs were the most common, broadcasting was analog - information was transmitted from the nearest television tower. For such "TV boxes" the qualitysignal was acceptable and sufficient to obtain a more or less high-quality image. There was no point in improving the broadcast of the audio and video stream using a TV receiver, since it was impossible to provide better image reproduction.
But today, with the advent of LCD and plasma TVs, everything has changed. Firstly, the screen diagonal has increased, and interference, those same gray-black stripes that were previously barely noticeable, began to seriously spoil the picture. Secondly, information began to be presented in binary code - the numbers 0 and 1. Hence the concept of "digital television". All this required the creation of a new broadcasting technology - digital, which only the receiver can perceive.
How to choose a receiver?
Now the most popular and profitable is a digital receiver for TV format DVB-T2. Most modern "TV boxes" already have built-in equipment of this type. Such models are marked with the appropriate logo - the abbreviation DVB-T2 on the device itself or on the box, or the image of a butterfly. In all other cases, you will have to acquire additional equipment.
When choosing a digital set-top box, the main thing is that its data sheet indicates that it accepts the DVB-T2 format, because there are several outdated broadcasting technologies (DVB-C, DVB-T, DVB-S). In addition, make sure that the equipment supports MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 formats - the mainstream and advanced presentation methods.video information. These are the two most important things you need to be sure of before buying.
Paid or free channels?
Today, television channels are divided into encrypted (available to subscribers) and free, for which any receiver for the TV is suitable. How to choose a set-top box with support for paid channels? To do this, you need to make sure that there is a slot for a card of various encodings such as Viaccess, Conax, DRE Crypt and other providers. It must be remembered that a certain card gives access only to certain channels.
If you plan to change your provider after a while and make other paid channels available for viewing, you should get a receiver equipped with a slot for the CI module. In this case, you do not have to change the prefix every time you sign up for a new subscription. If you do not feel like paying money for watching closed TV channels, then purchase a digital TV receiver without such modules. The cost of such consoles is one or two thousand lower.
Availability of interfaces
The presence of additional connectors, such as USB, E-sata, Sata or HDMI, allows you to significantly increase the functionality of your set-top box. To determine if you need additional connectors, we suggest studying what they are for:
- USB is used to connect flash cards, mobile phone and other devices via a USB cable directly to the receiver. As a rule, suchset-top boxes are capable of playing music, videos and other files from your media.
- HDMI is used to connect a TV receiver for a TV to a laptop or PC, which will make it possible to watch video without an intermediate link in the form of a flash card. You can also use this connector to connect an additional display to your computer.
- E-sata, Sata are required to connect the hard drive. It is advisable to buy a set-top box with such an interface when you plan to record TV broadcasts often.
In some cases, there is simply no need for such interfaces, for example, if you purchase a receiver for the office.
Additional features
Some set-top boxes can connect to the Internet. Buying a similar digital TV receiver for your TV is worth it only if you are going to engage in cardsharing - gaining access to encrypted channels. In addition to the fact that your "hacked" channel can stop broadcasting at any time, you can be subject to criminal prosecution. A common additional feature is video recording. As a rule, such devices have a built-in USB or E-sata connector for connecting portable storage media.
Features
Besides the remote control, additional functions built into the TV receiver can be:
- Children's control - you can block certain channels known only to youpassword.
- Delayed viewing - you will be able to "rewind" the broadcast to watch the program at another time.
- Pause mode - stop the broadcast and then resume it.
- TV guide - you will receive a program guide, as well as a preview of any movie and show.
Some devices may be equipped with a high frequency modulator. This additional element in the set-top box is used to watch the same channels simultaneously on two TVs.
Connecting the receiver to the antenna
There are a lot of ways to connect a set-top box, and all thanks to a variety of connectors on the back of the device. They can also be used to connect a receiver for two TVs at the same time. But before that, you need to connect the set-top box itself to an antenna or satellite dish. As a rule, this is done through a regular TV cable, which has a copper rod and a metal mesh.
This is done as follows:
- Insulation is cut from the cable with an indent of 1-1.5 cm from the edge to completely free the copper rod.
- The metal mesh is folded over and evenly distributed over the cable.
- The f-nut is screwed to the prepared wire.
- Connect the cable to the set-top box.
- The other end of the cable is connected to the tuned antenna.
After that, you can assume that your TV receiver is ready to go. It remains only to connect it directly toTV box.
Connecting a digital set-top box to a TV
There are several ways to connect the receiver directly to the TV. Most often, users resort to a SCART cable. Usually a set of wires comes in one box along with the prefix. The principle of combining devices is very simple - the plug is connected to the receiver, and the plugs are inserted into the connector on the TV. If both the receiver and the TV have an HDMI interface, then they can be combined using a cable of the same name. In this case, you must switch the TV box to the appropriate mode. By using both connection methods presented at the same time, you can use one receiver for 2 TVs.
After the set-top box is connected, you will see its interface on the screen. Usually it is presented to users in the form of the inscription "No signal". Don't be scared. If the antenna is set up and you did everything right, then you only need to find the channels. To do this, go to the receiver's menu and select automatic search. After 5-10 minutes, you will be able to watch your favorite channels in digital format.
