How to switch to digital television and set up channel reception yourself?

Relatively recently, there has been a complete transition of television to digital, and a new task has appeared for TV users – to set up its high-quality reception. You can do this both with the help of specialists and on your own.

Benefits of Digital TV

Compared to analog TV, digital technology benefits from a longer list of benefits, greatly enhancing the TV user experience. The main advantages of digital television:

• improved sound and picture quality;
• expansion of the number of channels in the same range;
• the ability to record television programs and create archives;
• no need for powerful transmitters;
• choice of broadcast language and subtitles;
• the ability to add radio to the multiplex;
• the ability to receive EPG signals.

There are very few disadvantages of digital television:

• during a thunderstorm and under other adverse weather conditions, the signal may be poorly transmitted;
• in the case of signal weakening (often this depends on the choice of antenna), individual fragments of the image or the entire picture as a whole partially freeze.

What you need to connect digital television – the necessary equipment

To watch digital channels, you need to buy a TV that supports
DVB-T2 , or buy additional equipment for a regular device. You will need a high-quality cable, a
digital television receiver and
an antennacapable of operating in the decimeter range. Free installation of DVB-T2 digital television: https://youtu.be/g61v5Vrop9c

Choosing an antenna

Any home antenna can receive a digital signal. For residents of high-rise buildings, the best option would be to install a common antenna (CETV) for the entire house. For private sector residents, there are the following options:

• a satellite dish for signal reception is a reliable option that works regardless of the proximity of the tower, terrain and weather conditions;
• internal antenna – a standard model, suitable if the television tower is located close to each other;
• standard outdoor antenna – if the signal is not too strong, the TV tower is far away or the terrain makes it difficult to receive the signal;
• cable TV – expands the package of available channels;
• IPTV – makes it possible to simultaneously use all the advantages of digital television in combination with Internet access.

Television

An antenna alone is not enough – you need the TV to be able to receive a digital signal. For owners of modern equipment that has been released over the past 3 years, there is no need to purchase additional equipment. Manufacturers have provided the ability to connect digital television without using a set-top box / receiver, so modern models come with built-in equipment for receiving such a signal.

When buying a new TV, you need to make sure that the model you choose supports digital standards. The characteristics must contain the item DVB-T2.

Console

If you use a TV that does not support DVB-T2, you must additionally purchase a receiver – a set-top box that connects to the TV and allows you to receive a digital signal. In the assortment of TV equipment stores there are set-top boxes that differ in their functionality:

• SMART set-top box – an addition to the TV for receiving digital signals and the Internet. Expands the functionality – the TV can also be used as a computer.
• Set-top boxes for satellite dishes – equipped with a powerful processor, additional inputs.
• Hybrid receivers – allow you to receive satellite and cable signals.
• Terrestrial receivers – work in conjunction with standard antennas.
• Set-top boxes with a built-in card reader – for using cards purchased from a provider.
• Receiver with CAM slot . Such equipment can be easily reprogrammed, so there is no need to fear that it will become obsolete and will not be able to receive a signal.
• Combined receivers . They are equipped with a card capture reader, have a CAM slot and are capable of receiving FTA channels. Such devices can work with standard multiplexes, as well as with encrypted channels. It is enough to turn on automatic updating of keys in the settings menu or enter them manually using the remote control.
• Receivers equipped with a conditional access system . This is a hardware-software complex that is used to gain access to a number of encrypted channels that are not available in standard multiplexes.

It is worth paying attention to the functionality of the console and its additional features. The best option is considered to be a SMART receiver, which will significantly expand the capabilities of even the simplest TV.

When buying a digital receiver, you need to check with the seller the possibility of returning or exchanging goods within 14 days. This is necessary even if the device was checked in the store and turned out to be fully functional. It is possible that when you connect the set-top box at home, it will not receive the signal from the antenna well enough – in this case, you will need to choose a more suitable model.

Cable

When choosing a set-top box for a TV, you need to pay attention to the presence of a cable in the kit. In some cases, you may need to purchase an adapter if you cannot connect the included cable to your TV.

How to set up digital television reception and connect channels to digital

When all the equipment is purchased, you can begin the installation process. If you follow the instructions, you can install and set up digital TV reception yourself. How to connect digital television and set up terrestrial digital channels: https://youtu.be/ScvZ6-GZ5Qk

Connecting DVB-T2 on a TV with DVB-T2 support: step by step instructions

You can set up digital TV reception on a TV with built-in DVB-T2 support as follows:

1. Disconnect the TV from the network.
2. Find an input for connecting digital television and connect an antenna to it.
3. Turn on the TV and find the settings section.
4. Select TV setting mode.
5. In the menu that opens, you need to find DVB-T2 or tuner mode, check these boxes and save the settings.
6. Specify the country, and also turn on the channel search mode.
7. Select DTV to receive all available terrestrial digital channels.

It is also possible to automatically adjust according to the following algorithm:

1. Connect the device to the antenna and network.
2. Find the DVB setup button on the TV control panel.
3. Select automatic installation in the settings.
4. Wait for the installation and configuration of channels.

Automatic installation of digital TV reception takes up to 10 minutes, after which you can start watching all available channels.

The algorithm for setting up the reception of digital channels may differ depending on the manufacturer and model of the TV. If the device cannot be configured using the described technology, you should read the instructions for it.

How to connect digital TV without a set-top box: https://youtu.be/eTme430os6g

Receiving a digital TV signal using a set-top box on analog and digital TVs

If the TV does not support DVB-T2, you must first connect the receiver, and then proceed with the setup. The step-by-step instruction in this case looks like this:

1. Remove the receiver from the original packaging and be sure to remove the protective film so that the device does not overheat.
2. Using an RCA or HDMI cable, connect the set-top box to your TV.
3. Connect the antenna to the receiver.
4. Turn on the TV and go to the settings section.
5. Choose a country.
6. Select signal standard: DVB-T2 (digital) instead of DVB-T (analogue).
7. In the menu that opens, select automatic configuration and wait for the process to complete.
8. Save settings.

For older TVs that only have an antenna input, receivers with an RF modulator can be used. Such set-top boxes are connected directly to the antenna input, while they are able to operate in the decimeter range.

If you select DVB-T and DVB-T2 during setup, the TV will receive both analog terrestrial and digital channels at the same time.

See instructions for connecting digital TV using the receiver in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZEDvnWyJgA

Reception of digital television on a computer

It is possible to connect digital TV on a PC or laptop, but for this you need to purchase additional equipment – a digital USB tuner. Connection and setup instructions:

1. Connect the selected digital tuner via the USB input.
2. Launch the new device discovery program.
3. Install the software for the correct operation of the receiver.
4. Wait for the channels to scan and start watching.

Connecting digital channels for viewing on a computer should only be done if the device meets the technical requirements of the manufacturers of USB receivers.

Errors and problems when connecting digital television

Digital technology has a more complex device, so it is not always possible to connect it the first time and make everything work. There are a number of common mistakes you can make when setting up digital TV reception.

outdated receiver firmware

The receiver cannot work without suitable software. If the firmware is outdated or was originally installed incorrectly, the following problems may occur:

• digital television setup error;
• some channels do not work ;
• the TV does not receive a signal well;
• poor image quality.

To flash the receiver, it is not necessary to carry the device to a service center. If an installation disk with software was included with the set-top box, you need to connect via a USB cable and start installing the firmware. If there is no installation disk in the kit, the problem can also be solved. Having basic skills in working with technology, you can independently reinstall the software using this algorithm.

1. Find the official website of the manufacturer that released the prefix.
2. In the software section, find the name of the receiver model to be flashed.
3. Download the archive with the software to your computer and unpack it into a separate folder.
4. Send the content folder to a removable USB drive.
5. On the manufacturer’s website, find step-by-step instructions for installing software for the selected model.
6. Connect the media to the set-top box and carry out the installation.

Manufacturers offer downloading the firmware for free. If registration, payment, or SMS is required, it is most likely a scam site.

Antenna problems

If the antenna does not receive a signal from the first connection, you do not need to immediately run to the store and ask to replace it. It is worth checking the following points:

• correct connection;
• frequency on the interactive CETV map;
• serviceability of the cable and contacts.

If no problems are found, the wrong type of antenna was most likely selected. If the antenna is not powerful enough for high-quality signal reception, buying and installing an
amplifier can help . You can also look at a more suitable type of receiving device.

If the problem cannot be solved on your own, you should contact a specialist. Perhaps the problem lies in the equipment, which simply needs to be replaced or repaired under warranty.

Trouble at the TV station

In 80% of cases, problems with digital TV reception are caused by malfunctions in the user’s equipment or errors made during the installation process. But there are situations when it makes no sense to look for a breakdown or errors in the settings. Since the full transition to digital television has not yet occurred in all regions, failures often occur directly at the station. Prevention is also periodically carried out, during such periods digital channels are also unavailable. If there is a problem with the image or access to packet digital channels, but all the equipment and settings are in order, you should call the provider’s hotline. Companies providing digital television connection services constantly inform about planned preventive maintenance or other causes of failures,

Questions and answers

In the process of installing equipment and setting up digital television, various issues may arise that are not mentioned in the instructions or the subscriber’s memo.

How many digital channels will be available?

It all depends on the package and the country of connection. In Russia, 2 multiplexes are available – 20 basic channels. In Ukraine it is 32 channels. If you connect through a provider, package channels will be available – from 50 or more, but a monthly subscription fee will be required.

Why did the message “no signal” appear on the screen?

If everything worked before, there can be two reasons – a broken cable plug or a bad signal due to maintenance work at the television station.

Why are not all channels displayed?

The standard package of terrestrial digital television includes a limited number of channels. If the channel that is part of the connected multiplexes is not displayed, you need to check the signal level – there may be problems with the antenna.

Can I receive cable and digital channels at the same time?

Yes, it is possible, but this will require the additional use of a TV signal combiner. Such adders are usually sold in television equipment stores. https://youtu.be/0opTiq5EQWU

Why are channels hanging?

If during the viewing process the image on the screen starts to freeze or decompose into pixels, there is only one reason – signal deterioration due to antenna malfunction or bad weather conditions. If you purchase a satellite dish, you can not depend on the weather.
Knowing the basic information on connecting and setting up digital television reception, you can independently make the transition to it from analog technologies. If, for some reason, you cannot install the software or set up channels, it is better to contact the service center and entrust the task of switching to digital television to professionals.