Digital TV receiver – what is it, how to choose and configure

Since mid-2019, television broadcasting in Russia has gone digital. Now, in order to watch their favorite TV programs, users need to connect additional equipment to the TV – a digital receiver. Let’s figure out what kind of device it is, what functions it has, and how the buyer should choose a receiver model that suits him in terms of functionality, quality and price. The
included working receiver [/ caption]

What is a digital television receiver

A receiver (or set-top box) is a device that receives a digital signal, decodes it into a format understandable to the TV and displays the image on the TV screen, and the sound on the speakers connected to it. With it, you can watch digital TV in different formats –
cable ,
satellite or
terrestrial… There are attachments that can handle several types of signals. How to choose a satellite receiver, what to look for: https://youtu.be/hNLHLOA0-Ks This is not always an external device. Most TVs, especially modern models released after 2012, have a receiver built into the body. Usually these are simple models that allow you to watch 20 on-air channels of the federal format. But there are also TVs with built-in cable and satellite receivers.

By the way! You can find out if the TV receiver has a built-in receiver from the instructions for its operation or the description of the characteristics in the online store. If the documentation contains a section “Digital Signal Support” or the abbreviation DVB-T2, then the TV will be able to receive terrestrial channels without connecting additional equipment.

Digital terrestrial receiver CADENA CDT-1651SB DVB-T2 – in the description you can see in which standard the attachment works [/ caption]

Additional functionality of receivers

Signal reception and decoding are the main functions of a television receiver. But, in addition to them, modern models of these devices are equipped with all sorts of additional options that increase the convenience of using digital TV:

1. Broadcast control . Allows you to pause broadcasting, and after a while continue watching from the point of stopping.
2. Delayed broadcast . It makes it possible to program the recording of the desired TV program into the memory of the set-top box in order to watch it later. At the same time, the recording is made without any user intervention and does not require turning on the TV. You just need to set a command to the device in advance, and it will start writing the broadcast at the right time on its own.
3. Teletext . Provides the user with access to the interactive program guide.
4. Subtitles and choice of broadcasting language . Allows you to watch foreign channels with simultaneous translations in text or audio format. Modern set-top boxes support subtitles in multiple languages.
5. Wi-Fi module . Allows you to establish viewing of digital channels not only on TV, but also on home laptops, computers and tablets. Receiver gs b5210 with wi-fi [/ caption]
6. RF-OUT . Receivers supplemented with this connector give users the ability to view not only digital , but also analogue channels (if available). In many regions, local TV companies are still broadcasting in analogue format.
7. Internet access . With this option, the user will be able to access social networks from the TV, to the sites of online cinemas and video services, play online games, etc.

Important! Built-in receivers usually have minimal additional functionality. Only external models can boast a variety of additional options.

Most Russians receive digital TV services through a provider. This makes it possible, in addition to free federal channels, to view paid channels of various Russian and foreign TV companies. Providers, as a rule, provide users with their own receivers equipped with signal encryption and subscriber authorization systems. Devices of different operators are incompatible with each other, that is, for example, you will not be able to watch Tricolor-TV channels through a Rostelecom set-top box.
Digital receiver GS C593 from Tricolor [/ caption] However, the subscriber can purchase his own receiver with slots for connecting CI + cards. In this case, he will need to get from the operator not a set-top box, but a TV card, which he simply inserts into the desired connector of his receiver to gain access to paid channels. Receivers equipped with several slots for CI + cards allow you to view the channels of several providers, switching between them using the remote control.
Smart card MTS [/ caption]

Varieties of receivers

TV receivers differ not only in form factor (internal versus external). There are several more classifications:

• by price range;
• by the type of connection (the presence of connectors for a tulip cable, USB or HDMI cable);
• by a set of additional options.

Connecting the set-top box via HDMI [/ caption] But the main one can be called the classification according to the broadcast standard supported by the device. Today, there are three basic standards and, accordingly, three main groups of set-top boxes:

• DVB-S (S2, S2X) – satellite broadcasting, the receiver is connected to a satellite dish installed on the facade or roof of the house, or on nearby annexes; Satellite receiver of GS Group holding [/ caption]
• DVB-C (C2) – cable broadcasting, the set-top box is connected to the provider’s equipment with a fiber-optic cable; Cam mts module for cable TV [/ caption]
• DVB-T2 – broadcasting, the receiver is connected to a common house or room antenna, which receives a signal from the TV tower. Digital terrestrial receiver CADENA DVB-T2 [/ caption]

The DVB-T2 format allows you to receive only free terrestrial channels, and often cannot provide an acceptable broadcast quality (in areas located far from TV towers). The remaining two formats make it possible to view a larger number of channels, but require the conclusion of an agreement with the provider and the regular payment of a subscription fee.

Important! There is a fourth category of receivers – combined. They are capable of receiving signals in several formats at once, for example, terrestrial and satellite broadcasting.

How to choose a receiver, what to look for

When planning the
connection of digital television , you must first of all decide whether the user will have enough terrestrial channels, or whether it is necessary to connect to a provider to receive more content. In the first case, it will be enough to purchase a simple receiver model designed only for receiving DVB-T2 signals. This is a good option for a summer residence, an apartment that is rented for daily rent, and other places of temporary residence.
Modulator working with IPTV, satellite TV standards – DVB S, S2, T, T2 [/ caption]

By the way! The list of on-air channels is updated annually in accordance with the results of an open competition in which various TV companies participate. And soon the state plans to expand it from 20 to 30 pieces.

If you plan to connect to the services of TV providers, you can follow the path of least resistance and purchase from them one of their recommended set-top boxes. But in this case, when changing the provider, the user will need to buy new equipment and incur additional costs. It will be more profitable to pay attention to the commercially available models of combined-type receivers (receiving signals from both satellite and cable), with the ability to connect CI + cards.
Satellite set-top box MTS TV [/ caption] In this case, when changing the provider, the user will only need to replace the telecard, which is much easier and cheaper. Plus, it becomes possible to connect to several companies at once, use different types of broadcasting and keep the usual additional receiver options. When choosing a set of additional functions, it is worth starting from the planned mode of using television. For example, if several people live in the house, each of whom has tablets or laptops, you can think of a receiver with a Wi-Fi module. And if there is only one TV viewer, or the inhabitants of the house do not use additional gadgets, this superstructure will be superfluous. If you plan to watch movies from an online cinema from your TV, you should pay attention to the models of receivers with Internet access.
GS C593 [/ caption] Those who plan to watch foreign channels often, it is better to study in advance which translation languages ​​the receiver supports, whether it has a simultaneous broadcasting option, or only subtitles. In a word, you need to assess your needs and habits as carefully as possible, and only then proceed with the choice. And, of course, you need to pay attention to the compatibility of the selected receiver and the user’s TV set. Namely:

• coincidence of connectors for connection;
• coincidence of image resolution;
• coincidence of the supported video formats.

So, if the subscriber has an old TV receiver that can only work with video in the MPEG-2 format and supports a resolution of 1280×720 pixels, it is simply pointless to buy a receiver with support for MPEG-4 or higher resolution. The broadcast quality will still depend on the TV. The purchase of a more powerful set-top box can be considered only if the user’s plans are to quickly replace the TV with a more modern one.
Connecting digital television using a receiver to an old TV through tulips [/ caption] Everything you need to know about a digital receiver, how to connect a digital set-top box DVB-T2 to the TV, subsequent channel tuning: https://youtu.be/TPwgZvCg8Nw

What’s the difference between a tuner and a receiver?

The receiver is often referred to as a set-top box or tuner. In the first case, there is nothing critical in such a replacement, the words can be considered synonyms. But it is technically incorrect to call the receiver a tuner. A tuner is a device that is directly responsible for receiving, decoding and transmitting a digital signal to a TV. A receiver is a device that can include one or several tuners, as well as internal memory cards, cards for providing additional options, connectors for connecting additional equipment, and auxiliary modules.

TOP 20 best receiver models for 2021

Mi Box S [/ caption]

Connecting and setting up a digital receiver

As a rule, connecting cables are included with the set-top box. All you need to do is connect the receiver to the TV in the following way:

• the signal must enter the TV, that is, select the port marked “IN” ;
• in the receiver, the cable is connected to the output, that is, to the connectors labeled “OUT” .
• the antenna is connected to the corresponding socket on the rear of the decoder.

How to install, connect and configure a digital terrestrial receiver: https://youtu.be/9Uz6tUI19D4 It is most convenient to set up channels in automatic mode. Plug all the devices into the network and select the automatic channel scan function in the TV menu. The TV must find all 20 channels in two
multiplexes , after which the settings will only have to be saved.
Receiver connection diagram [/ caption] How to connect a digital receiver to a TV, you can learn from this video: https://youtu.be/KwhhnRAljYs If the receiver did not find all the channels, then the problem must be looked for in the level of the antenna signal. You can experiment with the position of the antenna, or maybe you need to supplement it with an amplifier.