To experience the benefits of digital terrestrial television, you cannot do without suitable equipment for receiving digital broadcasts. New TVs and monitors are adapted for this reception because they are equipped with a built-in signal receiver in the DVB-T2 standard.
But even if your TV is “old,” the output is an external digital tuner, which will act as a signal decoder. An external DVB-T2 tuner, popularly called simply a set-top box, is installed between the antenna and the TV. Let's talk about them.
What is a TV tuner and its types
A TV tuner is a type of equipment that is used to work with a digital TV. It has advanced functionality that differs depending on the tuner model.
There are several types of TV tuners. Conventionally, they are divided into three categories:
- Broadcast type.
- Output standard.
- OS (operating system) type.
Broadcasting involves decoding, which is carried out by a TV tuner. This is possible if one of the following standards is available:
- DVB-T. This broadcast format is becoming increasingly rare. In digital television, it is only possible if the owner himself installs DVB-T, which involves terrestrial transmission of information.
- DVB-T2. This broadcasting standard is based on over-the-air data transmission. The device has high bandwidth and is able to export HD images.
- DVB-S and DVB-S2. These two types are most common on digital television. They are responsible for synchronizing the device with the satellite dish.
The output can have several standards: built-in and external for PCs, as well as external for TV. The only difference between them is the port connection. The latest TV models, as a rule, have a standard USB connector, which replaces any port and does not require synchronization between the computer and television.
The operating system type is specified separately by the manufacturer. Each type corresponds to one of the computer programs: Windows, MacOS and others. Mobile operating systems, such as Android, are also found.
Useful information about internal tuners
So, let's look at what digital television signal coding systems can be, and which ones can be used in our territory. In today's television world there are three main digital groups, these are:
- DVB.
- ATSC.
- ISDB.
Let's consider each of these groups and decide in which cases which of them is applied.
What are TV boxes for TV? The so-called European digital television standard. The most famous and used standard by providers in our country. Moreover, it is only a general name for a group of substandards developed on its basis, and this is:
- DVB-C is the main cable television standard. If you plan to use your TV for this purpose, then the tuner must support this particular standard;
- DVB-C2 is the second generation of the same standard, with improved noise immunity;
- DVB-S satellite television. If you have receiving equipment, it allows you to view satellite channels from various providers;
- DVB-S2 satellite standard for high definition image transmission;
- DVB-T terrestrial digital television;
- DVB-T is the second generation of the previous high definition standard. Therefore, when buying a TV, you should decide which digital signal source it will be connected to.
What is a receiver on a Standard ATSC TV? This American digital television standard is practically not used in our country, so television receivers equipped with a tuner with this standard will be completely useless in our conditions.
Japanese ISDB standard for digital television broadcasting with approximately the same usefulness as the American one. But in all these types of television receivers there is one, but important, advantage, this is the quality of the reproduced signal. So what to do if you already have a TV, but the standard is not suitable?
Main functions
You can understand what a TV tuner is with the help of additional data. Now all tuner models have the following standard features:
- Recording broadcasts. Now you can watch the program several times in a row. The TV tuner will save the program and provide subsequent access to settings that allow you to cut out advertising and remove unnecessary fragments.
- Radio. The device assumes the presence of an FM receiver. With its help, the radio is connected directly to the TV as a separate channel.
- Online inclusion. By installing a tuner, you can make a plan for watching TV programs that are turned on or recorded automatically.
- Control. This feature is known as “parental controls”. It is used mainly to protect children from adult or extremist content.
Models
Now it's time to consider how to choose a TV tuner. If the device is marked dvb t2, then it is perfect for viewing programs. As a rule, all models perform this function equally well. The difference is only in additional functions. These devices can play music and video from flash cards and record TV shows on them. One of the most useful functions is timeshift - it allows you to pause while watching TV.
How to choose the right tuner for digital TV
A TV tuner for a TV must be selected based on several rules:
- A USB port is required. This port is universal and fits almost any device. It is easier to connect it to a computer or phone to watch the program.
- Suitable connectors. In addition to USB, there should be additional connectors that can be synchronized with home devices. Before purchasing, you should study the characteristics of the tuner and compare its connectors with those already in the house.
- PVR - function. This function is responsible for recording programs, delayed viewing of programs and saving videos. These are advanced settings for the user that should be in a high-quality TV tuner.
- Broadcast standard. It is better to give preference to the latest versions: DVB-T2 or DVB-S2. They are suitable for various digital devices and have an extended version of settings.
Useful: Which set-top box to buy for digital television
World Vision or BBK is considered one of the most reliable and at the same time budget brands. Manufacturers of these devices always focus on the latest digital TVs and multimedia updates. They take into account the wishes of customers, creating a better and more convenient device.
Capabilities and method of application
The development of digital terrestrial TV is one of the tasks facing manufacturers of modern electronics. It is worth keeping up with them because with the introduction of technological innovations, the quality of the signal (picture and sound) received by home equipment also improves. Televisions with a DVB T2 tuner have become one of the symbols of the era of digital progress.
The digital tuner in the TV ensures the convenience of using one device. But not everyone has a TV with a built-in tuner. An external DVB T2 tuner not only solves this problem, but also expands the functionality of the TV. This is an ideal, advantageous offer for older viewers. Also for those DVB T2 signal recipients who are not ready to part with their old CRT TV. Or you bought an LCD display several years ago that did not yet have a T2 decoder.
At the moment, it is considered a standard to equip devices with two tuners, which allow you to record programs of over-the-air channels “in the background”. The ability to record to USB and the TimeShift function will not be superfluous. Modern set-top boxes provide access to popular video platforms such as YouTube.
Pay attention to whether the set-top box supports quality formats: HD or only SD? This is important because many interesting channels are broadcast only in high definition, and without an HD receiver you cannot get them.
Models labeled “FULL HD 1080p” will give you video quality in 1080p resolution – full high. There's no need to worry about connecting a cutting-edge device like this to your old TV. The tuner automatically selects a resolution that corresponds to the technical capabilities of the television receiver.
What is a built-in TV tuner?
After studying the characteristics of the equipment, the following question may arise: what is a built-in TV tuner for a TV. This is a TV tuner for a TV that is factory installed. This model has advantages, since during operation you will not need to connect the TV separately to the Internet. You can also avoid lengthy setup of functionality, which usually happens when using an external tuner. In addition, the built-in TV allows you to select broadcast standards.
Useful: Which TVs do not require a set-top box
Connection
Coming home from an electrical store with a purchase, you will definitely be faced with the question of how to connect the tuner. It is not difficult to describe this procedure. Having taken the device out of the package, you need to connect the power supply to it, as shown in the instructions. Then you should insert batteries into the remote control. After this, you need to look at what “sockets” your TV has for connecting external devices.
If you have a relatively modern (not Soviet) model, then there may be three options: “comb”, “tulip” or hdmi.
Now you need to connect the existing receiver connectors to the TV input. If the kit includes a suitable cable, then the problem is solved. If not, then you will need to purchase it.
Choice
Below is a short list of the most popular receiver models today. It should be noted that they all have recording and delayed viewing functions.
First in this ranking is:
- Receiver Lumax dv-3206hd. Its main distinguishing feature is the presence of a Wi-Fi receiver. Therefore, this device makes it possible to watch not only TV, but also videos from the Internet. In this case, a TV tuner is a means of viewing video from various sources.
- It is also worth paying attention to the WorldVisionPremium tuner. It can also be connected to the World Wide Web, but this will require you to buy an external Wi-Fi receiver. This device also has an RF modulator, which makes it possible to connect it to a TV via an antenna socket.
The MezzoGx3235t2c device provides stable signal reception and can also be connected to the Internet. In addition, it is extremely durable and quite compact.
Which TV tuner to choose is up to you. Sometimes it is useful to look at the instructions to clarify the characteristics of the model you are interested in.
AVerTV Satellite Trinity tuners
Hybrid solution. AVerTV Satellite Trinity will accept channels of satellite, digital and analogue terrestrial television, and will provide the opportunity to listen to FM radio with stereo sound support.
Rice. AVerTV Satellite Trinity
The kit comes with a DVB plugin, all complemented by an advanced software encoder from AVerMedia. You will view and record in a standard Windows shell. The plugin will create the ability to use a game console or video camera. Broadcasting with resolutions up to 1080i HD is supported. Naturally, the cost of such a unit will not be very small. You can’t count on less than 3,500 rubles.
What is a digital set-top box and how does it work?
A digital set-top box (receiver) is a device whose operating principle allows you to convert analog signals received at the input into digital ones. As a result, the user will be able to enjoy watching numerous high-quality television channels without having to purchase a modern gadget.
In addition to their main purpose, receivers are capable of performing a number of other additional functions (displaying electronic programs for TV channels, recording video, and so on). To connect a set-top box, you don’t need to be a top-class specialist in the field of telecommunications. All you need to do is connect a special cable to the output jack on the tuner and to the input jack on the TV set. To watch television, you must first turn on the TV, switch it to digital television viewing mode, and then use the remote control supplied with the set-top box to turn on the receiver (switching TV channels is done using the remote control from the set-top box).
Please note that before purchasing a set-top box, you need to clarify whether it will fit the TV receiver of this model. As a rule, there should be two types of connectors on the back panel of the TV for connecting digital devices: Scart and “tulip”. But it may happen that the TV receiver will only have one connector. Therefore, before purchasing a receiver, it is necessary to clarify which connector on the TV it is connected to.
