Do you need a TV set-top box for digital television: what is it, who needs to buy a receiver and why do you need one, which modern Samsung models have a tuner?

What is a TV receiver and why is it needed?

A digital set-top box, also known as a tuner or receiver, allows you to process a signal from different sources and decode it into the required format. Let's look at why some TV owners need to purchase a device. Buy it in two cases:

To decode a digital signal to analog . For example, if you have an old TV at home with a picture tube, to which you can only connect an antenna or composite cables to the AV connector. In this case, the receiver receives a digital signal received from a satellite dish, cable or home antenna. It processes the received data and converts it into an analog signal that the old TV “understands.”
To process a digital signal into the desired format . A current solution for TVs that work with a digital signal, but do not have a built-in tuner, or have an old generation receiver installed.

A digital set-top box is often supplied with a satellite dish or is installed when connecting to cable television.

Reference! Almost all modern TVs can work with digital formats. MPEG is used as the main playback format. This is a basic video file extension that was approved back in the early 90s.

However, a different format is used as the transmitted signal - DVB. This is due to the technical difficulties of digital television transmission.

The tuner's job is to convert one format to another .
This is where difficulties arise, since there are two main and incompatible DVB formats.

Benefits of using a set-top box

The main advantage of a digital television receiver is its support for the DVB-T2 standard, which is characterized by:

high quality of the displayed image. Although providers allow you to watch TV channels in high definition only for an additional fee, the user can choose between standard SDTV 720x576 pixels and Full HD 1080p;
support for multiplex packages. Thanks to the support of digital packages, the set-top box is not only capable of showing hundreds of programs, but is also compatible with multi-channel television - a mode of displaying one event from several angles. Also, when connecting to digital television, the user gets access to twenty free channels, the list of which was compiled by the Ministry of Telecom and Mass Communications and approved by the President of the Russian Federation;
signal stability. If the analog signal moves from the transmitting station to the receiver continuously, then the digital signal is captured by the antenna parts, the interval between processing of which ensures the smoothness of the picture and guarantees the absence of extraneous noise;
compatibility with audio settings. DVB-T2 allows you to transmit stereo sound and provides playback of Dolby Digital codecs. Also, thanks to the second generation of DVB, the user can select the audio language of the broadcast video content;
support of auxiliary services. Additional features of digital television include functions such as Teletext and subtitle display.

It should be noted that the functionality of the digital set-top box depends on the provider and the user’s region of residence. In our country, the most popular are set-top boxes from MTS and Rostelecom - showrooms of these companies are represented in almost every locality of the Russian Federation.

Interestingly, the MTS TV utility allows you to watch Internet television in your home theater and on your mobile device with one subscription.

Advantages and disadvantages

A digital set-top box has the main advantage - it allows you to watch digital broadcasts on any TV. It can be disabled from one device and installed on another. As a rule, remote tuners have a large number of connectors for connecting and outputting signals for all types of TVs.

Also, the digital set-top box can be easily changed in case of breakdown . If the built-in tuner on your TV breaks, repairs can be much more expensive than buying a new receiver.

Many tuners have a slot for installing an external USB drive. You can watch a movie from a flash drive or record your favorite program on it. For many this will be a big plus.

The main disadvantage of the set-top box is a slight loss of signal, since it is an additional link in the chain. And from basic knowledge of radio electronics it is known: the more links in the chain, the lower the signal level. Some users complain about the large number of wires that have to be hidden when you connect the tuner to the TV.

Types of equipment

TV receivers are divided according to different criteria. In addition to the form factor and broadcasting standard, the type of connector and the price of the device play an important role.

By price range

The price depends largely on the functionality and number of supported broadcasting standards.

Receivers are classified according to two criteria:

Budget devices, the price of which varies from 600 to 1000 rubles. Basically, they are intended only for watching TV; broadcast recording and the ability to watch interactive television are excluded.
More expensive models (from 1 to 10 thousand rubles) have a USB connector, additional sound outputs and the ability to access the Internet via Wi-Fi or cable.

By connection type

Each receiver has connectors of different formats. You should check the availability of connectors on your TV and their types before purchasing a receiver. New generation products have an HDMI connector, while older TVs only have SCART and RCA formats.

At least one type of connector must be present:

RCA is a standard connector for a tulip cable in three colors: yellow (for video), white and red (for both audio channels).
SCART - you can connect other devices through it.
HDMI - you can use it to watch high-definition television.

Is it necessary to buy, when and who needs to do it?

The main criterion why people buy an external tuner is the lack of a built-in receiver. Sometimes a television device has an old generation tuner that cannot work with modern digital formats. In this case, buying a set-top box is a justified decision.

The receiver will be needed by those users who want to access a large number of channels in good quality. To do this, you will need, at a minimum, a high-resolution TV.

Important! If you have an old device with a kinescope, you should not expect good quality images from it. In this case, buying a digital set-top box is a dubious financial investment. Although many users do just that.

Also, the tuner will be of no use if you live in a remote area where there is practically no broadcast signal, no cable television, and there is no possibility of installing a satellite dish.

From 2021, analogue broadcasting will be transferred to a digital standard. This does not mean that the analog signal will disappear completely. The state will simply stop subsidizing the main federal channels. Some of them have already confirmed that they will independently provide an analog signal for their viewers. A complete transition to digital broadcasting is planned for 2021 .

Connecting to a TV

Connecting a digital set-top box to a TV is not difficult and looks like this:

1. Connecting the device to the antenna using the supplied cables. The main thing is not to confuse the input and output channels.

2. Connecting the set-top box to the TV. The owner of the receiver can use any of the presented interfaces:

HDMI. This interface is considered the most modern and allows you to display high-definition images on an external display. It is worth saying that the price of one meter of high-quality HDMI cable is at least 1,000 rubles, and when trying to save money, the user risks getting a Chinese cable with low bandwidth;
RCA. The quality of the over-the-air signal transmitted over the RCA cable leaves much to be desired - this interface is designed for outdated TV models and only supports SD resolution. Also, “tulips” are vulnerable to high temperatures, which makes the interface unsuitable for use in country wooden houses;
USB. The USB-to-USB interface can be used to connect only some models of set-top boxes to a TV device - the cable does not have high quality of the output image, but it is low in cost and relatively reliable in design.

3. Connecting the tuner to the electrical network. Using the supplied power adapter, the receiver is connected to a 220-volt outlet. It should be noted that thanks to special adapters, you can connect the set-top box to a TV with absolutely any input connector. After connecting the devices to each other, you will need to go to the settings menu of the TV device and start searching for TV programs, as a result of which a playlist of channels available for viewing will be compiled.

If your TV has a built-in tuner

Let's consider whether it is necessary to buy a new receiver if the television receiver has a built-in tuner, for example, on modern TV models. In most cases, to determine the presence of a built-in tuner “on board” the TV, you need to have the user manual or the box from the device. Usually on the box they write DVB-T2 in capital letters. This is a modern format of digital broadcasting, relevant for 2021. Other types of tuners can also be installed on the TV:

DVS-T2. Modern format of satellite broadcasting. Such TVs can work with a signal from a satellite dish directly, without a digital set-top box.
DVC-T2. Modern format of cable television. This symbol indicates that a cable can be connected directly to the TV.

Some TV models have two, and sometimes three, different tuners installed at once.

Pay attention to the prefix “T2” in the format designation . It indicates that the TV has a modern type of tuner. Old receivers are designated by the prefix “T” (DVB-T, DVS-T, DVC-T), they are already obsolete and are not compatible with modern digital signals.

What is a TV set-top box

A set-top box is a compact device that connects to an external screen and is capable of picking up digital broadcast signals.

The main feature of the gadget is its compatibility with absolutely any TV and monitor. Although modern TV models support the DVB-T2 standard without third-party accessories, a digital receiver is still a relevant device - high quality on-air images and flexible program viewing settings remain the exclusive features of an external tuner.

For which TV receivers do you not need to purchase equipment?

No need for a digital set-top box:

TVs that support modern digital formats (DVB-T2, DVS-T2, DVC-T2).
Old TVs that cannot display high-quality pictures.

The last point is subjective. If image quality is not a critical factor, you can buy a receiver for an old TV.

Samsung

Digital playback in TV appeared simultaneously with the development of new LCD technologies, as well as with the release of plasma panels. Of course, the very principle of digital signal transmission appeared much earlier, in the early 90s of the last century. However, digital TVs began to be introduced after tubular models were discontinued .

The start of the “digitalization” of televisions can be considered the beginning of 2000. Also at this time, the first DVD players began to appear that worked exclusively with digital. Thus, the development of computer technology moved to the side of television.

Among the most popular brands is SAMSUNG. The Korean manufacturer was one of the first to introduce digital technologies into its TVs. Since 2012, the manufacturer has installed DVB-T2 tuners in models with the number 7 at the end of the index. For example: UE32ES5507 or UE32ES65X7. DVB-T2 can also be found in models:

GQ49Q6FNG.
GQ55Q6FNG.
GQ55Q7FNG.
GQ55Q8CNG.
GQ55Q8FNG.
GQ65Q6FNG.
GQ65Q7FNG.
GQ65Q8CNG.
GQ65Q8FNG.
GQ75Q6FNG.
GQ75Q7FNG.
GQ82Q6FNG.
HG24ED690AB.
HG28EC690AB.
HG32EB675FB.
HG32EB690QB.
HG32EC690DB.
HG32EC770.
HG32ED470GK.
HG32ED590HB.

TV receiver functions

There are many different models of digital receivers, differing in both their functionality and cost. But there is not a single device that does not have the following capabilities:

There is an HDMI connector for transmitting high-quality digital signals to the receiver.
To save video in receivers, it is possible to connect a hard drive.
To view information and movies on the Internet, each receiver has a browser.
It is possible to watch TV channels broadcasting in MPEG-4 format.
To watch movies downloaded from the Internet, there is a USB socket for connecting flash drives.

How to choose a device and what is its cost?

When choosing a tuner you need to take into account:

Incoming signal formats. If you are going to watch only government broadcasting, a set-top box with DVB-T2 format is suitable for you.
Set of functionality. The more functions a device has, the higher the price. Choose the receiver for yourself. Don't overpay for unnecessary options.
Picture quality . If you are going to watch shows or movies in ultraHD or 4K resolution, be prepared to pay more.
Availability of interfaces . The more signal inputs and outputs the set-top box has, the higher the price. Also, the presence of a USB port affects the cost of the receiver.
Manufacturer country . The lowest price is for models made in China. These set-top boxes are made from inexpensive components, so they are frequent visitors to electronics repair shops. Receivers from well-known brands are more expensive, but they are covered by warranties.

Attention! The final cost of the receiver can range from 900 to 5000 rubles. The price directly depends on the points listed above, as well as the store’s policy.

When choosing a tuner, be guided by the device parameters that you will definitely need. If you are just going to watch terrestrial state television, you can opt for the most inexpensive model with the DVB-T2 digital broadcasting format.

What is it for?

First of all, the set-top box works for broadcasting digital television. Transmitting a signal from a satellite to a receiver is the main task of a tuner. In addition, the device has other functions:

displaying video via flash drives and other USB media;
recording any video on the appropriate device;
pause a show, movie, etc.

An Android Smart set-top box has much greater capabilities. This device provides not only television viewing, but also Internet access. Thanks to this, the user receives the following capabilities:

watching any video or film from the Internet;
play online games;
communicating with friends on social networks or through relevant programs.

How much do TV set-top boxes cost?

It all depends on the functionality of a particular device. At the time of writing (beginning of 2021), the most ordinary set-top boxes cost around 800-1000 rubles. And even such budget devices are capable of recording TV shows onto a computer flash drive connected to them.

If you want to equip your TV with a “super-sophisticated” TV set-top box, then you will have to pay 3500-4000 rubles for it. and more. Let us repeat that there is no point in spending a lot of money if the set-top box is needed solely for viewing “digital”.

Functionality

When choosing an Android set-top box, you should familiarize yourself with the additional functions. The TimeShift option is useful , providing delayed viewing. You can pause the broadcast and then return to further viewing. Personal Video Recorder for TV allows you to record interesting videos so you can watch the show at a more appropriate time. Alfacore Smarttv set-top boxes are actively used as a player with multimedia capabilities. Depending on the model, devices support formats such as MP3, Jpeg, Bmp, DivX and Avi.

The TV tuner receives not only television signals, but also radio stations. Useful additional functions include teletext and TV guide .

Teletext can become a news source, displaying the latest information on exchange rates, weather and the latest news.

TV Guide is a service with which you can conveniently get acquainted with the program schedules for the week. Control is performed using a special remote control. When choosing a TV tuner, you need to pay attention to the hardware buttons, which should be located on the body.

With their help, control is possible without a remote control. The advantages of the product include the ability to configure the control of the set-top box and TV from one remote control.