The best set-top boxes for digital TV

The term “digital TV set-top box” is widely used to refer to electronic devices capable of receiving video content in accordance with the DVB standard and displaying it on a television. The development of IP networks and ADSL broadband access has made it possible to deliver good quality video, and thus the emergence of IPTV set-top boxes.

Finding a receiver for a TV today is not difficult. Set-top boxes are sold in a wide range on the market. There are cheap, simple options and more expensive ones with automatic settings. Such gadgets were created specifically for digital television, which the whole country has recently switched to. The top of the best manufacturers includes brands from different countries.

A fairly well-known brand, under the brand of which digital equipment for various purposes is released. Receivers have a lot of advantages, including a nice price. All models are capable of supporting widely used photo and video formats, they have a built-in Wi-Fi adapter. These aggregates show a stable, clean signal.

Users give their preference to these receivers due to their simplicity and flexibility of settings, as well as an understandable menu presented in Russian. Many models have a flash drive input, so you can watch your favorite videos directly from there.

The second most popular brand to enter the market with compact size receivers. In most cases, their body is made of metal. The main difference between the models is the presence of a large number of additional options, which a modern user could not fail to note. This is not only TimeShift, but also PVR and ACDolby option.

Among other distinctive features, users around the world noted the bright display, where you can see the necessary information regarding how the device is operating. If you make a choice in favor of such a set-top box for digital television, then you will not be faced with a complex setup. Channel search can be done automatically or manually.

This company offers not only set-top boxes, but antennas for them. More expensive models are made with a display, on the variants of the budget segment it is not. The body is made of plastic or metal, which determines the price of the receiver. A modern processor is built inside - it is he who is responsible for the impressive processing speed of the received signal.

The power consumption is only 8 watts. Even if the device has to work without interruption, its case remains cold. Videos can be played in different types of resolutions:

• 480i;
• 576i;
• 480p;
• 576p.

The brand is engaged in the manufacture of both set-top boxes and antennas for them. One of the main advantages is compatibility even with old TV models, regardless of the brand. As a filling - the operating system from the well-known Android. You can connect an external Wi-Fi module or use most of the popular Internet services such as YouTube and Megogo. The set-top box comes complete with a remote control with very sensitive buttons. There is an HDMI cable.

DVB-T2 models are capable of supporting almost all popular formats, including:

• JPEG;
• PNG;
• BMP;
• GIF;
• MPEG2.

Receivers manufactured under this brand operate in the DVB-T2 standard. Among the advantages noted by users:

• good sound and picture quality;
• can broadcast more channels;
• signal reception is always stable;
• connects simply;
• there is no need to connect many additional cables.

The devices demonstrate stable signal reception as all receivers are highly sensitive. This is one of the few receivers where there is a "parental control" function. Channel search can be done automatically or manually. Filling is the latest version of software that can be updated regularly.

The brand appeared on our market in 1995. Most set-top boxes can only support DVB-T2, but there are some that can be used with cable TV. Such units have gained popularity among users for their reliability and versatility. These are inexpensive, but at the same time versatile models, which, among other things, are also easy to use.

Manufactures T2 receivers used for digital TV broadcasting. The built-in display shows during operation data about the channel and the level at which the signal is being fed. Durable plastic is used as the main material for the production of the case.

The set-top box can work with files of the most common formats, including MP4, H. 264. The manufacturer has thought of such useful functions as "teletext" and "program guide".

This brand is in the premium segment in today's market. Attachments are made for vehicles.

Stable operation of the equipment is carried out at temperatures from -10 to + 60 ° C. The equipment can support 720p / 1080i resolution. You can listen to music and even play files from an external drive. The average number of received signals is 20.

In the rating of modern receivers presented below, there are budget DVB-T2 models and more expensive options.

Fully functional model for receiving digital signal, which has 500 GB of additional memory. It's an easy-to-use tuner that lets you watch and listen to hundreds of free channels, as well as access programs from Netflix. Whichever TV model the user chooses, the manufacturer has provided additional storage space and a "parental control" option. However, only 2 channels can be recorded at a time.

The receiver has accessories: remote control, 2x AAA batteries, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable. There is an internet connection via local networks and Wi-Fi. Number of USB ports - 1, TV service - YouView.

This equipment is simple and straightforward to use, the user can record 2 channels at the same time. The most successful purchase you could dream of. There is access to online TV from companies such as iPlayer and Netflix. The parental controls option is not as impressive as on Humax's Youview model, and the buttons on the remote are quite firm..

If you are not too worried about being able to record your favorite shows, but still want to access channels through Freesat, then the Humax HB-1100S is the ideal budget set-top box. The compact and easy-to-use electronic program guide still allows you to scroll through the program for seven days. Thus, it becomes very easy to find the desired video on demand.

The receiver connects to the Internet via an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi, it is possible to watch Netflix, YouTube, iPlayer and much more. No hard drive, TV service is provided through Freesat.

The FVP-5000T is the best Freeview variant of the models above, providing up to 500 hours of recording of your favorite channels. You can just watch or record liveTV, while doing it on 4 different channels at once.

If watching shows and films in the highest possible quality is important for the user, then this set-top box gives you the opportunity to watch videos in 4K resolution - the main thing is that there is a compatible TV.

Currently, this quality is only available in the YouTube app and iPlayer catch-up, although additional services can be added. There are models available with 500 GB of additional memory, as well as a 1 TB hard drive.

If the ability to record TV programs is a higher priority than access to online services, then the presented budget version of Freeview may be the perfect solution. The receiver allows you to record up to 2 channels simultaneously. With its 500 GB hard disk, recording can be extended by 300 hours.

For the equipment to work, it is enough to connect the STB14HD HD digital set-top box to a regular TV using one of the many options. It is also convenient to record live TV directly to a flash drive or external hard drive and play popular media formats.

Included is a remote control that allows you to control important TV functions. From the technical characteristics:

• supported standards - DVB-T (MPEG-2 & MPEG-4 / h. 264);
• hardware scaling and decoding;
• simultaneous analog and digital outputs;
• HDMI output (up to 1080P / 60Hz);
• YPbPr / RGB component output (1080p / 1080i / 720p / 570p / 480p / 576i / 480i);
• receiving audio and multilanguage subtitles;
• teletext and subtitles (closed captions);
• software;
• scheduled recording;
• supported standards - DVB-T / MPEG-2 / MPEG-4 / H. 264;
• file system - NTFS / FAT16 / 32;
• CVBS output - PAL / NTSC;
• YPbPr / RGB output - 1080p / 1080i / 720p / 570p / 480p / 576i / 480i;
• audio output - stereo / joint stereo / mono / double mono;
• power supply - 90 ~ 250VAC 50 / 60Hz;
• power - 10 W max.

From formats:

• photo - JPEG, BMP, PNG;
• audio - WMA, MP3, AAC (. wma ,. mp3 ,. m4a);
• video: MPEG1 / MPEG2 / H. 264 / VC-1 / Motion JPEG, (FLV, AVI, MPG, DAT, VOB, MOV, MKV, MJPEG, TS, TRP).

Srt5434 High Definition with recording function is suitable for almost any TV, even an old one, where it provides analogue access to digital TV. User can record video directly to USB stick (not included) and then play back at any time. The manufacturer has provided an opportunity to watch additional videos, photos and listen to music from a USB device. There is support for HDMI and RCA output. There is compatibility with MPEG4.

When using a set-top box, it may be necessary to individually configure the output channel for each SRT5434 unit. Changing the channel on the remote will affect all units. To solve this problem, the set-top box has control buttons on the front panel.

Stunning clarity, bright color is given by this new generation console. The receiver also supports HDR and HDR10 + content, and additionally adjusts the whites and darks for enhanced picture quality. With 4-core Amlogic S905x processor, 2GB of RAM and 8GB of flash, movies will play smoothly and load faster. All sound formats from 2ch stereo to 7.1 Dolby Digital provide high quality sound.

Android OS has unlimited expansion, USB, HDMI, LAN, DLNA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. All this gives the user endless possibilities. With such a receiver, any TV can be easily turned into a smart device. Plus, 2-band AC Wi-Fi and Bluetooth means you can easily connect to wireless networks or a media player.

To choose a good set-top box, it is advisable not only to rely on reviews, but also to view the technical parameters of the receiver in more detail. The choice largely depends on the quality of the received signal, additional functions, menu simplicity and other characteristics.

There are 3 main types of set-top boxes to choose from. YouView and Freeview use a digital antenna to receive broadcasts, while Freesat requires a satellite dish to be installed.

Freeview offers around 70 standard definition (SD) channels, 15 high definition (HD) channels, and over 30 radio channels, depending on where the user is. If you already have an antenna, this is the least expensive option for the wallet.

2 versions of Freeview TV boxes have been developed:

• Freeview play boxes has additional services, such as iPlayer and ITV Player, integrated into the program manual, thanks to which you can quickly play a previously broadcast show, even if the user has not recorded it (if the box is connected to the Internet), as well as other streaming applications;
• Freeview + set top box - generally more affordable, but does not offer scroll back and some additional services.

Developed in 2012, YouView was the first option to launch a set-top box with additional features and TV services integrated into the program guide. YouView receivers still have one advantage that Freeview lacks - the inclusion of a TV app. That is, the user can watch the Sky on-demand online TV service (if subscribed to it) without the need for additional installation.

A free digital TV service that offers the same digital channels as Freeview, plus a few extras like HD, music. It is compulsory to use a satellite dish to receive transmissions. This is a cheaper option if you already have such an antenna connected to your home. Ideal if the user was previously a satellite TV client.

Also, when choosing a set-top box for digital television, it is worth considering other functions.

• HD or SD. Most modern set-top boxes can play HD channels, but not all. Some of them only give access to the SD version.
• HDD. If the user wants to record TV programs for watching in his free time, then he will need a set-top box with a built-in hard drive. These options usually include 500GB, 1TB, or 2TB of storage space. At its simplest, you can record up to 300 hours of SD shows or 125 hours of HD video.
• Online TV services. Some set-top boxes allow you to watch online TV without the need for an additional internet connection. The services differ depending on the brand of the receiver.
• Internet connection. Most modern set-top boxes have an Ethernet port, so you can always run a cable between the router and the box. This is how the simplest Internet connection is organized, through which access to online television services is carried out. However, if your router is not near where you plan to place your set-top box, you may need to run cables throughout your home.

Users note that modern set-top boxes allow you to watch channels in high quality. But before buying, you need to familiarize yourself in detail with the technical characteristics that the manufacturer claims.

If there is no Wi-Fi distributor, then it is better to purchase a receiver with a cable input. The more modern the set-top box, the newer the TV on which it is supposed to be installed should be. Inexpensive budget options will not provide opportunities such as those for which you have to pay impressive funds.

For information on how to install, connect and configure the digital terrestrial receiver TV DVB T2, see the following video.