Smart TV set-top boxes: what are they, what are they used for, how to choose and use?

Smart TV boxes are sold in abundance in any electronics store. But many consumers hardly understand what it is and what such devices are used for. It's time to understand these intricacies and understand how to choose a "smart" set-top box.

The description of such devices emphasizes that they extend the functionality of traditional television receivers. Even those devices that were released only 3-5 years ago no longer meet current requirements. And for digital television of modern standards, you just have to buy "smart" set-top boxes.

In technical terms, the Smart TV set-top box is a miniature computer. It uses an operating system. In order not to invent it from scratch, most manufacturers prefer Android or iOS. The size of the "magic box" is always small. But its functionality deserves a more detailed presentation.

Smart TV set-top box, as already mentioned, expands its capabilities. This device can be used in a wide variety of applications. Using such a device, you get:

• watch movies online without pre-recording them on a USB flash drive;
• get access to the mass of Internet TV channels;
• play videos from Youtube and similar resources;
• use popular social networks.

But advanced Smart TV consoles can be used for games instead of the traditional Xbox or Playstation. Judging by the experts' estimates, it turns out no worse. Special "gaming" consoles are supplied by any major manufacturer. There are kits including:

• keyboard;
• mouse;
• joystick.

Thanks to this equipment, users will be able to:

• to enter and edit texts as conveniently as possible;
• blog;
• to correspond by e-mail or using instant messengers;
• connect the TV to outdoor surveillance cameras (and even to any other camera that broadcasts openly via the Internet);
• communicate via Skype or other online telephony service;
• access the Google Play Market.

Smart TV set-top boxes can be of different designs. However, such a device today most often comes with a Wi-Fi module. This eliminates the need for a significant amount of wires. Truth, the power supply is still needed - but usually the set of cables used is limited to them. Also, in some cases, the set-top box is turned on through a special cable connected to the router.

Smart TV set-top boxes can only work properly if you have a stable internet connection. At the same time, the speed of the connection is critically important. For your information: instead of a TV, the image can be displayed on a regular computer monitor. The main thing is that it supports the same image output standards.

Android is perhaps the simplest and most affordable option. In terms of the device, this operating system differs very little from its counterpart for smartphones. A variety of applications are available to users, it is not surprising that different people have a different media player - they just choose it according to their taste.Android allows you to turn the simplest TV into a true multimedia harvester with a few gestures. The current versions and updates of 2019 allow you to:

• view a 4K level picture;
• use voice guidance mode;
• control the set-top box and TV via a smartphone;
• stream content from smartphone to TV using Chromecast.

A number of models, however, use a different system - iOS. Its functionality is almost equal to the Android OS. Everything is arranged, however, much more complicated. But it provides optimal integration with Apple devices. Therefore, the choice is extremely simple.

Additionally can be applied:

• Windows Embedded
• Windows 7;
• Windows 10;
• tvOS;
• Linux.

The picture quality and usability depend not only on the antenna and tuner. The decisive role here is played by the interface that is used to connect to the TV. HDMI is simple, convenient, and quite modern. It will remain the most relevant solution for a long time to come. But for compatibility with older TVs, you have to use both RCA and even AV.

To connect the device to a computer monitor, you will need to use a VGA cable. It is also used on any devices with advanced video adapters. Therefore, there is simply no particular alternative for game lovers. In advanced consoles, there is definitely a Bluetooth mode. But you need to understand that broadcasting a signal over a distance of more than 10 m can lead to broadcast delays up to several seconds.

This indicator is also important for anyone who appreciates a decent picture of a person. Only relatively new models (released since at least 2017) confidently support 4K images. Formally, for viewing regular news broadcasts and other broadcasts that do not require high detail, a lower resolution may also be suitable. But the number of Ultra HD videos is growing steadily. And therefore, soon their share will already be quite tangible.

The list of compatible firmwares and their sources are usually given in the technical documentation for the device. Difficulties with firmware are typical mainly for equipment of the middle and low price range.

In addition, the cost savings force the manufacturers of budget set-top boxes to be limited to the release of rare updates. And even those come out only for 6-12 months usually, after which you have to forget about new firmware.

In most cases, Smart TV set-top boxes do not have a separate network cable. The power adapter is inserted after connecting the TV cable. It is worth considering that the power supply does not always come from the TV. Some models use a direct connection to the mains. In the latter case, you will have to prepare an additional outlet.

The Xiaomi Mi Box smart set-top box is in great demand. The device works confidently with a 4K signal. It also supports HDR video. The control panel uses Bluetooth technology. The attractiveness of the device is not someone's private opinion. The impeccable design excellence is confirmed by a number of international awards.

For the operation of the device, Xiaomi engineers chose the advanced Android TV6.0 operating system. The device supports voice control mode. Google CastTM is also worth mentioning. The software has been designed to ensure that videos are found according to personal tastes. It will be found on both Youtube and Google Play.

In addition to a 4-core processor, the set-top box contains a 2-core video processing chip. Supports Bluetooth gamepad connection. Expansion of the storage by means of USB media is possible without restrictions. It is also useful to pay attention to:

• G-sensor with 3 axes;
• advanced battery;
• sound of Dolby, DTS standards.

The tuner model Maxliner MXL 608 is installed inside, the device supports the sound of Dolby Digital level. The body is made of solid plastic.

Other parameters are as follows:

• viewing IPTV;
• access to Youtube using a Wi-Fi adapter;
• operating frequencies from 174 to 862 MHz;
• external power supply unit with a voltage of 5V;
• connectors ANT IN, HDMI, 2 USB;
• resolution 576, 729 or 1080 pixels;
• TimeShift option;
• parental control;
• the ability to remove channels;
• personalized video recording (PVR);
• the ability to connect external HDD.

Perhaps the cheapest Smart set-top box was released by the Chinese company Mecool. M8S PRO W model runs on Android 7.1 OS. The Mali 450 graphics processor is installed inside. The set-top box supports Wi-Fi with a frequency of 2400 MHz. For work, 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of permanent memory are used.

There are a couple of USB connectors, an HDMI port. You can plug in an AV cable from your old TV, or insert a MicroSD card. To save money, the Amlogic S905W processor is used. The device also supports RJ45 LAN output. The Bluetooth interface is not supported, but at this price it is a forgivable weakness.

To ensure normal operation, engineers have provided for the presence of 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory.

With such parameters, the device does not fall into the budget category in any way. But it is pleasant and convenient to use. There is a single USB 3.0 port and an additional USB 2.0 port. Interfaces AV, LSN, SPDIF are supported. You can play videos from MicroSD cards.

When choosing a budget Smart TV set-top box, you need to clearly understand that you cannot count on high quality work. It is recommended to examine the amount of available persistent memory. Normally, it should be at least 8 GB. The 4 GB memory block found in simpler models is not very functional. This is hardly enough even for elementary programs.

And here Windows-based set-top boxes require a lot more memory. For them, 16 GB is the minimum storage space allowed. After all, the system itself will already take at least 12 GB. Better to have at least the same amount in reserve. And even when choosing a set-top box for an ordinary TV that is not capable of receiving satellite channels or showing a 4K picture, you need to pay attention to the RAM.

Android models perform well with 2GB of RAM. 1 GB is considered acceptable. But devices with 512 MB do not even make sense to consider seriously. Windows-based devices have much more solid requirements. For them, 2 GB is a rational minimum, but normal operation is possible with at least 3 GB of memory.

But the specific version of the operating system is also important. It makes no sense to take Windows 7.0 and earlier modifications - they will not work and show anything at all. In Android, support for the required controllers has appeared since version 4.0. But only starting from the 6th generation, a really comfortable and well-thought-out interface appeared, which most users like. With regard to set-top boxes with Bluetooth, everything is relatively simple here.

Among other options, the later the version, the better, and the fewer bugs in it. It is highly desirable that HD and Full HD are supported.

The ability to read information from Micro SD cards or USB flash drives is welcome. They record a lot of films and just multimedia files. Windows-based set-top boxes are "friends" with flash drives much more often than Android-based devices. Important: Please consider the standards of the reproducible media and their acceptable capacity.

Voice-controlled set-top boxes have ceased to be exotic, but you must immediately answer yourself: will such an option actually be used, or will it be paid for in vain. Processors with one core should be initially ignored, even in the budget segment. At least some acceptable performance is guaranteed by dual-core electronics. You can increase the performance using 4-core or 8-core processors. However, their cost will be significantly higher.

Some set-top boxes are supplied with a SIM card from various operators. More precisely, with a smart card. Like cards for mobile phones, these devices have personalized numbers. Connection is made either to the receiver or via the CAM module. Most often, they use cards from Tricolor, MTS or NTV Plus.

The next important aspect is software. Windows provides excellent quality and is compatible with a wide variety of user programs. Another plus is the presence of a full-fledged BIOS. And if you have the necessary equipment, you can turn the prefix wu \ base for a PC. As for the software from Apple, it is compatible only with proprietary hardware and implies a focus on paid content.

Android is the perfect solution for the budget consumer. Any version of this OS supports customization for individual tasks. It also supports quite a few applications, including browsers and app stores. Important: it should be taken into account whether it will be possible to connect the set-top box to a specific TV. It depends on the set of available connectors.

You can use a dongle to watch programs or play files from media. Outwardly, such a device resembles a flash card. It must be plugged into the USB or HDMI ports. These "dongles" support DLNA, Miracast or Airplay technologies. But you can use another device - Mini-PC.

This system is quite simple. There is necessarily an HDMI port through which a picture is sent to the TV. Usually there are also slots for a memory card and a miniUSB port. This solution is used by the overwhelming majority of people who simply do not want to complicate their life. You can simply download it and not worry anymore.

When the set-top box does not have its own power supply, power off the TV or monitor. It is recommended to remove the plug from the outlet, and not just turn off the TV with a button. Next, insert the edge of the cable into the required HDMI connector at the set-top box, and the opposite end into the same port on the TV. For older TVs, sometimes you have to buy an adapter that converts HDMI to AV.

The procedure mainly consists of connecting to the Internet. After that, you can immediately press the buttons on the remote control and enjoy the picture. 100% of currently sold set-top boxes can be connected to the Internet via Wi-Fi. This is done like this:

• included in the menu;
• go to the settings section;
• include a wireless network;
• select the desired item in the list of appeared networks;
• press the "connect" on-screen button with the OK button;
• enter the access code (in order not to fiddle with the remote control, you can connect a simple mouse to the USB connector).

But you can also connect the set-top box via Ethernet. Then it is simply connected to the router via an RJ-45 cable. Despite the prejudice of some people against the wired connection, it is very attractive. No wireless method can be as reliable and stable. Therefore, you have to put up with stretched cables.

The LAN connector connects the ports of the same name in the set-top box and the router. It is recommended to bring these devices as close as possible. Then they enter the STB menu and set the necessary network settings there. Further, the connection procedure differs little from the one described above. Moreover, you do not need to enter a password.

It is not difficult to reflash a lost console. Some models even have a special key for the hardware launch of such a procedure. Before pressing such a key, you will need to insert the USB-OTG cable. The software technique involves connecting the device to a computer using the USB protocol.

You will have to set through the settings to connect the set-top box to the computer as a drive. In the English version - Mass Storage. A more detailed description of the flashing is described in the instructions. Attention: the browser and other software should be taken only from official sources. The easiest and most convenient way to do this is through the Google Play Market or similar large stores.

Owners' opinions about Smart TV set-top boxes can vary greatly. Thus, the Android X96 mini model is praised for its excellent performance of basic functions. The device is also quite compact. However, its software is imperfect. And the "box" is constantly heated. The Tanix TX3 is much better received by most users. The prefix is ​​inexpensive. At the same time, it works very quickly. Suitable for watching movies and even TV shows. The Play Market is available literally out of the box, but the RAM is not enough.

For an overview of the Xiaomi Mi Box 3, see below.