Rating of the best TV set-top boxes for digital television (TV tuner)

A digital TV set-top box is needed in order to show free terrestrial digital TV channels on old analog TVs of the DVB-T2 broadcasting format, to which Russia switched in 2019. In addition, most TV tuners have a USB connector for playing movies and TV shows from flash drives and hard drives. A very convenient replacement for a DVD player. And such prefixes as LUMAX DV-3215HD, World Vision Foros Combo T2 / S2,  World Vision T62A, using a 3G modem, you can connect to the Internet and watch IPTV, content from the popular MEGOGO service. Together with experts from an electrical repair shop, we have compiled an honest rating of the best TV set-top boxes for digital TV.

In addition, to watch terrestrial channels, you can even use an old monitor from a computer, a TV is not needed at all. Only from additional equipment you will need speakers, you can from the same PC. Everything is connected as to the TV, but when buying a receiver, you need to check the presence of connectors HDMI (this is for connecting a monitor), it must also be on the monitor (if not, then an adapter is purchased RCA-HDMI) and RCA tulip for connecting speakers, plus adapter Jack - RCAto connect the speakers to the set-top box.

Many people ask how to determine if the TV has a built-in DVB-T2 receiver. It is clear that you need to look at the documentation, but since you are asking, there are no documents and therefore the easiest way is to connect the TV to a regular TV antenna. If the channels in autosearch will be found and broadcast, then congratulations.

Go straight to the rating of digital TV set-top boxes =>

How to Pick a Good Digital Set-Top Box?

The set-top box for the TV decodes the signal coming in via the cable into a form accessible to the playback device - it transfers video and audio tracks, titles to it. Has a number of additional features. There will be no difficulties, which digital set-top box to choose, we will tell you about all the intricacies of the receivers.

Set-top boxes work with one or several types of television signals:

• DVB-T2 - digital (terrestrial) with HD-image support, an upgraded version of DVB-T, incompatible with it;
• DVB-C - cable signal;
• DVB-S - satellite broadcasting;
• DVB-S2 - improved DVB-S with H.264 codec support and backward compatibility (it is recommended to take S2 ​​tuner to watch satellite TV);
• DVB-S2X - Extended S2 with optimized bandwidth, UHD support. Not compatible with previous standards.

Set-top boxes for digital television differ in the number and variety of interfaces:

• RCA, tulip or composite output - consists of two or three plugs, one is responsible for transmitting video, the second is for sound, three contacts are needed to work with stereo sound;
• SCART - wide 2-row plug with 21 pins, used in old audio and video equipment;
• S-Video - the old standard, which does not allow broadcasting an HD signal;
• VGA - 15-pin 3-row plug superseded by digital interfaces;
• S / PDIF - transmits only an audio signal, rarely found in household appliances;
• HDMI - An advanced interface for transmitting high-definition audio and video in Full HD resolution.

What else to pay attention to:

• USB interface - will allow you to flash the receiver from a flash drive, write to memory and save to an external drive a table of channels, dumps, write broadcasts.
• PVR function - recording of terrestrial TV shows and films;
• Reading content from a flash drive.
• Form factor - one devices are installed under, above the screen or near it, the second have a remote module with an IR receiver and a digital indicator. The latter is brought to the fore, and all the electronics in the case are hidden behind the TV.

Best digital tuners for DVB-T2 broadcasting

We offer a rating of quality and inexpensive TV receivers with T2 support. They differ in a variety of additional functions and price.

The TV set-top box is unique for the ability to access the content of the MEGOGO online cinema and the LUMAX cinema hall. The applications have an intuitive interface. The receiver works with digital and cable signals - it will be an excellent choice for an apartment dweller. The media player function allows you to read movies, TV series, clips and music from an external USB storage device. Recognizes two flash drives or portable HDDs at once. Understands more than a dozen multimedia formats (video, audio, photo). With an external 3G modem, you can watch videos from Youtube and online cinemas.

Features:

• reading movies from a flash drive;
• support for 3G modem;
• reading videos from Youtube, MEGOGO, LUMAX cinema;
• Dolby Digital playback;
• broadcast from the screen of a mobile device.

The combo receiver with miniature dimensions and DVB-T2 and C technologies is the ideal choice for a pensioner living in an apartment. Equipped with the simplest remote control with large button labels. On the front panel there is a control unit, represented by menu buttons, switching TV channels, turning the device on / off. It has a "blind" search - due to a long scan, it finds all available TV channels - any person can figure out the initial setup. Works with an external Wi-Fi module on the Mediatek 7601 chip for watching IPTV and Youtube.

Features:

• support for 3G modem and Wi-Fi module;
• updating the firmware from a flash drive;
• device control from a smartphone;
• video processing up to 1080p (i).

Compact digital TV box with bright display for decoding T2 digital TV channels. Works with outdoor and indoor antenna. The signal is transmitted through composite (to old devices) and HDMI-interfaces. The USB port serves as a source of graphics, video and audio, the HDT2-5010 understands most of the popular multimedia formats. The device is flashed from an external drive and reads playlists.

Features:

• Full HD playback;
• reading and writing to external drives;
• timer for capturing air on a USB flash drive;
• electronic program guide and teletext;
• Time Shift.

Universal TV tuner for broadcasting cable and terrestrial channels, built on a powerful processor. Understands advanced AC3 codec. Works with an external wireless modem using Wi-Fi technology for Internet access - expands the multimedia capabilities of the receiver. Comes with Weather, RSS applications, allows you to use Gmail, play IPTV and content from MEGOGO. The perforated metal case perfectly removes warm air from the processor. Equipped with buttons for channel switching, volume control and set-top box settings.

Features:

• the built-in power supply heats the device;
• miniature remote control;
• EPG and subtitle support;
• reading content and playlists from a flash drive.

A good modern receiver, which differs from the DV-3215HD in the presence of a second USB port, a universal remote control and a plastic case. Reads terrestrial and cable TV channels, communicates with all models of DND receivers. Supports parental controls to protect children from inappropriate content and digital TV programming. Thanks to USB ports, it writes broadcasts to a USB flash drive and updates the firmware from it. Dolby Digital compatible for 3D sound. With a 3G modem, you will use the network applications Weather, Youtube, Google mail, get access to the MEGOGO and LUMAX media libraries.

Features:

• export of IP playlists from a USB drive;
• writing and reading from a flash drive;
• MeeCast - broadcasting the contents of the smartphone screen to the TV;
• external power supply reduces the heating of the case.

Analogue DV-1111HD for home with stylish Stealth style case, enlarged remote control and no control buttons on the front panel. With a 3G modem, it will give you access to Youtube content, the manufacturer's cinema and the MEGOGO cinema. With wireless Internet, you can read RSS feeds, view the weather and work with the mail service Gmail. Compatibility with Dolby Digital gives you "surround sound", and the function of reading from a flash drive - turns the TV into a miniature home theater. The MeeCast option will expand the multimedia functions.

Features:

• work with wireless networks;
• lack of buttons on the body;
• software update from the Internet;
• recording of TV programs on digital media.

TV set-top box for summer cottages supporting the T2 standard. Receives a signal from remote and indoor antennas. Does not support external wireless modules. On the case there is a power indicator, a display for visualizing the time or number of the current channel and an on / off button. You cannot operate without a remote control.

Features:

• external power supply;
• support for EPG, teletext;
• high quality signal reception;
• timer recording on a USB flash drive;
• parental control function.

For giving in the absence of a satellite dish, it is advisable to take a model with support only for T2, without overpaying for cable channels. Expandability of functionality due to external wireless modules is relevant in any case.

Video: How to choose a good set-top box for digital TV