How to connect a digital set-top box to a TV

The content of the article

• Connectivity Equipment
• Antenna
• Receiver
• Digital set-top box
• Connection Order
• For modern TVs
• For older models
• How to set up digital television

Since the beginning of 2019, Russia has switched to the digital format of television broadcasting. Compared to analogue TV, terrestrial television is considered to be of better quality, the broadcast picture and sound of the “digit” are many times greater than the “analogue”. You can go on-air TV on your own, without contacting the master, for this you will only need a prefix and an antenna.

Connectivity Equipment

To set up broadcasting on your TV, you have to buy a DVB-T2 set-top box (receiver). Most modern televisions are already equipped with a built-in unit that supports the “digital”. Instructions are attached to any technique, study it, make sure that the device has a built-in digital tuner that supports the desired DVB-T2 format.

Many digital TV providers rent receivers to their customers..

In addition to the set-top box, you will need a device for receiving a digital signal, as it uses a decimeter-band antenna or satellite dish. The second option provides the ability to receive more channels for viewing. An additional cable may be required to connect the receiver..

If you want to receive as many TV channels as possible, we recommend that you purchase a CAM – module.

Antenna

To set up digital TV use a home (indoor) or outdoor antenna. You need to select the type of device depending on how far it is from the television tower. If the distance from the TV set to the TV tower is less than 15 km, then you can use a home decimeter antenna. This type is recommended for city dwellers..

Those who live in rural areas, and the distance to the tower is more than 15 km, you need to use the appearance of the equipment. Residents of the country before choosing an antenna should consult with their neighbors. Find out from them what antennas they use, whether there is an amplifier in it, how good the sound quality and image of the received channels.

Receiver

The main device for setting up terrestrial television is a digital set-top box, which is also called a receiver or tuner. The set-top box model should be selected based on your needs, almost all devices are identical in signal reception quality.

The difference between tuners is only in additional features.

For example, more expensive models of receivers are equipped with the “Scheduler” (or TimeShift) function. This option is designed to record broadcasts at a specified time, while you do not need to be near the device at this moment. You just need to choose the start and end time of the broadcast, and specify the channel that you want to record. In stores, models with a media player are presented that allow you to read information from flash drives.

If you are not interested in additional features, choose a tuner based on your preferences and affordable budget. Be sure to read the user guide from your TV. It is possible that a TV tuner that supports the DVB-T2 format is already built-in, and there is no need to buy a receiver.

Digital set-top box

The tuner basic kit includes the following elements:

1. The tuner itself (a device for decoding and converting the broadcast signal to analog).
2. A cable type “Tulip” is required to connect the set-top box to the receiver. Some manufacturers replace it with an HDMI cable.
3. Tuner remote control and batteries.
4. AC adapter to plug the device into a power outlet.
5. Set-top box instruction manual.
6. Warranty Card.

Connection Order

You can always install the console yourself. The connection scheme is quite simple: you only need to determine the “age” of your TV and, based on this, build an order of actions.

Old and new models have differences, devices are equipped with different types of connectors.

For modern TVs

Connecting a digital set-top box to a new model TV consists of the following steps:

1. Disconnect the device from the network.
2. We determine the method of connecting the device to the TV itself: analog (tulips, D-Sub, Scart, component YPbPr outputs), digital (HDMI, DVI adapters). You need to choose an interface based on the model of your TV. It’s best to choose a digital way to transmit the signal to the receiver, this will provide better broadcasting..
3. We remove the film from the tuner, place it in the right place and connect it to the TV using cables. If the required cables were not included with the device, you need to purchase them separately. It is not possible to confuse the nests, improper ones will not correspond in size and shape.
4. We connect the tuner to the network, we plug the network adapter into the outlet, we connect the external unit to a suitable input on the tuner.
5. We connect the receiver to the antenna input of cable television, a room antenna or satellite dish.
6. Turn on the TV, make the necessary settings on the receiver.

For older models

Connecting a digital set-top box to an old TV is not an easy process. For this:

1. Prepare the F-connectors for mounting on the antenna cable.
2. Remove the insulation from the antenna cable, being careful not to damage the braid (get rid of about 15 mm).
3. Bend the braid.
4. Carefully remove insulation from the core.
5. Bare 10 mm center wire.
6. Twist the F-connector clockwise, twist until the central core protrudes 2 mm from the connector.
7. Use this cable to connect the TV antenna output to the output on the receiver.

How to set up digital television

Setting up a digital set-top box for a TV involves the following steps:

1. Press the menu button on the remote.
2. Select an action from the menu to start channel scan..
3. After the search is completed, save the found channels, they can be divided into groups, rename.

Standard package includes 10-20 channels of free broadcasting.

To view a wider list of channels, you need to purchase a CAM module and a decoding card. Selected packages are paid separately..