TV tuner for TV. Digital tuner on TV

Before buying a TV tuner, you may wonder why it is actually needed, and maybe it would be better to just buy another TV?

Therefore, it makes sense to first consider the capabilities and advantages of modern computer TV tuners. And this:

• Mobility - can be connected to any computer, monitor and laptop.
• Excellent functionality - a TV tuner will replace your video and audio recorder, allowing you to record and save your favorite TV show, movie or music program (many tuners have a built-in FM receiver).
• Using one or more TV tuners, it is possible to create a modern multifunctional media center.
• You can rewrite your entire archive home video and save digitally on your PC.
• With some TV tuner models, you will be able to receive digital and satellite television.
• You will be able to stream recorded programs and movies online.
• Tuners with built-in GPS receivers have appeared.
• Some TV tuners allow them to be used as security devices.

etc.

Modern computer TV tuners can be divided into two large groups:

• Domestic
• External

Domestic- there are PCI And PCI-Express.

External, in turn, can be divided into two more subgroups:

• Autonomous, which can work without a computer at all ( connecting only to the monitor).
• External with USB interface, with PCMCIA interface ( for connecting to laptops) and Mini Card and Express Card interface ( which replaced PCMCIA).

Internal PCI and PCI-Express TV tuners

The most common at present.

Available in full-size and low-profile ( for installation in small enclosures).

PCI	PCI-Express

Advantages:

• excellent functionality
• with equal technical characteristics, their price is lower than the price of USB models;
• more possibilities in terms of functionality when using the promising high-speed PCI-Express bus.

Flaws:

• inconvenient connection, binding to a specific PC;
• the need for a free PCI (PCI-E) slot in the PC;
• possibility of conflict with other PCI devices;
• more likely to overheat than external TV tuners;
• almost impossible to use with laptops;
• possible slight interference from internal PC modules located nearby.

Standalone TV tuners

They are, in fact, an addition to a regular monitor, allowing you to turn it into a TV. In this case, a computer is only needed to switch the monitor to TV viewing mode or computer mode.

Advantages of standalone TV tuners:

• high quality of the received signal;
• low price;
• simplicity (no need to install drivers or special programs);
• mobility (the ability to connect to any monitor);
• presence of a remote control remote control included.

Flaws:

• low functionality, no ability to capture video, schedule recording, etc.

External TV tuners with USB interface

They are becoming more and more widespread.

Their advantages:

• functionality is not inferior to internal ones;
• mobility and versatility ( USB connectors are found in any modern PC and laptop).

Flaws:

• higher price (due to a separate case and, often, a separate power supply and the use of more compact radio elements);
• more demanding on PC resources.

External TV tuners with Mini Card and Express Card interface.

Pros:

• good functionality;
• reasonable price.

Minuses:

• low distribution of this interface;
• -danger of overheating inside the laptop.

Received signal type

Another one important characteristic TV tuner is the type of signal received. According to this type, tuners are divided into:

1. Analog tuners. All modern commercially available TV tuners are adapted for Russia and other CIS countries, i.e. they receive video signals PAL standard and SEKAM, and D/C and B/G formats, the ability to receive A2 and NICAM stereo audio is already standard. It is possible to receive a signal both from the air and over cable channels, i.e. TV tuners have an extended frequency range.

2. Digital tuners to receive terrestrial signals digital television must have a DVB-T decoder, satellite - DVB-S, cable - DVB-C.

DVB (Digital Video Broadcasting) - Family of European digital standards.

3. The so-called. hybrid TV tuners, combining analog and digital decoders and also an FM receiver.

The most well-known manufacturers of TV tuners are:

• AVerMedia (website - http://www.aver.com.tw/),
• Behold (website - http://www.beholder.ru/),
• Compro (website - http://www.comprousa.com/),
• GoTView website - (http://www.gotview.ru/),
• KWorld website - (http://www.kworld-global.com/),
• Pinnacle website - (http://www.pinnaclesys.ru/),
• Grand website - (http://www.grand.in.ua/)

Promising directions for the development of TV tuners are the following:

1. 1. Connection interfaces will be fully consistent with the development and application of the interfaces of PCs and laptops themselves ( gradual transition to the PCI-Express bus; Mini Card and Express Card will replace PCMCIA and Mini PCI).
2. 2. Further hybridization and size reduction.
3. 3. Further growth functionality: improvement and updating of software; extension additional features- GPS reception, security functions, RDS ( RDS - radio traffic warning system, transmission of the name of the received station and information about the nature of the broadcast) etc.
4. 4. Expansion of functions through the use of Internet capabilities ( TV program programs with auto-update, creeping line on the image with news, weather, exchange rates, etc.).
5. 5. Improving the sensitivity of the RF unit ( and therefore image quality) through the use of new radio components. Latest models Stand-alone tuners allow you to achieve quality comparable to LCD TVs at significantly lower costs.
6. 6. An increase in the number of tuners that support hardware compression, abandoning the obsolete MPEG1/2 in favor of new promising standards.
7. 7. Gradual transition to digital standards, increasing the resolution of the received signal and, in the future, using HDTV ( TV high definition, in English version - HDTV ).
8. 8. Further growth of the computer TV tuner market, despite the economic crisis, etc.

In conclusion, a few more tips. Before buying a TV tuner, it is advisable to find customer reviews on the Internet on forums specializing in this topic. Forums are of greatest value technical support manufacturing companies, where real customers describe the problems they encountered after purchasing hardware. And on websites dedicated to TV tuners or on websites of specialized magazines, you can also “get” to a custom article. After all, competition exists; firms fight for buyers in various ways.

2 years ago

When it comes to buying a new TV, most people pay attention only to quality transmitted image, as well as those specifications, on which it depends. The price of the device is also important. But the presence or absence of a digital tuner, as well as its type and quantity, interests few people. Not many people pay attention to this. As a result, when you want to connect and watch DTV for free, problems arise and you have to spend money on buying a DVB-T2 tuner separately.

Today we will look at what a digital tuner is, what it can be and how it works. This will allow you to approach the choice of a new TV more carefully and decide for yourself whether you need such a device, built into the TV or not. Moreover, as already mentioned, a digital tuner can always be purchased separately.

What is DTV T2

Before considering the features and types of tuners that exist on TVs today, it is necessary to understand what this device is in principle and what it is needed for. A digital tuner is a receiver or, as it is also called, a decoder that allows the TV to directly receive signals various types broadcasts and decipher them.

Many new TV models already have a built-in T2 digital receiver. In addition, there are sections in which there are two tuners at once - T2 and S2. You can find out what type of device is built into your TV by looking at its technical specifications. If you have a built-in decoder that receives a signal of a different format, then the necessary tuner can always be purchased separately.

External tuners are very popular today, since not many Russian citizens have the opportunity to spend a large sum of money on buying a new TV, and such a set-top box allows you to expand the capabilities of your existing device. The most popular are T2 format set-top boxes, which allow you to connect and watch, as well as a DVB-S2 set-top box. They buy it if they decide to install a satellite TV antenna, but the TV does not have a decoder of this type.

Broadcast Standards

As already mentioned, the tuner built into the TV can receive one or more signals different formats broadcasting. Let's look at the most common options.

• DVB-T. Such a receiver can receive digital signal television, which transmits a picture of a higher level of quality and clarity. To connect it, you need a regular TV antenna.
• DVB-T2. This is the second generation of DVB-T decoders, which differs from its predecessor in increased throughput channel, higher signal characteristics and its architecture. In Russia, this DTV signal format is mainly used. It is impossible to receive it through a DVB-T decoder, as these formats are incompatible.
• DVB-C. Very popular format, capable of decoding a digital signal cable television. To start using it, you need to insert your provider card into the appropriate slot.
• DVB-S. With it you can directly connect satellite dish to your TV.
• DVB-S2. Like T2, S2 is the second generation DVB-S receivers. S and S2 are also incompatible, so to receive the signal of this type you need a corresponding decoder. Is different this format increased channel capacity and the use of new types of modulation.

When purchasing a TV, you should pay special attention to the labeling. So, you can see the inscription DVB-T2/S2. This means that the TV will be able to receive both terrestrial and satellite digital channels.

Features of DVB-S2 and DVB-T2

The built-in digital satellite TV tuner has certain features. In order to watch freely available TV channels, it will not be enough for you to simply connect the satellite dish to the TV directly. You will also need to additionally purchase a CAM module.

The fact is that without it you will not be able to view encrypted channels, but only those that are fully open. This is due to the fact that the companies producing such TVs do not think much about this. In addition, it will be impossible to change the firmware or enter the code. External ones satellite tuners, sold by us, have firmware in which all the necessary codes are already written.

Forecasts once promised that with the development of Internet technologies and mobile gadgets television will be squeezed out of the life of society. But new technologies are being introduced today in this area, as evidenced by emergence of digital television. Preceded him analog television, and absolutely all TVs have tuners for receiving such a signal. Many modern models televisions are already produced with built-in digital tuner, but if you don’t have it, and you definitely want to use the advantages of digital television, then you can buy a TV tuner separately. It is compact, relatively inexpensive, and best models We will consider digital tuners that work with the T2 standard below.

What are the main advantages of digital television?, which becomes available when using a digital decoder? First of all, this more high level picture quality and protection, because it is supplied in unique “portions”, unlike analog. Moreover, analogue television is so outdated that it is not capable of unleash your full potential modern TVs , and digital allows you to receive images and sound of the highest quality, even if the signal is transmitted over a huge distance. Yes and more channels in digital broadcasting compared to analogue is a clear advantage, and all this is due to the features of the digital signal. Also available to users of digital receivers lots of other functions, such as teletext, TV guide, recording programs on external media, stopping the broadcast and continuing viewing at any other time (TimeShift), playing video from external memory etc.

Today, a digital signal can be transmitted using terrestrial, cable and satellite television. For most users, tuners that accept terrestrial television: they worked for DVB-T standard, which today is being replaced everywhere new and more perfect -DVB-T2. It is these models of digital receivers that we will focus on.

One of the best digital tuners in terms of price and quality ratio. Supports ethereal digital broadcasting, working with DVB-T and DVB-T2. Among the additional useful functions You can note the ability to record video for later viewing in free time, TV guide and teletext function, as well asTimeShift– a program or movie can be stopped at any point to take a break from watching, and after some time return again, continuing to watch from the same place. Resolutions up to 1080p are supported.

WITH external media Using this TV tuner model you can play files different resolutions, incl. MP4, AVI, MOV, MPG, MKV, DAT, MOV and some others. There is an HDMI output, the tuner is compact in size, included control panel, which many users recognize as not very convenient, but still these are subjective opinions.

One of the best digital receivers on modern market. Receives terrestrial digital television DVB-T and DVB-T2 in quality up to 1080p: those channels that use this permission, demonstrate the highest quality images. As in previous model, There is support for recording video to media, stopping the program, as well as teletext and TV guide. Files in a huge range of formats are played from a flash drive: MP3, AVI, JPEG, MKV, BMP, M2T, MOV, etc. Everything works very quickly, AC3 sound supported, and if a film on external media is recorded with support for such sound, then the film show will be held at a high level.

Romsat T2070

Compact and multifunctional digital tuner that works with DVB-T and DVB-T2 at a maximum resolution of 1080p. Supported video recording and playback of music and films from external media, teletext, TV guide andTimeShift. It was developed taking into account all national characteristics digital broadcasting, therefore it will be especially convenient for users. The model is equipped with a screen and is protected metal body, and the kit comes with a control panel, which is quite large and convenient.

By using of this device Can add channels to list loved ones and continue to receive the maximum from them fast access. You can also turn on subtitles and select a language audio track, also present parental control function.

Another good digital tuner model: with all the most necessary functions, the device boasts quite affordable price. Like many other models, this one supports video recording and stopping programs, TV guide mode with movie and program schedules for several days in advance, as well as teletext mode. WITH external source files are played in the following resolutions: AVI, MKV, MP3, MPG, M2TS, TS and some others.

Among the disadvantages of the model is the lack of a display, but even without it you can conveniently use this receiver. It’s good that the included remote control is quite large and ergonomic.

Compact digital receiver, supporting ethereal DVB-T broadcasting 2 at maximum resolution 1080p. The case is metal, of fairly high quality, there is a display, the weight of the device is average - 400 g, and its compact dimensions will allow you to use the receiver in any room. Doesn't get hot during operation, interacts well with external drives.

The device allows record video, stop broadcasting, use teletext and TV guide. Channels switch very quickly, the reception quality is excellent. Users sometimes complain about the finely printed instructions, but the menu is intuitive, so it’s not difficult to set up the receiver yourself and without any prompts. Special attention It is worth contacting the owner of Toshiba TVs, since the receiver’s remote control often activates some settings on the TV. The problem is fixed quickly, but its existence is still worth considering. Otherwise, the TV tuner is excellent and deserves only praise.

The main difference between this receiver and the others is that it supports not only terrestrial digital broadcasting DVB-T2, but also cable DVB-C and satellite DVB-S2. Weighs only 230 g, has compact dimensions, so it can fit near the TV under any conditions. Except standard features recording video, TV guide and teletext, here thanks to the LAN interface it is supported internet browsing. Yes, you can view rollers withYouTube, watch the weather,RSSGoogleMaps etc.

The receiver can be easily hidden behind the TV (wall mount included)), and the remote control will be quick and easy thanks to remote IR sensor– the manufacturer has thought through everything to the smallest detail. The maximum resolution is 1080p; files recorded in MKV format, JPEG, AVI, MP3. In addition, the developer has introduced a special function for minimum energy consumption, there is a possibility quick search channels and simple update software. All this advanced functionality comes at a price, and the receiver costs 2-3 times more than previous models.

The receiver who designed and focused on domestic user , including all its requirements and features. Excellent budget model, working with terrestrial digital standards DVB-T television and DVB-T2 with a maximum resolution of 1080p. In addition to watching many channels on high quality, the user also gets the opportunity to watch movies and images, listen to music from external media. Thanks to the availability delayed write functions the desired film or program can be watched not during the broadcast, but in your free time, without missing anything interesting. Teletext and TV guide also in stock.

A feature of this model that distinguishes it from others budget receivers, is function quick launch : you don't have to wait 30-40 seconds for the tuner to turn on and start broadcasting - everything happens at lightning speed. On the device body there is additional buttons management, thanks to which it will be possible to carry out everything necessary functions, even if the batteries in the remote control are dead. Moreover, thanks to the possibility connecting smartphones and tablets toAndroid You can recharge and also play content from devices. The metal body is another advantage of this model.

One of the most budget devices in the modern market. Supports DVB-T and DVB-T2 broadcasting with a maximum resolution of 1080p. A special feature of the model is the ability to play numerous file formats from external media, incl. MPG, MOV, AVI, TS, MP4, DAT, MKV, TS, etc. Supported video recording andTimeShift, teletext and TV guide, which allows you to view information on current programs, watch the forecast and brief information about films and programs.

The device is quite simple to set up, connect, and then control it, especially since all commands can be executed using the included remote control. The remote control here, unlike many competitive models, has normal sizes and easy to use.

Our review ends with another tuner from World Vision. The model works perfectly with DVB-T2, maximum resolution– 1080r. Turns on very quickly, channels are switched instantly, reception quality is excellent. Other advantages of the device include the functions of teletext, TV guide, video recording and delayed viewing. Reading files from external media is supported, there is a control panel. Among the disadvantages of the model is the lack of a display, but this disadvantage is offset by the low price.