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

Gadgets

How to connect a TV set-top box to an old TV. How to connect a digital set-top box to an old TV with 20 channels without tunnels with two inputs through the antenna input

If almost all apartments have modern TVs that support a digital signal (produced after 2012), and to connect them to the new broadcast format will only need to change the settings (and many homes have long been centrally connected to the Internet TV), then for displaced by them the old analog receivers, which are reaching their age, usually in summer houses, along with other similarly obsolete appliances (refrigerators, electric and gas stoves), you need additional equipment: a special console.

To change, if necessary, the type of antenna to the right one, as a rule, no problems, so we’ll skip this procedure and proceed directly to the selection and further connection of the digital set-top box.

To save yourself from wasted costs, check if your receiver supports DVB-T2 standard (built-in tuner), and then you won’t need a set-top box. This applies to old LCD TV-sets, if you have a CRT device, don’t bother, almost all of them accept only analog signal. Look in the manual (if saved) and check the characteristics of the device.

On the market now there is a wide range of different digital set-top boxes, varying in price depending on the additional functions. Whether you need these gadgets is up to you to decide, but here’s what you should pay attention to when choosing is the following points:

Minimal set includes: DVB-T2 set-top box, power supply, remote control, AV cable (“tunpipes”).

As a rule, it is standard for a set-top box to have a USB connector to connect a flash drive or a hard drive, and RCA and HDMI outputs to connect to the TV.

advanced models have on the front panel control buttons, at least: on/off and channel switching, which reduces the dependence on the remote control (in case of its breakage or loss).

It is desirable that the following formats are supported:

And the last point. the presence of the manufacturer’s website for the model. Firstly, if something is unclear on it, you can get a more detailed instruction (there is usually a package with the set-top box) or contact technical support; secondly, if necessary, you can download a more current version of the firmware and update the software via USB-drive.

The following criteria for the approach to selecting a set-top box are rather specific and relate to the following nuances:

If you have two TV sets, keep in mind that some set-top boxes have an aerial output. This allows you to connect your antenna to another TV or set-top box without having to buy a splitter (signal splitter).

In older TV sets you often find a SCART connector (this interface was a real breakthrough in the field of standardization in its time)

In this case you need additional adapters

In addition, I advise you before buying to get acquainted with the reviews of the owners of this product on the Internet, they can help you to learn the information which is absent in the technical review of the equipment (usability, reliability, etc.).), which can be useful when choosing the final option.

Connecting a set-top box to a TV set requires no special skills and knowledge and is done as follows:

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Disconnect power to the television receiver.

Connect the antenna cable to the antenna input of the digital receiver, and the “tunnels” to the appropriate connectors on the TV and the receiver, focusing on their colors. The yellow channel is for video, whereas the red and white ones are for the sound broadcasting (if they are mixed up, nothing bad will happen, just the left channel will sound on the right one, and vice versa).

Connect both devices to power supply and turn on your TV (from this moment, you will need the TV remote control only for turning it on/off).

All further manipulations are performed using the remote control of the set-top box according to the instruction. Instructions for different types of TV sets can be different, so we won’t describe all the details, but point out the basic steps, like: perform initial initialization, select the desired input source (HDMI, AV, SCART, etc.) and connect both devices to the TV set.) and set the automatic channel search. All found channels will be stored.

connect, set-top, simple

In addition you can also configure the settings manually. For this purpose you should set the channel number and frequency in the channel mode. You can find out which frequencies are broadcasting in your region on the RTRS website. The found channels will be added to the previously saved channels.

Note. 20 channels of the first and second multiplexes are free of charge.

connect, set-top, simple

RTRS-1: First, Russia 1, Match!, NTV, 5, RossiyaK, Rossiya24, Karusel, OTR, TVC.

RTRS-2: Ren, Spas, STS, Domashniy, TV3, Friday!, Zvezda, Mir, TNT, Muz.

But, as is often the case, there are a lot of channels, but nothing to watch. In this case you can use the USB port and the external carrier, but keep in mind: you should not rely on watching video saved with a very high bitrate, because neither the processor power, nor the USB 2 bandwidth will be enough to play it.0.

Bitrate is used to calculate the number of bits per second in the video stream (the number of zeros and ones). This is used to define the efficiency of a channel, in other words, what the minimum size should be so that the video can be played without delay.

Needed equipment

To watch digital TV on an older LG device, you will need the following equipment:

  • TV;
  • T2 tuner, to convert a digital signal to analog;
  • RCA cable or tulip cable;
  • Coaxial or antenna cable, through which the signal is fed directly;
  • External or internal antenna.

Almost all of the necessary equipment is available in the basic equipment of the digital receiver. But the antenna will have to buy additionally, or use for this purpose already available. Suitable for use as indoor antenna options, as well as external, with better receiving characteristics.

Options for connecting an older TV to digital

Let’s look at the example of connecting to an old Samsung TV. This method is suitable for Panasonic and other TVs. To connect the numbers to an old TV using SCART to RCA adapter. It is a colored connector called a tulip. Find these connectors on the TV panel and connect according to color: yellow to yellow, red to red, white to white. Yellow cable controls video, red and white cable controls sound. Find the same connectors on the tuner and connect to them. All manipulations must be performed with the device turned off.

Once the set-top box is connected, plug it in.

After switching the TV set on, set it to AV mode. To do this, press the AV/TV button on the remote control. And we select the desired mode. To automatically search for channels, click on “Auto search. If you want to search for channels manually, then select the manual search.

How to set up digital TV on an old TV

We need to note at once that after the digital tuner will be connected to the TV set, you will not need the TV remote control. All further adjustment and switching of channels will be carried out through the remote from the device.

Step-by-step tuning procedure

Once connected, the first thing to do is to run a search for all possible digital channels. Usually newer models of TVs by default determine the connection of the digital tuner, if not, go to the step by step guide:

  • Take the remote control from your TV and find the “TV/AV” button.
  • Press it, then the available sources will appear on the screen.
  • There can be several inputs for AV signal, you just need to press one button repeatedly until the picture appears on the screen, usually with the same name of the tuner.
  • Set the primary settings, select language, region, mode, press “Ok”.
  • The tuner will automatically search for possible channels to watch.

That’s all the settings after these simple manipulations, each user expects that the long-awaited list of 32 digital channels will appear on your TV. But it does not happen, because the tuner initial settings are wrong. What you need to do. go to the manual setup.

Channel Tuning

Searching and tuning of digital channels is done in two steps. search for the first and second multiplex. Before proceeding to the settings you need to go to the Internet and find out on what frequencies the TV broadcasts are exactly in your area.

  • Go to the main menu of the device.
  • Go to “Settings”. DVBT settings, press “Ok.
  • Then select “Channel Search” tab.
  • Change the “Search Band” section to UHF.
  • Section “Frequency channel”. change to “CH30”, start “Search”.

After a while, the receiver should find 10 channels of the first multiplex at this frequency.

To search for the channels of the second multiplex. do the same actions in the menu of the receiver, changing the indicator “CH38” in the section “Frequency Channel” and start searching. After these manipulations on your TV there will be 20 digital channels of good quality.

If for some reason the receiver can not find the channels you need to check the signal strength on the bottom menu bar, pay attention to indicators such as “Intensity” and “Signal Quality. If they are weak, move the antenna to another place or just turn it in the right direction.

What connectors are used to connect the set-top box

All receivers, regardless of equipment and the number of options have an antenna input and output. Optional: coaxial digital audio output, HDMI, SCART, RCA (Tulip) connectors.

You should choose the connection variant according to the availability of appropriate connectors in the TV set. It is worth considering that the maximum image quality through the tunnels will not be more than 1080p. It is better to use HDMI or IPTV (connect via digital audio output).

Let’s look at the features of each cable (equipment connection method).

Tulips

RCA cable has three connectors on each side in red, yellow and white. Appropriate inputs and outputs are on STBs and older TVs. They are tinted the same color.

Only the red and white wire should be connected. They transmit audio signals. Yellow wire is not required. it sends video, it is used when connecting the DVD-player.

Important! You can connect the equipment through the tulip only when the equipment is off. Before assembling the circuit for digital broadcasting, disconnect everything from the network. Once connected. turn it on and check the correctness of the settings.

Scart port

Scart cable is often used to connect digital TV to an old TV. It is a more compact version of the tulip. The TV side is also equipped with 3 wires of yellow, red and white. But on the set top box side there is only one. You have to perform the connection also with the equipment switched off. Yellow input is not necessary.

HDMI connection

One common way to turn on digital channels on your old TV is to choose an HDMI adapter. modern LCD or plasma televisions have this input.

This method has a high quality of sound and picture transmission. You can watch movies and TV series in Full HD. Previously, this method had a disadvantage. the difficulty of supporting analog channels. Since they are now disconnected, this problem is automatically gone.

DVI/D-SUB option

Powerful modern receivers are suitable for Smart TV. We will not consider in detail, because this option exists, but is not suitable for older TVs. Smart TV is a new digital television option that works through a stable Internet connection.

LAN cable

This type of digital television works over the Internet. In this case, a connection to Wi-Fi or a standard network is not required. Carry out IPTV operators providing paid packages of channels. The number of TV channels in this case depends on your choice and the size of the subscription fee.

Setup and connect digital TV to older TVs through LAN-ports are carried out by specialists who provide TV broadcasting services. If in the future the user needs help with adjusting, adding or removing channels, he can call a line for a trimmer technical support operator.

Antenna input

A common connection option. There is digital cable television in the entrances of apartment buildings, coming from large satellite dishes. They transmit the signal through cables to the apartments, where you need a receiver for decoding.

Antenna connection makes it possible to distribute digital broadcasting to two televisions in the house at once. This requires a special connector. And you have to tune in channels on different frequencies. If there is signal overlapping, the sound and video quality will be ruined.

Set-top box to receive digital TV

This is a fairly simple device that requires nothing more than the digital TV itself and any TV with either a “tulip” or, as they are also called, “bell” or HDMI input. Here’s an example of such a set-top box:

As you can see all the connectors are on the back except for the USB connector which is on the front panel, which makes sense. A USB connector allows you to enjoy digital TV, video and music, which can be played from a memory stick. By the way, not all STBs have this feature.

Set-top box features

Now about the advantages of this particular set-top box:

  • Memory for 4000 channels
  • Quick and easy to update the software through USB port/OTA, etc. ะด.
  • Supports Auto/NTSC/PAL and 4:3 16:9 (wide screen)
  • Parental control function
  • 7 favorite channel groups
  • Automatic and manual channel search
  • Support for subtitles and teletext
  • Seven days EPG (TV program) with detailed information
  • Support for recording TV programs to a USB flash drive
  • Support Time-shift function (you can pause and run to the toilet without waiting for commercials)
  • Various functions for channel editing (you can even rename it)
  • Automatic saving of the last channel
  • FAT32 and NTFS filesystem support
  • Watch and record the current channel
  • Recording on a schedule through the EPG
  • And the best part: the box turns itself on, records the program and turns off

How to connect two or more TVs to the box

Using the antenna connector several TV sets can be connected to one digital set-top box. In order to properly form a scheme of connecting technology, you need to buy a special device, which is called a splitter. Disadvantage of this method is that absolutely all TVs will work synchronously. They broadcast the same channel because only one receiver is used.

There are alternative methods of connecting two TVs to one set-top box. The essence is to use the untapped interfaces. For example, you can use one TV set via RCAs and the other one via HDMI interface. If absolutely all inputs are busy, you can buy high-frequency modulator.

RF-modulator is a compact device that provides separate signal decoding for each TV set. Using this adapter has only one serious drawback, the high cost. Price of the modulator can significantly exceed the cost of the device.

Buying a Smart TV set-top box

In the store Artline presents a variety of options for Smart TV set-top boxes, including the reviewed model ARTLINE TvBox KMX3. Also we offer the possibility to buy the ready assemblies of PC and computer peripherals. We can also assemble any computer to order according to your parameters. Check out our site and see for yourself how great our value for money is.

Questions

It is very easy to do: just insert the Jack in AV port of your TV set and the three RCA jacks in correspondingly colored slots in the TV set. Then turn on the TV and activate the AV mode, it must be done with the right button on the remote control. Another option is to buy an HDMI to AV video converter.

It all depends on whether you are going to buy a new TV set in the near future. If yes, you’d better have a look at the new models with expanded capabilities, and if no, choose an inexpensive version, it will be enough for your old device.

Any set-top box will fit both an old and modern TV. Simply if you have a very old model you will need to buy a cable with the corresponding connectors.