Digital television is replacing analogue broadcasts everywhere. The consumer needs to make a choice, as it is easier and at the lowest cost to switch to a new format. Let's try to figure this out.
What is a digital TV tuner
The tuner is also called a receiver or decoder - this is a device designed to receive and process a digital signal. The decoder can be built-in or external (in the form of a set-top box to the TV).
Digital devices differ in the type of broadcast received, each has a corresponding designation:
- satellite TV, DVB-S (S2);
- cable DVB-C (C2);
- broadcast DVB-T (T2).
In the latest television models, tuners can handle several digital TV formats.
The designation 2 indicates an improved version of the standard. New modifications completely replaced their predecessors.
Watching cable television, in addition to having a receiver, will require an additional module (CAM) and an access card. To watch satellite broadcasts, you need a satellite dish.
REFERENCE! Starting in the summer of 2019, the DVB-T2 system will replace analog TV throughout the country. In most towns, digital transmitters are installed. They are able to broadcast a package of channels (20 items, free display), in the future it is planned to add another 10 programs.
To find out what signal your television model receives, take a look at the technical specifications or, if the instruction is lost, pay attention to the inscription next to the decoder. The abbreviation "digital input" refers to the reception of digital broadcasting.
To check, use the setting of TV channels, it is carried out in two ways:
- automatic search, it can be activated in the TV menu;
- manual search using frequencies 546 and 498 (each contains 10 programs).
If the user's TV shows only analogue channels, this will not be a problem. It is enough to purchase an external set-top box, in any electronics store they are presented in a wide assortment. The price of such a device is much lower than the cost of a new television panel and at the same time it has various additional features (recording programs, schedules, subtitle support, etc.).
REFERENCE! Replacing the external antenna to view the numbers is usually not needed, it has only one condition: the ability to receive the decimeter range (UHF).
Why are there two tuners on the TV
Modern television devices have rich functionality, and one of the interesting viewing tools is picture-in-picture (denoted by PiP). This option is supported by expensive TVs that have two digital tuners. It becomes possible to watch two TV channels at the same time, while the sound comes from only one program, which is selected as the main one.
REFERENCE! This function can work even if there is one receiver, but in this case, the signal from the external device connected to the TV (for example, a DVD player) is displayed in the second picture.
There are varieties of transmission of two or more images:
- the main picture is broadcast in a 4: 3 ratio, and free space is occupied by additional broadcasting (PoP);
- the screen is divided into two equal zones, each channel broadcasts a channel (PaP);
- on widescreen TVs, the function is expanded to 16 windows or more (Multi PiP).
This technology can be useful, for example, for football fans, providing the opportunity to simultaneously watch two different matches.
We hope that our article answered your questions about the digital tuner and its features.
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