DVB-T2 digital terrestrial decoder | The best of 2021
Choosing a box dedicated to decoding the DVB-T2 terrestrial signal is essential if you do not have a TV compatible with the new generation television signal which will come into effect starting from September of this year. There are really many digital terrestrial decoders (DTT) on the market and they differ in terms of functions and technical characteristics. For this reason we have decided to collect in our guide 5 of the best products that we have managed to find and that will guarantee you the best user experience according to your needs.
What characteristics differentiate the decoders digital terrestrial?
As with any other type of product on the market, the various external digital terrestrial decoders have different features, functions and prices. It is therefore advisable to inquire very well before launching the purchase of the first box that you will find in front of you.Below we have tried to collect the main characteristics that you must pay attention to when evaluating the type of product to choose , such as compatibility with HD channels and support for smart cards.
Compatibility with DVB-T2 signal: Surely the most important factor to take into consideration when talking about a digital terrestrial decoder for TV, is the support for the DVB-T2 standard, that is the signal that will become standard starting from September 2021. Not all decoders are able, in fact, to decode this signal, especially when it comes to boxes put on the market a few years ago. So check that the wording DVB-T2 is indicated on the box or on the package to sleep peacefully. Support for HD channels: Another of the features not to be taken for granted is the support for viewing HD channels, that is, those broadcast at a higher resolution than normal and which will make better use of all the pixels of your huge TV in the living room. To date, almost all DTTs have an HD tuner capable of supporting these channels, however it is always better to make sure. Type of connection to the TV: If you have a fairly recent TV, it will almost certainly have an HDMI-type socket available between the various inputs. This port allows viewing at a higher quality than the old audio and video connection standards. On the contrary, if your TV is not the most recent or you want to resurrect an old cathode ray tube, it will be better to look for a DTT box that has a SCART or composite output. Pay TV services: Viewing paid channels or using the various pay TV services are subject to the purchase and use of a so-called smart card. If your intention is to use a smart card now or in the future, you must first make sure you purchase a decoder that is function-ready and has the necessary slot. Multimedia content recording and playback: Some decoders have the functions of recording television programs. On some models it is even possible to schedule the recording without necessarily having to be present to start the capture. Among these DTTs, there are more sophisticated models that have a double internal decoder and allow the recording of channels different from the one you are currently watching. In addition, some of them have an internal memory where you can store your favorite broadcasts. Generally the most common solution allows recording via USB port on external sticks or hard drives. Virtually all decoders that can record via USB also have the functions of reading multimedia files through this type of external memory. Satellite channels: If you have a dish for receiving satellite TV channels, you can buy combined decoders that support both the decoding of the signal arriving from space and the TV signal via a classic antenna, allowing you to control both solutions with a single remote control. Smart functions and internet connection: By checking the possibility of connecting your decoder to the internet with an Ethernet cable or via Wi-Fi, it will then be possible to access additional services made available by the various Italian television networks for the deferred viewing of TV programs and much more. Operating system and software: If the decoder can connect to the internet, it is likely to satisfy this last requirement as well. A "smart" decoder that can connect to the network is probably equipped with a more advanced operating system that allows the use of additional software functions, such as the Electronic Program Guide (EPG). In the best of cases, the decoder will also be able to host applications for watching streaming services such as Netflix, Infinity, Disney + and so on. To receive Amazon products in this guide as quickly as possible * sign up for Amazon Prime for free for the first 30 days.
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