Analog television is becoming a thing of the past, it has already been replaced by digital broadcasting. Not all models support this technology, therefore, in order for the channels to show high quality, special set-top boxes have been developed — dvb tuners. There are a lot of them on sale. Many people don’t get much use out of this equipment, so our roundup of the best dvb tuners of the year will be of the most use to them.
In this article, we have collected the most popular products, collected all the necessary information on them. In addition, there are some very important points to consider when purchasing this product. With this, perhaps, we will begin.
How to choose the right dvb box?
Such a tuner has small overall dimensions, so it does not need to allocate a decent amount of free space to it, but the point here is not its size, but the software and technical device. In fact, all these products can be divided into three groups. The former include products that are capable of receiving television channels of free digital broadcasting in the DVB-T2 format. Most of them have a connector for connecting external media, from which you can play various media files, as well as record TV programs.
The second group includes designs that have all the functions listed above, and are also capable of working with cable television broadcasting produced in the DVB-C format. The third class is a model with the ability to connect to the Internet as an IPTV set-top box. This allows you to watch videos from various virtual resources such as online cinemas, hosting sites like Youtube and many others.
In this regard, before purchasing, the user needs to decide for what purposes this set-top box will be used. If you plan to install it in a country house where Internet access is not provided, then it is best to give preference to devices from the first group. When access to the network is free, you can make a choice in favor of a more functional device
Many people also look at the presence of external lotions. In particular, there are monoblocks on sale, where the power supply is located in the design case, but there are also products equipped with an external power supply, which may not seem very convenient to some users. It is advisable to view the functionality of the product — the types and number of connectors for connecting equipment. The more of them, the better, but this will affect the price of the model. You should also pay attention to the control panel: it should fit comfortably in your hand. The most progressive tuners have a programmable remote control, the functions of the buttons of which will be set by the user himself. The most convenient designs in operation will be receivers equipped with a display on the front panel. He will help the owner to get all the necessary information.
When choosing models to include in our rating, we took into account all the factors discussed above, relied on user reviews and took into account value for money. We have tried to find for you the best models that will be affordable for most of our readers. Now is the time to move on to analyzing the performance of specific tuners.
The best models of DVB tuners
10.D-COLOR DC702HD
One of the cheapest and most functional models, which is covered by a very long warranty period — it is 2 years. With its key function, the tuner copes just fine. It surpasses similar devices in many ways. Its sensitivity is high even in cases of adverse operating conditions. In particular, it will produce a clear picture even if the repeater is out of line of sight. The receiver does not support the AC-3 audio codec format, so most movies will simply be played without sound — the exception is files with the extension .aac, mpeg-2 and some others. The build quality is quite high. The case has small dimensions — 12x10x3 cm. It is made of matte plastic, the elements fit tightly to it, no backlashes were found.
All connectors are located at the back — there is an antenna input, a socket for HDMI cables, there is an input for USB. The remote control is also plastic, has a very convenient shape, all the buttons can be easily reached without effort. The power supply is portable, also has a small size. The device itself has slots on the case, however, when playing video through external media, it may heat up a little, but this does not affect the stability of the structure. Through a standard antenna with the help of a receiver, you can catch about 20 television channels and even several radio stations.
Advantages:
- Relatively low price;
- Compatible with any TV;
- Easy to set up and manage;
- High level of signal stability.
Disadvantages:
- There is no AC-3 audio codec in the firmware.
D-COLOR DC702HD
9. HARPER HDT2-1202
This digital TV tuner is capable of working with DVB-T2 and DVB-T digital channels. Searches and tunes channels both automatically and manually. If necessary, you can connect this device to almost any TV — for this, the rear panel of the device has all the necessary connectors: a standard antenna jack, an HDMI output, and a set of tulips for working with outdated products. In addition to playing channels, this model can play media files from external storage media, and it will be possible to connect not only a standard flash drive, but also a full-fledged hard drive to it. If necessary, you can record the broadcast, access to some channels can be blocked due to the presence of the «Parental Control» function. The device is supported by teletext.
The remote control is very convenient, batteries are supplied with it, and a cable with tulips is also included with the tuner. The power supply is remote, during operation it practically does not heat up. The same can be said about the device itself. You can set up for full-fledged work within a few seconds. The picture quality of the channels is high even in the case of a weak signal: no ripples, twitching pictures were found. The menu of the model is completely Russified, which greatly facilitates the setup and use of the tuner.
Advantages:
- Acceptable cost;
- Very easy to set up — even a child can handle it;
- Catches about 20 free channels, shows them in very high quality;
- Does not heat up during operation;
- Long period of operation.
Disadvantages:
- Slightly oversized case.
HARPER HDT2-1202
8. Selenga HD950D
Differs in compact overall dimensions — a small box with a body, made of high-quality matte plastic, painted black. It is practically invisible in the interior, dust and other contaminants do not accumulate on the product. There are several physical buttons that allow you to operate the device without using the remote control. On the top of the case are stylish enough slots for fresh air access to the elements. This set-top box is capable of working with such fairly popular formats as DVB-C, DVB-T, DVB-T2, and the image quality is very high — it will correspond to the Full HD format. There is everything you need not only to connect to a TV, but also to connect external media. The model has a function of teletext support, and a mode of delayed viewing is also provided.
Despite the fact that the device has a low cost, it has the ability to connect a Wi-Fi adapter, which makes it possible to view programs and videos directly from the Internet. On the front side there is one USB port, there is also a digital display that will display the channel number, signal source and other useful data for the user. The set-top box easily plays most of the known video formats, there is an extended set of built-in codecs, so you don’t have to be afraid that the movie will start playing without sound. A television broadcast is recorded in the .3gpp format — it is not very common, but it takes up a minimum of free space on the media and at the same time maintains good image quality.
Advantages:
- There is everything you need for comfortable work, there are two USB ports;
- High quality of the output image — Full HD;
- There is a fairly clear and bright digital display;
- Acceptable cost;
- There is a mode of delayed viewing of the program;
- Good degree of reliability and durability.
Disadvantages:
- There is no button that resets the device to factory settings.
Selenga HD950D
7. BBK SMP145HDT2
The tuner is available in two colors — black and dark grey. Dimensions are very compact — 174x158x42 mm with a product weight of only 370 g. All corners of the case are slightly rounded, which gives the design additional style and attractiveness. The front panel has a two-color LED type indicator — in standby mode it glows red, and changes color to green during operation. There is also a USB port here. On the back of the case, everything is standard — three connectors for tulips, an input for connecting an antenna and a socket for an HDMI cable. This is the first model in our today’s review, which has a built-in power supply, and the cable from the device is not disconnected. On the bottom side, you can find four rubberized feet that protect the device from sliding on the surface. There are also holes in the cooling system. The basis here is the Ali M3821 single-chip system, which was developed back in 2014, but it continues to be successfully used to this day.
The design is reliably protected from interference. There is a built-in memory module, the volume of which is 64 MB, there is also another module for connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The remote control is made of plastic, which is very pleasant to the touch, it has an anti-slip coating, so it does not slip out of your hands. It has as many as 43 buttons, all of them are made of rubberized materials, they are pressed comfortably. Connecting and configuring is very easy. The receiver is fully Russified, the system can search for channels in both automatic and manual modes.
Advantages:
- Another affordable device;
- Can be configured and used even without a remote control;
- Works with all video and audio formats;
- Receives channels well.
Disadvantages:
- Some users claim that the buttons on the remote are too small.
BBK SMP145HDT2
6. Oriel 421UD (DVB-T2/C)
The main difference from other similar devices is the remote control. The fact is that it has not only the necessary number of standard buttons, but also several programmable ones, they can be assigned various kinds of functions depending on the needs. The buttons here are rubber, they are of considerable size. With their help, it will be possible to turn on or off the TV or the set-top box itself, switch to the video input, adjust the volume, and so on. The menu of the device is quite simple — practically no different from other devices. Another important feature of the tuner is the ability to work with DVB-C cable digital television format. There are two USB ports, and one of them is located on the front panel. The rear one is designed specifically for connecting a Wi-Fi adapter, but it is not included in the kit, you will have to purchase it separately. The AC-3 codec, aka Dolby Digital, is built into the firmware.
There are three physical buttons on the front — on and off, two more are responsible for adjusting the volume and switching channels. There are no wires in the kit, except for the power cable. The power supply is built-in, which is very convenient during operation. The quality of the picture is very good — acceptable clarity, the sound is well audible, the colors are respected.
Advantages:
- Stable Internet connection;
- Universal programmable remote control;
- Easy to set up and use;
- Lots of different sockets and ports.
Disadvantages:
- Slightly slows down when playing heavy files;
- When used for a long time, it gets very hot.
Oriel 421UD (DVB-T2/C)
5. World Vision T62A
A very original model, which is not so easy to find on sale, as the series of products is limited. The control of the design is quite simple and intuitive — you can figure out the menu in a matter of minutes. The remote control here has various design and constructive solutions, which makes it not only very convenient to use, but also very beautiful. He is trainable. Each press of the buttons will be responded by the blinking of the power LED — you do not have to check its performance or battery charge. The body of the product is metal, which facilitates the removal of excess heat. On the front side there is a four-digit indicator that replaces the display. It will display the time or channel number. Here you can also find a USB connector and seven control buttons at once. The rear panel has a wide range of sockets, which allows you to use the set-top box even for outdated TV models. The power supply is internal, but if necessary, you can power the device through an external power supply.
When you turn on the receiver for the first time without user intervention, it starts scanning the air. On average, it finds about 25-32 channels, and all of them will be shown very well. The model is Russified, there is also support for English and Ukrainian languages. There is an electronic TV guide that will show the program guide of the selected channel and the six closest on the list. There is a recording and shutdown timer function. The adapter for connecting to the Internet is built-in here, you can use the set-top box as an IPTV.
Advantages:
- A huge number of additional features;
- Built-in power supply, and if desired, you can connect an external one;
- Expanded number of channels;
- Quality assembly;
- Metal case;
- Attractive appearance.
Disadvantages:
- Difficult to find in retail.
World Vision T62A
4. LUMAX DV-2104HD
Another model of our review, which has an extended warranty period — 2 years. The device proved to be very good in working conditions with a weak signal. The design operates on the basis of a single-chip system MSD7T01, which is equipped with an integrated demodulator and built-in memory. The tuner Rafael Micro R836 is responsible for receiving the signal, it is closed with a special shielding casing made on the basis of aluminum foil. Today, this technological solution is one of the newest on the market. This allows the receiver to work with channels as low as -85 dBµV. The tuner works stably, does not slow down under any circumstances. There is an antenna power function, so that the input signal can be made more powerful. The model has a modern system of protection against power surges and short circuits.
The design is also equipped with a built-in Wi-Fi module, and it has an original feature called “Lumax Cinema”. With its help, the user can watch over a hundred popular films in the highest quality directly online. In our review, you will no longer find models with something like this. The front panel has a high-contrast liquid crystal display that displays all the information necessary for the user. This model is perfect for giving, especially if power surges occur there.
Advantages:
- The optimum ratio of price and quality;
- Attractive appearance;
- Very wide functionality;
- Large and bright display;
- Can work with any TV.
Disadvantages:
- There are no physical buttons on the case.
LUMAX DV-2104HD
3. World Vision Premium
In third place in our ranking of the best DVB tuners was a fairly powerful model. A combined processor is installed here, which processes information almost instantly, and it is also equipped with a demodulator. Another important feature is the presence of an increased amount of RAM — its 128 MB against the standard 64 MB. Built-in memory is not too much — 8 MB, but this is easily compensated by the ability to connect external media via USB. The device is able to work with both standard flash drives and real hard drives. The model can work both in on-air format and as a set-top box for IPTV. The design is characterized by the presence of a unique Web server function. With its help, broadcasting over the network can be viewed on a computer, laptop, tablet and even smartphone. The device comes with everything you need to connect and work with the product.
The front panel has seven physical buttons, a liquid crystal display and a red-green indicator. All functions of the remote control are duplicated on the case. The top cover is almost completely occupied by perforated ventilation holes. They are located directly above the motherboard, preventing it from overheating even if the device has been running for a long time without interruption. On the back side there are many different connectors for connecting third-party devices.
Advantages:
- Quite an interesting appearance;
- Can be used without remote control
- Extended functionality in the area of working with multimedia;
- If necessary, you can reflash the device yourself.
Disadvantages:
- It takes a long time to load.
World Vision Premium
2.Galaxy Innovations Uni 2
One of the first set-top boxes based on the Android platform version 4.2.2. A 4-core processor is used as the main element here. The model is characterized by excellent performance, does not freeze at the most inopportune moment. the appearance is beautiful and very stylish. There are no physical buttons on the front panel, only a digital indicator. All connectors are located on the back side. There are a lot of them, so you can connect absolutely any TV to the set-top box. The remote control has a fairly decent overall dimensions, but at the same time it is very convenient to use. The processor of the device is equipped with a heatsink, so the set-top box does not have problems with overheating, therefore, it is able to work without interruption for a long time. The kit comes with everything you need to connect it. The remote control is remote, which also has a positive effect on the temperature regime under the case.
The menu looks very stylish and attractive. It is possible to search for channels both automatically and manually. All the inscriptions are very clear and large — even a person with poor eyesight can read them. There is an extended functionality of the TV guide, with which you can view the program guide of the selected channel for several days in advance, study the announcement, and so on. The set-top box has a channel manager that allows you to swap them, remove them from the grid, and so on.
Advantages:
- Works with all media formats;
- Excellent signal quality;
- Displays a high-definition image on the screen;
- You can watch broadcasts over the Internet;
- Extended equipment.
Disadvantages:
- You can only control the device from the remote control;
- It is advisable to reflash the prefix, otherwise there is a possibility of a failure in the operation of applications.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFqc4KVHaCk
Galaxy Innovations Uni 2
1.BBK SMP240HDT2
The leader of the review of the best DVB tuners was the model with the optimal ratio of price, quality and functionality. The case is notable for its small overall dimensions — 132x117x32 mm, it is made of high-quality stainless steel, which is additionally reinforced with stiffeners. It is painted with black matte paint during production, which gives the design additional style and attractiveness. The front panel is glossy, made of plastic, because of this, dust can accumulate on it. There is one USB connector, there are also three physical buttons, a sensor that receives a signal from the remote control and a work and standby indicator. The device works with almost all existing broadcast formats. It is able to catch even a weak signal, amplify it and display a picture with Full HD 1080p resolution. The buttons located on the case are quite tight, when pressed, they emit a characteristic click.
There are enough inputs for connecting a TV and an antenna here. There are ventilation holes on the top and bottom of the case — during operation, you need to make sure that they do not overlap, otherwise the device will start to heat up and quickly fail. The remote control has small overall dimensions, the buttons are also small, so at first it will not be very convenient to use. The digital display shows everything the user needs.
Advantages:
- The case is very durable, metal;
- Built-in power supply;
- Excellent value for money;
- Easy-to-use device.
Disadvantages:
- Small buttons on the remote.
BBK SMP240HDT2
In conclusion, a useful video
Well, our rating of the best DVB tuners is over. We have tried to collect as much information as possible for you so that you can choose the best products for your TV. If you still have any questions, feel free to ask us in the comments, we will promptly respond to them and provide you with additional information.