How To

How to Choose a Satellite Receiver

(Tuner, Satellite Receiver)

What is a Satellite Receiver?

A Satellite receiver (tuner, satellite receiver) is a device that receives the signal from the satellite converter, installed on the satellite antenna, decodes this signal and transmits the image to the TV screen. To receive the satellite TV signal, a MPEG-2, MPEG-4 (MPEG-4 satellite receiver) compression technology is used, which receiver of a digital TV antenna (satellite receiver) use. that’s why the satellite receivers are sometimes called digital television decoders. Satellite receivers are connected to the satellite antenna.

The choice of a satellite receiver (satellite tuner) should be taken very seriously. The receiver is selected individually, based on your functional requests.

The main functions in all satellite receivers are about the same, with these features you can see the passport or technical specifications. Modern satellite receivers are more like computers — they may have a built-in Linux or Android operating system, some models also have mouse and keyboard connectors. Therefore, choosing a computer when choosing a satellite tuner should pay attention to the speed of the processor. Equally important is the amount of internal memory. All this is important for modern models of satellite receivers, as it affects the speed and stability of the device.

Types of Satellite Receivers by Functionality

By functionality, satellite receivers are divided into several types

FTA satellite receivers
digital satellite receiver for free to air channels. Used for viewing open (free) channelssatellite receivers with a built-in decoder ( with card reader )

For viewing closed channels;

Satellite receivers with CI interface

For connecting CAM decoding module;

Satellite receivers that have both a built-in decoder (card reader)

For viewing closed channels and a CI interface for connecting a CAM decoding module;

Satellite PVR receivers

That allows you to record TV programs on an external or internal hard drive;

Combined receivers( combo reverts, combo receivers )

are receivers that can receive signals from digital terrestrial or digital cable television, in addition to satellite television signals.

Modern satellite TV receivers have a wide range of features and features

Many models run on the Linux or Android operating system – this means that the receiver functionality can always be refined to your needs, for example, to install additional extensions or plug-ins.
The Ethernet port allows you to connect to the Internet, your computer, or your local network.
Ability to connect an external or internal hard disk.

Also, satellite receivers can have additional features :

2 built-in tuners that allow you to watch one channel and simultaneously record another channel.
Integrated Media – player.
The ability to connect WiFi -adapter ( satellite receiver Wai Fai).
Play video files of DivX (Xvid), MPG, MP4, VOB, MKV, and other modern formats.
Playing JPEG, Youtube video, watching the weather, listening to online radio stations.

Before you buy a satellite receiver

Before you buy a satellite receiver, we recommend you watch a list of channels that are broadcast from different satellites. usually on the satellite, there may be enough free channels. In this case, you can save money and buy an inexpensive tuner model. If you want to watch not only free channels, then you will have to buy a satellite receiver with advanced Features but it will cost you more. And, of course, the cost of the device also affects its extra functionality.

Choosing a Satellite Receiver by Features, Functions and Price Tag

Satellite TV receivers can be divided into several price segments, Based on functionality, features and additional features and the functions mentioned above.

Budget Satellite receiver ( Tuner )
Economy Class Satellite Receiver
Mid-Range Satellite Receivers ( Tuners)
Premium- Class Satellite Receivers

Budget Satellite Receiver ( Tuner )

Budget and cheaper satellite receivers are designed to receive free (FTA) TV channels. They have no card reader or there is one built-in card reader for connecting to paid channels, allowing to play satellite channels that are broadcast in the DVB-S2 digital standard, using the MPEG-2, MPEG-4 video compression format. You can connect the TV via RCA or SCART interfaces, which are practically on any TV. These receivers are easy to use and can be recommended for use in the country. These receivers are not recommended for use on TVs with a diagonal greater than 32 inches, because they have analog outputs and large TVs will be distorted by the transformation with converting a digital TV image to analog format.

Economy Class Satellite Receiver

Economy class satellite receivers include receivers, which in addition to the previous receivers have a card receiver, which allows you to install cards of paid satellite operators. Before choosing a receiver from a card reader, it is necessary to find out in which coding is the operator whose services you want to use. The economy class receivers are designed to play channels on a TV with a diagonal of no more than 42 inches, with the exception of tuners with an HDMI connector, which allows you to get a picture of higher quality. In addition to the RS-232 output, such receivers may also have a USB connector through which USB software (flash drives) can be updated, and some satellite receiver models allow the recording and playback of TV programs on a USB flash drive (PVR function). In receivers with recording function, the TimeShift mode (so-called time shift) is required, which is necessary for reviewing an interesting or missing broadcast fragment.

Mid-Range Satellite Receiver ( Tuner)

Mid-range tuners are The most common HDTV receivers today ( HD satellite receivers ). They are designed to broadcast TVs to TVs with a diagonal of 42 inches or more. These receivers have a card reader, HDMI digital interface can play high-definition images (up to 1080 lines per screen). There are interlaced scan (1080i) and sequential scan lines (1080p) of the image. The latter is considered better because it provides a better TV picture on Full HD TVs, both current and previous generations. Viewing common DVB-S channels using HDTV receivers brings much more pleasure by using the HDMI digital interface to transfer images from the receiver to the TV. With receivers of this class, there is a possibility to watch the video in 3D format. On conventional TVs, you can see 2 images for the left and right eyes, and on 3D TVs, you can view 3D images with a special stereo glass.

Premium- Class Satellite Receiver

The premium satellite receiver is an enhanced HDTV receiver. These receivers, in addition to receiving satellite signals, can also perform Home Media Center functions. They can play video, audio, pictures in all sorts of digital formats and have a built-in Internet browser. These digital receivers have multiple USB connectors, plus CI interfaces. The tuner allows you to connect cable television (DVB-C) or digital terrestrial television (DVB-T2). This is ensured by the possibility of installing an optional digital tuner into the receiver. In some models, this tuner is already pre-installed.

Output Connectors

When selecting a satellite receiver, it is also worth paying attention to the output connectors, which are usually located on its back panel. Satellite receivers may differ significantly in the number of different connectors on the rear panel, which in most cases are an important factor in receiver selection. The main thing is that when selecting a tuner, it’s necessary to make sure that the outputs in this model coincide with the inputs of your TV so that you do not have to buy any adapters to connect.

Types of Connector

The most common connectors are:

LNB IN

Input for connecting a cable from a satellite antenna. This connector is present on all receivers.

LNB OUT

loop out for connecting a second satellite receiver. It should be noted that watching television channels on the second receiver with the first one is possible only in one polarization and in one frequency band, and if the first receiver is in standby mode, then the second fully controls the satellite antenna.

VIDEO- RCA

Video output (tulips) is used to connect to the TV, provides the average image quality. With this connector, you can get a good quality pictures only on small diagonal TVs.

AUDIO L / R-RCA

The audio output signal (tulips), usually stereo, for connecting to the TV or amplifier.

S-Video component

is a component analog video interface that provides separate transmission of video components: the Y brightness together with the sync signal, and the color of the C (in conjunction with color synchronization), which are transmitted through two separate lines, with a wave impedance of 75 ohms. Separate transmission of brightness and color provides higher image quality than composite standards, as it eliminates cross-noise in signal separation.

YPbPr – Component connector

YPbPr – Component connector is designed to transfer video as three components of color and brightness. The connection is made by RCA-cord.

RS232 – port

it is a receiver’s service connector for connecting to a computer and is used to update the software or the channel list.

S / PDIF

A digital optical audio output, for connecting to a home theater or Hi-Fi hardware.

HDMI

HDMI is a digital multimedia interface for connecting to a TV that supports high-definition video and superior quality to all analog interfaces. Used to view HD high-definition TV channels. An HDMI cable is used to connect to the TV.

Ethernet

A port for connecting to the Internet, a computer or a local area network.