DVB-T Receiver

DVB-T Receiver, all about Mpeg4 receivers

If you need a box that can catch the TV signal via a regular, old-fashioned antenna on the roof or an indoor antenna, you need a DVB-T receiver. DVB stands for Digital Video Broadcasting, and T stands for terrestrial. This does not mean that the signal is transmitted through the ground, but rather that the signal is close to the ground compared to signals received via satellite.

This means that a DVB T receiver gets its signal from the transmission towers. You can receive the TV signal via an antenna on the roof or an indoor antenna.

Digital TV box

If you have an older TV that is not HD compatible, you can buy a DVB-T tuner that can translate the signal from the antenna to your television, so you can watch digital channels even if your TV is not digital.

A DVB-T tuner is designed to receive the TV signal from an outdoor antenna or an indoor antenna. It cannot be used to receive cable TV or satellite TV unless the box is a combined receiver designed to receive signals from both regular antennas, cable, and satellite.

Such boxes are equipped with a USB port, which also allows you to use the box to play external files stored on an external hard drive, such as pictures, videos, or movies.

At a minimum, you can play jpg images, avi movies, and series and music stored in mp3 format.

Connection

A DVB-T box is connected in exactly the same way as any other TV box that can be rented from YouSee or Stofa and works in the same way. The antenna cable must be connected to the box, and the box can then be connected via an HDMI or scart cable to the television.

To access the box via the television, you then select either HDMI or aux source, and you can watch TV via the box and change channels through this as well. A remote control is included with most boxes so you can easily and conveniently change channels without getting up.

Some boxes can receive all types of signals, so they can also be used for both cable and satellite TV connections, and the more expensive versions also have a built-in program guide that can show the program schedule and help you keep track of your programs.

Some boxes can come with a CI module (Common Interface), which allows you to watch pay channels through the box. You will then need a card for either Boxer or YouSee or Stofa, which gives you access to watch the encoded channels.

Recording

On some digital TV boxes, you can record programs, and some even have a program that allows you to set the box to record programs in the future, so you don’t have to remember to record, for example, a series that airs at the same time every week, or if you are going on vacation and want to record a few programs while you are away.

In most cases, you need to connect a USB flash drive or an external hard drive to have the space to record, as DVB-T boxes usually do not have a built-in hard drive.

MPEG2 vs. MPEG4

A few years ago, YouSee announced that they would discontinue MPEG2 and that MPEG4 would need to be used instead. But what is the real difference?

MPEG compresses video and audio, so it does not take up nearly as much space as a raw video file. For comparison, a video file on a DVD is for example MPEG2, while the video file on a Blu-ray is MPEG4.

The difference between the two is that MPEG4 files are much smaller than MPEG2. Thus, you can achieve much better quality by using MPEG4 than MPEG2. MPEG4 is also better for streaming video, such as from Netflix and other providers, since the quality is higher than an MPEG2 file of the same size.

Hence, streaming services use MPEG4, and newer televisions come with an MPEG4 decoder instead of the old MPEG2 decoder.

MPEG4 is also the preferred compression format for video files on mobile phones, as this format produces small video files with high quality.

Resolution

If you have a television that can display high resolutions, you can also use a DVB-T receiver, as they can display resolutions up to 1080p, so if you have a flat screen of a newer date, the DVB-T box can also display the programs in the highest resolution without problems.

Accessories

In addition to DVB-T boxes, you can also get a DVB-T power inserter, which is used to provide power to a passive indoor antenna that does not have its own power supply, and where the DVB-T receiver does not supply power to the antenna.

By placing a DVB-T power inserter between the antenna and the television or DVB-T box, you thus get an active antenna, and can then receive the TV signal without problems.

DVB T Receiver - Large selection, see here

There can be several reasons to buy a DVB T receiver. The T in the designation DVB T stands for terrestrial and refers to the signals (both horizontal and vertical) that you receive to your TV using an antenna.

If you have access to cable TV, a DVB C receiver should be used. A large selection of DVB C boxes can be found in our overview.

A DVB T box can be connected to both indoor and outdoor antennas and helps you receive TV signals in HD quality. HD (High Definition) is a standard that ensures you TV signals in 1080P, ensuring a clear and vivid image – even on a large flat screen.

In our large selection of DVB T receivers, you will also see that you can get DVB T2 boxes. T2 is an advancement of the older T models and provides an even better and clearer TV picture.
The biggest advantage of installing a DVB T/T2 box is, however, that these boxes are equipped with an MPEG4 tuner. Older televisions are equipped with MPEG2 tuners and thus cannot receive the free digital TV signals that, for example, Danmarks Radio broadcasts.

DVB T/T2 boxes can be used anywhere

If you do not have the option – or do not wish – to receive your TV signals via a TV provider that uses cable solutions – or pay for an expensive solution involving setting up a satellite and box, you can still watch the free channels that DR broadcasts. If you also have an older model TV, you can benefit from connecting this to a DVB T/T2 receiver. This way, you can both watch broadcasts in HD quality and be sure that you can receive the digital channels that have become standard in Denmark.

For installation in your TV, you should use a Scart or HDMI cable depending on your TV's connection options. Both Scart and HDMI cables can be found in our product overview.

It is thus not a necessity to acquire a new TV to keep up with today's news. If your TV is old and only able to receive MPEG2 signals – but otherwise works well – you can benefit from connecting a DVB T receiver to this television, and you will be ensured good reception of the TV signals, as this ensures that you can receive MPEG4 signals in the future.

If you combine a DVB T box with one of our antennas, you will be able to receive free TV channels without being dependent on a TV provider or having to invest in a satellite receiver.

In our overview, you will find many different antennas – both for outdoor installation and smaller, discreet indoor antennas. We carry many models – both passive and active antennas. The active antennas are equipped with an amplifier that improves and strengthens the reception of TV signals. Also be aware of the distance to the nearest transmission tower and choose an antenna that reaches far enough.

More advantages with DVB T/T2 receivers

Many of our DVB T boxes come with a remote control, allowing you to easily change channels through the box.

We also carry models that can receive data via a USB flash drive. This allows you to view JPEG images and listen to MP3 music stored on the USB drive. It also allows for playback of movies downloaded in AVI format.

Broadcasts can also be recorded and viewed later. With a USB stick mounted in the DVB T/T2 receiver, broadcasts can be stored on the USB stick and watched when you have time and desire – and in the same good quality as you experience with live TV.

DVB T/T2 box instead of a new TV

A new TV that can receive MPEG4 signals can be a significant expense. A DVB T/T2 box is a much cheaper solution if you have a well-functioning TV.

If you are already receiving your TV signals via an antenna, you can benefit from purchasing one of our DVB T/T2 boxes, thereby securing future TV reception without investing in a new television.

This is a solution chosen by many who do not have a great need for many TV channels but still want the option to watch Danish broadcasts – and not least Danish news.

For example, if you have a TV in your vacation home or summer house, where there may not be other options for receiving TV signals than using an indoor or outdoor antenna, you may not want to buy a new expensive television. A new beautiful flat screen can seem very inviting to burglars. Here the solution may be to keep an older – and not so sought-after TV – to minimize the risk of burglary. If you install a DVB T/T2 box to this older TV, you will still be able to watch all broadcasts in good quality – but may reduce the risk of burglary while the vacation home or summer house is empty.