One of the characteristic features of the Russian mentality, which originates from the Soviet past with its total deficit, is the unwillingness to part with durable things. The result is a gradual movement of such things, incl. TV from the apartment to the garage, and from there to the dacha.
The quality of the image and sound reproduction of the old TV is quite satisfactory for the household. For example, from the author of these lines, a Japanese TV, bought in the early 90s, was operated in the country until the very end of the first decade of the 21st century.
The problem with such still workable "oldies" is that they are not designed to receive a digital signal, and since the beginning of last summer, analogue broadcasting has been stopped throughout the country.
Therefore, the issue of using television is potentially solved in two alternative ways:
- the purchase of a new modern TV set for the dacha;
- using a set-top box that allows you to reproduce a digital TV signal on an older TV.
The solution to this issue is largely determined by the availability, cost and ease of connecting such a set-top box to a TV and the ease of use. At the same time, a long-lived TV must have RCA or SCART inputs.
DVB-T2 set-top box
The set-top box, Figure 1, operates in the DVB-T2 standard and is a device the size of a WiFi router, the aesthetic parameters of which correspond to the interior of the living space. Converts a digital TV signal to an analogue one for playback on older TVs.
The set-top box is connected to the TV outlet with a standard TV cable, Figure 2, a hinged adapter is used for power supply.
The control is carried out by an IR remote control, Figure 3 with an intuitive keyboard, mastering the use of which is not a big problem. The cost of the set-top box usually slightly exceeds a thousand rubles, which does not affect the family budget.
The set-top box is connected to the TV with a flexible cable with RCA plugs, Figure 4, often called tulips.
An adapter, remote control and cable are included with the device.
Connecting a set-top box to a TV via RCA connectors
The rear panel of the set-top box contains sockets of three coaxial RCA connectors, Figure 5. A socket with a yellow insulator is responsible for the video signal; the right and left channels of stereo sound are brought out to the red and white connectors.
These plugs use an RCA cord to connect to the appropriate sockets on the TV in a color-to-color manner.
SCART connection
The SCART connection is used if the TV has a corresponding universal input. DVB-T2 set-top boxes are compatible only with those SCART inputs that are labeled RCA or RGB, Figure 6.
The TV and set-top box interfaces are connected with an adapter cord, Figure 7, which is purchased separately.
Connection to the set-top box is carried out in the same way as RCA "color to color". The correct orientation of the SCART plug when connected is uniquely determined by its unbalanced shape.
Conclusion
The use of a cheap set-top box provides digital television reception on an old analog TV. Connecting the set-top box is intuitive and will not cause problems even for an unskilled user.