Comparison Astro TA-24 vs Selenga HD950D

Digital TV broadcasting standards supported by the device.

Digital broadcasting has a number of advantages over analogue: it allows to transmit a high-resolution image and multi-channel sound, and also provides many additional features that are not available for analogue format. In addition, the signal level in the digital format almost does not affect the reception quality: the picture and sound are either in full quality, or (with a critical weakening of the signal) disappear altogether. The most relevant digital broadcasting standards today are terrestrial DVB-T and DVB-T2, cable DVB-C and satellite DVB-S and DVB-S2, here are their main features:

— DVB-T (terrestrial). The European standard of terrestrial television broadcasting. It is relatively rare due to the spread of the more advanced DVB-T2 standard. So it makes sense to buy a DVB-T tuner specifically if you are sure that there is such a broadcast in your region. Also note that DVB-T uses 2 terrestrial standards — MPEG-2 and MPEG-4; the compatibility of the tuner and the standard should also be clarified separately, otherwise there is a risk of being left without TV even in the digital broadcasting zone. However, many modern models are able to work with both options.

— DVB-T2 (terrestrial). The European broadcasting s...tandard, which replaced DVB-T. It provides higher bandwidth and is more resistant to interference; it is not compatible with the original DVB-T, but this is not a serious drawback: in most countries of Europe and the former Soviet Union, digital broadcasting is conducted precisely according to the DVB-T2 standard.

— DVB-C (cable). The European standard for digital broadcasting in cable networks. Despite the emergence of a more advanced DVB-C2 standard, it is still widely used by cable providers: DVB-C bandwidth allows you to transmit video in resolution up to Full HD and multi-channel audio, and equipment of this standard is relatively inexpensive.

— DVB-S, DVB-S2 (satellite). Standards for digital broadcasting via communication satellites; originally developed by European specialists, but are used worldwide. DVB-S2 is actually a development and improvement of DVB-S, DVB-S2 tuners can also work with the signal in the original DVB-S format. In light of this, modern TV tuners can provide both two separate satellite receivers and one module that supports both of these standards at once; before buying, this nuance should be clarified (especially if the characteristics of the type of satellite tuner is designated as "DVB-S/S2").

Wi-Fi is a technology used for wireless connection to computer networks and for direct connection between devices. In media players, tuners and video capture devices, it can be used both to access the Internet or "local area" through a wireless router, and to communicate with a smartphone, tablet, etc. The AirPlay, Chromecast and Miracast functions are also based on this technology. The specific set of Wi-Fi features should be clarified separately; here we note that in this paragraph the specific supported version of such a connection can also be specified. Here are the main current options:

• Wi-Fi 5(802.11ac). One of the newest (for 2020) standards. Uses the 5 GHz band (less crowded than used in earlier 2.4 GHz versions) for improved reliability and lower latency; and speeds can reach 6.77 Gbps with multiple antennas and 1.69 Gbps with a single antenna.
• Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n). The predecessor of the above Wi-Fi 5, the first standard in which the 5 GHz band was introduced — here it is used along with the traditional 2.4 GHz and is not supported by some devices with Wi-Fi 4. Data transfer rate — up to 600 Mbps.

Note that, in addition to the directly claimed Wi-Fi standard, the media centre, digital receivers and video capture devices usually provide support for earlier versions — for maximum compatibility with different devices.

IPTV service support — broadcasting by the IP protocol, using computer networks (including the Internet).

This feature should not be confused with online TV: in fact, IPTV is a type of cable television, where not an antenna cable is used to transmit the signal, but network equipment. Otherwise, IPTV and cable TV are completely similar: broadcasting is carried out through the operator; the choice of channels is limited by the assortment presented by the operator; and additional charges may apply for access. At the same time, the possibilities of IPTV are much wider than those of traditional cable broadcasting. Most specialized applications have a Time Shift feature (see below); any excerpt of a recently watched broadcast can be re-watched; in addition, it is often also possible to rewind the broadcast to a point in time before the start of viewing (if you turned on such a TV later than you planned). Other features may be provided for additional convenience, such as favorite channel lists, parental guaid, etc.