What To Look For When Buying Digital Set Top Boxes
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Online shopping for set top boxes can be a minefield when there are so many to choose from, and if you don’t know the terminology it’s almost impossible to know what your buying. Today I’ve sorted out all specifications for you, and reduced them down to just 2 things to look out for when you buy a set-top box in Australia.
If you’ve ever heard of the term “Future Proofing” you’ll know that some technical specifications are critical in a purchase and some don’t mean a thing if you just want to watch TV without all the new “smart” features, bells and whistles. With that in mind I’ve decided to list a number of set-top boxes for you that should “Future Proof” you, even if you buy a new TV or entertainment system in the near future.
If you have an older CRT TV check that it has a three point video connection at the back (or front). This will enable most set-top boxes to plug into it, much like a DVD player works where there’s two plugs for the audio coloured red and white, and one for the video which is usually coloured yellow. Most LCD TVs have a digital tuner installed, so you essentially don’t really need another digital tuner such as a set-top box. However, If you want to record shows a set top box is a perfect solution.
The main requirement for buying a set top box is that it has a HDMI output. A HDMI output is a thin (rectangle) like connection at the back of the set-top box, which plugs into new LCD TVs that have a HDMI connection. These cables enable the display of high definition (1080i) resolutions that the network channels can now transmit on, no other TV cable connection can do this.
HDMI cables also carry all of the data from audio and video channels and are becoming the standard cable connection for TVs now, and will continue to be a standard for a number of years in future. Buying a set-top box that has an HDMI output is the most important way to future proof your purchase.
Another requirement for a decent, future proof set-top box is a high definition tuner (HD Tuner). If the set-top box you’re looking at doesn’t contain the words HD tuner, or mention that it is a high definition turner forget about it. Standard turners don’t include the high definition network channels and most of the Australian networks seem to be moving towards high definition broadcasts. With a HD tuner I can currently view 25 channels, compared to about 10 standard (SD tuner) channels.
If you’re looking for something to record your TV viewing look for the internal hard disc drive or external USB recorders or Personal Video Recorders (PVR) as they are called in the stores. I think recording is essential when you can’t stay up all night to watch the tennis.
I recommend getting a dual-tuner set top box as well. It’s impossible to watch all the shows you want without an extra recorder to help. Sometimes, two TV shows are on at the same time and dual tuners will give you the option to record one show while you watch the other.
To summarise all this information together, and to “future proof” your purchase of a set-top box you will need to buy one that has High Definition (HD tuners), and that also has an HDMI output connection for a newer LCD or plasma TV. If you have an older CRT TV you will also need an audio & video output option. My highly recommended extras include a recording option, and of course dual tuners.
Below is a list of set-top boxes that include the HDMI, Audio / Video outputs and have High Definition tuners. My recommended extra dual tuners and recorders are listed below in a separate group.
Future Proof Set Top Boxes
Store Price: $65.00 > You Save 67% ($134.00) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $69.95 > You Save 61% ($111.04) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $69.00 > You Save 54% ($80.00) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $49.95 > You Save 50% ($49.05) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $199.95 > You Save 43% ($149.05) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $99.95 > You Save 41% ($69.05) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $98.95 > You Save 38% ($60.05) [correct at time of publishing]
Highly Recommended Set Top Boxes
Store Price: $89.95 > You Save 55% ($109.05) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $259.95 > You Save 35% ($139.05) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $369.95 > You Save 30% ($159.05) [correct at time of publishing]
Store Price: $269.95 > You Save 29% ($109.05) [correct at time of publishing]
