What is a digital receiver?

A digital receiver 'translates' the signal sent from the television provider so that you can watch the images on your television. Depending on the provider (satellite, cable or terrestrial), the digital receiver needs to be suitable for the signal in question. If you have satellite TV, you should have a so-called DVB-S tuner in your digital receiver. If you have cable TV, you need a DVB-C tuner in your digital receiver. And if you have terrestic TV, then you should have a DVB-T tuner in your digital receiver. If you have IPTV, then you digital receiver should support signal reception via the IP protocol.

So choosing the right digital receiver depends heavily on your digital television provider! This is because not every digital receiver can 'read' the signal from a different type of provider; for example, a digital receiver with only a DVB-S tuner is not suitable for watching cable TV. Nowadays, however, it is possible in a number of digital receivers to combine the various tuners. In other words, you can equip your digital receiver with both a DVB-S2 tuner and a DVB-C/T2 tuner, for example, allowing you to watch any form of digital television.

Other names for digital receiver are: decoder, set-top box or receiver.

Smartcard

Most digital receivers are equipped with a so-called smartcard reader. The smart card reader reads the subscription data from your smart card, allowing you to watch the channels belonging to your subscription. If your digital receiver does not have a smart card reader, it is only suitable for receiving the so-called free channels broadcast via either satellite, cable or terrestic.

You buy or get a smartcard from your digital television provider. If you have several connections in your home, so you want to watch TV in the living room and/or bedrooms, for example, you will need a separate smartcard for each digital receiver.

Which digital receiver should I choose?

The right digital receiver for you partly depends on your television provider. This is because not all receivers are suitable for every provider. Each television provider has its own technology and the digital receiver must be adapted to it.

	A DVB-C receiver is suitable for digital television via cable (for example UPC or Ziggo).
	A DVB-S receiver is suitable for digital television via satellite (Canal Digital, TV Flanders, TéleSat).
	A DVB-T / T2 receiver is suitable for digital television over the air (= terrestic).
	A digital receiver suitable for digital television via ADSL / VDSL / fiber optic.

Furthermore, there are receivers that are suitable for both High Definition (HD) channels, such as the Standard Definition (SD) channels. Almost all digital receivers have an Electronic Program Guide (EPG). This makes it possible to view the programming of the channels via the television. In addition to the time at which a program is broadcast, additional information about the content of the program is often provided. Channels can also be switched from the EPG and if the digital receiver also has PVR functionality, (= Personal Video Recorder also DVR (Digital Video Recorder)), it is also possible to set a timer / record one or more programmes from the EPG.

Since many receivers are now equipped with a so-called Twin tuner, it is possible to watch one programme and record another. If the receiver also supports the Time-Shift function (and an HDD is available), then it is also possible to pause 'live' programmes and continue watching whenever you want.

If you also want to have interactive television, this is also an important consideration when buying a digital receiver. This is because not every digital receiver is suitable for interactive television.

SD-decoders
SD decoders are connected to the television set via an (analogue) SCART cable. Such a digital receiver is not suitable for showing HD channels.

HD-decoders
HD decoders are suitable for both the HD and SD signal. An HD decoder is connected to the television via an HDMI cable. The latter must be at least HD-ready (or Full-HD) to watch HD television.

Is it possible to watch digital TV without a digital receiver?

The answer to this is "yes". Many televisions nowadays have a built-in DVB-T, DVB-S and/or DVB-T tuner. The big advantage is that you no longer need a separate digital receiver and therefore 'only' 1 remote control. It also takes up less space, as you no longer need a separate receiver with the TV. A major disadvantage is that there is no possibility of recording, for example, or that recording is only possible on the channel being watched.

To be able to watch and zap via the built-in tuner in the TV, a so-called 'Conditional Access Module' (CAM) / CI+ module is needed. This is a flat, small plug-in card into which the TV provider's smart card needs to be inserted. That way, the encrypted signal is then decoded.

Depending on your provider and television type, you should pay close attention when buying such a module. For Ziggo, for example, there is currently a Version 1.2 and a Version 1.3 in circulation. Version 1.2 is mostly suitable for the 'older' television sets (> 1 year) and Version 1.3 for the newer television sets(< 1 year). With version 1.3, you will then also have access to Ziggo interactive television, for example.

Read more about the pros and cons of TV's with a built-in tuner >>