You are equipping your living room with a new entertainment system but, after setting up your TV, Blu-Ray player and home theater, you had to stop because you don't know yet which HD satellite decoder to buy? Well, I understand you. If you have installed a satellite dish for the first time and you are not particularly knowledgeable in the subject, it is normal that you do not know very well which device to buy. But don't worry, I can help you.
If you have a few minutes of free time to devote to me, I can show you the main technical parameters you need to look at before buying a satellite decoder - for example support for encrypted channels, compatibility with the latest broadcast standards, customization options for operating system etc. - and I can list you a series of decoders among those that currently offer the best ratio between quality and price.
So, what do you think? Would you like to learn more about satellite decoders with support for HD / Full HD channels? If your answer is yes, read on. Find all the information you need - and which will allow you to avoid wrong purchases - right below. Enjoy your reading and have fun!
Index
How to choose an HD satellite decoder
Price isn't the only parameter you need to look at before buying a satellite box. Satellite decoders, as you surely know, are not all the same and therefore to find out which ones are most suitable for you you have to learn to distinguish, and evaluate, some technical characteristics that I am now going to list in detail.
Supporto HD/4K
All the decoders I'm going to tell you about today have content support in HD e Full HD, then to content that has a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels or 1920 x 1080 pixels. Today, however, televisions are becoming increasingly popular 4K / UltraHD and in the near future satellite broadcasters will also focus on this format (equivalent to 3840 x 2160 pixels).
If you want to buy a future-proof decoder and are on a rather high budget, choose a device with 4K support and support for codec H.265 / HEVC which will be used in the next few years for television broadcasts.
Support for encrypted channels
There are decoders that allow you to watch only the channels that broadcast in the clear (they are called Free to Air) and others that instead support the use of smart cards for pay TV services and more generally access to encrypted channels.
But be careful, because the encoding standards are not all the same and therefore decoders compatible with a certain type of encrypted channels may not be able to display others.
Another important feature to evaluate is the number of slot per le smart card (o in the slot Common Interface for the installation of CAM) present in the decoder: some decoders have a double slot, one of which is used to use the tivùsat card: the service that allows you to view all the contents of Rai, Mediaset and other important 2022ni and international broadcasters without blackouts.
Tivùsat support
As just mentioned, tivùsat is a free service that allows you to receive Rai, Mediaset, Discovery, La7 and other major broadcasters, both 2022ni and international, via satellite. It is essential if you want to watch the main free broadcasters 2022ne without running into the annoying problem of blacked out programs, that is, all those TV series, films and sporting events that are obscured by free-to-air satellite broadcasts for rights issues.
tivùsat works through a smart card, which in many circumstances comes "standard" with the decoder and requires a decoder equipped with a slot for smart cards or an external CAM to be connected to the decoder or television (provided that the latter is equipped with a satellite tuner) .
Supporto DVB-S/DVB-S2
Satellite broadcasts are based on a digital broadcast standard which is called Digital Video Broadcasting and it comes in two different versions: DVB-S, then first generation Digital Video Broadcasting, and DVB-S2, which stands for second generation Digital Video Broadcasting. As easily understood, the DVB-S2 is a direct evolution of the DVB-S and its support from the decoders is essential to see some broadcasters both 2022ne and international (even free-to-air). The standard will also be launched in the coming years DVB-S2X, but for the moment the decoders compatible with this technology are few and quite expensive.
In light of the above, my advice is to buy a DVB-S2 decoder. Take into consideration decoders that do not support DVB-S2 only if you first look at the savings and those with DVB-S2X support only if you want the best (and you have no particular budget limits). Instead, discard the receivers that only support the analogue satellite signal: they are now obsolete.
Support for digital terrestrial
If for satellite transmissions we have the DVB-S and DVB-S2 standards, in digital terrestrial transmissions there are the standards DVB-T e DVB-T2 . Why am I telling you? Simple, because there are gods decoder “combo” which in addition to satellite broadcasts, also allow digital terrestrial channels to be received through DVB-T / DVB-T2 tuners installed inside them. There is nothing better if you are looking for both a satellite decoder and a digital terrestrial decoder and you don't want to have so many cables scattered in the living room!
Internet connection
Just like televisions, Blu-Ray players and digital terrestrial decoders, satellite decoders can also be Smart, that is, able to connect to the Internet via cable or Wi-Fi and access services to watch content on-demand. More advanced decoders also support i IPTV systems with customizable channel lists.
Recording of TV programs
Don't want to miss a single episode of your favorite show? Then consider buying a decoder capable of record TV programs on a USB stick or portable hard drive.
There are also several mid-range devices (therefore not overly expensive) that include this function, which is commonly referred to as PVR (Personal Video Recording).
Operating system and customization
The most advanced decoders are those equipped with an operating system that can be customized by the user, such as the very famous Linux Enigma2 which among its many features also offers the possibility of watching TV over the Internet (IPTV) and to emulate software CAM to access various CA systems (highly illegal, don't do it!).
If you intend to "play" with these features, be sure to purchase a decoder equipped with Internet support and an operating system appropriate to your needs. Know, however, that to "tinker" with this type of decoder you need a certain knowledge in the IT field.
Other features and functions
Other functions that can be included in satellite decoders and that I advise you to take into consideration are those related to multimedia content playback from hard drives and USB sticks, support for electronic program guide (EPG) which allows you to discover the schedule of all television broadcasters, the Time shift which allows you to pause content and resume playing it later and creating custom channel lists.
As for the technical specifications, I suggest you take a look at the provision of doors the decoder has (i.e. the number of USB ports, the availability or not of SCART outputs, etc.), the number of tuner included in the device (a receiver with two tuners can allow you to view a channel while recording another) and, if you decide to buy a Linux decoder of those that can be fully customized, also the performance of components such as the processor, the RAM and internal memory for storage (which determine the overall performance of the decoder).
Which HD satellite decoder to choose
At this point, you should have all the information you need. The time has therefore come to put aside the chatter and find out which HD satellite decoder to buy. Below you will find some of the most interesting that you can currently find in stores: try to find the one that suits you best and, if you want, buy it directly online.
Best cheap HD satellite decoder (max 70 euros)
Anadol HD 222 Pro
Anadol HD 222 Pro offers several more or less advanced features at an extremely low price: it is a DVB-S2 decoder, therefore updated to the latest standard, compatible with Full HD resolution and also capable of reproducing content available online, such as YouTube, even if only with the WiFi dongle which must be purchased separately (by significantly raising the purchase price). It is sold pre-programmed and with an HDMI cable and also has a USB 2.0 port. However, there is no Ethernet port.
Strong SRT 7007
Another low-cost decoder that I advise you to consider is it Strong SRT 7007 which supports all free-to-air satellite channels, including those in Full HD. It allows you to store up to 4.000 channels and includes a convenient USB port that allows you to play multimedia files and update the device firmware. It also has an HDMI output, a SCART socket and an Ethernet port for viewing RSS feeds and online weather forecasts. Unfortunately it does not support the DVB-S2 standard and does not include a slot for smart cards, this means that it is not possible to access even the channels that require the tivùsat card.
Trade Shop Traesio
Il Trade Shop Traesio it is both a DVB-S2 receiver, therefore suitable for satellite channels, and DVB-T2, therefore also working with digital terrestrial. It supports Full HD resolution and has a USB port along the front, while on the back we also have SCART and HDMI. Also in this case, unfortunately, the smart card reader is missing, and there is not even support for network connectivity. If you need, however, a decoder for digital terrestrial and satellite at the same time to be combined with an old TV, this is one of the cheapest.
Thomson THS222
Il Thomson THS222 is an HD satellite receiver that allows you to access all free channels that transmit in the clear (free to air, DVB-S2). It allows you to store up to 4.000 channels and 64 satellites, supports the playback of content from USB sticks and hard drives (in fact it has a USB port) and, via software update, also allows you to enable the recording and Time Shift functions. It can connect to your TV via HDMI or SCART cable and supports Internet connection (via Ethernet or USB Wi-Fi adapter) to access RSS feeds and weather forecasts. It does not include slots for smart cards and is therefore not compatible with tivùsat.
Edision SAT Piccollo
THEEdision SAT Piccollo it is equipped with the DVB-T2 and DVB-S2 double tuner and has a USB Wi-Fi adapter (included in the price) for connecting to the Internet or, if you prefer, it is also equipped with a special port for the LAN cable. It can store up to 6000 channels and record contents via USB stick. It is also available in a reduced version, without CI support and the DVB T2 tuner, or in a plus version, which exceeds the threshold of this range by a few euros and also offers space for CI. If desired, there is also a special space for the Tivùsat card, hidden behind the front panel.
Best mid-range HD satellite decoder (70-100 euros)
Strong SRT7806
Another compact size model is the Strong SRT7806, with a USB port located on the front and HDMI, SCART, Ethernet, S / PDIF connections, and compatibility with WebTV and RSS Feed. The remote control is supplied, while there is support for Full HD resolution and the EPG mode as regards the guide on broadcast programs. Unfortunately, this receiver is only suitable for free-to-air channels as it does not have a card reader.
Ferguson Ariva 254 Combo
Il Ferguson Ariva 254 it is a “combo” device capable of reproducing both satellite channels (DVB-S, DVB-S2) and digital terrestrial channels (DVB-T and DVB-T2) in high definition. It supports smart cards for services such as tivùsat and Mediaset Premium (double slot), while it does not support Sky. It connects to the Internet via cable (Wi-Fi only with the use of a special adapter) and records TV programs on USB sticks and hard drives.
Vu + Zero
Il Vu + Zero is another decoder equipped with the Linux Enigma2 operating system that allows you to customize many aspects of the device and expand its functions. It is a powerful product, able to receive HD satellite channels, record videos on USB media and connect to the Internet to use IPTV services (via cable or Wi-Fi, after installing a special USB adapter). It also includes a slot for smart cards. It offers excellent value for money but, it must be said, it is mainly intended for the public of technology enthusiasts who know how to make the most of its potential.
Dreambox DM 520
Dreambox products use a Linux-based operating system, called Dreambox OS, and are intended for more experienced users than the average. If you consider yourself belonging to this category this is one of the best models you can buy in this model. The Dreambox DM 520 supports DVB-C / T2 channels and implements a web interface manageable from PC and smartphone. The dimensions are compact for a Linux-based product, and there is a smart card reader with the ability to play up to Full HD resolution. As ports we have the optical S / PDIF output, two USB and Ethernet, while WiFi is optional. There is also a more expensive version which additionally has the DVB-S2 tuner.
i-CAN 5000T+
The i-CAN 5000T + is one of the best HD satellite decoders that you can find under 100 euros if you are interested exclusively in digital terrestrial channels and therefore DVB-T. This decoder has integrated WI-Fi and allows you to connect without problems to the network and to all services such as On-Demand such as Infinity, RaiPlay etc. If desired, it also has a smart card reader for tivùsat, while via USB it can record all your favorite programs. There is also a second USB port, the HD output and the Ethernet port.
Best high-end HD satellite decoder (over 100 euros)
GigaBlue UHD Trio 4K
Among the cheapest in this category, there is the very good GigaBlue UHD Trio 4K which slightly exceeds 100 euros. Underneath the plastics, the heart of this decoder is driven by the Quad-core ARM Cortex A53 processor that runs the proven Enigma2, the Linux-based OS. In terms of connections, however, there is the possibility of connecting a digital audio system through the optical port, three USB ports and an Ethernet port. The tuners are up to date and allow you to watch DVB-T2, DVB-C and DVB-S2 channels. Finally, there is also the possibility of inserting a smart card and recording on a key using the PVR function.
Vedi offers your AmazonZgemma H7C
If you want to spend a little more there is the Zgemma H7C, a 4K satellite decoder under whose body beats a UC 12000 DMIPS BCM7251S Dual-core processor powered by 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal memory. On board there is a double DVB-S / S2X tuner manageable comfortably from the operating system that mounts based on Linux. The decoder can connect to the internet via the appropriate Ethernet port and can record videos thanks to the PVR function. In addition to the space for the CI module, there are also 3 USB ports, 2 of 2.0 and one of 3.0.
Dreambox DM900
Going up in price, I recommend the Dreambox DM900, with integrated 3 “display and Dual-core processor, always capable of also supporting 4K Ultra HD resolution. This model features an SD card reader, and has a 2,5-inch hard drive tray that must be purchased separately. There are also two HDMI (in and out), a Service port, the optical S / PDIF, USB ports and an Ethernet. This model implements 2GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, while the operating system is still the Linux-based Enigma2. Two satellite dishes and one for digital terrestrial can also be connected to this device, thanks to the integrated "triple tuner".
Vu + UNO 4K SE
Il Vu + UNO 4K SE it is very similar to the model I suggested above, but it has some differences: it has two DVB-S2 tuners and is based on the Linux-derived operating system, also supporting 4K Ultra HD resolution. It implements a 1,7GHz Dual-core ARM processor, 2GB of RAM and 4GB of onboard storage. It is characterized by its speed and the 2,4 ″ display integrated on the front: behind it instead implements a Gigabit Ethernet port, two HDMI (one in, the other out), two USB 3.0, one RS-232 port, and one S / PDIF. There is no shortage of removable drawer for the hard-disk, CI slot and slot for the smart card.
Dreambox DM920
If you really have no spending limits and you simply want the best that the market offers, then I suggest you take a look at Dreambox DM920. It is proposed with different configurations as regards the integrated tuner, possibility of having compatibility with the most popular standards. This model implements USB 3.0 ports, HDMI, and has a 2,5 "hard drive tray, very similar to the DM900 from the same company. The Ethernet port is Gigabit, and there is no lack of smart card reader, CI slot and slot for the external SD memory card. The supported resolution is of course 4K Ultra HD.
