Choose a universal media player to connect to the TV. Choosing a universal media player to connect to a TV Performance and hardware platform

The hero of today's story is a gadget designed to make it possible to work with the Internet through a TV that initially does not have support for Smart TV or the Internet in general in any form - neither via cable nor via WiFi. This miracle is called the Prefix Android Smart TV Box for the TV, which is essentially a mini computer (Mini PC Box) with a preinstalled mobile operating system. This device connects via a modern HDMI or an old-fashioned AV cable to any TV that has these connectors and turns it into a large tablet. In this manual, I will tell you in detail how to connect and configure a TV set-top box.

Features of TV Box Android Mini PC Box

Surprisingly, even in 2018, while shopping, I found that not all modern TVs are equipped with even a simple Ethernet port for connecting an Internet cable. What can we say about wi-fi. So the invention, invented by the Chinese several years ago, is more relevant today than ever.

Moreover, Android TV set-top boxes, like any electronics, are being improved along with other technologies. Therefore, top models today support both 4K video and 5 GHz wifi, and many other goodies that make our life more enjoyable. And it will completely allow you to get rid of the need to pay a monthly fee for a television antenna, which is installed in the apartment by default.

So let's figure it out. There are many modifications of Android TV set-top boxes on the market now, which differ mainly in size. random access memory, processor power and additional features, but they all have common features:

• WiFi support
• Storage support via OTG cable
• Embedded Android system
• USB ports for connecting peripherals and flash drives for watching videos or photos
• Many models have slots for SD memory cards

Installing, connecting and configuring the Android TV Box does not require any skills and works directly, as they say, “out of the box” without any additional drivers or programs - connected via HDMI cable to the TV, and go.

Programs for Android set-top boxes are no different from applications for a regular phone - in most cases they immediately have Google Play, YouTube, a browser, and so on - like on any tablet. Accordingly, new applications are installed in the same way as in any smartphone through Play market. You can control them both through the connected mouse or keyboard, and through a special remote control.

Instructions on how to connect an Android TV box to a TV as a Smart TV

But let's move from words to practical instructions and see how to connect Android TV Box in reality. Before purchasing a model, make sure your computer has an HDMI or AV input (popularly called "tulips"). The latter is on all TVs with a “glass” tube, which means that even old TVs, inherited from parents and gathering dust on the far mezzanine for years, can be connected to the Android TV set-top box, and go online from them or play movies, music or photos from flash drives.

The same goes for the Android Smart TV itself - most inexpensive small models only have an HDMI connector, if you have a very old TV set, then it will not work.

At the same time, keep in mind that if your TV supports HDMI, then naturally use it to get the highest quality picture. Even on a good modern TV, connecting a Smart TV Box through AV tulips will give a mediocre image, like on a tube TV. Next, plug the set-top box into a power outlet and select HDMI or AV as the input signal source in the TV menu, depending on which cable you connected the Android TV Box to.

In short, it is necessary that both the set-top box and the TV set have identical connectors. Better, of course, HDMI - the quality will be much higher.

We turn to the practice of connecting a TV set-top box on Android to a TV. Choose your option:

• HDMI cable
• or AV tulips for old TVs

and connect the TV Box to the TV

A picture familiar to all Android users will appear on the screen.

Now you can install everything on the console and enjoy watching.

How to set up an Android TV box through a WiFi router?

Here you can already use pre-installed utilities, but working with Android TV Box would be incomplete without its main advantage - the ability to access the Internet. In order to configure the set-top box to work on the Internet and connect to WiFi router do the same as in the tablet:

After that, you can already enjoy all the benefits of the Internet - download applications, watch movies on YouTube, browse sites, play games, and so on.

How to control Android TV Box from phone?

To facilitate the management of Smart TV Box on Android, many models support operation as a co, which must be purchased separately. An alternative to it can be an application that is installed on a smartphone or tablet and turns it into a remote control remote control prefix.

There are many such programs - I already introduced you to one of them. It was pre-installed on all Xiaomi smartphones. Its advantage is that it interacts not only with TV set-top boxes, but also with TVs, air conditioners and other household appliances and other elements of a smart home.

However, just downloading it and installing it will not work, and even more so when it comes to an iPhone. Therefore, today we will talk about another universal and, most importantly, cross-platform application - Cetus Play. I briefly talked about him in an article about. It can be downloaded from both the Google Play Market and the Apple Store. And it means to install both on Android phones and on iOS - iPhone or iPad.

To control an Android TV box from your phone, 2 conditions are necessary:

• Connecting both the set-top box and the smartphone to the same wifi networks
• Installing the same app on both devices.

This means that you will need to go to the same Play Market on the console and install the version of the Cetus Play program for Android TV. It is also free and freely available.

Iconbit has long been known for its versatile multimedia solutions. In particular, the line of media players, which we have repeatedly covered, includes both expensive models of equipment and devices for an unpretentious user, the most, as they say, "running". This popularity is due not only to their low price, but, more importantly, to their wide functionality. Which, in turn, is achieved due to the presence of a built-in TV tuner that supports work with an on-air digital signal, which is broadcast in Russia. It is these popular consoles that will be discussed in this article. And so that the choice is not narrow, we will study three models at once that have similar functionality. Along the way, comparing the multimedia and other capabilities of the devices.

Completeness, design

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2

The discreet discreet packaging in which the devices are delivered is equally informative: it contains fairly detailed technical information about the main functions, inputs and outputs, as well as completeness.

Which, it should be noted, is also quite modest: the package contains only the most necessary accessories. For example, there is no HDMI cable here, but why? It seems that for a very reasonable reason: such a cable is needed to connect to a TV or other signal display source that supports high resolution. But if the user already has such a source, then with a high degree of probability he also has the main tool for transmitting a digital signal - the notorious HDMI cable.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2
media player Quick Guide Remote control with batteries USB power cable Composite AV cable IR port extension	media player Quick Guide Remote control with batteries USB power cable Composite AV cable	media player Quick Guide Remote control with batteries USB power cable Composite AV cable

We note the following facts: the first prefix, Iconbit Movie T2 (which you can’t even call a prefix due to its miniature size), is designed for covert placement. For example, behind a TV or in the back of a shelf. Since the infrared sensor of this set-top box, which picks up the signals of the remote control, is located outside, joining the device with a thin cable of a meter length. The sensor can be placed anywhere by gluing it with double-sided adhesive tape so that infrared radiation from the remote control can “get” the sensor from any corner of the room. Unlike this miniature set-top box, the next two units are placed next to or below the TV.

Despite the significant differences in the design of the consoles under consideration, we have a reasonable basis to compare these devices. Since the functionality of the devices is not determined at all by the shape of the case or dimensions. These factors only determine the composition of the interfaces, installation methods and power supply.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2

So, despite the different form factor and dimensions, all three set-top boxes in question are equipped with USB ports for connecting external media with media content suitable for playback by the built-in player. These ports are located on the sides of the cases, and this arrangement is explained by the fact that the USB connector during the operation of the device is most often used for quick connection of media - a flash drive, card reader or USB drive.

Other interfaces that are required for a fixed connection are usually located on the back of the case. The exception here is the Iconbit Movie T2 mini set-top box, which, by virtue of its design, is a device with a “through” type connection.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2
Inputs: power supply (5 V) antenna USB 2.0 Outputs: composite video output 576i	Inputs: antenna USB 2.0 Outputs: analog audio (stereo, as part of composite AV) audio coaxial composite video output 576i antenna	Inputs: antenna USB 2.0 Outputs: analog audio (stereo, as part of composite AV) composite video output 576i

As you can see, the difference in the composition of the inputs and outputs of the devices is small. The second device, Iconbit Movie FHD T2, has the richest choice of connectors. Here, unlike the other two set-top boxes, there is a coaxial audio output, the signal from which can be sent to an audio receiver, as well as an antenna output. Thanks to the pass-through connection, this antenna output may be needed in order to feed the terrestrial signal to the next TV with a digital tuner or to another set-top box located in another room.

Another important point(important not for everyone, but probably for many): note that all three devices have an analog video output. Yes, this is the same composite video output with stereo sound that more than one generation has become accustomed to, giving it its own romantic name "tulips". Hopelessly outdated from a technological point of view, this interface is still used in many households. Perhaps even in the majority, given our reverent attitude to the old proven technology. However, even the most “advanced” user, who has long liberated his home from heavy kinescopes, will surely find at least one CRT device. Somewhere in the garage or in the country, but there is sure to be. And one of the considered TV boxes - great way breathe a second life into the forgotten "box". By the way, looking ahead, we note that the interface of all three set-top boxes makes it possible to use them with low-resolution TVs, and even with interlacing: the graphic elements of the interfaces are made large, without sharp contrasting borders that could flicker when viewed on a kinescope with its interlacing.

The first two models, Iconbit Movie T2 and Iconbit Movie FHD T2, have special slots in the bottom for attaching to vertical surfaces, like routers and other small stationary equipment. The third set-top box does not have such an opportunity, it is intended exclusively for desktop installation. It should be noted a large number of ventilation holes in all cases - apparently, this natural cooling is enough to protect the device from overheating.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2

The plastic halves of the cases are connected either with latches (Iconbit Movie T2) or bolts. During operation, there is no need to look into the insides of the devices, but we will do this in order to evaluate the quality of the printed circuit boards.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2

It can be seen that in all three models, the central chip is necessarily equipped with a metal heatsink that dissipates heat. There is no forced cooling in the devices. The connection quality of the components is satisfactory; no traces of hand-finishing or soldering are found.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2

The first model of the set-top box, the miniature Iconbit Movie T2, is equipped with an infrared remote control that is also small in size. Included with the other two models is a slightly larger remote control with a different arrangement of buttons.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2

Below are thermal images of the devices under consideration, taken after an hour of operation of the devices at room conditions with an ambient temperature of about 24 °C.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2

It can be seen that the maximum temperature of individual sections of housings and electronic components after long-term operation does not exceed 60 °C, which is, in general, a safe standard for modern microelectronics.

Main specifications devices are summarized in one visual table:

Settings, operation

First of all, we will study the work of set-top boxes with terrestrial digital TV. We are talking, of course, about open air channels that are not encoded by the provider. In Russia, such a broadcast is carried out in the DVB-T2 standard. Of course, perfect reception in different regions is not guaranteed, it is highly dependent on the location of the transmitter (or the location of the user, which is the same). Up-to-date information on the coverage area of ​​the DVB-T2 signal can be found at. In some cases, it will not hurt to have a good receiving antenna with a signal amplifier. For our experiments, we purchased this antenna, which can be installed both indoors and outdoors:

Testing was carried out in different conditions. More precisely, in two: in a half-million city (practically its very center, built up with reinforced concrete high-rise buildings) and in a small town of 30,000 with predominantly private one-/two-story buildings. In the first case, the nearest repeater is located at a distance of five kilometers from the receiving point, while the signal needs to cross almost half the urban diameter with the corresponding dense buildings. In the second case - "village" - the repeater is located one and a half kilometers from the reception point. At the same time, practically nothing interferes with the free passage of the signal, but there is no direct visibility due to the terrain. Note: if in the city, turning off the power of the receiving antenna led to a guaranteed disappearance of the signal, then in the village digital television worked properly in the absence of signal amplification. True, it was unreliable - to get a picture without freezing and breaks, the antenna had to be directed exactly at the repeater.

Turning on the set-top boxes until it is fully ready for operation (displaying the signal of the last viewed channel) takes 10-15 seconds. If the devices have not been in operation before or the channels have not yet been configured in them, then on the screen you will see the initial setup menu, from where you can start searching for an on-air digital signal. Despite the similar functionality, the speed of channel search in the compared set-top boxes turned out to be different. This difference is quite noticeable, although not fundamental - how often do we reconfigure TVs to complain that the search takes not 40 seconds, but 60?

In this video, you can see that the number of channels found in all three cases is 20 plus three radio stations. However, in the mentioned small town, the search returned only ten TV channels. It turned out that in this area only (10 federal channels) are broadcast, while in a big city both, and (another 10 channels) multiplexes are broadcast. According to reliable information, in Moscow and the Moscow region there is a confident reception of all three multiplexes, and these are 30 channels! Unfortunately, the author did not manage to admire these fruits of civilization due to the serious remoteness from them. But nothing! The ethereal figure is still at the stage of development and launch.

Curious about the quantity digital channels, we searched not for the terrestrial signal, but for the cable one. From the same cable that enters the city apartment and is serviced by one of the inexpensive city providers. However, the prefix that was searched for found absolutely nothing. Everything is correct. Our provider, along with analog channels, also broadcasts digital TV in the amount of more than 50 channels, however, this signal has the DVB-C standard, which was abandoned in Russia when building the digital terrestrial network. And our set-top boxes, as we already know, are equipped with tuners capable of receiving a signal in DVB-T or DVB-T2 standards only.

However, our interest in canal fishing did not stop there, as a result of which it was decided to go somewhere closer to the outskirts of civilization. Not so drastically, of course. Only 10 kilometers from the nearest repeater, the one that broadcasts the first multiplex in the amount of 10 channels. This repeater works for a small town, and therefore, its power is low. The antenna was installed "face" to the repeater, which was somewhere over the horizon.

Before searching for channels, the antenna was powered directly from the set-top box, with the antenna cable connected directly to the Iconbit Movie T2 set-top box, and not through the amplifier that came with the antenna. The set-top box quickly found all the 10 television and three radio channels in the area.

The connection to the amplifier antenna did not help either (since the testing was carried out in an open field, we used a 220V car inverter). Thus, we can conclude that one can only believe with great ... no, with huge stretch. After all, judging by it, we were continuously in the zone of reliable reception, which is colored green. However, we, most likely, were simply “lucky” with the choice of testing site. The fact is that we are located almost exactly in the center of the triangle, on the tops of which there are repeaters. By the way, there were three small settlements very close. It is sad for them, probably, without digital terrestrial TV. But let's hope that with the introduction of the second multiplex throughout the territory, the power of the transmitters will increase, and then...

Let's touch on the graphical interfaces of the devices in question. They can be said to be of the same type, and the whole difference lies only in certain aspects of design and the presence / absence of some insignificant points. At the same time, the design of the menus of the second and third set-top boxes (Iconbit Movie FHD T2 and Iconbit Movie HDS T2) is absolutely identical, as well as the composition of these menus. In the following GIF animation, you can see the menu composition for the Iconbit Movie T2 (left) and for two fixed set-top boxes (right).

The menu is divided into seven thematic sections, which contain the following tools:

Iconbit Movie T2
TV channel settings
program editing module allows you to move, skip, lock, delete and even rename selected channels channel sorting is possible by name and logical number of the channel
Video output settings
aspect ratio selection will be needed when connecting to TVs with different aspect ratios (for example, CRT TVs have a 4:3 aspect ratio) the video output format when connected via HDMI is set to interlaced Full HD by default, however, set-top boxes are capable of outputting up to a progressive signal with a size of 1920 × 1080 and a frequency of up to 60 frames per second
Search for TV channels
start automatic search or search by specified frequency and bandwidth region selection power on / off the receiving antenna (only works for passive antennas that do not have their own amplifier)
Setting the date and time
time zone selection setting the automatic transfer of the set-top box to sleep mode setting the power to turn on and off automatically at a specified time of day (Iconbit Movie FHD T2 and Movie HDS T2 set-top boxes only)
Language and audio options
selection of menu language, subtitles and audio streams that will be played by default switching digital audio output modes: stereo PCM or RAW HDMI
System settings
password setting factory reset software information and updates
USB media settings
launching a file browser with the contents of the connected USB drive photo slideshow setting (slide show time, etc.) video file playback settings (subtitle size, background and color) TV recording setup: pre-recording volume (TimeShift), formatting USB-drive

Arguments about the "quality" of a digital signal (in this case, TV), we, perhaps, leave the preachers of pure copper and gold-plated contacts. Digital - it differs from analog transmission in this way: the signal is either there or it is not. The third state belongs to the category of a weak signal, when the picture “freezes” or crumbles into squares, which is a stretch to the concept of “quality”. If you still try to stretch digital quality to the globe of the article, then claims to quality should be made exclusively against the broadcaster. Which - and only he alone - is fully responsible for such signal flaws as the notorious "scattering into squares" caused by a banal lack of bitrate, for an incorrectly set frame aspect and similar flaws. Recordings made by one of the set-top boxes in question will help you evaluate the quality of the received signal (you need to keep in mind that the recording is made without any additional recoding by simply copying the received stream with packaging in the *.MTS container). The resulting recordings can later be viewed in any software or hardware player - there is no encryption in the stream, this is free open air.

Together with the TV picture, set-top boxes receive the required related information: program guide, description of the current broadcast, subtitle stream (if any), and teletext, if available.

All three set-top boxes have the ability to record the selected TV or radio channel by timer. Among the functions of the timer is the ability to record in cycles at a certain time every day or weekly.

Let's move on to the capabilities of set-top boxes to play media content. We are talking about photos, music and videos that are copied to a USB drive. One fact should be remembered here: despite the difference in design, used electronic components and minor differences in the design of graphical interfaces, all three consoles in question have the same ability to reproduce certain formats. The same applies to the functionality of the built-in media players - it is the same, except for the only function - goto(quick jump to the specified position) - which is available in two stationary Iconbit Movie FHD T2/Iconbit Movie HDS T2 players, but not in Iconbit Movie T2. All other parameters are absolutely identical, and different design built-in file browsers - this is just a design that does not affect performance in any way.

Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2 and Iconbit Movie HDS T2

Set-top boxes can be called omnivores, if you do not go to extremes: after all, these are, first of all, set-top boxes, the main task of which is to receive and decode a television signal. No need to require them to be able to play 4K video or 10-bit "anime". The limit for set-top boxes is video with a frame size of Full HD (1920 × 1080) and a frequency of up to 60 frames per second (dropped frames are possible!), encoded with the H.264 (AVC) codec with standard parameters. That is, with a profile no higher [email protected] Simply put, all formats that meet the standards of DVD and Blu-ray, as well as close to them, will be played flawlessly. Playing other videos with non-standard encoding parameters is solely at the user's own risk. For example, our set-top boxes are not even aware of the existence of the RealVideo codec. But the question is: have many readers even heard of such a codec?

The container in which the video is packed does not play a primary role. However, being at the same time a file extension, the container allows set-top boxes to determine at least the theoretical possibility of playing such files. If the set-top box is not trained to play, for example, the aforementioned RealMedia, then files with the *.rmvb extension simply will not be displayed in the file browser.

With this in mind, let's consider a typical playback option, when there is a so-called BD remix as the source video (material taken from a Blu-ray disc and packed into a container without re-encoding - for example, MKV). Set-top boxes do not experience difficulties with playing such template content. The only, perhaps, minus is that the devices do not know how to move through the chapters of the film. they simply don't see chapters in the stream file. But all other streams that are next to the video are displayed flawlessly: audio tracks and subtitle streams can be selected directly at the time of playback.

Subtitle display	Selecting a subtitle stream
Audio track selection, file information display	GoTo function - fast jump to a specified position
Fast rewind (up to 32×)	Fast forward (up to 32×)

As for the sound, the set-top boxes can easily transmit all standard audio formats to the audio receiver via HDMI, and the Movie FHD T2 can also transmit multi-channel AC3 without transcoding to PCM (if the HDMI RAW option is enabled in the settings). However, one should hardly expect that an audiophile, who has a rare gift to hear the difference between AC3 and DTS, will include the described consoles in his musical world.

In conclusion, we present the results of our universal test. It is designed to determine valid the number of frames per second that the device is able to process and send to the video output. It's no secret that players equipped with insufficient powerful processors, being unable to process 60 frames per second, are forced to resort to tricks: duplicate or discard frames that they cannot cope with.

Testing consists in sequential playback of special video files in which the hand makes a circle around the dial at a speed of one revolution per second, or one division per frame. The white rectangle in the upper part of the frame moves through its cells at the same speed. If during playback you take a picture of the TV screen with a camera with a shutter speed of one second, each frame will be recorded in the picture, no matter how many there are in the file, 24 or 60. An even distribution of light zones means adequate decoding of the video stream, frame-by-frame. But if gaps are visible in the picture instead of a trace from the arrow, or, conversely, its traces are too bright, this indicates a frame skip or its duplication. In "real life", when watching movies, these gaps and duplications will look like sharp twitches of the picture, that is, it will be impossible to talk about any smoothness of movement.

Frame size, frequency	Iconbit Movie T2	Iconbit Movie FHD T2	Iconbit Movie HDS T2
1920×1080 24p
1920×1080 25p
1920×1080 30p
1920×1080 50p
1920×1080 60p

You can see that the set-top boxes cannot be complained about until the moment they play Full HD video at a frequency above 30 frames per second. By the way, the obvious gaps and duplication of frames that we see in the results of 25p video playback are a direct consequence of the fact that the set-top boxes were connected to a TV with an NTSC setting, that is, 1080 60p. If we connected them with factory settings (PAL, that is, 50 frames per second), then the picture would be mirrored: files with a frequency of 25 frames per second would play flawlessly, but with files having a frequency of 24 and 30 frames per second, similar problems would arise. Alas, our set-top boxes are not able to automatically switch the video output frequencies so that they match or become a multiple of the frame rate of the video being played. However, not every full-fledged media player has such a function, let alone a TV tuner with the ability to play local files.

conclusions

The considered TV set-top boxes are modest, but quite functional devices that can not only provide an on-air television signal, but also play any common media content. Their low cost can be compared with the price of a good receiving TV antenna. We summarize the found advantages and disadvantages of the devices, bringing them into one visual comparative table:

Judging by this table, Iconbit Movie T2 and Iconbit Movie FHD T2 are the most preferred. However, the first, Movie T2, having all the functions of "full-fledged" stationary set-top boxes, is also much smaller than its colleagues. Moreover, this device was also the most inexpensive of the whole trinity. Apparently, the choice should still be made based on the needs for certain interfaces. In this regard, the undoubted leadership belongs to the second console, Iconbit Movie FHD T2. As for the third representative of the line, Iconbit Movie HDS T2 is a classic "cottage" version of a universal player with the ability to decode digital TV broadcasts.

Launch iconBIT HDS6L media player

In one of the past articles, we are a media player, functions and features of this model. Perhaps one of the readers decided to purchase this or another similar device. Arriving at the store, he paid the money and received a sealed box in his possession. Well, what to do next? That is what we will talk about today.

We will not consider connecting to a TV and an audio system. In fact, this process is no different from installing a conventional DVD player. But on connecting to home network worth a closer look. Again, this is an optional procedure. The media player can also work standalone. However, if the apartment has a network, then it makes sense to connect the device to it to facilitate the transfer of content from a computer, convenient device management and access to the Internet.

The standard connection method is the Ethernet port. When using it, it is enough to purchase or make it yourself (well, or with the help of familiar "computers") a patch cord, one end of which is inserted into and the other into a router or router. However, in many cases such a connection is undesirable. Usually the TV is located far enough from the computer, so that it is problematic to run a cable to it.

In this case, you can use Wi-Fi, since the Realtek 1073DD chip, on which the media player in question is based, provides such an opportunity (of course, you need a router or router that supports Wi-Fi). To do this, you need to purchase a USB Wi-Fi adapter and connect it to the appropriate port (it's good that there are two of them on the player, so the adapter does not interfere with connecting the "flash drive"). True, you need to be careful here. The fact is that Realtek 1073DD can not detect all USB adapters. So before purchasing this device, it is better to look at the manufacturer's website and see those models that are guaranteed to work.

Speaking of Wi-Fi, it is impossible not to note another very important point. The fact is that the bandwidth of this type of connection in the case of is very modest. So the process of copying content from computer to internal HDD device can be very long. In addition, there may be a problem with HD video playback over the network (standard definition video plays fine). So if you have the ability to swipe to a media player network cable, it's better to do it that way.

Next, it is desirable to perform one more action. We are talking about updating the firmware of the media player. In the last article, we didn’t say in vain that developers regularly release new software for your products. It not only fixes found errors, but also adds support for new codecs, and also takes into account changes in the operation of Internet resources. The user manual does not say anything about the need to update the firmware. But still it is better to perform this operation immediately. Otherwise, you may encounter a situation where some of the player's features will not be available (for example, Google will update YouTube software, as a result of which it will become impossible to watch videos through the player). The firmware procedure itself is not particularly difficult. It is described in detail in the manual, so we will not dwell on it.

By the way, about the firmware. For there is not only official, but also alternative software. And you can not say that it is somehow worse. On the contrary, it may seem to many users that alternative firmware is more convenient to use. Both options are actively discussed on the developer forum, so at any time you can read about the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. We do not specifically compare them in the article, since the situation is changing quite quickly (as new versions are released). To select the firmware, it is better to look at the forum and get the most up-to-date information. Well, or you can try both options yourself and choose the best for yourself.

On this, the preparatory work can be considered completed, it's time to set up the media player. To do this, you need to enable it and go to the settings section. It consists of five tabs. The first two are for audio and video settings. There is nothing unusual here. On them, you can select the digital audio output used, set the screen size, select the video output mode, video stream parameters (saturation, brightness, etc.), etc.

The third tab is already more interesting. It configures the connection to the network. In general, support for DHCP is implemented. So if your home network has a router or a router with a DHCP server, then it will automatically receive an IP address. However, if necessary, it can be entered manually using the remote control. The next tab is designed to configure the system (update it, specify the interface language, etc.). And the last one is for entering additional parameters. For example, it can be used to customize the display of photos, in particular, turn off their preview, which significantly slows down the opening of folders with a large number of pictures.

The rest of the media player setup is more convenient to do right from your computer. For this, the device's own web server is used. You can connect to it by entering the IP address in the browser line (you can find it in the player settings). Using the web interface, you can perform many actions: change the network name of the device, start and stop services, mount additional partitions (for example, network folders, including on), and manage the UPnP server, UDP proxy, and torrent client . By the way, about the last one. Numerous reviews indicate that the device freezes when the torrent client is actively working at the same time as watching the video. This is a known problem, which probably cannot be solved with firmware updates alone. It must be understood that the capabilities of the hardware platform itself are limited. And if you want the torrent client to be enabled all the time, it's better to get a media player based on a more expensive chip.

Well, in the end, it remains only to transfer the content to the internal hard drive. If you have video, audio and photos stored on an external hard drive, then the easiest way is to connect the drive directly to the device and copy everything you need directly (fortunately, the file copy operation is implemented very conveniently). If the data is on a computer, then it is most convenient to transfer it to the player over the network.

Two options are possible here. The first one is through the Windows Network Neighborhood. To do this, use the web interface to change the network name, specifying the name of the home network group as the workgroup. After that, you need to start a special service - Samba (you can do this again using the web interface or from the remote control in network settings). In this case, the media player will become visible in the network environment. If you plan to frequently copy information from or to , it makes sense to enable autoloading of the Samba service.

The second option is the built-in FTP server. Using any FTP client (the developers recommend using Total Commander or Far Manager), you can access the internal hard drive connected to a USB drive or directly to the root partition. However, the latter option is only recommended for experienced users.

Well, in conclusion, we can sum up a little. Most people are used to the fact that after purchasing a video source, you just need to connect it to your TV. But in the case of a media player, this is not the case: the user requires some configuration of the device. Of course, you can't do it. But in this case, you will not be able to use all the functions and appreciate its capabilities. Therefore, it is better to follow the steps described above. They are not difficult, do not require much time, but they will allow you to fully enjoy modern digital technology.

Instead of an introduction, we would like to draw the attention of buyers to the reduction in cost and progress of Smart TV systems over the past year. The ability to connect drives and wide support for various formats are now available even in the most inexpensive TVs. This is great, but the functionality of the "boxes" threatens media players entry level. Up to complete disappearance.

Players are different

The "injection" of multimedia functions into the TV today can be performed by several classes of devices: the successors of DVD players, computers and tablets paved their way to TV screens.

The most time-consuming type of media players are nettop class models. These avant-garde mini-computers impress with their compactness and stability, and the quality of components, the performance of ultra-low-voltage processors and desktop OS capabilities cannot be compared with the potential of other media players. All the power of computer browsers, content playback programs and file-sharing networks can now be obtained within a quiet and compact "box".

Nettops: media players outside - computers inside

The problem is that the domestic use of these, in fact, desktop computers is hardly compatible with the tasks of a set-top box. Choosing and buying a remote control, finding a suitable media shell and setting up a DVB tuner will require serious patience, and therefore turn the project into a long-term project. We leave this method to experienced and determined fans of the PC platform, and we offer you to get acquainted with the world of nettops in numerous news and reviews on the site.

The next subspecies of media players are devices based on Android OS. Attempts to endow TVs with the functionality of smartphones and tablets have become a trend in recent years: familiar and ready-to-use applications, OS adaptation to high-resolution displays, and inexpensive processors have had a positive impact on the spread of such devices. The disadvantage, as in the case of nettops, is the mediocre adaptation of the system to new controls: manufacturers have to “reinvent” the Android interface, taking into account the lack of touch input, and users have to get used to the specifics of using the “lazy” Air Mouse.

Standing apart among these media players are mini-computers of the Android Stick format. These miniature (the size of a large flash drive) devices are deprived of a digital tuner and have only an HDMI connector. But they can boast of an affordable price and a powerful operating system.

HDMI Stick - compact media players based on Android OS

The main role in the media player market is played by devices running Sigma Designs and Realtek platforms - direct descendants of hardware DVD and Blu-ray players. The loss of an optical disc drive is compensated by the introduction of streaming services, "omnivorousness" and, sometimes, a standard HDD connector in the media player case. Being more household than computer equipment, this class of devices rarely allows installation third party applications and services. The efforts of the developers lie in the plane of ease of management and picture quality.

Classic IPTV set-top boxes are still relevant today

Our guide will focus on the last two categories of devices.

In the dark forest of characteristics

Buying a media player can be treated differently. Nothing prevents you from being guided only by the budget for the purchase of the device. And such an approach will not necessarily result in disappointment, since the functionality of even the most budget models today satisfies the needs of an undemanding user. We will try to identify priorities for those who want to get the most out of the media player with minimal investment.

Interfaces

The variety of interfaces in the era of digital broadcasting is fading, so a TV equipped with an HDMI input and support for resolutions from HD Ready and above will be an ideal candidate for connecting a media player. The digital connector will ensure maximum video quality and greatly simplify the output of multi-channel audio to your home theater. The HDMI specification allows the transmission digital sound to acoustics in an unchanged form (bitstream technology), which makes it possible to use the full potential of a high-quality audio system on media players running Sigma and Realtek platforms. Things are worse for set-top boxes based on ARM Cortex chipsets. In their case, the sound potential is most often limited by the transfer of a stereo stream (LPCM) already processed on the set-top box to the TV.

When it comes to connecting a media player to an outdated TV, the situation becomes much more complicated. In the absence of an HDMI connector, you will have to choose from the following analog interfaces:

• composite output. Referred to on devices as AV Out or RCA. Uses familiar for the second decade "tulips" to output video and stereo sound. The quality of sound and video with this connection method leaves much to be desired, and if possible, we recommend using alternative connectors.

Composite interface

• component output. Referred to on devices as YUV Out or YPbPr. It is based on all the same "tulips", but the video signal is transmitted through several cables at once, and the final picture quality is the best among all available analog interfaces.

Component Interface

• scart. In fact, it is not an interface, but a "container" for transmitting an RGB image with low image quality by modern standards. Rarely found among media player connectors and, as a rule, it comes in the form of an adapter from a composite connector or an S-Video interface.

SCART connector

• S video. The least common interface in media players and TVs. Structurally, S-Video is a slightly better alternative to the composite connector. This development did not gain much popularity among TV manufacturers, and today it often catches the eye among the connectors of outdated computer video accelerators.

S-video connector

Media players with an analog tuner on board have practically disappeared from retail, and support for the DVB-T2 digital broadcasting standard has come in their place. The digital television network in Russia is rapidly expanding, but broadcasting in this standard is still far from widespread. The presence of a digital signal in a particular locality should be checked in advance on the website of the operator of the all-Russian digital television broadcasting or from local providers.

Form factor and network communications

The usual trick on video recorders with the definition of the flagship "by eye" is no longer relevant. In the media player segment, the bulkiest model is not always the most productive. The dimensions of the new players are dictated only by the number of connectors for connecting to a TV, as well as the presence of a hard drive compartment.

It is also not worth unconditionally giving preference to media players with a HDD connector: in the absence of a “home video library”, this function will very soon cease to be in demand. Connecting a media player to a PC, constantly removing the drive to write new files, or painstaking work with the web interface of a torrent client is tiring. But play the files from local network get faster and more efficient. In the case of an Android-based mini PC, an additional argument for such use is the characteristic lack of ports for connecting drives: the only USB connector is occupied by a wireless keyboard, and the weak current in the device does not allow connecting a USB Hub without mains power.

A capacious drive on board will shelter any collection of media files

Fortunately, media players without support for data exchange over the network are rare today. Even budget models are able to offer an Ethernet connector or Wi-Fi support for receiving content via DLNA or a Samba server. If possible, you should use the RJ-45 connector - wireless playback of Full HD video will require support for Wi-Fi 802.11n and the presence of a productive router in line-of-sight conditions.

The unequivocal advantage of Android-based media players is the support for social functions: clients for Facebook, VKontakte, Skype and other instant messengers work quickly and are always updated to the latest versions. Some media players are equipped with support for webcams via USB-OTG, and the second half of 2014 was marked by the release of the Android Stick with a video camera and microphone in the device itself. Alas, the power of the mini PC's Wi-Fi transmitter leaves much to be desired, and in order to play 1080p video over a network, you will most often need a USB to Ethernet adapter.

Playback formats

With some reservations, we can say that the "omnivorousness" of modern media players has reached almost peak values. Over the past few years, there have been no models left on the market that would not be able to play video files in Divx / Xvid, H.264 and MPEG 1/2 formats. As for sound files, you should pay attention to the presence of support for high-quality audio in DTS formats, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD. Some media players are deprived of sound support in this format (due to the lack of a license for a codec or the design features of the chipset), so it's better to avoid an unpleasant surprise in the form of a "silent movie" in advance.

As for containers, the popular AVI, MP4 and MKV are easily played even in budget models, which means that any modern model is suitable for watching movies in DVDRip, BDRip, BDRip-AVC and BDRemux standards.

Problems with the selection of a media player haunt only lovers of "full-format" Blu-ray and surround video. 3D movies are often distributed as ISO images or file folders. A truly convenient playback of such a video can only be provided by media players that support the ISO BD3D standard, but with the proviso that the movie will be navigated through a simplified BD Lite menu. Support for 3D HD video in other media players will be limited to the "heuristic" launch of the M2TS file from the folder structure or the complete lack of support for the standard. Unfortunately, support for the full Blu-ray specification has fallen into oblivion along with optical discs. The aggressive lobbying for copy protection called Cinavia played a role in this.

Devices developed in close cooperation with content providers stand apart - in the pursuit of copyright compliance and the promotion of purchases in online cinemas, media players receive a limited list of compatible codecs and / or streaming services that are relevant only to foreign audiences.

Governing bodies

The interface of the Sigma SDK and Realtek SDK operating systems was developed taking into account the capabilities of a standard remote control: therefore, controlling such media players does not require additional skills from users of a TV or game console. Support for computer keyboards and mice is present in many models, but it is of no practical use - multi-stage menus are easier and faster to master using the same remote control than using the mouse cursor.

The comfort of a TV versus the functionality of a computer

Media players under Android control there is another extreme: to compensate for the lack of touch input in these products, only multifunctional remote controls with a QWERTY keyboard and Air Mouse mode, which are not particularly ergonomic, can compensate. In the end, all Android Stick users are moving to control through a full-sized set of computer keyboard and mouse - controlling a media player from the couch will never be easy.

Performance and hardware platform

The confrontation between Sigma and Realtek chipsets is painfully reminiscent of the picture on the PC processor market. The Sigma Designs platform typically comes with a finer workflow and superior synthetic performance. The stability and speed of operation of the SMP series chipsets are overshadowed by the high cost of the platform for manufacturers - media players based on Realtek and Sigma that are equal in price will differ in functionality not in favor of the latter.

Realtek media processors are much more flexible. Thanks to a loyal pricing policy, they have become much more widespread. As is often the case in budget products, a number of annoying flaws have plagued the RTD series platforms for a long time - experienced users of media players will nod in the direction of a well-known flaw, when video playback at a frequency of 23.976 frames / s was accompanied by constant jerks. The next negative moment occurred already through the fault of careless manufacturers of set-top boxes: ventilation problems in models equipped with an HDD slot led to overheating and unstable operation of a whole family of media players. Today, all these problems have been eliminated, and the competition between the two chipset manufacturers is on an equal footing.

Comparison of the performance of these platforms can be done "the old fashioned way", guided only by the operating frequencies of the processor, however, the lion's share of the load in the SoC of media players falls on hardware decoders. The efficiency of content playback for these devices is beyond the competence of benchmarks.

Nevertheless, performance measurement in "synthetics" remains the only possible way SoC classification. Specialized multimedia processors and competing chips based on the ARM Cortex architecture can be divided into five classes (in descending order of performance).

For buyers who are not ready to analyze the market in search of the ideal media player, we have prepared a list of current Smart TV systems for any budget and needs. The market leaders will not necessarily appear among these products, but the ratio of price and functionality allows us to recommend these models for purchase with confidence.

Upvel UM-521TV

The UM-521TV media player is the most successful candidate for revitalizing the TV screen social networks, online entertainment and other applications for the Google platform. The quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and stock Android Jelly Bean will appeal to customers who look at their newsfeed and videos in a timely manner more than painstakingly selecting content for long-term viewing.

TVZor TVZ100ZT

The ideology of the TVZor media player goes against fashion - the model belongs to a small class of devices developed in collaboration with content providers. On the Russian market The limited selection of streaming services is rarely a hit with buyers, but the TVZ100ZT has every chance of turning the tide. For only 3,000 rubles, the buyer receives a media player with a rich bundle, a programmable remote control with a QWERTY keyboard, a DVB-T2 tuner, an online media library and a set of connectors for connecting to a CRT or LCD TV.

Unfortunately, from the functionality Android systems there is no trace left, and access to files on the local network is closed. But 20 stably working IPTV channels are supplemented with a pack of free series in the online store, and support for formats for digital media is in no way inferior to "full" and more expensive competitors. More details with TVZor TVZ100ZT

IconBit Movie3D IPTV

IconBit Movie3D IPTV

"Functionality over performance" - the Movie3D IPTV model is based on the obsolete Allwinner A20 chipset, and the proprietary shell adjacent to Android leads to extremely slow navigation through the device's menu. In contrast to these shortcomings, the player has a rich feature set and a reasonable price. Working with custom IPTV playlists, support for stereo pairs of the BD3D ISO standard, numerous streaming services and access to the Google Play app store cannot fail to please budget buyers. Beginners will also enjoy the abundance of free content, while experienced Android users will appreciate root access and the ability to install third-party apps. You can learn more about IconBit Movie3D IPTV in our review.

ASUS O!Play Mini Plus

ASUS O!Play Mini Plus

In the O!Play Mini Plus model, ASUS engineers chose not to get involved in the pursuit of smartphone features. The lack of support for Blu-ray ISO images and shortcomings in the online component will be accompanied by fair complaints from users. However, this model is aimed at practitioners and its main goal is to conveniently play content from local and network drives. Gigabit Ethernet, a card reader and an eSATA connector allow you to take any video and music fully armed. The level of implementation of these functions directly speaks about the quality of the media player. Availability composite output will allow you to play Full HD files even on older TVs. But among enthusiasts, O!Play Mini Plus is not respected, since the media player is based on the infamous revision of Realtek MD chipsets, which means that the device is completely closed for flashing at home.

Google Nexus Player

Google Nexus Player

Google presented its vision on what should be a set-top box based on operating system Android. A model called Nexus Player, developed in collaboration with ASUS, is finally on sale. The interface and functionality of the base Android has been adapted for easy use on the TV screen and content streaming. The media player supports Google Chromecast functions, allowing you to broadcast videos, music and photos from your computer, smartphone or tablet to your TV screen. A distinctive feature of the interface is the automatic ranking of applications and multimedia files according to user preferences.

The basic kit includes a multifunctional remote control with an integrated microphone, and a game pad is available for an additional fee.

Nexus Player is based on the quad-core Intel Atom platform, clocked at 1.8 GHz. The graphics component is based on the Imagination PowerVR Series 6 video accelerator, and the memory subsystem has 1 GB of RAM and 8 GB of internal storage. Wireless communications are represented by Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.1, and among the communication connectors there is HDMI and Micro-USB. The cost of new items is 99 US dollars.

Compact, easy to set up and operate. Remote control included. looks concise. Not stupid, as far as I could judge for a not very long time of use.

Minuses

When setting up the TV, it does not immediately find it - you need to wait. This is not a minus, but a feature due to which you can first decide that the set-top box is not working. After connecting, you have to wait! and everything will appear.

Review

Bought for my parents for their TV. Maybe the advice is quite obvious, BUT - when connecting, be sure to follow the instructions and read it well first. If you just plug and press the buttons on the remote control - nothing will work by itself. Installation is simple, but the sequence of steps is important. After installation, an IR receiver is glued to some edge of a TV or cabinet, which receives a signal from the remote control. It is necessary to aim the remote control at him, otherwise it will not work. According to the work of the set-top box itself - after installation, for a while I stupefied access to YouTube, now everything is OK. The rest (movies, series) shows generally with a bang, does not slow down. The interface is simple and understandable. The included remote control is convenient, but it also needs to be additionally configured. if there are plans to use it to control the TV, then the remote control can be "taught" the channels. The whole setup and connection took half an hour (taking into account that I did not read the instructions and had to redo it). Connecting memory cards and devices via USB has not yet been tried. But in general, I recommend.