Stiftung Warentest: DVB-T2 receiver for sharp images in the test
Stiftung Warentest has tested receivers for DVB-T2 with which you can enjoy high-definition television via antenna. The broadcast will begin on May 31, 2016, just in time for the kick-off of the European Football Championship. Razor-sharp grass and even closer to the player - that's what the new free TV standard promises. Without a suitable receiver, however, this does not work, which is why the Stiftung Warentest has tested three models more closely.
Stiftung Warentest: DVB-T2-HD receivers convince in the test
From June you can also receive HD television via antenna in Germany. At least if you live in one of the 18 cities and metropolitan areas listed on the right on the map. ARD, ZDF, RTL, ProSieben, Sat1 and Vox are available there. In order to receive the data for high resolution, you need a DVB-T2-HD receiver. But be careful: even if you are satisfied with standard quality, you have to upgrade. The previous spread of antenna television will cease in mid-2019. Then the picture remains black without the corresponding receiver. How to watch in HD:
- Xoro HRT 7620: The cheapest is a separate reception box like the Xoro HRT 7620 for around 50 euros.
- The picture quality is much sharper than in standard quality and you can also connect the box to older TVs via the Scart connection. You can also record and play programs.
- However, the receiver can only receive free programs. He does not get the private (paid) channels RTL, ProSieben, Sat1 and Vox.
Retrofit DVB-T2-HD for all transmitters
- With the Isio STC + i, you can retrofit your TV and get good picture quality in HD, praises Warentest. For this, the receiver costs about 300 euros and 50 euros are again due for the decoder module.
- Not only can you record a program, you can also watch another program in parallel. Chargeable channels such as RTL and Sat.1 can be obtained (and even recorded) via the normal subscription from 2017 for around 5 euros per month. You can also receive satellites and cables with the Isio STC + i.
- Tip: You can also receive DVB-T2 with these receivers.
DVB-T2-HD integrated in the TV set
- With a TV set that supports DVB-T2-HD, you save the additional receiver. These TVs include the Samsung UE55JS8590. With new devices you can recognize the integrated receiver by the green symbol for DVB-T2-HD.
- You then only need the DVB-T2-HD decoder for about 50 euros. The recording function is also retained here, but a subscription is also required here to receive private channels from 2017. The costs for this are around 5 euros per month.
- All details can be found at test.de.
- You can see whether your TV is compatible at a glance in the DVB-T2 device list.
Good reception - poor reception: you have to prepare for this from 2017
- DVB-T2 allows high quality, but what you get in the end is on a different page. Because the more channels the frequencies share, the worse the picture quality on the home screen.
- From 2017, between 25 and 50 channels could be broadcast. You then have to share the bandwidth. Depending on the region, the picture quality will then suffer significantly - there are simply too few free frequencies for all stations. This is because the state has sold part of the television spectrum to mobile phone companies so that they can offer fast mobile internet.
- To keep your problems as low as possible, you should align your antenna / receiver perfectly. The same criteria apply as for DVB-T.