Comparisons
Comparisons
Choosing how to get TV is easier when the options sit side by side. The tables below collect general traits that make it easy to compare over-the-air, satellite and internet TV, different antennas and different receivers. This isn't a ranking, just a nudge about what to ask yourself before you decide.
The best way to get TV isn't the newest one, it's the one that works reliably in your particular home.
How this section works: we compare types of reception and equipment, not specific models or offers. The traits describe the typical picture; in some places things may play out differently.
Over-the-air vs. satellite vs. internet
| Trait | Digital over-the-air | Satellite | Over the internet |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signal source | A ground-based transmitter | Orbit, via a dish and LNB | Your home network, from a service provider |
| What you need at home | An antenna and DVB-T2 support | Dish, LNB, receiver | A stable connection plus an app or a streaming box |
| Contract | Not needed for the mandatory channels | Usually needed, with a provider | Usually needed, with a provider |
| Weak spot | Terrain and distance to the transmitter | Obstacles in front of the dish, heavy snow | Outages and a congested home network |
| Best suited for | Cities and towns within coverage | Remote areas with no over-the-air signal | Homes with reliable internet |
Indoor vs. outdoor antenna
| Trait | Indoor | Outdoor |
|---|---|---|
| Distance to the transmitter | Short, with line of sight | Long, or with obstacles |
| Mounting | Sits on a windowsill or shelf | Mounted outside, up high, by a professional |
| Interference | Walls, furniture, people in the room | Wind, trees, neighboring buildings |
| Adjustment | Easy to move around and test | Aimed once and then locked in place |
| When to choose it | Upper floor, transmitter nearby | Single-family house, low ground, edge of coverage |
DVB-T2 set-top box vs. satellite receiver vs. TV with built-in tuner
| Trait | DVB-T2 set-top box | Satellite receiver | Built-in tuner |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it receives | Digital over-the-air | The signal from a satellite dish | Usually over-the-air, sometimes satellite too |
| Why you'd need it | An older TV with no digital tuner | Satellite TV under a provider contract | No separate box needed |
| Remote | Its own, separate | Its own, separate | Just the TV remote |
| What to check | Supported standard and outputs | Compatibility with the provider's terms | List of standards in the manual |
Read next
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: scanning for digital channels, finding a spot for the antenna, hooking up a set-top box and taming the cables. Plus our article catalogue.
- Tools
What to keep handy: a digital TV coverage map, your TV's manual, the signal menu on your set-top box, the right cable, labels and a flashlight.
- No signal
What to do when there's no signal, the picture breaks into blocks, channels disappear, there's no sound, the remote won't respond or nothing works after a storm.
- Glossary
Key terms in plain English: multiplex, UHF band, coverage area, LNB, receiver, auto scan, and signal strength versus signal quality.
- Questions
Answers to common questions about over-the-air digital TV, satellite reception and home equipment: what your TV needs to show channels.
Sources
- RTRS (Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Network): official information on digital terrestrial TV
- TV and set-top box user manuals (general provisions)
- Mirsts editorial materials
This information is given in general terms as of the date it was prepared. Channel lineups, TV menus and contract terms change over time, so when in doubt, go by your device's manual and the official information from your broadcast network.