MirstsTV on reception: a guide to over-the-air, satellite and antennas

An independent reference about home TV reception. We don't sell equipment or install antennas, and we're not connected with the former site on this domain.

Glossary

Glossary

TV and set-top box manuals are full of words that sound technical but mean fairly simple things. We've gathered the most useful ones and explained them briefly, with no formulas, so the settings menu stops looking like a secret code.

Once you know what "signal quality" means, the bar in the menu stops being scary and starts being useful.

— Editor's note

How this section works: each definition is in plain language and applies to reception at home. The technical standards are more complex, but this level of detail is usually enough for setting things up at home.

Broadcasting and signal

DVB-T2
The standard used for digital over-the-air TV in Russia. To watch it, you need a TV that supports it or a separate set-top box for an older TV.
Multiplex
A bundle of several TV channels transmitted together on a single frequency channel. That's why poor reception knocks out a whole group of channels at once, not just one.
UHF band
The frequency range used for digital over-the-air broadcasting. Antennas for digital TV are designed specifically for it.
Transmitter
A ground station with a tower that broadcasts the TV signal across the surrounding area. The closer it is and the fewer obstacles in between, the easier reception gets.
Coverage area
The area where a transmitter's or satellite's signal is strong enough for steady reception. For digital over-the-air TV, the broadcast network publishes these maps.

Equipment

LNB
A small unit in front of a satellite dish. It collects the signal reflected by the dish and converts it so it can travel down the cable to the receiver.
Receiver
A device that decodes the incoming signal and sends the picture to the TV. The term usually refers to a satellite receiver.
Set-top box
A compact digital over-the-air tuner for a TV that can't decode that signal on its own. It connects between the antenna and the screen.

Setup and contracts

Auto scan
A mode in which the TV or set-top box steps through the frequencies on its own and saves the channels it finds. Handy after a move or after repositioning the antenna.
Signal strength
A measure of how strong the signal is at the input. High strength on its own doesn't guarantee a good picture.
Signal quality
A measure of how clean the signal is and how well it can be decoded. This is the bar to go by when you're looking for the best antenna position.
Subscription fee
A recurring payment under a contract with a provider for access to a channel package. There's none for the mandatory free-to-air digital channels; with satellite and internet TV, it's usually part of the contract terms.
  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Comparisons

    Over-the-air vs. satellite vs. internet, indoor vs. outdoor antennas, and set-top box vs. satellite receiver vs. built-in tuner, side by side in tables.

  • Questions

    Answers to common questions about over-the-air digital TV, satellite reception and home equipment: what your TV needs to show channels.

  • 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.

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.