Comparison test: HDTV and hybrid receiver

The digital world offers far more than one is accustomed to from the analogue: better picture, better sound and partly the direct access to the Internet. Snow blurring on the screen is a thing of the past among the digital receivers. Either one has reception, then there is also picture and sound, or the reception is disturbed, then the screen remains black and the speakers mute.


Video recorder or network specialist?


When purchasing the receiver, you should pay attention to certain criteria. There are now a lot of devices in the trade which are striking with different equipment features. If you only want to receive TV without much frills, you will surely find a cheap starter model.


The candidates


However, if you prefer a digital video recorder, the satellite receiver should be PVR-ready (Personal Video Recording). And if you want to integrate the box into the local network and also look for the way to the Internet, should look at the hybrid receivers.


Conclusion


We have brought us current HD receivers to the laboratory, which can hardly be compared because of their orientation. On the one hand two HDTV receivers and two other so-called hybrid receivers go into the race.


Table of results and data


For beginners or as a second receiver, KAON offers the 275 HD + a model which, in addition to the "normal" TV channels, also receives programs from the HD Plus consortium. The corresponding Smartcard is free for one year. However, there is no PVR function with which the receiver becomes a digital video recorder.


With the new Dreambox DM800 comes a Bolide on the market. Extensive functions and an open operating system promise unimagined possibilities, which one must however also expensive to pay. Just about 500 euros go for the Dreambox over the Ladentisch


The two hybrid receivers Smart VX10 and Humax HD-Fox + have the Internet in the forefront in addition to receiving HDTV. Both devices provide access to the World Wide Web through their own web portal.


There are different offers like the mediatheken of the public stations, specially prepared sides of kicker and SPOX or also the access to YouTube videos. On the other hand, these boxes are also true multimedia artists and play videos, music and photos. The more formats you use, the better.


There is something happening in the satellite receiver market: more and more boxes appear as so-called hybrid receivers, which bring the Internet into the living room via a manufacturer-specific portal.


The problem is that one is dependent on what the respective manufacturer offers and which contracts he has shot with the providers. The offers are very different. Unfortunately, it is not like the computer where you can freely select the contents of the Internet.


Here the developers should come up with something, so that the beautiful Internet world also comes completely on the domestic TV screen - and if it should only be a banal InternetBrowser.


Download: Table


KAON with the 275 HD +, Dreambox DM800, Smart VX10, Humax HD Fox +