Thinking about going digital?
What does a set top box do?
Digital points to watch
The perfect match
What about aerials?
What will I pay?
If there's one thing that most of us don't need, it's yet another remote control sitting on the coffee table in the living room.
But there is one new remote-controlled electronic entertainment component that is finding a place on top of more and more TV sets.
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What does a set top box do?
 The increasingly popular digital set top box, receives digital television signals and decodes them into a signal that can be displayed on conventional analog TV receivers.
Set-top boxes are essential equipment if you want to receive digital transmissions such as Tasmania's new TDT station or the SBS digital service.
They also greatly enhance the sound and vision on analog TV programs. A correctly-adjusted digital set-top box will enable your existing TV to give you its best-possible picture.
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Digital points to watch
But there are some traps. First, there's the obvious proviso that like anything else, you get what you pay for. The lowest-prices boxes will do the job for that old TV in the bedroom – but don't expect it to deliver the best results if you hook it up to your new large-format set.
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The perfect match
Experts say that you should match the box to the set before you buy.
Check the input ports on your TV. The cheaper boxes come with basic 'composite' cables that plug into the yellow, red and white ports on your TV.
 If your set has these composite terminals it's worth considering purchasing a higher-quality cable – the coaxial video section of the cable simply acts as a bigger 'pipe', allowing the digital data to flow more quickly, with greater stability on screen.
But if your TV set has a 'component' input, you need to match it to a component-equipped set-top box. This combination will give you the best standard of picture – you'll be impressed with the depth, clarity, stability and sound that digital can give.
To receive the latest widescreen digital format, your set-top box and TV must use component cabling.
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What about aerials?
Depending on where you live, you probably won't need a new one. In many places, even using an indoor aerial is fine for digital TV.
As you'd do with any purchase of electronic equipment, it makes sense to do your homework first. Any good retailer can advise on the appropriate equipment that will suit your existing TV and meet all your needs.
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What will I pay?
Digital set top boxes range in price from the basic models at around $200 up to fully-featured boxes at around $999, with hard drive, dual tuners and the works. As we’ve said before, you get what you pay for – seek expert advice from a reliable retailer and buy the box that will do the right job for you, not just the one with the cheapest price tag.
So check your local guides, juggle those remotes and settle back for the best reception you've ever enjoyed!
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