Best Standard & High Definition FTA Recievers

Best Standard Definition FTA Receivers

1. The Viewsat Ultra is our #1 choice for a great starter free to air receiver because it’s a high quality Korean built FTA receiver with excellent software support from Viewtech Inc. the manufacture.

If you are new to the free to rir satellite world and do not want to invest in a lot of money at the beginning or you are looking for another FTA receiver for a bedroom or cottage then the Viewsat Ultra is a great choice.

This is a full featured standard definition receiver with an impressive list of features: This free to air receiver includes a USB port which makes the unit very easy to upgrade to the latest Viewsat software. A universal remote so you can operate your TV and this FTA receiver with one remote. The onscreen TV guide is very functional and within the menu you can search for the type of programming or themes of channels you want to watch like, movies, sports, new, family, children, educational, or adult (I guess adult can be educational for some too I suppose)

Other features of the Viewsat Ultra include: Component video output for great picture quality, blind scan for easy channel set up, Dolby digital optical output, built-in satellite smart card reader for future applications and upgrades, 200 MHz processor, 32MB SDRAM, and a full two warranty.

2. The Viewsat Xtreme is our runner-up for a standard definition receiver. The ViewsatXtreme includes all the same features as the Viewsat VS2000 Platinum, but adds component video output and hardware based blindscan (smart search).

The Viewsat VS2000 Xtreme is an extremely popular FTA receiver for few exclusive reasons. It is powered by a Conexant Main Processor running at a blazing 160 MHz, 16MB of SDRAM for an industry leading on-screen channel guide, and hardware based blindscan (smart search).

The Viewsat VS2000 Xtreme is very high quality receiver completely designed, engineered, and manufactured in Korea.
The Sonicview 360 Premier has all the high-end features you would expect from Sonicview including a brand new 260MHz processor, making it one of the fastest models on the market. The 360 Premier model introduces an easily accessible USB port on the front of the unit, making software upgrades a snap and allowing you to leave your external PVR drive connected to the rear USB port without messy unplugging and moving of the receiver. In true Sonicview fashion the 360 Premier receiver also features all the output jacks you could ever need,including video, s-video, component video, and Dolby digital optical output.

Best Standard Definition FTA Receivers (with recording)

1. The Nfusion Phoenix is our TOP PICK for a standard definition PVR (personal video recorder) FTA satellite receiver. The Nfusion Phoenix is the latest standard definition free to air satellite receiver from Nfusion. The Nfusion Phoenix beats the rest of its competition. Inside this receiver, the Nuvenio Phoenix is PVR ready (simply add an external PVR / DVR USB 2.0 external hard drive), ethernet ready, wireless ready and more! It has wireless network capabilities for quick integration with your home wireless network with the purchase of a wireless bridge or ethernet powerline adapter. Plus it comes with an Ethernet Port, which allows for automatic updates via internet.

For a limited time GOsatellite now includes an IPPVR installation guide and CD that will allow you to use the hard drive on your home computer to record. No need to purchase another hard drive. Use some of the hard drive space you already have on your home PC and allocate that for recorded movies and shows.

2. The CaptiveWorks CW-800S is our RUNNER UP for a standard definition FTA satellite receiver mostly because of its features to price ratio. We have access to all makes and models in North America, but if you want the lowest price best FTA receiver with a recording option then the CaptiveWorks CW-800S is the model for you.

As with all FTA receivers that have a recording option, you are required to purchase an external USB PVR / DVR hard drive in a size that based on your recording requirements. The most popular size is the 500GB give you approximately 300 hours of recording. See the satellite accessories section of the site for a hard drive to go along with this receiver.

The CaptiveWorks CW-800S has a great list of features like live recording or time shifting so you can select the date and time of the program you would like to record, user friendly onscreen menu, universal remote, component video output, Dolby digital optical output, blind scan, 6000 channel memory, and a simple installation setup menu.

High Definition FTA Receiver

1. This is our pick for the best value and performance in a free to air HD FTA receiver. This brand new model from Nfusion has all the features you would expect from a quality high definition satellite receiver. 2 USB ports, one can be used to connect a PVR / DVR hard drive to the receiver so you can record in high definition or standard definition. You can also choose to record to your home computer connected to the same network (wirelessly or through an Ethernet cable). This unit decodes all video formats including 1080i and outputs that signal through an HDMI or component video cable. Other features include 6000 channel memory, universal remote, 10 “favorites” list (handy when different people use the satellite to program their favorites into the menu), full on-screen TV guide, parental locks, and more.

The best and most exciting feature of the Nfusion HD is all updates to the receiver are done through the Internet. The latest Nfusion software will always be available by either directly connecting the receiver to your high-speed internet connection (router) or you can purchase a wireless bridge that connects to the receiver and then wirelessly accesses the Internet for the receiver through your wireless network in your home already. Dial-up Internet customers will need to update the receiver (if required) through a USB flash drive. And if you’re on dial-up you need to click here and get satellite high-speed internet from us.

You will not be disappointed owning an Nfusion HD receiver. Looking for more HD channels and want to future-proof your receiver, make sure you get the Nfusion HD 8PSK upgrade module.

2. As there are so many high quality HD FTA Receivers currently on the market it was difficult for our us to select our Runner-Up but the Viewsat Max HD is a very close runner-up to the Nfusion HD.

Here's why we love the Viewsat Max HD FTA receiver: The Viewsat Max's remote and on-screen menus are truly the best we have seen and the most user friendly. This high quality Korean built receiver has all the powerful features you would expect from a Viewsat box including a 200 MHz processor, 32MB of ram, USB and serial ports for easy software upgrading and accessibility and all the output jacks you would ever need, including: Video, s-video, component video, HDMI, and Dolby digital optical output for AC-3 surround sound as well as two tuners, one for FTA satellite and one for an outdoor HD antenna (called an OTA). As with the other Viewsat models you have the option to connect an external USB PVR hard drive to this receiver, allowing you to record from either tuner. The most common size harddrive is 500G and GOSatellite offers a number of high quality external harddrives you can bundle with your receiver purchase.

We also like the Viewsat's smart internal design as it is very easy to add an upgraded tuner now or in the future. If you are looking for a solid, long-term HD receiver purchase we highly recommend the Viewsat Max HD. Looking for more HD channels and want to future-proof your receiver, make sure you get the Viewsat Max HD 8PSK upgrade module..

Tips on Purchasing a FTA Reciever

So you are thinking about purchasing a FTA receiver and just dont know where to begin.

There are several on the market all of them have their advantages and disadvantages.

First you have to decide what you want to do with this item.

True FTA receivers are ment to be an add on to what you are watching on TV at any given time. They can add hundreds of stations to what you already enjoy. All of these stations are free for viewing and can be received by anyone without any monthly subscriptions.

There is another use for some of the FTA receivers out there that you you may have been exposed to. It is the use, through modification of them, to receive stations that are normally not for viewing by the general public without a paid subscription.

When you are purchasing a receiver, first you must realize that even though you are going to use it only for true FTA there is always going to be some speculation that your use will be for modification of the device for use of piracy. Never buy any product from a retailer that states that the device will allow for viewing of subscription stations. It will only cause you problems and the retailer is advertising and promoting illegal activities.

You will also, at times find items on eBay that are also illegal for use when modified. Such devices as cards and card readers have been known to be used for illegal activities and are most often banned on ebay. If you find one the price will be highly inflated and more than likely your bid will be canceled prior to the end of the auction. This is not to say that these items will be used for illegal activity, but the speculation is so high that many of these items are no longer for sale on ebay.

Getting back to the FTA receiver:

To start out with you will not only need the receiver but other pieces of hardware as well.

You will need to purchase a Dish. For true FTA the Dish 500 system is not acceptable. You will need a minimum of a 30 inch dish to capture the signals.

You will also need what is called an LNB. You will need one that has a "low" rating. Currently the best product for use is the Invacom brand 0p31

You will also need a multi switch. Pansat, Coolsat both make a good product

You will need cable and connectors RG56, shielded is best. Weather couplers for the outside are necessary.

For True FTA you will also need a dish motor, since stations are not all located at one location and you will need to move your dish to the area where the station is brodcast to.

In short to get into this hobby. it requirs more than just the $150 to get the box. Remember you will soon be up to $500 very quickly if starting from scratch.

To recap

Buy only from honest vendors

Buy from Vendors that offer to hide the bidders names (just for safety)

Understand that you could be spending not just $150 but as much as $500 to get you started.

Best of luck.