- What is Free to Air?
- Can I watch Free to Air Satellite Channels on my PC?
- Free to Air Satellite Receivers - Reviewed
What is Free-To-Air?
Many people are asking "What is free to air, how does free to air work and what channels can I get access to?" Free to Air Satellite receivers (abbreviated FTA receivers) are satellite receivers that are designed to receive unencrypted FTA satellite transmissions. By using these satellite receivers, you can legally receive TV signals to thousands of channels with no monthly programming bill. More and more people are using Free to Air Satellite Receivers.
Free To Air Satellite technology is 100% completely legal
The equipment needed are a Free to Air Satellite Receiver (Read our reviews of the best brands), a satellite dish to pointed to the specific satellite of interest, and a few installation supplies. Many of these satellites only require a standard DTV compliant dish that can be easily found in any electronic or satellite TV store. Pointing the dish is not very difficult at and if you need help there are many experienced people in your local area to affix the dish to the roof of your house. English & International channels are broadcast free and clear on a satellite called Galaxy 25 located at 97 degrees west. Regular firmware updates will ensure that the device works as efficient as possible at all times.
Free to air satellite receivers can effortlessly display exceptionally high quality digital video, and hi fidelity audio streaming. The digital transmission carries more information than a standard analog receiver. With High definition television, these digital receivers can now display DVD quality programming on par with the quality of watching a DVD. Some of these also boast interactive television, allowing you to choose camera angles or viewing synopsis and commentaries of running movies already in progress.
On a final note, Free to Air Satellite receivers do come with a price, especially when you include the cost of the satellite dish and supplies but if you shop around you can avoid overpriced retailers.
Yes, you absolutely can. If you do not wish to purchase a Free to Air Satellite Receiver and a Dish, you can save hundreds of dollars and download software that gives you access to thousands of Free to Air channels on your PC. You can even connect your computer to your TV and watch them just as you would with a Free to Air Satellite Receiver. This method also gives you access to many more channels than standard Free to Air Satellite Receivers.
Learn more about How to Watch Satellite TV on your PC.
Read our Reviews to Choose the !
We love Conaxsat receivers for both their size and efficiency. They are arguably the most trusted brand in the community for developing a reputation of manufacturing only the highest quality receivers on the market. Not a moment too soon the company just released the Conaxsat CNX Nano 2. We strongly feel that this is the best buy on the market for a standard definition FTA satellite receiver. We have our reasons...
The Conaxsat CNX Nano 2 is the replacement model to the wildly popular Conaxsat Nano. It has all the same features we loved on the original Nano, such as PVR support and USB 2.0 however the Nano 2 comes fully loaded with a built-in ethernet chip and RS232 ethernet converter to take your Nano 2 online. The factory firmware upgrades are automatic now -- no more manual upgrades.
Back to PVR support. You can record your favorite shows with PVR via USB 2.0 port on the rear of machine. Stream Mpeg Video from your PC via ethernet. The Nano 2 features a 9 days advanced electronic program guide, USB 2.0 host, Component Video output, and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound with SPDIF.
Coming from one of the most trusted brands in the community that has built its reputation by only manufacturing quality receivers at affordable pricing, the new Nano is truly one of the top performing USB PVR ready receivers in the market today.
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Works great with the Dish 500 ( Must be subscribed to dish Network to use this dish )
What You Need to Know About the Conaxsat CNX Nano 2
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USB 2.0 PVR Ready (Personal Video Recording)
Home Streaming Support. This allows you to stream video files (play movies) directly from your PC over your local area network. USB 2.0 allows you to attach any external USB hard drive (up to 1Tb) and start recording your favorite programs within seconds. . |
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External Ethernet Adapter
Turns your free to air satellite receiver into the multimedia powerhouse it should be. Conaxsat Nano 2 comes with a built-in ethernet chip and a separate RS232 to ethernet converter (included). Simply connect the RS232 to ethernet converter (included) to the Conaxsat Nano 2's serial port and you are ready to take your Nano 2 online. |
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Packed with Features: Auto software updates and Wireless Ready
Upgrade the software & update the channel database through the USB Port and RS232. Conaxsat Nano 2 features a 9 days advanced electronic program guide, Component Video output, and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound with SPDIF. It has good aftermarket support and is well supported in areas that many other boxes are not. |
The Sonicview 8000 SV-HD receives our highest recommendation for a high definition Free To Air Satellite Receiver with recording option. In the HD FTA category is by far the most popular box due it's incredible picture quality when connected through an HDMI cable. For the enthusiast who wants an elite unit only.
The Sonicview is a digital satellite receiver with one satellite tuner and one OTA (over the air) antenna input tuner that will display both high definition and standard definition channels depending on what satellite or channel you are tuning into.
This OTA (or also referred to as a terrestrial antenna) is a very power feature because it allows you to simply purchase an HD antenna and get all your local channels and major networks in HD.
Other powerful features of the Sonicview 8000 HD include the capability of video output to 1080i for truly incomparable picture quality. The USB port allows for software updating with a USB flash drive or you can connect a USB PVR / DVR hard drive to record channels.
It also features dolby digital output.
You can also purchase the Sonicview 8000 HD 8PSK upgrade module and add more HD channels to future-proof your receiver.
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Works great with the Dish 1000.2
What You Need to Know About the Sonicview SV-8000HD
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Amazing Picture Quality
This Sonicview 8000 High Definition unit will provide 1080i output quality on all the best channels with USB 2.0 port Sharp video tuner. The picture quality is the best of any receiver in its class with the upgrade module to add HD channels it only further sweetens the deal. |
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PVR USB Ready
The PVR function allows you to record your favorite shows on external Hard Drive or external USB. |
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Power and Processor Speed
Amongst nearly all Free To Air Satellite Receivers in its class, the Sonicview 8000 outperforms its competition in terms of performance speeds with a very powerful processor, fastest booting & scan speed. |
There isn't much to not like about the Kbox K1 Prodigy. The Kbox K1 is one of the most advanced Free to Air Receivers currently on the market. Kbox made their mark on the market in mid-2009 by introducing advanced functions and features that competing manufacturers simply couldn't touch. The K-Hub which gives you access to a variety of media features and automatic firmware upgrades that are available only through the KBox Team web site.
Let's get to it. For a non-HD box, this has to be closest to HD as it can possibly get. The picture quality is absolutely incredible. But that's not the only reason we like it. It's very easy to use, easy to set up and very hassle-free with great aftermarket support. When you need to it's also easy to load software updates via a front USB port. Hands-down it's the best supported box for sat 118.9 and the International channels which will apply to those looking for ethnic channels with foreign languages.
This is one of those Free to Air Satellite Receivers you don't regret buying. The features are really impressive. It's of course PVR and USB 2.0 supported, allows recording and playback simultaneously, has a 5,000 channel memory capacity and even sorts the channels for you. One of the best FTA receivers on the market when you consider the price and features.
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Works great with the Dish 500 ( Must be subscribed to dish Network to use this dish )
What You Need to Know About the Kbox K1 Prodigy
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Amazing Picture Quality for a non HD box
This can't be overstated. We were wonderfully surprised at the quality in which this box delivers.. |
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Fast Processing and Performance
This receiver has the fastest booting and channel scanning speed of any in it's class or category. It's really lightning fast. |
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Advanced Features
From a running list it's: PVR Ready with Time Shifting Function, USB 2.0 Suported with 2 Embedded Host Ports, allows Recording & Playback Simultaneously, Zoom In-Out Function, Background Graphic Display for Radio Program Channels, Parental Lock Function using Master PIN Code, Luminous Universal Remote Control Unit, 5,000 Channels Memory Capacity with Channel Sorting, and the list goes on and on.. |
