Introduction

The choice of satellite receivers available today can be bewildering to those new to satellite TV viewing. Here are a few points to consider to help you choose the correct satellite receiver for your needs.

The channels you want to watch

The choice of receiver will normally be firstly determined by the range of channels required.

Viewers will need to consider if they channels they require are Free To Air, Subscription based, or still require decoding even without subscription. Receivers can range from the low cost models for Free to Air only for the more expensive models that can receive Free to Air as well as a range of encrypted channel systems.

Premium Options

Certain models of receiver may have additional features like the ability to record programmes onto an internal hard disk.

Sometimes the range of channels required may be available on different satellites, with an option being to have a receiver that can control a motorised dish to point to the various satellites required.

Options

Free to Air Receivers

If all the channels you want to watch are Free to Air (FTA) channels, there are a large range of Free to Air receivers available for your needs. FTA receivers are generally cheaper than the more Hi-Spec receivers but they generally have the DiSEcQ protocol in their software which means they can be used with multiple LNB's or drive motorised dishes. It is important to check that they have the correct connections for your TV/VCR since some models only have a SCART connection.

One disadvantage of FTA receivers is that, if one of the channel's you watch becomes encrypted, the receiver would not be able to de scramble them.

Embedded Receivers

Embedded receivers have a de-scrambler embedded onto the printed circuit board of the receiver.

There are several encryption methods used by different broadcasters across Europe, including: Viaccess, Irdeto, Conax etc. These formats can be found embedded on to various makes and models of receivers.

A careful selection of this type of receiver is required for the correct de-scrambling method for the channels you wish to view.

Common Interface Machines

Common Interface (CI) Machines are the most versatile receivers in terms of the de-scrambling options available. These receivers may have 1 or more Common Interface (CI) slots which take a Common Access Module (CAM) (explained later) to allow the receiver to de-scramble many of the encryption formats in use by broadcasters throughout Europe.

Some CI receivers have an embedded scrambling format. To add additional scrambling formats to the receiver, a CAM needs to be purchased separately which is then slotted into the receiver.

Conditional Access Modules ( CAM's )

A CAM is a de scrambler unit used to unscramble a Digital broadcast and is inserted into a receiver's Common Interface slot (CI)

Viewing Cards

Whilst your machine contains an embedded de-scrambler or slots for CAM's, scrambled subscription channels can only be viewed with the use of a Viewing card which is usually obtained from the broadcaster, or one of the broadcaster's dealers.

Motorising or using multiple LNB's

Receivers which contain the DiSEcQ protocol in their software can drive a motorised dish fitted with a DiSEcQ motor mount. This will enable the receiver to point the dish to many different satellites over Europe.

The DiSEcQ protocol will also allow you to switch between a number of LNB's should you wish to pick up 2 satellites from 1 dish. This is known as a Dual Focus System.

Many of the existing Analogue motorised receivers have 36 volt connections to drive their motor arms or H-H mounts, these are also available on some of the new Digital models

Digital & Analogue Receivers

Although most channels across Europe are converting their channels to Digital there are still plenty of Analogue stations available. Digital + Analog receivers are available to receive both types of broadcasts.

Programmable Receivers

German company Dream Multimedia manufacture the Dreambox satellite receivers. These are a new generation of digital satellite receiver. Most digital satellite receivers are software driven and only the manufacturers create the software and software upgrades for them. With the Dreambox receivers, anyone can write software for the receivers to configure them and extend their functionality.

Programmable Receivers like the Dreambox could well be the next generation of digital satellite receiver. They may not be suited to the computer illiterate home user but they are ideal for users with some computing knowledge who wish to customise the receiver exactly to their needs. There is also the possibility of specialist retailers who offer a customisation service serving customers who want a customised receiver.