There are various types of satellite receivers available. To help make sure you get the right one for you, here is a bit of info.
Terminology:
SD - Standard Definition (Lower Picture Quality, OK for TVs up to about 20 inch but HD is still noticeably clearer)
HD - High definition (High picture quality, much better for larger TV and especially HD LCD screens)
Single Tuner (Can watch 1 station at any time.)
PVR (Stands for personal video recorder. You can record programs, usually on an internal hard drive. These allow live pause, rewind, fast forward (recordings) ‚ and other features)
Twin Tuner / Dual Tuner (Dual tuner implies that this has PVR functions. Can record 1 channel while watching another or ‚ record 2 channels and even watch a previous recording at the same time.
Sky, Sky Plus, ‚ Sky HD - (Sky has various types of receiver from the list above. The old standard Sky boxes were single tuner SD. Then Sky plus came out, the plug meaning PVR functions, these were twin tuner SD. Then Sky HD came out, still with twin tuner and PVR but much higher picture quality, also the EPG was much better.)
If you have a twin tuner then you will need dual LNBs! You need to connect 2 wires in to the back of the satellite receiver! 1 for each tuner. You could have these 2 wires connected to 2 different satellites! For example the free UK satellite TV channels at 28 degrees East and also be tuning in to European TV channels at 19 degrees East. If this is something you may be interested in them you should read the‚ UK satellite TV‚ page and‚ the‚ European TV‚ page for lots of info on this. Also be sure to check the monoblock LNB page and the‚ ‚ Multi LNB‚ page.
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I will start with my choice of receiver for the budget end
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COMAG (also available as SILVERCREST) have a wide range of receivers available ranging from the budget free to air SD (standard definition) receivers (found on sale sometimes at Lidl and Aldi and such places) to the all singing, all dancing PVR HD (high definition) CI receivers
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I will start with the Comag SL 35, this satellite receiver is a good entry level Free to Air receiver.
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This receiver and it's Comag 'cousins' are in fact the best entry level receivers that I have come across, these receivers are easy to use, reliable, user friendly, and have some very useful features built in, in fact the Comag receivers are better and more reliable than a lot of the so called 'top receivers' and at a fraction of the price too.
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Low end receivers can now be bought off ebay for literally next to nothing. There is no need to spend hundreds of pounds/dollars until you know what you are doing and know what you want. You can get used satellite receivers for just a few pounds! Even some with PVR functions, HD and more! So, using the notes above, have a look and see what you can buy. Just be aware that ones that say "PVR features" but do not list a hard drive size, eg., 500GB, means you have to connect your own device! However many have USB so you could even use a USB memory stick! So click to take a look at‚
New HD satellite receivers can be bought from about ‚£45! So there isn't much point in getting an SD one. Though this SD one is very interesting as it says it is super sensitive for weaker satellite signals! Technomate TM-5200 D USB Super‚ - so maybe if you are trying to receive a weak satellite signal, you may find one of these useful.
Once you are definitely more interested in doing more with satellite TV, you may want to spend more money on a better receiver:
For mid range receivers, take a look at something like this: Vu+ Duo HD Twin Tuner PVR Ready Satellite Receiver‚ ‚ - I say mid range, but maybe that is top of the range, it has good reviews, twin tuner, HD, but it is PVR "ready" meaning you have to add a device such as hard drive to record on.
This page will be updated soon but please do ask questions on our forum. Our users have been using satellite receivers for many years and will be able to answer any questions you may have.‚ Forums
You can also leave a comment at the bottom of this page.
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‚ - so maybe if you are trying to receive a weak satellite signal, you may find one of these useful.
