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We carry the largest inventory of free to air satellite receivers than any other retailer. This massive selection has allowed us to test each and every unit and compare them to one another. Our 8 years of satellite industry experience, gives us the ability to educate you on what the best values are in a FTA receiver.

This is a very popular question, "What is the best FTA receiver" There is no simple answer, but to help you make the right decision, we have narrowed your choices down based on the type of FTA receiver you are looking for.


	Standard Definition FTA Receiver

TOP PICK: Sonicview 360 Premier

Sonicview 360 Premier

The Sonicview 360 Premier is our TOP PICK for a standard definition receiver. The Sonicview SV-360 Premier also comes with a PVR recording capability via external USB drive. Plus it also comes with 2 USB ports. The Sonicview brand has released some amazing models over the past few years like the Sonicview 4000 and the massively popular Sonicview 8000 HD.

You can purchase an external USB PVR hard drive now or in the future when you are ready to record. You simply plug the hard drive into the USB port, go to the setup menu, format the drive, and then you are ready to record any TV programs for viewing later. The larger the hard drive the more programming you can record.

The Sonicview 360 Premier has all the high-end features you would expect from Sonicview including a brand new 260MHz processor. It adds 1 USB port on the front for software upgrading and 1 USB ports on the back to connect to an external USB hard drive. We have many hard drives sizes available when you make a purchase, depending on your recording requirements. The Sonicview 360 Premier has all the output jacks you would ever need including, video, s-video, component video, and Dolby digital optical output.

RUNNER-UP: CaptiveWorks CW-700S

CaptiveWorks CW-700S

If you are new to free to air and do not want to invest in a lot of money at the beginning or you are looking for another receiver for a bedroom or cottage, then the CaptiveWorks CW-700S USB is a great choice. At $119 it is very affordable but do not think for a moment that you are losing quality or features for paying less.

This is a full featured standard definition receiver with an amazing list of features. This receiver has USB 2.0 host support, QPSK tuner, component video and extended TV guide, one button setup that allows for simple configuration to your dish. This receiver is so smart all you do it connect your satellite cable to the box and press the one button setup and the unit automatically searches that satellites you are connected to and configures the unit. This is a true plug-and-play feature.

More features include component video output for great picture quality, blind scan to bring in all the channels from the satellite your dish is pointed at, Dolby digital optical output, built-in satellite smart card reader for future applications, and a full five year warranty. Over-all this is well built and excellent FTA receiver.


	Standard Definition FTA Receiver (recording)

TOP PICK: Sonicview 360 Elite PVR

Sonicview 360 Elite

The Sonicview 360 Elite is our TOP PICK for a standard definition receiver with the option of being able to record by adding an external USB 2.0 hard drive. This brand new PVR Sonicview unit comes with a Dual Tuner so you can record & watch 2 shows at the same time. Plus it also comes with 3 USB ports. The Sonicview brand has released some amazing models over the past few years like the Sonicview 4000 and the massively popular Sonicview 8000 HD.

You can purchase an external USB PVR hard drive now or in the future when you are ready to record. You simply plug the hard drive into the USB port, go to the setup menu, format the drive, and then you are ready to record any TV programs for viewing later. The larger the hard drive the more programming you can record.

The Sonicview 360 Elite has all the high-end features you would expect from Sonicview including a brand new 260MHz processor. It adds a USB port on the front for software upgrading and 2 USB ports on the back to connect to an external USB hard drive. We have many hard drives sizes available when you make a purchase, depending on your recording requirements. The Sonicview 360 Elite has all the output jacks you would ever need including, video, s-video, component video, and Dolby digital optical output.

RUNNER-UP: Conaxsat Mini PVR

Conaxsat Mini PVR

The Conaxsat Mini PVR is likely the best overall value in an FTA receiver that records. It's made in Korea, where all the best free to air receiver brands are manufactured, and a hot new price of only $149 makes it a top pick. This is a full featured FTA recording receiver with a 200Mhz processor, USB upgradeable, 32MB Ram for a great on-screen menu and TV guide, s-video output, dolby digital optical output, the works.

All recording FTA receivers require an external USB hard drive and depending on how much recording time you would like, will depend on the size of the hard drive you can purchase along with the receiver. The most popular size is the 320GB.

The Conaxsat Mini PVR is a wise choice, even if you do not use the recording option yet, you at least have the ability in the future to add a hard drive when you are ready.

RUNNER-UP #2: CaptiveWorks CW-800S PVR

CaptiveWorks CW-800S

This FTA receiver is our runner-up top pick for those people looking for a FTA receiver that is full featured and wants the option to record. What makes the CaptiveWorks CW-800S a runner-up winner in this category is its price. At $149 there is no competition with this feature list and quality.

You can pay more with other models, but value and performance for money spent, you cannot beat this receiver.

This receiver has great features you would expect from CaptiveWorks including a 200MHz processor, 32MB of ram, USB and serial ports for easy software upgrading, all the output jacks you would ever need including, video, s-video, component video, and Dolby digital optical output.


	High Definition FTA Receiver

There are a few models in this category and found it difficult to pick one model only, but we have narrowed it down to 3 models to help with your decision.

TOP PICK: Sonicview SV-8000 HD

Sonicview SV-8000

This was very tough for us to pick what we believe to be the best high definition FTA receiver currently available in the market, but the Sonicview SV-8000 edged out a few competitive models. This is the Version 2 model that comes with a cooling fan.

If you read about the Sonicview SV-4000 above you will see why we like this model too. The remote and on-screen menus are truly the best we have seen and the most user friendly. And the remote is the best we have used. This high quality, Korean built model has all the powerful features you would expect from our top pick including, 200 MHz processor, 32MB of ram, USB and serial ports for easy software upgrading, 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. Two tuners, one from satellite and one for an outdoor HD antenna (called an OTA).

You have the option to connect an external USB PVR hard drive to this receiver so you can record from either tuner. These hard drives are available when you checkout on the website.

We also like the Sonicview'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 long-term HD receiver purchase we can highly recommend this model.

RUNNER-UP: Viewsat 9000 HD

Viewsat 9000 HD

The Viewsat 9000HD is the long awaited HD FTA receiver model by Viewsat. This IS the most powerful HD receiver on the market.

Satellite HD supported by current QPSK standard and the new DVB-S2 standard 8PSK. If you are looking for a high definition receiver for now and into the future, the Viewsat 9000 HD is the model you want.

Shop early to guarantee yourself the best FTA HD receiver on the market. NEW MODEL comes with built in cooling fan!