Satellite TV: Digital Receivers |
Sky Digibox
Sky Digibox
This does SR 22,000 and SR27,000. It only decodes SkyDigital Encryption. If you point a dish (may need to be bigger) at a Satellite transmitting 10.7GHz to 12.7GHz it should work on any CLEAR DVB transmission that is either of these Symbol Rates. I think all the normal FEC are covered. There is no Seek or Search mode. You must know all the settings for the channel you want. It comes with a Dish and LNB (50IR or 40Stg on special offer contracts). The dish is as small as possible, so alignment is critical. Very heavy rain may affect reception unless the dish is replaced with a larger size. Watch out for the mesh rusting. The LNB is good and will work with any satellite system.
FTA digital
This has NO decoder at all. The FTA (CLEAR) DVB on Sky Digital or any other Satellite can be received. NO encrypted, FTV or subscription services will work. Typically the SR will be 4000 to 30,000, accomodating almost any data rate. Some models can search through all the settings. This may take an hour or more. Usually the Dish and LNB is sold separately.
Astra Digital Radio (ADR)
This is a now obsolete, but still operational service in 19deg E Astra. The ADR type digital radio works with no other service and the ADR service can't be receveid by anything else.
Digital with Embedded or CAM interfaces for encryption
This does all the FTA does. A CAM is a Common Access Module. It takes the viewing card. Different CAMS exist for the different encryption schemes:
Viaccess
- Irdeto
- PowerVu
- Nagravision
- Mediaguard
No CAM exists for the Sky Digital Encrytption. Sky FTV or Subscriber services can only be decoded on a Digibox. Embedded means the viewing card slots in without a CAM. It is common for Viaccess to be embedded.
Each Service or supplier has a separate viewing card you must pay for monthly or anually.
PCI cards for the PC
These can be for Data only (Internet Download), FTA or have a CAM slot. If you have a PC with a big screen in the living room, this might be cost effective. Prices are around Euro 200$. It needs an LNB and Dish.
Worldspace
This is a low cost $99 digital system for radio only. The Afristar is one source of channels. Worldspace transmissions are not DVB compatible so a Digibox, FTA or other Digital TV receiver won't work. Also the Worldspace radios will not receive the Digital Radio of ADR or Digital TV satellites!