Can a Sony B50 Satellite Receiver or a RCA DTC100 HDTV Satellite receiver be used to receive FTA signals?
JCWofKpT asked:
I have a Sony B50 satellite receiver with access card and a RCA DTC 100 HDTV satellite receiver w/remote, no card and would like to be able to convert one or both of them to receive FTA signals. Can this be done? If not I would like to know which FTA brands are the best, most reliable. I’ve checked out several on the net, but actually cannot see much difference. Maybe the Coolsat 8000 or Pansat.One with HDTV is preferable. Thanks
I have a Sony B50 satellite receiver with access card and a RCA DTC 100 HDTV satellite receiver w/remote, no card and would like to be able to convert one or both of them to receive FTA signals. Can this be done? If not I would like to know which FTA brands are the best, most reliable. I’ve checked out several on the net, but actually cannot see much difference. Maybe the Coolsat 8000 or Pansat.One with HDTV is preferable. Thanks
December 3rd, 2008 at 8:59 am
The manual says that only the A50 has an antenna connection, so I don’t thing the B50 will work. The DTC100 has a “VGA” type of ouput, which is RGB/HV not Component video, so you will need a converter device called a “transcoder”. Set you back around $125 or so. Maybe you could ebay one cheaper. It should work for over the air HD with an antenna, though.
December 5th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Sorry Your Current Setup will not work for FTA.
Several FTA HD Receivers are available and Yes Coolsat 8000 is one of them , Pansat is still not available but will be soon , the biggest issue with these receivers is the ability to Blind Scan .
True Blind Scan allows your receiver to scan and find all frequencies transmitting , other FTA receivers you will have to manually input frequencies and you will have to rely on a website or other source for that info , so if a Wild Feed like a College Basketball game in 4:2:0 happen to air at 1:00 pm and your receiver picked it up you’ll be watching instantly , otherwise you would have to depend on other people to tell you that it’s on.
Personally I’d wait a little while before getting a HD FTA receiver.
If you want true FTA meaning you’re not trying to get pay TV services without paying , it is a great hobby and will give you hours of enjoyment.
I recommend Satellite Guys U.S. , great forum about FTA that will answer all your questions.