choose wisely
The use for an 8000 for FTA is mostly to get PBS....
...unless you're looking for USA-based sports feeds.
For instance, international Formula 1 racing won't be on it.
Pretty much, if it's not sports, it's not going to be on a "feed"..
...and if we're talking hi def sports feeds, someone like Iceberg would have the last word, but there might be what??? a few a week?
My point is, if you're looking for any other use of the hi def besides what's listed above, you're going to be sadly disappointed.
...so... if you decide you don't need hi def, then something like a Coolsat 5000 (that all the guys seem to like) might be a good first-receiver choice.
It's got blind scan, should you need it.
Kinda depends on what you really want to watch, I'd say.
Getting hi def and not using it, would be a waste of money, and a big disappointment.
What is your taste in TV ?