One brand is X2. Cheap, Chinese made, has some quirks, but will work. I've been using an X2 Premium Mini, which will be replaced by an Amiko A3 when my budget allows. Plenty come up if you just search "dvb-s2 receiver" on eBay, though anything in the sub-$50 range is a bit of a gamble in terms of quality, firmware updates, etc. Mine can "get the job done", but isn't really that great.
Several reviews on the X2 if you do a forum search.
IMHO,thats like asking: "Would I be happy driving a 1985 Yugo?"
But different folks have different needs...and I'm no expert.
Yeah, I'd say it hasn't change a lot over the past year. I know as of last scan a few days ago Al Jazeera News is back. I guess they didn't do well after their switch to a paid broadcast for their American version so now their back.
An X2 was enough to make me want a better receiver. It's awkward to navigate, and sometimes freezes. Sometimes I change channels between satellites and it will say no signal on anything but the previous satellite I was watching. I don't know how motor control is, and I wouldn't bother with this receiver. For what I use it for, it will work until I have the budget for a better one.
People seem to like some of the receivers from Amiko, GeosatPro, or Manhattan.