Best Receiver

[electricman]

I have a ten foot dish and a 4DTV 922. I would like to get a MPEG-2 FTA receiver but can't decide which one would be the best. I have been looking at a Satwork ST3688 Blind Search receiver, and a Pansat 2500A MPEG-2 receiver. I appreciate any pro's or cons about either one.
Thanks in advance
Electricman

 

[Mr Tony]

moved to main FTA section

 

[Mr Tony]

Welcome elctricman!

I have a Pansat 1500 (the little brother to the 2500) and I love it!

The 2500 has AC3 output...there are some PBS channels on AMC3 that are AC3 output. The 3688 doesnt have that option. Both have a scan option to find new stuff

Another option is a Fortec Ultra...It has most of the same features as a 2500

 

[PSB]

Hello, I am with Iceberg on this one, I like the Fortec, but if you dont need the KU receiver to move the dish using USALS save some $ and go for the Satwork (IMO)

 

[Mr Tony]

very true PSB

I forgot the 3688 has motor moving capabilities

 

[PSB]

No prob. Iceberg......

"Another option is a Fortec Ultra...It has most of the same features as a 2500"

Can you tell the "members" what features the 2500 has that the Fortec Lifetime Ultra does not have?
As far as I can tell the Fortec has the slight edge....

1. There are NO dummy channels on a DBS POWER Scan
2. There are no Fortec Clones being sold direct from the North American Importer! (unlike the recent Pansat clone scandal)

 

[Mr Tony]

1. There are NO dummy channels on a DBS POWER Scan

Damn....didn't know that

That is a BIG flaw of the Pansat if you scan the DBS birds (Dish network) to see if there is anything new that is FTA. What the Pansat does is for every transponder it scans, it puts 13 "dummy" channels in the list. There is nothing on these (the PIDS are all zeroes). All it does is clog up your channel list and frankly it sucks

 

[PSB]

And don't forget the NEW Fortec Lifetime Ultra "2005" shortly hitting the shelves!
Cant wait for that!

 

[Mr Tony]

what does that one have that the existing one doesn't (besides a higher price tag)

 

[PSB]

The new one has a smiley face and the old one looks kind of sad?

I dont know but I am on it!

 

[SatelliteAV]

The new Fortec Lifetime Ultra 2005 is a cosmetic change only. No other changes. Not even the price!

 

[PSB]

Thanks for keeping us up to date with the Fortec Star Ultra Brian, didn't think they could make it much better : )

 

[dishMIKE]

I can't wait for mine to come in a few days! Thanks Again , Mike

 

[Mr Tony]

Mike
once you get it going, give us your review of it