Kstuart you are right, some seem to be 'preferred', like the one I bought in Nov (viewsat ultra) Loads software updates easily by usb-flashdrive. I had a simple box almost a yr, wanted bigger faster more better>Ultra was one of the newest, boasted about having the faster processor, more ram, easy updating etc so I went for it. I actually didnt know about the other 'uses' for fta rec then. And if my first rec would've stored more than 16sats I prob would've just kept right on using it lol.
Like Ice said, prob all of them will do real fta ,some are better than others. . For what its worth though, this new Ultra DOES do FTA better than what I had, it is much faster scanning, will store tons of channels, without duplicating them on a rescan, and allegedly store about 100 satellites. There's been 2 firmware updates already from viewsat, and they are easy with the USB thing. My old rec was a coship and could not be upgraded. To address your post, I guess the software upgrade-ease is what attracts the thieves. Ultra still wont pass AC-3 though its supposed to, and I dont have it hooked to a motor so I cant tell about that. The sound thing is supposed to be fixed soon, they keep saying. But it does function very well as intended. Cant comment on any other use it might have, as I have no interest in theft.