Need A Little Advise On FTA Receivers

[CountryBoyGa]

Hello Everyone,
I have a question about receivers.
I am on a very limited income,so I need to find a cheap,but good backup receiver.
I found and bought a coolsat 6000 Premium for about 56 dollars.
Now I think it was from a reputable dealer on flea bay,but who knows right?
It may be a clone or something and I have read that these units can just die out of the blue for no reason.The box looks legit, and so does the receiver.
It is suppose to be brand new not refurbished and from a reputable flea bay dealer with great feed back.
What I want to do is buy a backup just in case. I see most people on here have two or more receivers they are using. I can not afford these higher price models at this point as I am just getting started and still need a lot of stuff.
I can spend another 50+ bucks at most on a back up receiver.
I have found two possibilities on flea bay.
I can not decide which one to purchase.
I was wondering what you guys think about it.
I do not know anything about either of them and I am a total beginner to FTA.
My set up will be a bud and a prime star dish with a motor for FTA only on both.
Legal FTA nothing else.
Bud will have BSC621-2 C band and KU band LNBF.
Prime star I am not sure about yet?
These are the two receivers I am looking at.

BRAND NEW DIGIWAVE DG7200

Digiwave free to air receiver

with smart card slot

Compatible with DG7000 software and tools.
High Quality FTA Receiver.
Full EPG---7 days EPG
2mb Flash Rom for Fast GUI, channel changing and satellite

search
MultiSat Search
S-Video Out
Optical Audio Output
Easy-to-use Interface
4000 Channels Programmable
Fast Channel Scan & Change
Picture in Graphics (PIG) support
Conax CA-7 Embedded

General Features

EPG (Electronic Program Guide)
Full Compliant of MPEG-2 Digital & DVB broadcasting
950 - 2,150 MHz input Frequency (IF Loop Throughout)
Variable Input Symbol Rate (1-45 Msps)
Multi Language OSD (11)
Automatic PAL/NTSC Conversion
Fast Channel Change
4,000 Channels TV & Radio Program
Flexible reception of SCPC & MCPC from C/Ku-Band

Satellites
S/PDIF (Digital Audio or Dolby AC3 Stream out)
Timer Function (Automatic Turn On/Off by Setting Function)
256 Colors (Graphic User Interface) Number
PIG (Picutre in Graphic)
5 Favorite List & Unlimited Programs per each
Powerful Channel Editing Function
Sorting: Alphabetic, Satellite, FTA/Scramble, Parental

Lock
Move, Delete, Favorite Edit
Parental Lock, Channel Rename, Channel Skip
Manual PID / Satellite & TP / Network Scan
Smart Search
Satellite Scan - Receiver Simultaneous Scan with 4

Satellites
DiSEqC 1.2 and 1.3 Control Compatible (STAB USALS)
Capable of Setting the Frequency for SMATV System
Software Upgrade via RS-232C (Receiver to Receiver, PC to

receiver)
-------------------------------------
Going For 30-95 dollars+shipping on flea bay at the moment.
I can get it for 51.98 total.
Pros are it has been around for a while so people are familiar with it.
I should be able to get help with it if I need to right?
Help with set up and trouble shooting problems.
Cons are it is a very old model right?
Quality is not great but may be ok for FTA and a beginner?

The other one is a much newer model.
Xrica X-5 FTA RECEIVER

FASTEST SCAN EXCELLENT PICTURE QUALITY UP TO 9 DAY EPG

THIS IS A HIGH QUALITY RECEIVER MADE IN KOREA, NOT CHINA

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Sampling frequency rate1. POWER SUPPLY
Type S.M.P.S
Input Voltage 100 – 240V AC @ 50Hz/60Hz±5%
Fuse Rating 250V/T2A
Nominal Power Consumption 27W
TUNER
Input Frequency 950 ~ 2150 Mhz
Input Signal Level -65 ~ -25dBm
Input Impedance 75 Ohm Unbalanced
Connector type 2 x F-Type, 3/8-32UNEF-2A (1 Input / 1 Loop through)
LNB power Supply 13V / 18V, max.750mA
22KHz Tone Frequency 22 ± 2KHz, Amplitude 0.6 ± 0.2Vpp
DiSEqC 1.0 & 1.2 Compatible
Channel selection type PLL Frequency Synthesizer
DEMODULATION
Type QPSK demodulation and FEC decoding
Symbol rate 1 ~ 45 MS/s
VIDEO DECODER
MPEG-2 Main Profile @ Main Level With Letter Box filter
Data rate up to 15Mbits/s
Video Formats 4:3, 16:9
AUDIO DECODER
System Decoding MPEG-1 layer I and II, Musicam
Audio Mode Left Mono, Right Mono, Stereo
Sampling Frequency 32,44.1,48 KHz
PROCESSOR RESSOURCES
Main Processor Fujitsu MB86H20 170 MHz
SD RAM 32 MB
Flash 4 MB
Component Outputs (YUV)
Connector type 3 x RCA (Y Pb Pr)
Output impedance 75W unbalanced
S-VHS Output
Video format Y, C
Output impedance 75 Ohm unbalanced
VIDEO OUTPUT/ AUDIO OUTPUT
Connector one RCA/ Connector two RCA (L/R)
Digital Audio Output
Connector type 1 x Optic
Sampling frequency rate 32 , 44.1 or 48KHz
RF MODULATOR
Modulator output CH 3-4
Video Type NTSC M
Output connector F type female
Serial Data interface
Signal RS232C interface
Connector 9 pin DB9(M)
------------------------------------------------------
About the Xrica X-5

What comes with the Xrica X-5:
- RS232 Data Cable (NULL Modem cable)
- Remote & Batteries
- User Manual
- AV Patch cable

$135.00CAD

MAIN FEATURES

- FUJITSU MB20H PROCESSOR

- 4 MB FLASH MEMORY

- 11" WIDE AND 7 1/2" DEPTH AND STANDS 2 1/4" HIGH WITH 1/2" OF THE HEIGHT BEING THE BOTTOM LEGS

- BEAUTIFUL LOOKING AND EASY OPERATION MENU SYSTEM

- FULLY MPEG-II DIGITAL & FULLY DVB COMPLIANT

- UP TO 9 DAYS EPG WITH 32M BYTE SDRAM

- ALPS TUNER INSIDE MADE IN JAPAN & APPROX. 1 MIN. SCAN TIME PER SATELLITE.

- USER FRIENDLY 256 COLOR RESOLUTION ON-SCREEN-DISPLAY AND EASY G.U.I

- 8 FAVORITE CHANNELS GROUP

- 4 FIXED GROUPS & 4 RENAMABLE GROUPS )

- MAX 4000 CHANNELS (TV&RADIO) PROGRAMMABLE

- AVAILABLE AUDIO INFORMATION DURING RADIO CHANNEL & SCREEN SAVER

- S/PDIF OUTPUT FOR DIGITAL AUDIO

- 6 RCA OUTPUT FOR VIDEO, AUDIO L/R, COMPONENT Y/Pb/Pr

- ENABLE TO SELECT RF MODULATOR CH3 or CH4 BY ON SCREEN GRAPHIC

- RS232 SERIAL PORT FOR UPGRADE

- MULTI-PICTURE FUNCTION 1*2, 2*3, 3*3

- S-VIDEO OUTPUT

- VARIOUS LANGUAGES SUPPORTED : ENGLISH, TURKISH, ARABIC, PARSI, FRENCH, RUSSIAN, GREEK, THAI


TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

1. POWER SUPPLY

Type : S.M.P.S

Input Voltage : 100 – 240V AC @ 50Hz/60Hz±5%

Fuse Rating : 250V/T2A

Norminal Power Consumption : 27W

2. TUNER

Input Frequency : 950 ~ 2150 Mhz

Input Signal Level : -65 ~ -25dBm

Input Impedance : 75 Ohm Unbalanced

Connector type : 2 x F-Type, 3/8-32UNEF-2A (1 Input / 1 Loop through)

LNB power Supply : 13V / 18V, max.750mA

22KHz Tone : Frequency 22 ± 4KHz, Amplitude 0.6 ± 0.2Vpp

DiSEqC 1.0 & 1.2 : Compatible

Channel selection type : PLL Frequency Synthesizer

3. DEMODULATION

Type : QPSK demodulation and FEC decoding

Symbol rate : 1 ~ 45 MS/s

4. VIDEO DECODER

MPEG-2 Main Profile @ Main Level With Letter Box filter

Data rate : up to 15Mbits/s

Video Formats : 4:3, 16:9

5. AUDIO DECODER

System Decoding : MPEG-1 layer I and II, Musicam

Audio Mode : Left Mono, Right Mono, Stereo

Sampling Frequency : 32,44.1,48 KHz

6. PROCESSOR RESSOURCES

Main Processor Fujitsu MB20H

SDRAM 32 Mbyte

Flash 4 Mbyte

7. Component Outputs (YUV)

Connector type : 3 x RCA (Y Pb Pr)

Output impedance 75W unbalanced

8. S-VHS Output

Video format Y, C

Output impedance 75 Ohm unbalanced

9. VIDEO OUTPUT/ AUDIO OUTPUT

Connector one RCA/ Connector two RCA (L/R)

10. Digital Audio Output

Connector type 1 x Optic

Sampling frequency rate 32 , 44.1 or 48KHz

11. RF MODULATOR

Modulator output : CH 3-4

Video Type : NTSC M

Output connector : F type female

12. Serial Data interface

Signal : RS232C interface

Connector : 9 pin DB9(M)

I can get this one for about 42 dollars.
It is suppose to be a very new model that just came out.
Something happened to the company selling them,and they are no longer being supported? I think they shut down and went out of business?
I guess they are being wholesaled across the net now.
I do not know why, or anything else about them.
They sold for about 129 dollars when they came out. 135 can.
Pros are they are newer technology and faster than the digiwave?
About 10 dollars cheaper than the digiwave.
Cons are not a lot of people have these, info is kind of hard to come by.
May be harder to trouble shoot if I have problems with it?
Still for FTA only it sounds like it would be a great receiver for a beginner.
It is suppose to be very easy to set up and use?
Well that's it.
Tell me what you guys think.
I put the specs on here so the ones that know what all that means can compare them. Frankly at this point I do not have a clue about half this stuff.
I will have a 7 foot bud and the 39 inch prime star both on motors.
So which one would be the best for a beginner just starting out with FTA.
Thanks for your help

 

[Anole]

a little research:

I did a little googling for info on these two receivers.
They were found on hacker sites (much as I suspected).

The Xrica X-5 has been dead and out of production for something like two years.
It is NOT a new model, and anyone selling 'em is flushing out old inventory.
How would it perform for legit FTA? I would NOT waste my dollars on finding out.
If someone can tell you different, then let them take responsibility for your happiness. -

The Digiwave 7200 appears to be another old hacker box.
It lost support around a year and a half ago.
So, I'm sure any dealers sitting on any old inventory are happy to blow 'em out at bargain basement prices.
As for its status as a legit FTA receiver, I didn't dig that deep.

But for both units, with no factory support of any kind, if there is a bug, it's your bug.
It won't be fixed.
And while not necessarily related to these two receivers, here are some things we've found lacking in receivers we don't recommend:
- poor diseqc support
- poor motor support
- blind scan problems, lockups on certain signals, etc.
The better receivers got those things fixed.

Advice? Go look for a better known real FTA receiver.
I'd probably go for a Coolsat clone before either of the above.
Then there are used things like Fortec Mercury II's.
Both are very good FTA boxes.
The Traxis 3500 seems to have a good rep, too.

 

[AcWxRadar]

Hello Everyone,
I have a question about receivers.
I am on a very limited income,so I need to find a cheap,but good backup receiver.
I found and bought a coolsat 6000 Premium for about 56 dollars.
Now I think it was from a reputable dealer on flea bay,but who knows right?
It may be a clone or something and I have read that these units can just die out of the blue for no reason.The box looks legit, and so does the receiver.
It is suppose to be brand new not refurbished and from a reputable flea bay dealer with great feed back.
What I want to do is buy a backup just in case. Thanks for your help

Country,

You have already purchased one of the top of the line FTA receivers in my opinion. A lot of people don't realize this, especially those who buy equipment for pirate uses, but the Coolsat 4, 5 and 6K models are geared exceptionally well for true FTA uses.

I have tried some newer models because of perks that the mfg reported in their advertising. I played with them for a while and found that they were pieces of crap! Every one of them are collecting dust in my closet and the only ones still in operation for me are the Coolsat 5000's! The Coolsat 6000's are better, but I did not like the appearance of the front panel.

They made a great mistake when they discontinued these early Coolsat models! They work great! Every once in a while I pick up another unit for spare parts from EBay. I want to ensure that I always have an operational 5000.

In my personal opinion, most of the other receivers are geared towards pirating pay satellite channels and not true FTA. When I tested them, I determined that they were almost useless or too quirky for FTA use.

If you find a deal that seems too good to be true, it probably isn't legitimate. The Coolsat receivers might not have had a legitimate start, but I gaurantee that they do operate excellently for true FTA.

I feel bad having to type out the "new" phrase as "TRUE" FTA, instead of just FTA, but I guess a lot of people nowadays don't understand what is legitimately FREE and what is FREE via theft! I think that there is a difference in there somewhere.

Sorry, just had to spout off, but that does bring me to a point related to your inquiry... You want to find a receiver that is compatible with TRUE FTA. Don't let the hype about a certain receiver get the hormones in your wallet too excited. Don't drool over any receiver until you fullyt understand its potential.

My personal opinion.... Stick with the 6000 and maybe get a 5000 cheap on EBay. Forget about these high-fangled HD FTA receivers (so-called). I can almost guarantee that the majority of them are not capable of FTA and they are geared specifically towards piracy.

That is my opinion and I will stick to that! I have to stick to it, I bought several receivers myself thinking that they would be awesome and found that they were junk!

I guess what I want to tell you is just to be very cautious about what you purchase, don't allow yourself to be scammed.

Radar

 

[CountryBoyGa]

Anole
Yes you are most likely correct.
I am sure a lot of receivers are found on hacker crap sites.
I knew the Xrica X-5 is dead as for as production goes of that unit.
But the processor and speed of the scans reported interested me as maybe being worth the cheap cost?
I mean it was built for FTA from what I read with the factory software installed and used a lot in other countries reportedly.Other models of Xrica.
The X-5 was a new model run by the company is my understanding.
At least that is what I have read may or may not be correct?
As for the Digiwave 7200 it is old and been out for some time and also no longer supported.
But both are cheap and like I said I am just starting out.
Just getting my bud and setting it up is going to cost me a chunk,and I am not rich.
I am not interested in the hacking crap either.
I bought a coolsat 6000 for about 60 bucks.
Just looking for a cheap backup if it fails.
As for the Fortec Mercury II's,pansats.sonicviews,etc,etc,
I have tried on numeroue occassions to find one under 60 bucks with no luck, and lost several auctions on flea bay over the last two months.
But I understand your points.
And I may be better off just saving up for a better receiver later on.
Right now I am only working part time and looking for a full time job.
So I am just squeaking by.
I do not want to sink a lot of money in this at first because I have no idea what I am even doing yet.
So Thanks for your ideas.
Points well taken.
AcWxRadar
-
You have already purchased one of the top of the line FTA receivers in my opinion. A lot of people don't realize this, especially those who buy equipment for pirate uses, but the Coolsat 4, 5 and 6K models are geared exceptionally well for true FTA uses.
-
I thought so too.
But after I purchased I read about these knockoff clones etc, and how some units just up and die for no reason.
So just what have you got in the closet?
Got any cheap deals on a working receiver?

-
I feel bad having to type out the "new" phrase as "TRUE" FTA, instead of just FTA, but I guess a lot of people nowadays don't understand what is legitimately FREE and what is FREE via theft! I think that there is a difference in there somewhere.
-
Me too -I get tired of explaining I am not trying to hack something, but I guess it goes with the territory.
I don't even know enough to understand what I am doing let alone hack something.
I am just looking for a really cheap backup if needed.
If my coolsat 6000 fails I will have to learn how to fix it myself, sending it back with shipping cost is not even worth it.
Oh and I never drool except when I am asleep-just a little.
Thanks for your time.

 

[gabshere]

well i jump in an comment

i have 2 X Coolsat 5000
1 X Coolsat 6000
1 X Traxis 3500
1 X Pansat 2700
1 X Diamond 9000 HD
1 X USB WorldBox

out of all these i love the coolsat 5K & 6K ( i guess its because i learned on it)
the Traxis 3500 was ok it was fast but menu was really different and to me not as easy to use as the coolsats. I'm just now learning how to setup and use the pansat 2700 and its not hard , menu isn't layed out as easy as the coolsats but better than the traxis there are several little quirks that i'm sure i will get over about the pansat but where it lags behind is the scanning. Now granted it might be more through ( i couldn't see that as it scans in 8 mhz steps where the coolsat scans in 5 mhz) probably the tuner is a bit more sensivitive. but the coolsat scans 10 time faster and the traxis scans slightly faster than the coolsat....

now with all that said the coolsat was my favorite
the pansat i bought for a specific reason ( it can control a corotor)
the traxis is a fast scanner but its not my primary box and have considered trading it ( i had 2 and sold the other )
the Diamond its my HD box and i've had a coolsat 8000
but the diamond can take the channel list from a coolsat 5K or 6k and since the diamond can't scan this is a easy way for me to update the channel list.

the usb worldbox this is for the computer and i tried to sell it with no offers so i got it back out to watch HD , 4:2:2 on my pc

unless you just got to have the HD ( and save your money for a good blind scanning hd & DVB-s2 box when they come out) get a SD box you know and can work with
i try to keep it a box that has ability to use a channel list editor so if needed my other boxes can share list and i can save them in case i need a back up.

I did look at the Xrica X-5 and thought the price was good but it would have to have a channel editor available but the $45 range puts it in the used coolsat range and i would pick the coolsat hands down over something i haven't tried or seen....

 

[CountryBoyGa]

gabshere

I did look at the Xrica X-5 and thought the price was good but it would have to have a channel editor available but the $45 range puts it in the used coolsat range and i would pick the coolsat hands down over something i haven't tried or seen....

Thanks for your comments, I appreciate it.
I have purchased a coolsat 6000 Premium and got a good deal I think.57.37 with shipping.:up
It is suppose to be legit and not a clone.
I posted pictures on here in the C band area.
As far as I can determine it is not a clone.
But that being said I have read they can die for no reason?
Something to do with the power supply-coolsat 6000 Premium only.
I am not talking about software issues as in crap ware or anything, I am talking about a hardware problem.
I read at least 5 post online where people stated that their coolsat 6000 Premium died for no reason and they found it to be power supply related?
Now maybe a few had bad luck - who knows right?
Either way I am on a tight budget right now - part time employment, and I figured if I could find another cheap good unit under say 50 bucks it might be worth getting.
At least until I can afford something nicer.
Now if I could afford a really nice unit I would buy one,but man I would be sick if it died especially right after warranty, like most seem to do,and some of these units are pretty pricey for an old country boy like me just playing around with a hobby. Hey I got free HDTV now with 9 channels on the old TV. That is fantastic. I used to get one channel on my old analog antenna,no kidding. Now I hear the fortec is a great unit. A good one to own.
Any model fortec so I have read, and I have already spent over an hour looking at links to sites selling them and scoping out flea bay. I just can not swing an average of about 90 bucks for a used unit. All the low auctions soon climb above 90 believe me,I have been at this for several months now.
The Xrica -X-5 did catch my eye to.
And I tried to find out all I could about them.
I did not find out very much about the company,or the units really,big mystery if you ask me?
And yes the hack crowd was using them too.
But I Google a lot also and guess what, most receivers are used by that crowd including the fortec models,at least in the past anyway. I know- hard to believe isn't it?
The truly amazing thing to me is 15 mins after I posted the inquiry about the Xrica - the dealer on flea bay that had 20 units for sale and 3 days left- suddenly sold out completely..Go figure.
I should have gotten a commission-Rats.
So thanks for your advise,I will keep it in mind.
I think I will be alright with the coolsat 6000 Premium I bought,but in the mean time I will keep looking for a cheap backup.
Thanks again

 

[eurosport]

If you want to get into HD, I recommend the Coolsat 8000, or the Pansat 9200. I have both, and they are great receivers.

 

[HIFI]

If anyone would know, it would be Iceberg.hang in there as I'm sure he'll be along at some point

 

[schlever]

I have a Digiwave 7000. Not the best reciever out there by anymeans, but as a secondary box (I use mine for an old tv upstairs) it does the job. No blindscan and the signal meter leaves something to be desired, but hey it works. Digiwave also makes the Diamond 9000hd box a lot of people, myself included, use if that helps.

 

[CountryBoyGa]

eurosport84

Thanks I would like one of those new HD units.
Looked at some going for 450 bucks last night on flea bay.
I will be waiting for the price to go way down after the change over by the PPV Industry.
Should be some great bargains soon on flea bay.:up

-------------------------
HIFI1260

You are right no doubt.
----------------------------

schlever

Yes I saw the digiwave and they are really cheap on flea bay under 50 bucks even with shipping.:up
I heard as a second unit they were ok, that's why I asked about them in the first post.
You can read it above.
Still undecided on that one.
Thanks everyone for the info and help.

 

[CountryBoyGa]

Rats Double Rats

Hey I just noticed a new post.

"Some real newbie questions"

It was posted in The FTA Shack.

"I recently bought a couple of XRica X-5's off of eBay with the hopes of getting back into the hobby." :yikes
---------------------------------

Rats double Rats - I knew I should have bought one while I had the chance.:

I really should have gotten a commission on those sales too. Rats:river
See above post.
---------
Take it easy now -- I am just joking around.

Just Kid--ing Just Kid--ing
Hope you let us know how the X-5 does when you get it set up and running.
Thanks Everyone