The difference between 3 kinds of receivers?

[sat_tv]

Hi, all:

This is my first post. I have read some of your posts and they are very useful. Thanks for the info.

I start looking for a receiver and found out there are some different kinds in market, they are:

1. Digital FTA Receivers,
2. Digital Common Interface receivers
3. Digital Conditional Access receivers.

Would you please explain to me what's the different between the receivers?

Thanks

Mike

 

[Mr Tony]

All will work for the free FTA stuff. #2 & #3 will take a card for subscription services (like Globecast). #1 you cant use for subscription services

 

[sat_tv]

Thanks, Iceberg