The advent of free-to-air (FTA) technology has, of course, created many different companies, all touting the same basic claims. All claim to have the best satellite receiver, the best satellite strength, the best lineup of programming, and, of course, the best prices. But for all the claims, how do you know which is the best satellite receiver for you?

There are several things to look for when deciding upon a FTA system. The first thing to decide is, what system is going to give you the best and widest range of satellite channels? Depending on your geographic location, your choice of channels can increase or decrease dramatically. The more populated areas of the world receive more programming, while the areas of the world with a less dense population receive fewer programming choices. Calculating your location with the satellites you’re able to tap into, which determines how many channels you can receive, is the first step towards choosing an FTA system for your home or business.

The second thing to consider is the price of the preliminary FTA system fees. FTA systems have no monthly or yearly subscription fees, as the channels you receive are all unencrypted channels. The actual system to view those channels does, of course, cost money. The first thing to buy is an FTA receiver. There are many different brands of FTA receivers, all with different pros and cons, so do some research to determine which is the best satellite receiver for your situation. After the receiver is picked, a compatible satellite must be purchased for installation on your home or office roof. Once the system is up and running, program files and support files must be downloaded; after that, the system is free to run. So figuring out your starting cost and how it compares to your budget is another important step.

The last step in determining which FTA system is right for you is whether or not you want an HD FTA system. As the high definition trend has swept the primary electronics scene, FTA systems have followed suit, and many of the top FTA companies now offer HD-compatible equipment so that users who own HD televisions can get all the FTA programming in the high definition the television allows.

Following these steps is the best way to discover which FTA system is right for you and your budget, which is the best satellite receiver for you television, and which programming is right for your interests.