Ethnic programming is widely accessible using FTA Receivers, such as the SonicView 8000.
In some countries, it is common for mainstream broadcasters to
broadcast their channels over satellite as FTA. Most notably, in the
German-speaking countries, most of the main terrestrial broadcasters,
such as ARD Das Erste, ZDF and ORF offer FTA satellite broadcasts, as do some of the more recent satellite rivals such as Sat. 1, 3sat and RTL. The satellites on which these channels broadcast, Astra 1x, are receivable throughout most of Europe.
In the UK, three of the original five terrestrial broadcasters, BBC1, BBC2 and ITV1
broadcast FTA on digital satellite, including many of their regional
variations. However, in some countries, it is not the norm for
mainstream channels to broadcast on FTA satellite television.
FTA receivers are sold in the United States and Canada for the
purpose of viewing unencrypted free-to-air satellite channels, the bulk
of which are located on Galaxy 25.
This provides an alternative option for various ethnic communities to
watch television from their native countries without subscribing to an
often expensive programming package from a major satellite TV provider.
There is also a substantial amount of Christian-based programming
available on several satellites over both North America and Europe,
such as The God Channel.
Satellite DXing is a hobby that often involves scanning satellites for raw news feeds.
Over-the-air digital TV signals do not reach very far outside the
city in which they are transmitted. FTA Receivers can be used in rural
locations as a fairly reliable source of television without subscribing
to cable or a major satellite provider. Equity Broadcasting
and other programmers use the nearly 30 North American satellites to
transmit their feeds for internal purposes. Often these feeds include
programming from major network television affiliates, as well as content often carried in over-the-air digital subchannels. These unencrypted feeds can then be received by anyone with the proper decoder. DXers also use FTA receivers to watch the numerous wild feeds that are present on many of those satellites.
The widespread popularity of FTA receivers is undoubtedly due to the
fact that they use the same technology employed by Echostar's Dish Network and BCE's Bell ExpressVu. Often, hackers are able to reverse-engineer
the software and add the necessary coding to allow unauthorized
reception of all channels offered by Dish Network and Bell ExpressVu,
including premium movies and pay-per-view.
Manufacturers, importers, and distributors of FTA receivers do not
condone this practice and most will not sell to individuals whom they
believe will be using their products for this purpose. Use of third-party software usually voids any warranties.
Unlike traditional methods of pirate decryption that involve altered smart cards
used with satellite receivers manufactured and distributed by the
provider, piracy involving FTA receivers require only an update to the
receiver's firmware. Electronic countermeasures
that disable access cards have no effect on FTA receivers because they
are not capable of being updated remotely via satellite as
provider-issue receivers are. Periodically, the provider will change
the processes in which encryption information is sent. When this
happens, third-party coders will release an updated altered version of
the FTA receiver software on dozens of Internet forums. Usually, this happens within hours after the countermeasure is implemented.
While smart-card piracy often involves individuals who re-program
access cards for others (usually for a price), piracy using FTA
receivers involves third-party software that is relatively easy to
upload to the receiver (a process called "flashing") and is distributed
freely on the Internet. Websites that third-party coders use to share
this software often have anywhere from 50,000 to over 200,000
registered users.
This is the main control panel that allows the user to configure the receiver to interact with LNBs, switches, motors, and other equipment. The user selects the LNB type, Local Oscillator Frequency, appropriate DiSEqC
switch port, and motor configuration. If all the settings are correct
for the appropriate equipment, a signal bar showing strength and
quality will appear. At that point, the receiver can be used to scan
the satellite to detect channels.
FTA Receivers scan all transponders on the satellite to detect channels.
There are 63 satellites in orbit over the Americas, 57 over Europe
and a further 64 over Asia, a significant number of which will be
receivable from any one location. Each of these has a different number
of active transponders.
Each transponder operates at a different frequency and symbol rate.
Many FTA receivers are designed to detect any active transponders and
any channels on those transponders. Because they are designed to do
this without needing to be pre-programmed with the transponder
information for each satellite, this process is referred to as a
"blind" scan-- as opposed to a satellite scan, which scans according to
pre-set transponder values.
Channel Master, created by SharpC, is a popular software program for channel editing.
Once a scan is complete, the channels can often be sorted
alphabetically, in satellite/transponder order, or in
scrambled/unscrambled order. Additionally, third-party software often
allows the option of sorting by the channel's Station Identification
(SID) number. This is so that the individual channels can be numbered
in a way that mimics the lineup of Dish Network or Bell ExpressVu.
Channels can also be renamed or deleted, either in an on-screen menu or
with external software.
The most popular software used to configure and sort channels is a database program called ChannelMaster,
which allows the user to name, number, sort, and delete channels and
then save them in a format that can then be written to the receiver.
The file created that contains channel information is called a channel
list. Most popular FTA receiver brands are supported in ChannelMaster,
though many newer and less popular brands are not.
Most FTA receivers give the user the option of configuring the language, aspect ratio, TV type (NTSC/PAL), and time settings.
Almost all FTA receivers contain a parental lock feature..
An on-screen program schedule can be accessed that also contains descriptive information about a selected program.
A few high-end receivers feature the ability to record programs,
pause, and review live TV. Often, a hard drive is not included when the
unit is purchased, which allows the user to install any desired hard
drive. Some newer units are equipped with a USB port that allows the
user to connect a portable hard drive.
A few high-end receivers feature HDTV. These usually include an ATSC over-the-air digital television tuner and MPEG-4 support. A few HDTV units allow for the addition of a UHF remote control. However, an 8PSK
module can be installed in place of the UHF remote and allows the
receiver to decode the format used on most Dish Network high definition
programming.
Because FTA receivers are sold specifically for free-to-air use and
do not include any illegal software when shipped or sold, purchasing
one is not illegal. The market for ethnic and religious channels that
do not require subscriptions is significant enough for them to have a
legitimate use. Thus, combatting piracy involving FTA receivers has
been difficult using legal means.
In July 2007, Echostar filed a lawsuit against Viewtech, an Oceanside, California-based
importer of the popular Viewsat brand, alleging that Viewtech
intentionally makes it possible for third-party engineers to write
software that allows unauthorized access to Dish Network programming.
Among the reasons cited in the lawsuit to support that claim is the
fact that, according to a legal brief, "Free-to-air channels do not
offer the same type of popular programming found in subscription
television packages (e.g. HBO, ESPN, etc.). Instead, 'free-to-air'
television channels typically include limited religious, ethnic,
business, music, information, and advertising content". According to
Echostar, this type of programming does not justify the estimated 2
million FTA receivers that have been sold in recent years. Echostar
also alleges that authorized Viewsat dealers frequently advertise on
websites used to share information on how to gain unauthorized access
to programming.
Viewtech has since filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, saying
that the company plays no active role in the theft of Dish Network
programming. Viewtech says that manufacturers and distributors cannot
be found liable for the piracy of end-users. The company also claims
that Echostar cannot sue Viewtech for violating copyright law because
Echostar does not hold rights to the content it delivers.
Echostar has since filed a similar lawsuit against Panarex, a North Hollywood, California-based company that imports the Pansat brand.
A free-to-air or FTA Receiver is a satellite TV receiver designed solely to receive unencrypted broadcasts. Modern decoders are typically compliant with the MPEG-2/DVB-S standard for digital television,
while older FTA receivers relied on analog satellite transmissions
which have declined rapidly in recent years. Overwhelmingly, FTA
receivers are manufactured in South Korea and China.
