| FTA stands for Free to Air. This technology allows | | | | firmware to the latest version. Once you have setup |
| home owners to receive free to air signals from TV | | | | the hardware, you will be able to view additional |
| satellites without subscription. Many home owners | | | | channels on your TV set. |
| install their own FTA satellite dish and they get to | | | | However, as mentioned earlier, some signals are |
| enjoy thousands of free channels. Mostly, the signals | | | | unencrypted. You can easily view channels with |
| are unencrypted. But some signals may be encrypted | | | | unencrypted signals. But for those with encrypted |
| and require special software before the channels can | | | | signals, you will need to download FTA keys to view |
| be viewed. Channels are also constrained by | | | | the content. The key acts as a password, and needs |
| geographical location. | | | | to be input into the receiver. The receiver then |
| To watch free channels, you first need to setup the | | | | descrambles the encrypted signals that it receives. |
| proper FTA equipment. On paper, setting up the | | | | There are literally thousands of free to air channels |
| equipment appears easy. All you need are two pieces | | | | that require secret keys. Keys are used by TV |
| of hardware - a FTA dish, and a receiver. The dish is | | | | stations to control access to the content. Only |
| connected to the receiver via a coaxial cable. The | | | | subscribers get access to a key. However, FTA keys |
| receiver is then connected directly to the television. | | | | offer an economic alternative for those who do not |
| You can easily purchase a dish from your local | | | | have the budget to access the programs. |
| electronic store. Buy a C-band or K-Band dish. | | | | So where do you obtain such keys? |
| The dish is usually installed on the highest point of the | | | | There are several companies on the Internet that |
| house - the roof. You are going to need some help | | | | you can go to for downloading of keys. By becoming |
| installing the dish. One person should be up at the | | | | a member, you get unlimited access to all the keys |
| roof, trying to point the dish to get the best signal. | | | | that are provided by the service providers. |
| Another person should standby at the television to | | | | Before signing up as a member, make sure that the |
| see if the receiver is receiving good quality signals. If | | | | support is adequate. Downloading keys is one issue, |
| you have no experience setting up the dish, try to | | | | but installing the keys is a totally different matter. |
| engage the help of someone who had setup an FTA | | | | You are going to need help installing the keys. If you |
| dish before. Before you can view the content, you | | | | can't get the keys to work correctly, the receiver is |
| must remember to select the satellite on the | | | | going to be useless to you. |
| receiver. Also, make sure that you have updated the | | | | |