FTA Fever Free-To-Air (FTA) Satellite TV Receivers

Viewsat Lite Standard Definition
FTA Satellite Receiver

Design & Features Review

The ViewsatLite (aka, Viewsat Platinum Lite) is industry leader Viewsat's response to the demand for a "Tastes Great, Less Filling" version of the popular Viewsat Platinum receiver. Free-To-Air fans have enthusiastically greeted this FTA satellite receiver that has the processing power of the discontinued Viewsat Platinum, but a substantially lower price tag.

The Viewsat Lite is the Viewsat Platinum, minus a few features. Will you miss those features? Take a closer look…

The ViewsatLite does not include a Card Reader, or Dolby digital audio output. Also, the Lite includes only one set of composite outputs.

Now, let's look at what the Viewsat does offer…

The single tuner Standard Definition Viewsat Lite sports a smooth 160 MHz Conexant processor running and 16MB of SDRAM. Like it's big brother Platinum, the Viewsat Lite is compatible with a wide variety of satellite dishes. The Lite is also 100% compatible with Viewsat Platinum firmware and channel lists.

The Viewsat Lite offers a friendly user interface, including a clean new setup wizard that's a cinch to use, plus popular on-screen functions such as an Electronic Program Guide and Theme Search. The Lite also features Multi-Picture support via Picture-In-Graphic (PIG).

Fully MPEG-2 and DVB-compliant, the Viewsat Lite includes component and composite outputs: S-video and S/PDIF optical output for digital audio, 3 RCA output for Video, Audio L/R and 3 RCA Composite Video Output (Y, Pb, Pr).

Other notable Viewsat Lite features include: Blind Scan (Smart Search), programmable 4,000-channel (TV and radio) capacity, programmable channel list, 100-step volume control, and a Master PIN Code function & Parental Lock Function. The Lite includes an RS-232 port for Viewsat software bin file updates and a universal remote.

If you don't need USB 2.0 compatibility, PVR functionality, dual tuners or High-Definition reception, the Viewsat Lite is best in our class of first-generation, entry-level FTA satellite receivers. And the price is fantastic.

What's In The Box: The Viewsat Lite ships with a Diseqc 2.0 Switch, a null modem cable, RCA cables, universal remote, (2) AAA batteries, and a Viewsat Lite User Manual.

Buy Viewsat Lite: THIS ITEM HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED BY THE MANUFACTURER, VIEWSAT. PLEASE SEE THE VIEWSAT ULTRA LITE FOR A REPLACEMENT.

CLICK HERE FOR CANADA

Comparative Buying Guide

Compare the Viewsat Lite to to other first-generation FTA satellite receivers, which include our single tuner, Standard Definition receivers without PVR or USB functionality:

• Viewsat Lite — $69
• Pansat 2800 — $99
  
• Pansat 2700a — $79
  
• Captive Works 650S Classic — $69

Comparison Highlights: The Viewsat Lite features 16MB SDRAM and S-Video output. The Pansat 2700 has 8MB SDRAM and no S-Video output port, yet costs more than the Viewsat Lite. The Captive Works 650S Classic features 32MB SDRAM and S-Video output and cost less than the Viewsat Lite.

The Pansat 2800 features 16MB SDRAM and S-Video output, like the Viewsat Lite, but the Pansat 2800 costs more than the Viewsat Lite. The Captive Works 650S Classic is the best buy of this class of first-generation FTA satellite receivers.

However, for a few dollars more, you can step up to a second-generation FTA receiver like the Sonicview 4000 that includes both RS-232 data transfer and speedier USB 2.0 port(s). The flexible USB standard allows you to not only transfer data, but attach external storage and multimedia devices, as well — a flexibility has made second-generation receivers far more popular than first-generation receivers.

Looking for a High Definition FTA Satellite Receiver?
You may wish to consider:

• Sonicview 8000 HD PVR w/Fan — $369