The receiver is half the installation
You can have the dish aligned perfectly and still not see a channel, simply because the receiver cannot handle it. It happens more often than you would think: older receivers that will not tune HD channels, units with no slot for the platform’s card, or boxes that cannot switch between two satellites.
This guide goes through what a satellite receiver needs in 2026, which features are essential and which depend on how you use it. If you need help with the dish itself, it is all covered under TV aerials and satellite dishes.
First of all: what do you want to watch?
The choice comes down to three questions:
- Free-to-air or pay channels? Pay channels need a card and sometimes a receiver certified by the platform.
- One satellite or several? Astra 19.2° E and Astra 23.5° E, say, or Hispasat 30° W.
- How many televisions, and do you want to record?
Once those are clear, the rest is technical.
The essentials
DVB-S2
This is the current satellite transmission standard. A receiver that only does DVB-S, the old standard, misses most HD channels. In 2026 DVB-S2 is the floor; some units also support DVB-S2X, a more efficient evolution of it.
HEVC (H.265) decoding
More and more channels, particularly HD and UHD ones, are broadcast using HEVC compression. A receiver that only decodes MPEG-4/H.264 will work with plenty of channels, but it will fall further behind every year. If you are buying today, make sure it has HEVC.
A suitable HDMI output
For UHD content the receiver needs HDMI 2.0 or better with HDCP 2.2, and the television has to support it too. For HD channels, any current HDMI output is fine.
Satellite switching
- DiSEqC 1.0 / 1.1: switches between several LNBs or satellites. Essential if your dish receives more than one orbital position.
- DiSEqC 1.2 / USALS: for motorised dishes that track between satellites.
- Unicable (SCR / dCSS): feeds several receivers down a single cable. Very useful in blocks of flats and in homes where no more cable can be run.
Features that depend on how you use it
For pay channels: CI+ or a card reader
Many platforms work with a CAM module that slides into a CI+ slot on the receiver or the television. Others use a built-in card reader or insist on their own certified receiver. Check what your platform supports before you buy.
Avoid card-sharing schemes over the internet for watching pay channels without subscribing: they are illegal and they cut out constantly.
For recording: a twin tuner and PVR
- Twin tuner: lets you watch one channel while recording another.
- Recording to USB or a hard disk (PVR), with pause-live-TV.
- A reliable electronic programme guide (EPG) for setting recordings.
For internet use: connectivity
- Ethernet or wifi for updates, an extended programme guide and apps.
- Some receivers combine satellite with broadcasters’ apps or streaming services. Handy if you also use legal internet services.
If the receiver is going to sit a long way from the router, make sure the signal reaches; our wifi solutions page explains how to improve it.
For foreign residents: language and channel lists
A menu in your own language, straightforward channel list management, and the option of original-language audio and subtitles. It sounds like a detail, but it changes daily use completely. To work out which satellite suits your country, read how to watch international channels on the Costa Daurada.
What to ask for, case by case
| Use | Essential | Worth having |
|---|---|---|
| Free-to-air from one satellite | DVB-S2, HEVC, HDMI | EPG, USB recording |
| Several satellites | The above plus DiSEqC 1.0/1.1 | Channel lists per satellite |
| A pay platform | Whatever the platform requires: CI+, reader or certified receiver | Twin tuner |
| UHD content | HEVC, HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 | A compatible UHD television |
| Several televisions on one cable | Unicable support | One receiver per television |
| Recording and watching at once | Twin tuner plus PVR | External hard disk |
Separate receiver or the television’s own tuner?
Many current televisions have a built-in DVB-S2 satellite tuner, and some have a CI+ slot. That is a good option if you only want free-to-air channels from one satellite and do not need convenient recording. A separate receiver wins when you want a twin tuner, better handling of several satellites, compatibility with a particular platform, or more practical menus.
Common mistakes when buying
- Buying a very cheap receiver with no HEVC.
- Not checking compatibility with the pay platform.
- Forgetting DiSEqC when the dish has two LNBs.
- Assuming the receiver can fix a weak signal: if the dish is misaligned or the LNB is failing, no receiver will make up for it.
Installation and set-up
A well-chosen receiver still has to be configured: LNB type, DiSEqC ports, channel search and list sorting. On installations with a multiswitch or Unicable, every receiver has its own specific settings. Getting that wrong is behind a great many calls about “channels that will not appear”.
If you live in Salou, Cambrils or nearby and are not sure which receiver you need, ask us for a quote with no obligation. We check your dish and recommend the box that fits what you want to watch.