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Visit our free satellite dish page to learn how to get a completely free satellite system when you start new service from either DirecTV or the Dish Network.

Direct TV descramblers: See eBay's DirecTV descrambler listings.

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Direct TV Descramblers

Direct TV descramblers are more widely known as Directv receivers and are the final destinations of the satellite television signals that have been sent up to space and broadcasted back to earth to the consumers.

These Direct TV descramblers (and all DBS satellite receivers actually) have these specific service functions to perform:

• It is the function of the descrambler (from Direct TV or otherwise) to de-scramble the encrypted signal. If the receiver is to be able to de-scramble the signal, it must have the proper decoder chip for particular programming packages, which are provided by certain services, such as Dish Network, Direct TV, or C-band programming. Providers can communicate with the chips in their descramblers if adjustments are needed.
• Receivers separate the signal of the channel you want to watch from the larger satellite signal, which is all the channels lumped together. When you change channels with a satellite TV service, the descrambler extracts just that signal from the lump of satellite channels and displays it on your television. This means that you need a separate descrambler for every TV in your house. Read further down below to learn about free satellite receiver deals from Direct TV or the Dish Network.
• Descramblers take the received digital MPEG-2 signal and convert it into an analog format so that a typical television will be able to process it. It is also possible for some Direct TV descramblers to output an HDTV signal.
• The descrambler will log any pay-per-view programs you watch and will relay that information to the provider's billing center.
• Receivers present the programming schedule in an on-screen format.
• Direct TV descramblers (and most all satellite receivers) have parental lock-out options.
• Direct TV descramblers specifically can have built-in digital video recorders (DVRs) to work with a TiVo subsription.

If you're looking to buy a descrambler on its own, you can follow the yellow shopping link near the top of this page.

But if you're going to start new satellite television service, you can get up to five receivers free from Direct TV or the Dish Network, read our free satellite dish page.

Learn about other pieces of electronic and satellite equipment: