What do you want it to do?
Standard definition receivers are less expensive and more plentiful than Hi Def receivers.
Ones which record your shows to hard drive are more expensive and the list is much smaller.
Reception of the latest S2 format is restricted to few receivers, and they cost a lot more.
A receiver with
blind scan is to be preferred, in most situations.
A wise beginner would start out with an SD receiver for somewhere in the $100 range, and get educated.
Then, once they've got a clue about the hobby, they may want to branch out to other more exotic sets.
Asking for "the best" to get started, would be unrealistic.
Also, learning what is on the air that you want to receive would be a first step.
Here's a very short
beginner's list, for Ku only.
We have more technical lists for Ku and C-band, but lets find out what you are looking to get, first.
And to answer your question,
yes, there are brands and models we would steer you away from, and others we will recommend.
The list of models and advertizing claims are quite absurd.
Here on the forum, we can help you whittle down the list to a manageable one.
