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

CAPTIVE WORKS 650s CLASSIC Standard Definition FTA Satellite Receiver

Design & Features Review

The CaptiveWorks CW-650S Classic takes FTA receivers to a new level. With 32MB RAM, Component Video output, Optical Audio, and a Powerful Conexant Processor, this receiver leaves very little to be desired. Free-To-Air fans have enthusiastically greeted this FTA satellite receiver that has all of the same features you are used to in the Captive Works 600 Premium but it has a very stylish case and it comes in two colors.

The Captive Works 650S Classic is the new replacement for Captive Works 600S Premium.

The CaptiveWorks CW-650S Classic has all of the features of the Captive Works 600S Premium but has 32MB of RAM as compared to only 16MB of RAM for the Captive Works 600S Premium.

Now, let's take a deeper look at what the Captive Works does offer…

The single tuner Standard Definition Captive Works 650S Classic employs an efficient 160 MHz Conexant processor running, 32MB of SDRAM and 4MB of Flash Memory. Its capable of storing up to 100 satellites, 6000 channels and 5000 transponders.

The CaptiveWorks CW-650S 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. The 256 Color Graphic User Interface will be a pleasant sight for your eyes when operating the 256 Color Graphic User Interface

Fully MPEG-2 and DVB-S compliant, the CaptiveWorks CW-650S 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 CaptiveWorks CW-650S features include:Blind Scan, Mulit language support (Multi Languages: English/German/French/Italian/Spanish/Arabic/Turkish/Persian/Dutch), programmable channel list, 100-step volume control, and a Master PIN Code function & Parental Lock Function. TheCW-650S includes an RS-232 port for Captive Works 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 CaptiveWorks CW-650S is a great choice of first-generation, entry-level FTA satellite receivers. And the price is fantastic.

The Captive Works CW 650S Classic outperforms the Captive Works 600S

What's In The Box: The Captive Works 650S Classic ships with a Diseqc 2.0 Switch, a null modem cable, RCA cables, universal remote, (2) AAA batteries, and a Captive Works 650S User Manual.

Buy Captive Works 650S Classic: $69

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Comparative Buying Guide

Compare the Captive Works 650S Classic to to other first-generation FTA satellite receivers, which include our single tuner, Standard Definition receivers without PVR or USB functionality:

• Captive Works 650S Classic — $69
• Viewsat UltraLite — $79
• Pansat 150M — $79
• Pansat 2800 — $99

Comparison Highlights: The Captive Works 650S Classic features 32MB SDRAM and S-Video output. 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 and more than the Captive Works 650S Classic.

The Pansat 2800 features 16MB SDRAM and S-Video output, like the Viewsat Lite, but the Pansat 2800 costs around 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