The following lines were added (+) and removed (-):
A "tester" is a term to describe someone using an after market firmware on their FTA receiver. FTA receivers made by the major companies are not equipped to de-scramble Dish Network or DirecTV. Installing a 3rd party firmware on your FTA receiver will void your warranty and could render the FTA receiver inoperative to the point where you cannot recover the original configuration. Such a receiver is then said to be "bricked" as in it has been made less useful or it will not operate at all and thus is like a brick, rather than a satellite receiver.A "tester" is a term used to describe someone using an aftermarket firmware on their FTA receiver. For example, FTA receivers made by the major companies are not equipped to de-scramble Dish Network or DirecTV. Some sources claim to have a "patch" or modified firmware that is supposed to descramble these broadcasts.There is a vast variety of true FTA in-the-clear programming available, enough to justify the investment into an FTA receiver. For scrambled programming it is recommended that you simply pay for a subscription based service such as that provided by Dish Network or DirectTV. Installing a 3rd party firmware on your FTA receiver will void your warranty and could render the FTA receiver inoperative to the point where you cannot recover the original configuration. Such a receiver is then said to be "bricked" as in it has been made less useful or it will not operate at all and thus is like a brick, rather than a satellite receiver. A legitimate firmware can often be obtained by the manufacturer of the receiver and may be installed to correct bugs or glitches in the original firmware, as well as provide valuable updates in regards to the internal database of satellites and transponders. There is a vast variety of true FTA in-the-clear programming available, enough to justify the investment into an FTA receiver. Individuals that modify their FTA receivers or use 3rd party firmware in an attempt to circumvent ECM (electronic counter measures) implemented by the major providers often contribute to the FTA industry getting a bad reputation. Legitimate FTA manufacturers interested only in selling FTA receivers and equipment to individuals looking to use that equipment for the reception and viewing of in-the-clear broadcasts make up the vast majority of the FTA market. For the reception and viewing of scrambled programming it is recommended that you simply pay for a subscription based service such as that provided by Dish Network or DirectTV.