Apparatus and method for receiving multichannel signals

In a satellite broadcasting receiver for receiving scrambled or unscrambled digital satellite broadcasting signals, demultiplexing the signals, decoding the signals and outputting audio and video signals, a multichannel signal receiver comprising:

• a descrambler including a plurality of descrambling units for descrambling the scrambled digital satellite broadcasting signals;
• a signal receiver for receiving at least one digital satellite broadcasting signal via at least one antenna, and outputting the digital satellite broadcasting signal;
• a signal output unit for demultiplexing the digital satellite broadcasting signal, demodulating the signal, and outputting audio and video signals;
• a common interface controller for checking whether the digital satellite broadcasting signal provided by the signal receiver is a paid signal or a free signal, outputting the digital satellite broadcasting signal to the signal output unit when the digital satellite broadcasting signal is a free signal, and outputting the digital satellite broadcasting signal to the descrambler and outputting a descrambled digital satellite broadcasting signal to the signal output unit when the digital satellite broadcasting signal is a paid signal;
• and
• a host central processing unit (CPU) for controlling the signal receiver, the common interface controller and the signal output unit.