| There is a big buzz in the satellite television and | | | | up satellite TV for PC. |
| entertainment arena at the moment, and that | | | | One important factor you must be aware of |
| buzz is all about being able to watch free satellite | | | | when choosing a satellite TV for your PC |
| TV on your PC, did you know that you can | | | | provider, is that there are no free lunches! It |
| access this free satellite technology right from the | | | | seems nowadays everywhere we look people |
| convenience of your computer or laptop, and | | | | are advertising "free satellite TV on PC". But, is it |
| even record any of the shows and come back | | | | really free? And in short the answer is yes and |
| and watch them later? Not only that but you can | | | | no! What I mean by that is that some PC satellite |
| easily connect the satellite TV on your PC signal | | | | TV vendors to provide software that streams |
| to your plasma TV or entertainment Centre! | | | | satellite TV over the Internet to your computer |
| What hardware is required if any? | | | | and gives you a selection of hundreds of channels. |
| To watch satellite TV on your computer, you | | | | This software is not free, but he is very |
| need either a PCTV card or Specific Satellite TV | | | | inexpensive and typically costs less than one |
| Software. There are two types of PC TV cards | | | | months subscription fee to the likes of DirecTV. |
| for internet satellite TV. One type has a built in | | | | The best part is the top satellite TV on your PC |
| processor that allows you to watch satellite TV | | | | vendors do not charge any monthly fees at all, |
| on your PC in a designated window, while the PC | | | | and the very best providers offer regular free |
| continues to run other programs. Other PCTV | | | | updates to their service. |
| cards use the PC's infrastructure to decode | | | | What Traps should I look out for? |
| satellite signals, allowing you to enjoy free-to-air | | | | Some other examples of where you may see " |
| digital TV and radio. Both kinds of PCTV cards are | | | | free PC satellite TV" advertised is where a |
| compatible with broadband internet via satellite. | | | | company hacks into a satellite signal from a |
| To watch satellite TV on your PC, you will need a | | | | company such as DirecTV and steal their signal. |
| relatively new computer. At worst, you'll need a | | | | This is highly illegal of course but many |
| Pentium II 333 MHz processor, and you will need | | | | unsuspecting people are using these signals to |
| to be running at least Windows 98/ME/2000/XP. | | | | watch free satellite TV on their PC. The problem |
| For satellite TV on PC, you'll also need a sound | | | | is it is not free, the pirate companies that hack |
| card, a spare USB port and a CD-ROM drive. | | | | into these signals have to buy equipment to gain |
| How do I connect to a satellite network? | | | | access to these satellite TV signals, and often |
| You can access PC satellite TV in a few ways. | | | | require that you purchase and access card. The |
| First, you can directly connect your PC to a | | | | companies who own these satellite TV signals like |
| satellite dish using a designated product, such as | | | | DirecTV, often hit these cards and scramble the |
| Hauppauge 3000, or directly through your internet | | | | signals and the only way for you to regain your |
| cable. It's also possible to connect via the satellite | | | | satellite TV feed is to have your card |
| box of your network provider. Several satellite | | | | reprogrammed, which of course can get very |
| TV companies recommend that you use their | | | | expensive if that happens often. |
| proprietary satellite TV receiver box when setting | | | | |