Pc Satellite Tv Explained

By Author: Stella Johnston
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Is there really such as thing as ‘free' PC satellite TV? The short answer - NO. There is simply no way you can turn your computer into your very own satellite dish - which means that NO, you cannot get free HBO on your desktop. Do not lose hope, though. You have other choices. We will teach you how to concurrently or alternately check your email, surf the internet, watch TV or sports or movies, and even enjoy broadcasted music. The choices are astounding.

Here are your choices;

You Could Tune In

There is good news, however - you may be able to use your PC to access free television broadcasts from different channels such as BBC News, Discovery Channel, Comedy Central, and ESPN, among many others provided that you have internet connection. You can do this by visiting the official website of the station you want to watch - they will likely provide you with a link that lets you watch recent - sometimes even live - broadcasts. You can also use sites like Google Video, Channel Chooser, Free TV Online, WWI TV, and World TVPC.

You Could Use PCTV Cards

If you have some extra cash lying around, ...
... then give PCTV cards a try. There are two types pf PCTV cards - one type can be installed into your computer, and the other is an external unit that you can plug into your USB port. Both can receive broadband connection via satellite. The requests are placed using telephone lines, but the data is picked up at the speed of 40 MB/second through the satellite dish.

PCTV cards work in a different way. The most common use your computers infrastructure to decipher satellite signals and therefore give you free-to-air digital TV and radio. Such cards run on processors that let you watch TV using another window even while your computer runs other programs.

You may connect your PC or laptop directly to a satellite dish using Hauppauge 3000 products or via an internet cable. You can even use a satellite box. Dish TV and Direct TV both advise you to use a connection by means of their proprietary satellite television receiver box.

You typically need at least Pentium II (about 333 MHz) with Microsoft Windows 98/ ME/ 2000/ XP in order to watch satellite TV on your computer. You will also need a USB slot, sound card, plus a CD Rom drive. You may also need to install Windows media player, quick time player, or real player.