Why watch satellite tv on pc when you can watch it on your sleek LCD/Plasma televisions from the comfort of your home? In this article, I will touch on the different ways to watch satellite tv and make some comparisons. After that I will show you how to truly enjoy close-to-free live satellite tv channels anywhere in the world.

There are 3 ways to watch:

1. DIY. Purchase satellite dish equipments and install it yourselves.

2. Subscribe to cable/satellite tv service providers.

3. Use satellite tv on pc software.

Let’s look at DIY. In order to start receiving live satellite channels, you basically need 2 groups of equipment, the satellite tv system that is going to decode the satellite signals and translate them to video/audio data to be sent to your television, and the dish equipment that is going to receive the signal from the air. It does not take rocket science to figure that the cost of this equipment will be way above $200 at least. Also, you will need to have some expertise in order to set up the equipment. satellite tv on pc software does not have this problem, all you need is the software and a broadband connection.

Well, you can always subscribe to satellite tv packages and usually they will come with free equipments and installation. However, there is a catch. In order to enjoy these freebies, subscribers will always have to commit to these services for at least a year of monthly fees. The number of tv channels offered differs from providers to providers and is dependent on the packages that you sign up for. It can range anything from 40 channels to over 300 channels. The performance of satellite dish system is very much dependent on weather and where the dish is installed. On the other hand, satellite tv on pc software comes only with a one-time fee. You only pay for the software and can subsequently watch live satellite tv channels for as long as you like, free. Also, it is not affected by weather conditions as it makes use of the internet which is a very reliable source of media.

Other benefits of using the software include that fact that it offers more than 3000 channels worldwide in different languages for you to choose from. .

One thing to note though, it is important that you read about the software before making the purchase to make sure you know what you are getting.

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The pleasure of having satellite TV access is parallel to the quality of the satellite TV company that provides the service for you. Since all service providers actually offer the same type of technology, it all pretty much boils down to a few factors you have to consider. Here are tips for choosing the right satellite TV service that will give you years of excellent service in terms of quality and reliability:
Decide on what you want to have.
One of the best reasons to get satellite TV service is that you get access to literally hundreds of channels that range from news to sports to films to music videos to religion to home shopping to international programming. Now, out of all the hundreds of channels you have, determine how many of these you can actually view.
It’s a common mistake among first-time satellite TV service subscribers to get carried away by the figures. After all, who wouldn’t want to boast of having access to 350 channels at the neighborhood barbecue? Never mind that you probably only spend a few minutes each day browsing through about 50.
When choosing a satellite TV service for you, consider the kind of stuff you want to see and will actually make time for to view. If you like lots of premium film or movie programming, for example, DISH Network may be the better choice for you. If you prefer premium sports programming, then perhaps DirecTV is the right provider.
Consumer or corporate?
Decide whether you need to apply for a consumer subscription or a corporate subscription. Most providers will give you bundled offerings that include TV access, phone and Internet. Find out which one offers the best deal for your specific needs.
Do you like high-def?
If you have a new TV that can handle high definition images, why let it go to waste? Take advantage of what satellite TV service companies are offering you and let your TV show its stuff. If you like high-definition programming, choose the satellite TV service that offers more channels in this type of programming.
Do you like international programming?
There are many reasons why people are opting for multicultural TV programming. In fact, this has become so popular that it is actually considered a genre these days. For one, international programming offers you excellent access to many of the world’s cultures.
If you like learning about other countries – their customs, traditions, practices, even their language/s, then you might want to consider choosing a satellite TV service company that offers this type of package. Multicultural TV programming is an excellent source of learning and information, particularly for specialized studies or language learning. Most shows are captioned for easy comprehension.
Simply choose whether you prefer to view individual channels or buy entire packages altogether for better value. You could choose from a number of language channels including Chinese, Spanish, Korean, German, French, Russian, Farsi, Armenian, Tagalog and Polish, among others.
Do you need the hardware?
Generally, when you have your satellite dish installed, you can’t take it with you should you wish to move. However, in terms of hardware, there are satellite TV service companies that give these away.
Living off the grid?
Most of the major satellite TV service providers offer access for subscribers who live in the countryside or other remote locations. When choosing a satellite TV service, look for a company that focuses on the type of location you have. There’s a good chance they might have the best service.

Satellite TV is a tough competitor to cable TV. As proof, just look around your neighborhood and compare the number of satellite dishes that have appeared during the last few years. But is this the right technology for you? Find out.
1. Satellite TV is for you IF. . . You have the time to view all (or at least most) of the channels included in your package.
The most basic plan you could find for a satellite TV lets you access around a hundred channels. DISH Network, for example, lets you view 100 all-digital programming channels for as little as $29. 99 a month. Compare that to cable TV’s around 65 channels at about $38 a month.
What this means is that once you opt for satellite TV, you could get at least 100 channels with different types of programming, ranging from family-oriented shows to news to sports to home shopping to movies and entertainment.
You’ll know that satellite TV is right for you IF you simply have the time to view all these channels. Simply flipping through every channel to check out what’s on could take you around an hour – just enough time for you to come back to the first channel you viewed as it is about to change its program.
2. Satellite TV is for you IF. . . you are an avid movie or TV fan.
Satellite TV is exactly what movie buffs’ dreams are made of. You don’t only have the opportunity to access the Basic package, you could also view offerings from the Premium and High-Def packages. View classic foreign and American films on the Turner Classic Movies or the American Movie Classics. Top quality made-for-tv movies can also be viewed through the family-oriented Hallmark channel. And of course, there are the indie and up-and-coming films via the Sundance and Independent Film channels.
Satellite TV is right for you IF you want to find a wide range of choices when it comes to movies and film. Otherwise, the opportunity will simply be wasted.
3. Satellite TV is for you IF. . . you like international programming.
Satellite TV lets you access many of the most popular TV shows and channels in other countries. If you’ve ever wondered what movie, TV and entertainment are like in countries such as South America, Peru, the Philippines, Australia or Spain, then you’ll need satellite TV access. Perfect if you want to learn a foreign phrase or two.
4. Satellite TV is for you IF. . . you want value for your money.
In terms of cost savings per month, satellite TV offers you so much more in exchange for relatively low monthly fees. Comparable rates with cable TV offers deliver so much more in terms of the quality and quantity of programming.
Furthermore, satellite TV companies are more than glad to waive your installation fees, offering you as many as 4 connections per home at no additional cost.
5. Satellite TV is for you IF. . . you want high quality video and audio.
Unlike cable TV, satellite TV does not rely on analog technology to deliver the goods. It is 100% digital programming. With cable TV, you’ll have to pay extra just to view digital channels. From the viewer’s receiving end, this means top quality pictures and sound, with resolution that no cable TV service using analog technology could come close to. So if you’re addicted to multi-channel TV, you really have no reason not to choose satellite TV.

Positioning is one of the most important factors to consider when setting up your satellite TV system. No matter how excellent your satellite TV system is, if you’ve chosen a poor site to install your satellite dish then all your efforts will simply come to nothing.
The Right Dish
Naturally, before you consider the ideal position for your satellite dish, you must make sure you’ve also purchased the best satellite dish for your system. There are several factors to consider when shopping for a satellite dish.
A larger dish receives stronger signals, but it has its own cons as well. For one thing, larger satellite dishes means you stand to lose more because bigger dishes are always more expensive than smaller ones. Naturally, a bigger dish would need bigger space for installation as well; the question is whether you have enough space for it. Wind disturbance is also a factor you should consider when installing a large dish.
Larger dishes often make use of C signal while smaller dishes make use of KU signal.
Surveying Your Location
Before determining the ideal position for your satellite dish, you must find out a few pertinent things about your location. The first thing you need to determine is the corresponding coordinates (longitude and latitude) of your location. With it, you’ll know the requirements you have to comply with in order to achieve the ideal setup for your satellite dish. There are websites that can help you determine your location’s coordinates. GPS can also help.
Basically, your satellite dish must be pointing towards the southern sky. If you are in the southern hemisphere, you need to point north and vice versa. If you live along the equator, you only have to point your satellite dish upward. The distance of your satellite dish from the ground will also matter and is dependent on your distance from the equator.
Choosing the Right Position or Site
Here are a number of factors you should consider when searching for the ideal position of your satellite dish.
Height
Simply put, the higher the better because greater altitude will mean a shorter path for signal to traverse from satellites in space all the way to your satellite dish. Make sure you also keep your satellite dish out of reach from children and small animals. Satellite dishes are quite breakable and while they may not be as expensive before, why shoulder extra expense when you don’t have to?
Obstacles
It’s extremely important that no obstacle should block the path of your satellite dish to the southern skies. Tall trees, buildings, and other edifices could make reception for your satellite TV poor and fuzzy. In most cases, you’ll have an easier time finding an obstacle-free path to the southern skies if you don’t live in the city.
Surface and Support
Do not install your satellite dish on any flimsy surface. Even roofs are not always ideal, especially if they’re not made of concrete or something equally tough and heavy.
Wind Direction
Wind disturbance could cause problems for your satellite TV. To avoid such complications, consider install your satellite dish on a south-facing wall. That way, the wall could serve as a wind buffer for your dish.
Now that you know how to choose the ideal position of your satellite dish, the only thing left to do is to ensure that you’ve installed it properly and securely to outlast even the worst hurricanes in your area.

A satellite TV system is mainly composed of a satellite dish and a receiver. A satellite in space sends out signals which the satellite dish then captures and transmits to the receiver. The receiver will then have to decode or unscramble it properly for programs to show up on your TV. Signal piracy occurs when people hack into satellite TV and obtain access to certain programs without permission and appropriate payment.
What is an FTA Receiver?
FTA or free-to-air receivers are used for receiving unscrambled or unencrypted signals from satellite TV channels. Most of them are produced by China and South Korea. They are often used for hacking satellite TV broadcasts.
How Does Signal Piracy Take Place?
In the past, smart cards were mostly used for signal piracy. Setting up can be done by yourself or you can hire someone else to do it for you. But these cards could be remotely accessed and controlled by satellite networks. When cards with unauthorized access have been pinpointed, they would be immediately disabled.
In the case of FTA receivers, signal piracy is achieved most simply by hacking into Bell TV or Dish Network. As the two networks use the same technology utilized by FTA receivers, reverse engineering can be employed to allow owners unauthorized access to all channels broadcasted by the companies, including PPV ones.
Unlike with smart cards, satellite TV companies are not able to gain remote control or access to FTA receivers. And even if they happen to be disabled, one would only have to wait for updated unlocking software to show up online, apply it, and resume use of the receiver.
One other way for signal piracy to occur is through IKS or Internet Key Sharing. With this method, an Ethernet cable is used to feed signals from the Internet onto the satellite receiver.
Satellite TV Piracy Today
A conservative figure of one to three million households have successfully hacked into satellite TV, allowing them access to all the shows they want, even those in pay-per-view format, without paying a single cent. Every year, the entertainment, sports, and satellite TV industry in general lose an estimate of $1B annually because of satellite TV piracy.
DirecTV is arguably the biggest favorite among satellite TV hackers as it has double the number of PPV adult programming and movies than its competitor. Another reason why Direct TV is an irresistible lure to hackers is because of its wide-ranging sports program, which includes exclusive shows like NFL Sunday Ticket, NCAA Mega March Madness, and NASCAR Hot Pass.
According to Bob Scherman, editor for the Satellite Business News, there is probably one person who’s enjoying Direct TV’s service for every five legitimate owners of a DirecTV satellite TV system.
Is It Illegal?
As far as DirecTV is concerned, it definitely is. They cite the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 as proof. The law gives companies like Direct TV the right to sue distributors and manufacturers of equipment used for satellite theft. Provided they have approval of the court, they may also be given the right not only to use the said equipment but to seize customer records as well.
Another countermeasure that Direct TV has taken is their decision to send letters to individuals they believe are guilty of satellite theft. In a nutshell, people who received such letters were asked to pay Direct TV $4,500 to avoid prosecution.

More and more people are making the switch from cable TV to satellite TV. When there are hundreds of channels to choose from, who can blame them? Satellite TV services offer one of the best means possible to take advantage of digital programming technology. That means you have access to high quality pictures and excellent sound. But with all these extras in terms of quality and service, what types of channels can you really expect from a satellite TV service? Here, we take a look at some of the goodies you can look forward to:
Arts and Entertainment
There are two types of programming you can expect from the arts and entertainment channels in satellite TV. These are the standard-definition and the high-definition. There are about 3 high-def channels in this programming, including HDNet, Mojo and Universal. For standard-def, you could expect around 30 channels, including BBC America, FX, Sci Fi, Classic Arts, Chiller, E!, SOAPNet and Style Network, among others.
Movies and Film
There are three packages offered in satellite TV – Basic, Premium and High-Def. The Basic package lets you access channels such as Turner Classic Movies, MGM HD, Sundance, Fox, Hallmark, American Movie Classics and Independent Film Channel, among others. If you want HBO, Max, The Movie Channel and MoviePlex, you’ll need to opt for the Premium package. High-def programming comes courtesy of the HDNet Movies channel.
Sports
Probably one of the main reasons that sports fans go for satellite TV is that it offers a huge variety of sports channels to choose from. And indeed there are around 35 channels dedicated to athletics – from college football to professional basketball, from horse racing to tennis, from professional wrestling to extreme sports. You could flip one channel to the next and probably never see the same thing twice. Plus. . . there are several regional sports networks to choose from.
Family and General Patronage
There are around 6 high quality satellite TV channels that you can access, depending on the plan you chose. These include ABC Family, the Hallmark Channel, AMG TV, ION Television, Guardian Television and America One.
For children and teen-oriented entertainment and learning and for fans of animation and Japanese anime, there are around 18 channels to choose from, including popular channels such as Nickelodeon, Nicktoons, Discovery Kids, Cartoon Network, Anime Network, Adult Swim and of course, the Disney Channel.
Learning and Education
Satellite TV providers have over 20 learning channels, including long-time favorites such as the National Geographic, Discovery, Discover Health, Science Channel, Smithsonian, Documentary and Animal Planet. High-def programming lets you access HD Theater from Discovery Communications.
News and Local TV
You can keep yourself updated with the latest events and newsmakers with satellite TV channels such as ABC, CNN, Fox News and MSNBC. Business news comes courtesy of CNBC, Bloomberg and Fox Business. Network feeds are categorized as either East Coast or West Coast. For local news TV, there are around 28 channels to choose from.
Home Shopping
If you prefer to shop without leaving the house, satellite TV has a whopping 30 channels to choose from, ranging from HSN to Jewelry to Hollywood Celebrity Products to PIN to QVC to Healthy Living.
Music and Music Videos
Satellite TV services offer 6 audio-only music channels offering digital audio. For music videos, however, there are around 26 channels, with genres such as bluegrass, gospel, classic rock, blues, R & B, country, dance and even folk music.
Foreign Programs
Only in satellite TV can you view channels offering foreign programming in high quality picture. Other than channels programmed specifically for ethnic groups, there are also multiple offerings from countries such as the UK, UAE, Australia, Germany, Spain, Hong Kong, India, Philippines, Peru and Argentina.

When it comes to video and media entertainment, there really is no reason why anyone should be left behind – especially with all the choices being made available by satellite TV and cable TV service providers. But since for practical reasons you can only have one, which of these two services will offer the best deal for you? Here, we take a look at how one compares to the other in terms of the major factors you have come to expect from each.
In terms of COST:
Satellite TV wins, versus cable TV. Recently, the rates per month of satellite services have decreased while cable TV services have increased. Over the last few years, the rate of increase has gone a little over 8 percent each year. You could, for example, get satellite TV services for as low as $19. 99 a month. With cable TV, the lowest you can go is around $39. 99 a month.
In terms of INSTALLATION FEES and EXTRAS:
It’s still satellite TV. The basic cable TV rate you could get lets you view about 65 channels. If you want to access more, you only have to add around $11 each month to view channels with digital programming. Installation cost is around $40 for a single room. If you want to access cable TV in other areas of the house, you only need to add $9. 95 for every additional room you want cable to be installed.
With satellite TV, a monthly rate of about $30 lets you view 100 channels (that’s all digital programming). You could even take advantage of free installation not just in a single room but for a maximum of 4 rooms. That’s a lot of savings if you want to view as many channels as you can stand from basically every important room in your house – the living room, the bedroom, the kitchen or the family den.
The two major satellite service providers in the U. S. (DISH and DIRECTV) also offer equipment to go with your satellite TV at no cost.
In terms of PICTURE QUALITY:
You could expect digital picture quality and audio from both satellite TV and cable TV (although some cable TV service providers still stick to older analog technology). The only drawback is that most cable TV service providers charge additional fees for turning your analog picture to digital format. Currently, the fees range from about $10 to about $15 per month, depending on the provider. If you opt for satellite TV, you could be assured that both DISH and DIRECTV will let you view your favorite channels in sharp, picture-perfect digital format.
In terms of PROGRAMMING:
You can expect great quality programming for both satellite TV and cable TV. However, if you’re a video monster and prefer a wide range of channels to choose from, satellite TV has more to offer for you. You could also expect more HDTV programming from satellite TV.
In terms of SERVICE RELIABILITY:
Satellite TV relies on the satellite dish to transmit signals from a satellite onto your television set. Since the dish is located outside, reception can sometimes be affected by bad weather. However, this doesn’t happen very often and you could rely on satellite TV to deliver high quality reception 99% of the time. With cable TV, you’ll have to rely on the maximum output of analog technology for good quality pictures.
Outages for satellite TV are also quite low (about 1%). For cable TV, it’s about 4%.

Used to be that satellite TV service charged more than cable TV. These days, though, the prices are leveling off, with satellite TV monthly charges becoming much more affordable, there’s little wonder why more and more people are opting for this technology. In fact, the number of subscribers that cable TV loses each year is the same number of subscribers that switches to satellite TV. So are prices of satellite TV service still a major deciding factor? Maybe not, if trends are to be believed.
What you can expect to get
The price you’ll have to pay for satellite TV services these days will vary, depending on the type of packages you prefer. With DirecTV, for example, the Family Entertainment Package (45 + channels) costs $29. 99 while the Choice Xtra package (200+ channels) costs $34. 99. They also offer their Choice package (150+ channels) at just $29. 99 for the first 12 months, after which the fees will revert to the original $52. 99. Their Premier package (265+ digital channels) is the most expensive at $81. 99.
DirecTV’s major competitor, DISHNetwork, offers their Family package (40+ channels) at just $19. 99; their Top 100 (100+ channels) at $32. 99 and their Top 100Plus (100+ channels plus sports) at $42. 99. Their most expensive package costs $94. 98.
As you can see, prices depend on the type and number of programming included in a package. Before you choose, make sure you check which channels are included to make sure that you get your money’s worth.
Installation fees
Most of the major service providers offering satellite TV do not charge for installation fees – but only up to a point. You could, for example, have satellite TV in up to 4 rooms in your home at no additional cost. Should you wish to go beyond that, you will have to pay for additional installation charges.
Internet and phone services
Satellite TV service companies frequently offer bundled packages – that is, they combine satellite TV, phone and Internet access for their consumers. Prices for these types of satellite TV services are very competitive, so you’ll probably have good options when it’s time to choose the best deals.
However, know that the price on a bundled satellite TV service includes only the basic or minimum speed. If you prefer faster surfing speeds for more efficient downloading and uploading, you will have to pay an additional fee monthly. Check for other services such as amount of storage space and e-mail addresses.
Equipment
Most satellite TV service providers bundle the basic equipment with the monthly subscription. However, check if there are free offers in case you want to upgrade. Digital video recorders, for example, are usually thrown in if you want a more expensive package – something that is nice to have if there are shows or programs that are your particular favorites.
However, there are service providers such as DirecTV, for example, who will charge their subscribers for the use of DVR receivers and HDTV receivers. A DVR receiver costs about $50 while the HDTV receiver costs around $300.
When dealing with satellite TV equipment, make sure to check for lifetime guarantee as well. This should be included in the monthly subscription and should not be charged separately.
Discounts
The price you pay for satellite TV service is not exactly fixed. Many companies will give you a rebate or a discount for early or advance payment. These discounts are ‘upfront’ – meaning, you get a few dollars slashed off the original fee should you choose a pre-paying package.
You could, for example, save a few dollars opting for a quarterly payment, something you won’t have if you paid monthly. Bigger discounts are also often offered for advance payments made semi-annually or annually. These are excellent options if you wish to save on the price of your satellite TV service. Also a good choice if you want to pay off several months’ or a year’s worth of subscription so you have nothing to worry about for that time period.