For those of us who live in remote parts of the world, we are used to watching satellite television using a dish. This dish basically acts like an antenna to receive/transmit signals to and from satellites, allowing us to watch satellite television. The set up of a satellite television can be laborious for folks who are not too techie. The installation involves getting the satellite dish erected outdoor and fixing a low-noise block converter (LNB) on the dish. A receiver or decoder is also required in order to complete the installation. If this set-up sounds very complicated to you, you would be glad to know that you can now watch satellite TV on PC, without any complex installation.

Here are the basic hardware and computer requirements before you can watch satellite TV on PC:

1. PCTV Card

Your computer can act as a satellite television, with the monitor functioning as the screen. However, you would need to first enable your PC to receive and interpret the satellite TV channel feed using what we call a PCTV card. This card can be installed internally on the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) slot which attaches peripheral devices like the PCTV card to the motherboard of your computer. External PCTV cards are attached to your PC via the USB port. In both cases, please take note that internet connection must be established. If you are using an external card, remember to make sure you have a USB port. Otherwise you may need to purchase an adapter.

2. Internet Connection

Broadband connection at speeds no lesser than 512Kbytes is preferred. I will explain why. The quality of your satellite TV would be clearer and transmission would be faster and smoother with high connection speeds.

3. Computer Configuration

In order to watch satellite TV on PC, your PC has to satisfy some minimum requirements like having a minimum RAM speed of 128Mbytes and the CPU must be at least a Pentium 3. Nowadays, most computers are able to fulfill these conditions so it should bother you too much.

4. Optional Computer Peripherals

There are other optional computer components that would enhance your viewing experience such as installing a top-grade graphics card and sound card. It would be perfect if you can get hold of a sub-woofer or even a theater system that is compatible with your computer.

This may be a good way to watch satellite TV on PC but it is definitely not the best nowadays. With technological advances at such break-neck speeds, we can now access to satellite TV on our PC using software. Read my blog to learn how you can watch satellite TV from any computer installed with this special proprietary software everyone is talking about.

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