As of late, we have seen lots of talk on the internet about brand new software that allows people to view satellite television directly on their home computer system.  It is a good alternative for individuals who want to view television on the internet but don’t want to be tied down by the cost and inconvenience of a traditional satellite system.

So, how exactly does satellite direct TV to PC technology function?

Well, at the risk of getting excessively technical, there’s basically two ways of getting satellite television streamed straight to your personal computer – a “traditional” PCTV Card/satellite dish system or Satellite television for pc software.

1. PCTV Cards

A PCTV card is a hardware component which gives your personal computer (or Apple computer) the functional capability to work like a tv set, allowing you to watch tv shows on your pc even as it operates other software applications at the same time.  By having a PCTV card added, your pc acquires the ability to receive tv signals.  Even so, you will still need a satellite tv dish and receiver in order to receive the satellite signal and transmit it to your computer.  Put simply, if you don’t have satellite dish, then a PCTV card will not allow you to watch satellite television.

2. Satellite TV for PC Software programs

Satellite TV for PC software programs  function quite differently when compared old fashioned satellite dish/PCTV card installation.  Instead of you receiving and decoding satellite tv signals at your location, the signals are received and descrambled at the satellite to pc provider’s location and then streamed live to your pc.  If you think about this, it’s actually a lot like your current cable television supplier.   With cable tv, all of the stations that you watch are received by your cable tv provider by way of satellite and then “streamed” into your own home through the cable that runs to your TV.  Satellite direct tv performs much the same manner except that it features lots more stations than cable television and is delivered to your personal computer via the net.

You won’t require a satellite television dish nor do you require any special equipment.  All that is needed is the software that enables your pc to hook up to the provider along with a high speed online connection.

To learn more on satellite direct to PC technology, check out satellite direct tv review.