Watch satellite TV on your PC
Platform : Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista
Type: freeware
Manufacturer: ProgDVB
Size: 3.3MB
Rating: 4
Verdict:
One of the more popular tools for watching satellite and streaming TV on your
PC
System Requirements:
Broadcasting is changing to digital and the UK’s existing analogue service is
set to be switched off by 2012. We’re promised more channels, high-definition
content and exciting new services.
While many people will simply choose a set-top box, digital TV and the PC are
natural bedfellows, allowing you to use the PC to record programmes and put it
at the heart of an entertainment system.
Take a look around PC stores, though, and you’ll get the impression that
where TV on your PC is concerned, terrestrial reception is the only game in
town, with analogue or Freeview (DVB-T) tuners easily available. But what if you
want channels that aren’t available on Freeview, or you’re in one of the many
areas where you can’t even get a decent signal?
If you can’t get Freeview, want to sample the BBC’s HD service, or just fancy
a few extra free channels, a satellite receiver for your PC may be the solution.
If you just want to dip your toe in the waters with satellite TV, without
worrying about HD – or you plan to upgrade to a graphics card that will do it
justice later – you don’t need to worry about a codec. You just need software
that will tune in your satellite card or adapter, and play the Mpeg2 video
streams, and maybe record them on your hard drive.
ProgDVB is a software solution and can be downloaded for free, although it
lacks the slick interface of Cyberlink’s Power Cinema. It can record shows,
display TV full screen and will decode HD streams if you have a suitable codec
installed. Setup is a little bewildering for newcomers.
Note that this the free 'Standard Edition' of ProgDVB and includes a MPEG-2
codec that will work for 21 days. After 21 days you'll need to either buy the
MPEG-2 codec, find an alternative or upgrade to the Professional version of
ProgDVB.