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Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Part II: Satellite TV for PC: Buying Satellite TV for PC.

(Continued from Part I: Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Satellite TV and Satellite TV for PC: Great Expectations.)

For a copy of Part I, go to: www.satellitetvseeker.info or
write me: stsinfo@satellitetvseeker.info

The Series:

Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Satellite TV for PC: Part I: Satellite TV and Satellite TV for PC: Great Expectations. (Now Available!)

Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Part II: Satellite TV for PC: Buying Satellite TV for PC. (Now Available!)

Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Part III: Satellite TV for PC: Disruptive Technology. (Coming Soon!)

Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Part IV: Satellite TV for PC: Product Reviews. (Coming Soon!)

PART II: Buying Satellite TV for PC

Recall the "If" I referred to in Part I? No? Allow me to quickly review my earlier statement:

"But wait: Am I claiming here, that you now can legally take your TV experience with you and literally tune into TV where ever there is Internet Service, for only a one-time charge for software that in effect magically transforms your PC into a TV, without any further ado?

In a single word: Yes! In two words: It Works! In three: Yes, It Works! In four: Yes, It Works, If!(Stay tuned for more on the 'If.')"

Well, thank you all for your indulgence. Now I'm going to finish work on the above pronouncement in a number of ways:

There are 10 Important Steps to observe if you want a good PCTV purchasing experience, right off. You do, don't you? No skipping Steps then please!

1. Know what you want. There are at least three kinds of Satellite TV for PC/PCTV Products/Services advertised on the Internet at this writing: Software, Hardware, and what I'm going to call Noware, for lack of a better description. (As I have tested only one Software Solution at this point, some of what is to follow will be a bit sketchy on the precise details.)

WARNING: The following Hardware Solution is not Satellite TV for PC delivered via the Internet.

Hardware: Untested Product: Commonly called TV Cards, Video Cards, or TV Tuner Cards. These devices convert live Satellite, Cable or Over/Off The Air (OTA) Antenna Signals, (arriving via a Coax Cable and F-Connector through this kind of device) and deliver the rectified Signals through your PC, for ultimate display on your PC Monitor; as very clear audio and sharp video images.

Here's how these Hardware devices work: You prepare your PC by inserting a Video Card into the Mother Board of your desktop computer and connecting the male F-Connector input with an available source.
You then load the software that probably came with the Video Card, fire up your PC, launch your new converter system, and viola: TV on your PC, which you can watch and listen to live, and/or record for future viewing.
Similarly, 'Black Boxes' are available which, generally are stand-alone decoders. That hopefully means you don't need any software at all for these devices to function. (This may be good news for you long-suffering MAC owners.)
Similarly, an external PCMCIA Cardbus or PC Video Card can be used to connect Laptops, that is, if you have such a slot available on your PC. Simply insert the Video Card into the appropriate slot, install the software, per manufacturer's instructions, naturally; connect to your external TV Signal, and watch and/or record your TV favorites, right on your PC.

You can view a range of these devices at www.tigerdirect.com if this is what you expect from Satellite TV for PC.

Note: Having read some of the reviews on these types of Products, I have no doubt these devices work, and considering the rather low price tags, from reputable manufacturers, rather amazingly well.
Some of these Video Cards and 'Black Boxes' are available with their own remote controls, and can even do sophisticated tricks like expensive DVRs. Having shopped tigerdirect.com successfully in the past, I can recommend this resource.

But remember, if you choose this Hardware Solution, all devices of the kind require some outside source, i.e.: Signal Feed. The original signal must come in from Cable, a Satellite System, or OTA.
The Video Card or 'Black Box' merely acts (in concert with the inner workings your PC) as a descrambler, and your Monitor simply acts as a TV Screen.

Software: Tested Product: Satellite TV for PC Elite Edition 2006. This Product fell far short of my expectations, as you will see in Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Part IV: Satellite TV for PC: Product Reviews.
Still, it proved to me that this technology has merit; and potentially, a lot of merit.

Really Important Advice: How to distinguish Hardware Solutions from Software

Whereas Online Hardware Video Cards and 'Black Boxes' are advertised without reference to Programming or Internet, you can usually and easily spot PCTV Software offerings simply by reading the advertising which often includes: Hype on the hundreds, even thousands of programs freely available from a large number of countries, broadcast over the Internet or "Online."

Here's how these Software Solutions work: After you have completed your Online purchase, you may be issued a key, directly or possibly by Email, which you then input at the appropriate time during initial Set Up. You then continue to install the Software, and this should be a short process. Finally, you launch your new Software and tune in! Done and dusted!

Almost as exciting as the experience your parents (or maybe you) had with the first radio and TV in the 20th Century! (Possibly more exciting, if this is what you expected!)

WARNING: The following Noware Solution may or may not be a genuine Satellite TV for PC delivered via the Internet.

Noware: Untested Service: Touted as "The Web's Leading Streaming-Media Entertainment Service." This "Service" is a complete mystery to me at this writing. No Software and no Hardware? Under $20 USD? How can this "Service" amount to anything more than a scam? I am intrigued!
Rest assured, I'm intent on testing this, what ever it is, thoroughly, and I will have a complete review for you in: Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Part IV: Satellite TV for PC: Product Reviews.

2. Know thy quarry. Know how to track that which you seek. Software, Hardware, or Noware; you're not likely to find this kind of Product or Service Solution at your local Radio Shack, or sitting quietly on the shelves at places like Best Buy. (However, I see Circuit City is starting to offer Video Cards and 'Black Boxes.')
But, so far as PCTV Software and Noware Service are concerned, for the time being, this PCTV phenomenon is an experience which is strictly going to be found Online; at least until the Internet Beta Testing is done.

I will have more on this topic in: Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Part III: Satellite TV for PC: Disruptive Technology.

3. Shop 'til you drop. Do yourself an enormous favor: Shop Google, MSN and Yahoo!. (You can thank me later.)
Use each of these keyword phrases on each Search Engine: Satellite TV for PC, Satellite TV on PC, Satellite TV to PC. (Since these searches appear not to be 'case sensitive' don't worry if you mis-enter a word, fail to capitalize, or even misspell 'satellite.')
When you find your quarry, look especially for resellers offering: a. A 100% guarantee, and b. Support. The more forms of support, the better, and c. VeriSign or Thawte assurance seals on the (initial) Splash or Landing Page.

Be bold. Venture beyond the advertising page. Click on the 'Order Here' Link and initiate a trial purchase. This exercise can be quite revealing without compromising your privacy at all.

Note: Be sure your Firewall is up during all phases of shopping! Also, I use and recommend Ad-Aware to scrub the 'cookie jar' after my shopping sessions. You can get a personal copy of this very fine anti-spyware free.
Visit: www.lavasoftusa.com

Also, look now for some indication that ClickBank, or PayPal will be involved in the transaction. Either way, this would be a good sign!

As you shop initially, keep a record of the places you visit. There may be many Affiliates selling the very same article using different URLs, at different prices!

In the second phase of shopping, (still with us?) you will be reviewing the ads you pulled up and hopefully printed out, during your first outing.
Later, in Phase Two, when you "go in for the kill" and actually buy, keep an eye out for any odd questions. Limit your interaction to answering the fewest number of queries possible. Double check all entries!

4. Know Thyself. If you like to shop, super! This will be fun, free fun initially, except for your time. Otherwise, if you really don't like to shop, I recommend that you wait just a bit for my Product Reviews. Then at least you'll know what not to buy!

5. Know thy Equipment. Know your System requirements and capabilities: Software/Hardware Requirements (if any): Windows is generally supported, MAC is generally not.
PC Hardware Requirements: Make sure the Software/Hardware device you order is compatible with your computer. You will also need some type of Audio Visual Hardware or a Multi-Media equipped PC.
Software Requirements: You will possibly need MSN Media Player or similar, like RealPlayer freeware to utilize your PCTV.
Bear in mind, as you shop, you may want the same Solution, or possibly Solutions for more than one PC.

6. Phase Two Shopping. Firewall up! Credit Cards at the ready! Consider your payment methods: PayPal and Major Credit Cards are advised. Using PayPal, MasterCard or Visa Credit, etc.; is relatively safe. If things get complicated at some point, at least you have some recourse later.
Don't use a Debit Card, unless you can control the spending limit! These kinds of cards are linked directly to your bank balance!

7. Paper Trail. Make a record of your transaction as you proceed to checkout. Print out each page as you progress. Pay close attention to the process. No need to rush. (You can thank me later.)

8. Software Download and Installation. After your transaction is complete, or product receipt is issued by Email, and your new Software is installed, get right to your first trial. Don't rush though: Test when your software installation (if any) is complete, not before.

Usually, and I say this from other similar experiences, there is a Readme.txt (User Guide) and a small Set Up file provided, which you need to review carefully and save for later use.
I generally let any software load in default mode, keeping things simple, being sure to save all files to my Desktop so I can find them later.
Usually too, there is a learning curve involved, as with anything new. I suspect from reading the user guides I have so far seen, that at least some of this technology, and its documentation, originated from someplace like China? (I don't know for sure, just a wild guess!)

9. Testing. I recommend testing your Software/Hardware at home and 'in the field.' The Hardware and/or Software you select should work everywhere in the World. You might as well be aware of any limitations as early as possible, right?

Software Solutions should work on any type Internet connection, from dialup to T3/DS3; Cable, DSL and Satellite Service, as well as wired or wireless connections, any place the Internet is available. After all, one of the tremendous advantages of Satellite TV for PC via Internet, is that it is ultimately 100% mobile!

10. Obtaining a refund. OK, so not everything is perfect in this World of Online Shopping! Despite your careful step-by-step approach, you don't like your new Product/Service!
If you find you're not satisfied, after your Testing, as I was not with Satellite TV for PC Elite Edition 2006, get all your money back ASAP! Reputable resellers (or intermediaries like ClickBank) will generally refund your money, straight away, no questions asked.
Less reputable resellers may try to ignore you, ask silly questions, by Email or on the phone, or otherwise create needless delays in the refund process. Once you decide, thumbs down, stick to your guns, as they say. Be reasonable, be patient, but don't settle for less than 100% satisfaction!
If you have a bad experience, don't be too disappointed. Remember, there are many other PCTV Products and Services out there.
If all else fails, and 'you can't get no satisfaction': contact me! stsinfo@satellitetvseeker.info

And there you have it for now: More than enough to get you through from first base to home plate, safely. How was your experience? Did you get to skip Step 10? Excellent! I would appreciate your feedback in any case. Let's have the real story. Good, bad or otherwise.

Best Regards,

Craig Guest
CEO, Satellite TV Seeker
stsinfo@satellitetvseeker.info

Fair Use Policy: This Article may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced in total, provided that the following resource is cited:
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PS: Can't wait for the next installment? You can get your advanced Exclusive Report: Satellite TV Seeker Exclusive Reports: Part III: Satellite TV for PC: Disruptive Technology; free, simply by requesting it!

Missed the first episode, Part I? Visit: www.satellitetvseeker.info Click: Article Page.

Web Site: http://www.satellitetvseeker.info
Email: stsinfo@satellitetvseeker.info

Hi, Craig Guest here. The Satellite TV Business has been my occu-passion for the last six years. Looking back, it's been an extraordinary journey. My favorite quote: "It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end." - Ursula K. LeGuin

Craig started as a Satellite TV installer and serviceman, and soon got involved in selling for both DISH Network and DirecTV. When Satellite Internet arrived on the scene in 2001, Craig took the plunge and got certified for StarBand, Pegasus Express and DirecWay as an installer and serviceman. High Speed Satellite Internet sales soon followed, and today his watchwords are: Anything Satellite.

Web Site: http://www.satellitetvseeker.info
Contact: stsinfo@satellitetvseeker.info

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