What is Satellite TV for PC?
|
|
Is Satellite TV for PC really a legal way to replace satellite dishes and high cable bills? Many online offers advertise special software for one low price of $39.95 US Dollars (USD) to $99.95, by which one can purportedly watch 3,000 – 4,000 channels, eliminating the need for monthly broadcast bills. The claim is that with Satellite TV to PC software, one only need install it, then watch TV on the PC, or stream it to a television, free. Unfortunately, the advertisements and claims are highly misleading, though like all successful scams, this one has an iota of truth.
There are basically two types of broadcast television: free to air and pay-for. Free to air broadcasts are normally limited to local broadcasts that anyone can pick up freely with a roof antenna. Prior to cable TV and satellite dishes, all television was free to air, everyone had roof antennas and no one paid for broadcasts. While this sounds great, there were also very few channels available. Cable brought consumers non-local networks creating a fatter channel lineup, better picture quality, and monthly bills, or pay-for TV.
With the advent of the Internet, many networks decided to make some of their free to air broadcasts available over the Internet as taped or live feeds. Most networks post tidbits of their daily live broadcasts as pre-recorded streaming videos; few if any networks stream entire 24/7 broadcasts live. The Public Broadcasting Station (PBS) makes many current and past documentaries available online, as another example of free TV content available.
Next we have pay-for stations like ESPN, Court TV and E! that might stream certain events live to the Internet, or make certain taped content available. However, pay-for networks do not stream their 24/7 broadcasts to the Internet. Streaming content is limited, and live streaming content is even more limited.
Finally we have premium channels like Home Box Office (HBO) and Showtime, which do not make their content available online except through certain promotions conducted from their own websites. For example, trailers for original series’ are typically available, and an opening season episode might be posted as a tool to encourage new subscribers, as in Fall 2007 when Showtime's website posted the second season premiere of Dexter.
So what does all this have to do with Satellite TV for PC? This software only provides links to websites that host TV content. Satellite TV for PC is not offering satellite or “live broadcast” TV like your cable or dish service, but online TV already available to anyone. Satellite TV for PC only loads a “remote control” interface that sits to the side of your screen. Clicking on a channel simply takes one to the network’s website. Satellite TV for PC software cannot replace free-to-air broadcast TV, much less cable or premium channels.
If this scam has a silver lining, it might be that the reaction to the Satellite TV for PC hustle has inadvertently shined a light on free websites that host links to television networks all over the world. Websites like WorldTVPC, InternetTV or WwiTV, link to online TV hosted internationally. Watch a daily newscast from Iraq, Italy, Croatia, or Egypt. Cruise the online TV universe all you want and hang on to that 50 bucks; it doesn’t cost a dime. Besides, you'll need it to pay your cable or dish bill.
|
Related wiseGEEK articles
Category
wiseGEEK features
Subscribe to wiseGEEK
|
18
Great post. Sorry to hear that you got ripped off Eddie. It's always a problem, if they dont have a money back policy. Always go for atleast 45 day money back, because you never know if you have a problem down the road. - anon46091
17
I was actually referring to using the money back on other products. There are good reviews of satellite tv for pc products online. It's the product I decided to use and love it. - p0ck3taces
16
p0ck3taces
"Almost all of the satellite tv for pc programs are sold through clickbank and clickbank has a no questions asked money back return policy. I have gotten my money back from them every time I have asked, which has been quite a few times." Thank you. That tells me to avoid them, because if you have used their services and have used their money back policy 'quite a few times' then you haven't been satisfied, and have been dissatisfied quite a few times. - anon43503
15
thank you for the heads up. my boss wants me to find something like this for him. he does not like dish at all. from a lot that i have read today is that it's just like an online site, but you have to pay for it and a lot of it does not work. - anon42873
14
Hey guys, Almost all of the satellite tv for pc programs are sold through clickbank and clickbank has a no questions asked money back return policy. I have gotten my money back from them every time I have asked, which has been quite a few times. Honestly, all these programs with "satellite tv for pc" or "streaming satellite" "digital tv for pc", anything like that in the title, are scams... I have bought some and so have my friends. They are all scams...
That being said, I have found a program/producer I do trust and use. The program is called John Q TV. I would recommend giving that a choice if you have been scammed in the past or are looking for something that can get you satellite channels on your pc. Good luck guys, P0ck3ts - p0ck3taces
13
If you've been scammed, you should contact Clickbank. Three companies sell through them: iSoftwareTV, SatelliteSoft and SatellitePCBox.
As a clickbank affiliate, I took a look at all three and promoting them until I did further research (thank God). What I don't like about their websites is that you can't really access them right away - you have to email them. And when you want to download the software, they contact you by email to do so. It just all sounded to fishy to me. Glad I avoided it (or worse, promoted it).
I'm sure if it's not working or is of bad quality and doesn't live up to their guarantees, Clickbank would want to know. You might be able to get their full contact information. Also one of their websites states that Clickbank itself will return your money if you complain within 60 days. Don't know if that's true but it's worth a try. - anon37510
12
Well it all depends on where you get it from, but usually I'd have to agree with everyone.Tv on Pc
- mauriceJ
11
Satellite tv for pc?Unfortunately I subscribed to this bad deal and I must say that if anybody out there is thinking of paying for this scam; think again!! They cannot even come close to providing what they claim and most of what is available is low res grainy or cubey! If you are considering a subscription to this almost useless service, take my advise and save your money. - stonyb
9
Hello. Do you have any information on what to do if you've been scammed, or how to find contact information for these people? Yes i did fall for the scam, purchased the 50 satellite tv for pc software, which didnt work. I've been doing research on how to contact them and how to get a refund, and have come up with nothing solid. Looked up the old and bogus new info on who's who for the domain name. Came up with TM applicant info, which I'm following up on. From here not sure where to go. Help?! Thank you! - alhia
8
Thank you for this article. I almost purchased it. - anon21598
5
No offense but I think most of them are SCAMS! The only one i've seen that actually works and heck I still use it today is WorldPCtv - anon12361
1
sat tv for computer = ripoff - eddies50
|
Written by
R. Kayne
Last Modified: 22 September 2009
copyright © 2003 - 2009
conjecture corporation
