There are some basic requirements for the online software to work properly on your PC. You can watch satellite TV online on most operating systems like Windows 95, 98, NT, ME, 2000 or XP. That is practically all Windows Operating Systems (OS).

To view satellite TV on your PC you would require a minimum processor that is Pentium II 333 MHz, an operating system like Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, as well as hardware consisting of sound card, spare USB slot, and a CD Rom drive. If you are a computer nerd you could in addition to the cards have a Windows media player, real player, or quick time player all of which will take you to the next level of viewership.

There are cards that use the PC’s infrastructure to decode satellite signals and allow users to enjoy free-to-air digital television. There are cards that have built-in processors that allow TV viewing in a separate window while the PC runs other programs. Both kinds of cards can be utilized to receive Broadband Internet via Satellite.

The PC can be directly connected to a satellite dish by using a product like Hauppauge 3000 or through the Internet cable; or via the satellite box (run an aerial lead from the RF output socket of the Shy Digibox to the input aerial socket on a standard PC TV card or USB TV adapter). Direct TV and Dish TV both recommend using a connection via their proprietary satellite TV receiver box as ideal.