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Toshiba Satelite

Satellite TV For PC - Is it a Scam Or Software

Many people think the Satellite TV for PC including other PC Satellite TV software are scams. For the simple reason they don't always work once downloaded to a computer. When merchants don't respond to consumers asking for help this leads to disputes, complaints, frustration, and more refund requests by consumers who later scream 'SCAM' over the Internet for all the hear.

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As for the skeptics who didn't buy, they can only sympathize and say "I told you so." But there's more to understand here. Obviously, no one can honestly say that all PC Satellite TV are scams. Even some skeptics still keep a close eye out for the one software that just might convince them to buy.

Don't get me wrong, there are many scams that exist with these types of software due to fraudulent merchants. Unfortunately, this gives the better software (the ones that actually work) a bad name. Generally speaking, good merchants will help consumers resolve problems if they are minor. But as long as tech support responds back within 48 hours, makes an effort to resolve problems, and the merchant or e-commerce sales/refund processor honors their money-back guarantee, perhaps consumers will be less inclined to holler SCAM.

There are several things that can keep a software like Satellite TV for PC and others like it from working with a computer. But honestly, you might want to rule out the software as being the main reason why it doesn't work on a computer. The real problem could stem from something involving the software-to-computer compatibility. In rare cases, even a good PC Satellite TV software may not work and there are at least three good reasons why that is so...

1) When users try to use a 56k modem (very low bandwidth) to play Internet TV channels with larger bandwidths, many channels aren't going to work/play. That's why using a broadband connection is preferred, either DSL or High Speed at 512kbps or higher. Unfortunately, the downside to many of these software involves merchants that don't give you any or just some tweaking information, in case you run into minor problems. Instead, you have to contact the merchant or try to find a resolution on your own while waiting for a response.

2) Users have previously installed software on their computers that's blocking the Satellite for PC software from working. You may or may not have heard that a firewall (anti-virus software) can block any Internet TV software from working. The resolution for this is to simply give your firewall permission to allow the software to work. If that's not the case, then it's best to try to rule out the problem by taking a look at your other application (software) icons currently running in the lower right corner. Close one at a time to see if this will let the software play.

Note: When I downloaded my first Satellite for PC software it wouldn't play. My firewall was blocking it. I emailed the merchant about th problem and they responded back within 24 hours with a website address to correct the problem. After reading the firewall instructions on how to give my McAfee anti-virus software permission to let the Satellite TV for PC software play, it worked.

3) Users didn't follow system minimum requirements prior to downloading the software, or didn't download all the free software as required such as, RealPlayer, Windows Media Player, Quicktime Player, and Microsoft .Net Frameswork. And more importantly, the software version for all of these free products must be correct. Each of these software are very important and required, if any PC Satelite TV software is going to work. Sometime problems will be no video and audio, or no video but audio works, or certain channels don't play.

Windows Media Player is especially important and if it's the default player, it has a lot to do with video files being able to play on the merchant's PC Satellite TV player. Sometimes a little tweaking is needed to get the video to work. If Realplayer is the default player than it may require some tweaking. Make sure the right bandwidth (connection speed) is selected for all players.

You check the following. Open Windows Media Player (WMP) then right click where it says "Windows Media Player" at the top. A menu will appear, now select Tools >>Options. Click "File Types" tab and make sure the first three boxes are checked for asf, wma, and wmv. On my computer, I have all boxes checked, and the WMP is my default player. Next click "Apply" if you've made any changes. Now click the "Performance" tab and choose your correct connection speed. Choose either "Detect connection speed (recommended) if you are not sure or "Choose connection speed." You may have to experiment with both, if there's a connection speed problem, later.

Now click "Apply" button, if any changes were made. Click the "Advance." If there's a problem with no video but audio only, experiment by decreasing the "Digital video" acceleration slider half way or checking/un-checking the "Use video video mixing renderer." For the "Network buffering, check "Buffer" and enter "30" seconds of content. Next, click "Apply" if any changes were made. Click "OK" or "Cancel" then click the "Network" tab, all boxes should be checked. Next, click the "OK" button to close the "Option" window.

Make sure RealPlayer and Quicktime Player have the correct connection speeds also. Just open each player and check.

In other words, experiment to see if any of these perimeter changes will fix the no video problem. If nothing works, then make sure to reset all perimeters to their original state. It is highly recommended that you make only one perimeter change at a time, then close the Media Player and PC Satellite TV player software then reopen it again to try to play different channels. You want to see if the software works and channels will load, buffer and play.

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The hole idea is to tweak until you can resolve the no video problem. But make sure you've downloaded all the correct players for your OS (operating system). Otherwise, this can cause problems too. If all fails, then theres more tweaking to do. This information will be provided later.

All of the players mentioned above have special codecs that play different types of media files, for instance MP3 audio and video. Sometimes a codec is missing and requires downloading/installing it.

I have a five year old Toshiba Satellite laptop and have downloaded more than one PC Satellite TV software. Here are some of my system information...

Operating system: Windows XP SP2 (service pack 2); Processor speed: 2992 MHz; Total RAM: 1023 MB; Available RAM: 299 MB; Screen Resolution: 1400 x 900 pixels; Free Disk Space: 23591 MB; Internet Explorer: Ver 7; Mozilla Firefox Browser: Ver 2

As a result, good PC Satellite TV software do work but apparently not for every computer. Does this make the software a scam? The answer is no! Is all Satellite for PC software suited for everyone? Again no! I've always said that consumers need to know which software is better suited for them and addresses a primary need. For instance if someone is a variety TV enthusiast who simply loves everything TV, then s/he should download a software that provides that entertainment. The same goes for sports enthusiasts and movie enthusiasts to name a few.

Satellite TV for PC 2008 Elite, Pro, and Titanium Editions, including other good software like it can and do work. But just in case, make sure you know who provides the money back guarantee, the merchant or is it a 3rd party processor. The worst case scenario is the software simply won't work on your computer, and the last resort is to request a refund. When paying the small one-time downloading fee to install a software, make sure to keep the email receipt and instructions for disputes, refunds, etc.

Available now is a review site showcasing the "Best Top 5 Leading PC Satellite TV on the market today, which includes the Sat TV for PC. Also, there are other downloads for movies only, music only, games only, etc. You will also see "Resources" in the right column where to go to fix problems, as well as learn more about these types of software. Just click the appropriate link below, if interested.

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About the Author

How do I set up my wireless internet on my Toshiba Satelite laptop?

You'll be surprised how easy this is!
Assuming the router is already being used with another PC?
On the laptop go to "Start", to "connect to" and click on "wireless Network connection" and Wdw's will do the rest. When prompted type in the security key .
Good luck!

Toshiba Satelite L505 Laptop