SatelliteDirect is a program that promises to deliver you over 3,500 HD channels over the internet on to your computer. The reality is that the program accesses various FTA (Free To Air) channels across the world. It promises your local channels will be available, but what you get are the news broadcasts only. None of the channels appear to be HD quality. Instead they may have HD sources, but they are sampled down for streaming purposes. They even have the gall to offer an upgrade for an additional $4.95. Most users pay $49.95 and are promised HD and 3,500 channels. Why should you have to pay an additional fee for what was already promised?
Overall, I can see some good in this program. It alleviates the need for a satellite setup. I know it can become cumbersome to set up dishes and get them pointed accurately. I think its best for people who are interested in viewing sports events in foreign countries. I know, being from Ludlow, that the Portuguese people love their soccer. This program would allow them to view broadcasts from Portugal.
The are two major woes I faced with this software. First of all, I couldn't get it to work with Windows 7. I tried all the tricks (running as admin, disabling firewall, etc). Then I decided to try on a Windows XP machine. It worked there, but the registration code they supplied me via email was invalid. I contacted tech support. I took about 22 hours to reply to me. They supplied me with a new registration code and failed to address the Windows 7 incompatibility I'd faced. [Update] I tried to install this on my laptop (running Windows 7). The application was able to reach the registration servers, but I was not able to register the application. The server tracks your userID with some computer-specific information. My initial guess is that it may track a MAC address. Regardless, the Windows 7 compatibility issue stated about should be taken with a grain of salt.
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SatelliteDirect
