Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player — Complete Setup Guide

Compare: Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player vs AlternativesThe Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player is a niche product aimed at users who want to receive and watch satellite television on their Windows PC. This article compares the Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player with several alternative solutions — including USB DVB-S2 tuners, PCIe satellite cards, networked satellite receivers (IPTV/SAT>IP), and software-only solutions paired with streaming services — across key criteria: hardware compatibility, signal quality and formats, software features, ease of setup, portability, cost, and use cases. The goal is to help buyers and hobbyists choose the right approach for watching satellite TV on a computer.

Quick verdict (one-line)

Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player is a compact, user-friendly satellite-to-PC solution suited for hobbyists who prioritize simplicity and direct PC integration; alternatives may offer better performance, flexibility, or networked distribution depending on needs.

What is the Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player?

The Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player is a plug-and-play device (typically USB-based) that allows a Windows PC to receive DVB-S/DVB-S2 satellite broadcasts and view them through bundled playback/management software. It often includes drivers, a tuning application, and decoding support for common codecs used in satellite broadcasting. The product targets users who want a straightforward way to watch and record satellite TV without buying a standalone set-top box.

Alternatives Overview

USB DVB-S/DVB-S2 tuners (generic and branded: e.g., TBS, Hauppauge)
PCIe satellite tuner cards (internal cards for desktops)
Networked satellite receivers and SAT>IP devices (convert satellite feed to IP for multiple clients)
Standalone satellite set-top boxes with HDMI capture to PC
Software streaming platforms and IPTV services (no satellite hardware)

Comparison criteria

Hardware compatibility and OS support
Signal formats and codec support (DVB-S, DVB-S2, DiSEqC, CI/CI+ modules)
Video/audio quality and recording options
Software features (EPG, channel scanning, PVR, timeshift)
Ease of installation and driver support
Portability and physical form factor
Cost and value over time
Advanced use cases (multisatellite setups, professional monitoring, transponder scanning)

Detailed comparison

Hardware compatibility & OS support

Orbatel: Typically supports Windows only with vendor drivers and a bundled app. Linux support is rare and depends on community drivers.
USB DVB-S2 alternatives (TBS, etc.): Many offer broader driver support (Windows + Linux) and active community/firmware updates.
PCIe cards: Best for desktops; strong driver support for Windows and Linux for many brands.
SAT>IP devices: OS-agnostic at client side — any device that speaks the SAT>IP protocol or can run a compatible app can view channels (Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile).
Set-top + HDMI capture: Works on any OS with an HDMI capture device but adds latency and captures a decoded stream rather than raw transport streams.

Signal formats & tuning features

Orbatel: Covers DVB-S/DVB-S2 and standard modulation schemes; advanced features (DiSEqC, motor control, CI) depend on model.
High-end USB/PCIe tuners: Often include better support for DiSEqC, motorized LNBs, multiple tuners, and blind-scan features.
SAT>IP: Converts tuned streams to IP; capability depends on the headend device — some support multiple tuners and transponder-level access.

Video/audio quality & recording

All hardware-based satellite tuners receive the same raw signal quality; differences arise in software decoding and how many simultaneous channels can be recorded.
Orbatel: Bundled player typically supports recording and timeshift, but performance varies by PC and software optimizations.
Alternatives: Software like TVHeadend, DVBViewer, ProgDVB, or vendor apps often offer more robust PVR features and configurable recording profiles.

Software features & ecosystem

Orbatel: Focuses on simplicity — scanning, channel list, EPG (if provided), PVR. Integration with third-party apps may be limited.
TVHeadend + Linux tuners: Powerful server-client setup with EPG grabbing, transcoding, network distribution, and automation.
SAT>IP and network receivers: Great for multiroom setups; clients can be phones, tablets, PCs, or smart TVs without extra drivers.
Commercial alternatives (e.g., TBS + DVBViewer): Offer plugin ecosystems, improved EPG handling, advanced channel sorting, and conditional access module (CAM) support.

Ease of installation & driver support

Orbatel: Aimed at consumers — usually plug, install drivers from included media, run app. If drivers are signed and supported, setup is straightforward.
Generic USB tuners: Installation can be easy but sometimes requires manual driver installs, firmware flashes, or kernel module setup on Linux.
PCIe: Requires opening the PC and installing a card; drivers similar to USB options.
SAT>IP: Minimal client setup — the headend needs initial configuration, then clients simply connect.

Portability & form factor

Orbatel (USB): High portability — fits easily with laptops.
PCIe cards: Desktop-only.
SAT>IP headends: Stationary but serve many devices.
Set-top + HDMI capture: Portable depending on capture device but bulkier.

Cost & value

Orbatel: Mid-range cost; value depends on bundled software and driver longevity.
Generic USB: Often cheapest, but support and reliability vary.
TBS/High-end cards: Higher upfront cost but better long-term support and features for enthusiasts or professionals.
SAT>IP: Higher initial cost for the headend but best per-device cost for multi-client households.

Advanced use cases

Multituner recording and streaming: PCIe or multi-tuner USB devices and SAT>IP headends perform best.
Blind-scan and professional monitoring: Dedicated hardware from specialist vendors (TBS, professional Sat>IP servers) is superior.
Conditional Access (pay TV): Requires CI/CI+ modules or CAM support; check whether Orbatel or alternative supports CAM.

Pros/Cons table

Option	Pros	Cons
Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player	Easy setup; portable; bundled software	Windows-centric; limited advanced features; driver longevity depends on vendor
Generic USB DVB-S2 tuners	Low cost; portable	Variable driver/support quality; fewer advanced features
PCIe satellite cards	High performance; multiple tuners; strong Linux support	Desktop-only; requires installation
SAT>IP headend	Multi-client distribution; OS-agnostic clients	Higher initial cost; network setup required
Set-top + HDMI capture	Works with any PC; uses proven STB decoders	Additional latency; captures decoded output, not raw TS

Typical user recommendations

If you want a simple, plug-and-play experience on a single Windows PC: Orbatel or a similarly simple USB DVB-S2 tuner is reasonable.
If you use Linux, need advanced features, or want stronger community support: choose well-supported USB/PCIe tuners (TBS, popular chipset vendors) and software like TVHeadend.
For multiroom viewing or streaming to many devices: invest in a SAT>IP headend or a networked tuner solution.
For professional monitoring, blind-scan, or advanced transponder work: buy higher-end tuner hardware (PCIe or professional USB tuners) with dedicated software.

Setup tips and troubleshooting (concise)

Ensure your LNB and dish are properly aligned; poor alignment causes weak signal or no channels.
Use the latest signed drivers from the vendor and check community forums for updated firmware.
If EPG is missing, try alternate scanning or third-party EPG grabbers compatible with your software.
For CI/CA (pay channels), confirm CAM compatibility before purchase.
For network streaming, ensure your LAN has sufficient throughput (multiple HD streams can need tens to hundreds of Mbps).

Final thoughts

The Orbatel Satellite PC TV PRO Player is built for convenience: small, straightforward, and suitable for single-PC satellite viewing. Alternatives scale from budget USB sticks to professional multi-tuner and networked SAT>IP solutions. Choose based on your OS, need for multiroom streaming, desire for advanced tuning features, and long-term support expectations.