Three new Indian satellite TV channels with political affiliations will launch, causing turmoil among all the satellite TV channels in Tamil Nadu state, South India. The new satellite TV channels are Kalaignar TV owned by the Chief Minister’s family, Mega TV from Congressman and former Union Minister K V Thangabalu, and Congressman’s Vasanthakumar’s Vasanth TV. The new satellite TV channels are government backed.

Mega TV and Kalaignar TV will launch in August and September, 2007 and this means that all major political parties in Tamil Nadu will then have their own satellite TV channels. Opposition to the new satellite TV channels includes Jaya TV and Makkal TV, operational since 2006 and also politically backed.

All these satellite TV channels may to air opposing political views as well as other programming. The channels all want the others’ political broadcasts downplayed. Interestingly, Vasanth TV’s owner also directs Vasanth & Co, a top retail chain in the state. Satellite TV in Southern India may become an extensive venue for political and retailing messages.

The multimedia PC company KWorld Computer, in Taiwan, has two Windows Vista-ready DVB-S TV-tuner cards available. One is designed for desktops and the other for laptops, according to current information on the company website. The Plus TV DVB-S PI210 allows a PC with a free PCI slot to receive free-to-air digital satellite broadcasts AND analog TV and FM radio. KWorld bundles the PI210 with its HyperMedia Software package, which supports such features as picture-in-picture (PIP) viewing, time-shifting, and electronic program guides (EPGs). It also allows for scheduled recording, even when the PC is not switched on. The compact Plus TV DVB-S 300U offers the same features and capabilities as the PI210, but uses USB connectivity. Both tuners come packed with a remote control for the PC.

In the latest trend of sports games more frequently offered on satellite TV networks, some sports fans are finding that satellite TV is the only place they can view their favorite games. The HOF (Hall OF Fame) game will be broadcast only over satellite TV this year. In addition, many of the 2007 season’s Ohio State Buckeyes football games will also appear only on satellite TV networks.

This should not be a problem, given the availability of DirecTV sports packages, The Dish Network sports offerings, and free satellite TV for the PC and Internet. This is more evidence of the growing popularity of satellite TV networks and satellite TV systems in American and around the globe. This means that increasing numbers of sports fans can have access to these games via satellite TV, and that potential new fans will also have easy access in the coming football and basketball season.

Couch potatoes have given way to a new breed: Car Potatoes. These TV watchers can view their favorite programs from the back seat via satellite TV. This mobile satellite TV system features over 185 channels and appeals especially to carpoolers and sports fans.

DirecTV and KVH Industries state that their TracVision A7 mobile satellite TV system provides a “living room TV experience” in the family car. By law, a monitor cannot be placed in a front seat. Previous front seat TV’s were programmed to shut down when the vehicle was in motion. Some drivers were watching TV at stop lights and that proved hazardous.

The TracVision A7 mobile satellite TV system has a low-profile antenna that sits atop the vehicle and tracks the same satellite that DirecTV uses. Consumer interest has increased because local channels are now available. In-car service costs $4.99 a month if you have DirecTV already at home.

Instead of using an antenna, you can access video/audio content streamed over the Internet without waiting for downloads. There is a lot of content available, often in specialized niche subjects like cooking shows and soap operas from Mexico or China. A reasonably fast Internet connection will avoid long buffering waits.

Windows Media Player or RealPlayer works well for Internet TV, but you can download a player designed just for Internet TV. These players are frequently plug-ins for the well-known media players, but increase the ease of locating specific channels. The simple “TV” from www.tvexe.com features 300 free channels with option to purchase more. The open-source VLCplayer at www.videolan.org is another good option.

New Zealand offers a handful of Internet-only channels like Richmastery TV with 30 weekly minutes free about real estate investing. Shine TV is a free NZ religious channel. TVNZ offers substantial news and Reeltime.tv sells/rents movies and of old TV shows inexpensively.

The programming packages from DirectTV outdistance all competition. The introductory level Total Choice package provides one hundred and fifty channels, over two-and-a-half times the competition's. Total Choice includes a diverse range of topics from global news to music videos, religion, history, gaming, home shopping, cartoons. classic reruns, fitness, movies, and endless others. Total Choice provides your local channels as well. This means crystal clarity in digital TV in all weather.

The next from DirecTV is Total Choice Plus, for 180 channels. Total Choice Plus features a variety of children's programming, educational programming, and even additional stations for music video television and sports. The final package is for sports and movie lovers. Total Choice Premier adds movie packages like Showtime Unlimited and the Starz Super Pack, along with Cinemax and HBO. Total Choice Premier then adds a wide range of sports channels including regional sports networks. This gives you a total of two hundred and fifty channels. As an added bonus all three programming packs provide XM satellite radio channels.

Maxim Integrated Products has recently launched its new MAX2120 satellite TV tuner. This is an inexpensive, zero-IF, direct-conversion tuner for satellite TVs. The satellite TV tuner receives QPSK signals in the 925MHz to 2,150MHz range and down-converts these signals to baseband for demodulation.

This satellite TV tuner produces only very low 8dB noise and thus eliminates the need for an external LNA. The VCO auto-tuner function makes the unit easy to use overall. The MAX2120 satellite TV tuner is suitable for DVB-S and free-to-air applications also, where low cost and easy user operation are keys for success.

This satellite TV tuner operates on one 3.3V supply and uses just 330mW. It is designed to function with a low-cost 4MHz crystal, but you can choose any crystal in the 4MHz t - 8MHz range. This satellite TV tuner is available in a 5mm x 5mm 28-pin TQFN package and prices start at $3.50 each, in bulk.