DirecTV2PC beta software streams satellite TV content to PCs

Without the addition of any new hardware, DirecTV Plus HD DVR users will be able to stream recorded HD content from their DVR to local PCs, or watch live TV on their PC while recorded content is being watched on the DVR.

It's a far cry from Slingbox functionality, but the DirecTV2PC beta adds the ability for multi-user households to freely watch content on multiple screens without an extra device. Parents should note that the parental control settings on the DVR are not automatically ported over to the DirecTV2PC software.

Currently, however, the link on DirecTV's site goes to a dead CyberLink page, the company whose technologies power the DirecTV2PC software.

CyberLink announced in September a PC software solution for decoding and playing back DVB-S and DVB-S2 satellite broadcasts, the transmission protocol DirecTV has been gradually rolling out with its increased HD content.

Although the beta software is not yet available for download, DirectTV2PC will likely work only with Windows and will abide by copy protection flags. That means restricted content cannot be copied for playback outside of the DirecTV DVR.

TiVo offers similar functionality for cable TV viewers with TiVo2Go and its TiVo Desktop software.