Digital Cable Tuner for PC?

[RockGuitarDude]

Is there anything available that will allow digital tv tuning on the PC? I have IO digital cable from Cablevision.

 

[The Boston Dangler]

Yes, but you would receive only broadcast stations, not encrypted pay channels. The same cards would also receive OTA HD channels. There is some tuner card that can use CableCard to enable use with pay channels, but you'll never find it. IMO, PC home theater stuff is still too flaky. I prefer leaving the tuner and DVR duties to the cable box.

 

[slpaulson]

Originally posted by: The Boston Dangler
Yes, but you would receive only broadcast stations, not encrypted pay channels. The same cards would also receive OTA HD channels. There is some tuner card that can use CableCard to enable use with pay channels, but you'll never find it. IMO, PC home theater stuff is still too flaky. I prefer leaving the tuner and DVR duties to the cable box.

CableCard will only work with certified computers, home built isn't going to be possible 🙁.

 

[dafuzzbudd]

you need a usb infared tuner to control your digital cable box from your pc.
doing it any other way would be near impossible

 

[cubby1223]

A lot of cable boxes have firewire ports that can be connected to a pc - but pretty much only local channels are set to no copy restrictions. All other channels will not transmit to the pc.

 

[weeber]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
A lot of cable boxes have firewire ports that can be connected to a pc - but pretty much only local channels are set to no copy restrictions. All other channels will not transmit to the pc.

This really depends on the region. In the Comcast-Atlanta area, the firewire from my cable box to the PC gets: all the local HD, all non-premium HD (Discovery Theater HD, Food HD, ESPN(2) HD, etc.), and all non-premium digital standard definition channels (History, Discovery, etc.) With my system, the firewire output from the cable box is great. Unfortunately, the only way to know for sure how your system will work is to try it yourself, or go to the local HD forum on the AVSforum, find your local system, and see if anyone else has done it before.