HTPC Experts: current state of HDTV via cable?

JasonCoder

Golden Member
Feb 23, 2005
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So last I checked, the cable card fiasco was a non starter and the only way to pick up HDTV on your PC was OTA or via some expensive hardware from DirecTV. I did some googling but it's not clear, hoping someone with knowledge can bring me up to date.

I run Vista x64. Is there a card from ATI/Hauppage that I can drop in my box, enjoy clearQAM and/or regular digital cable? Or is this still not possible?

Thanks for your answers.
 

blanketyblank

Golden Member
Jan 23, 2007
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I think a lot of tuners can do that now. The only difficulty is if you require a cable box since that means you need something like an IR blaster to change the channel as your tuner won't be able to.
 

Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
4
81
Cablecard had a rocky start but it seems to be getting closer to the original vision. Both Ceton and HDHomerun are putting dual and quad cablecard tuners on the market.

Personally, I wouldn't mess with any of the current cablecard stuff if you have nothing installed now. Wait for either of the following products to hit the market.

http://www.cetoncorp.com/products.php
http://www.silicondust.com/press

Also, if you have the ability to receive OTA broadcasts, this is still the best way to view and record HDTV. Cable companies don't always pass the HDTV streams to you without altering them (e.g. compression). So if possible, use the OTA method for the major networks.
 

JasonCoder

Golden Member
Feb 23, 2005
1,893
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Interesting. I coulda swore I heard clear qam tuners were a possibility. OTA works for major networks if you are in a major area but I'm not, and I want other stations in HD as well.

Thanks for the replies.
 

Childs

Lifer
Jul 9, 2000
11,313
7
81
If you just want Clear QAM, there are many tuners that do that. I use a HDHomerun, which has two. Most TVs made in the last few years do this as well, although you can't record from it.
 

Patrick Wolf

Platinum Member
Jan 5, 2005
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I'm running Win7 so your experience may vary. ClearQAM and analog is very attainable with Media Center through simple tuner cards/sticks. In fact, I just ordered this one to compare to my current ATI Theater 750:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=212691676

I think you can even hook a cable box to your PC somehow and get your Premium HD channels, if applicable.

There's also this tuner card. Which accepts a CableCARD from your cable company. But your Vista PC must meet the "Digital PC Requirements", whatever that means.

http://www.cyberestore.com/hdtv-tv-...r-digital-cable-tuner-cablecard-internal.html
 
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Binky

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
4,046
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ClearQAM will ONLY let you watch unencrypted cable channels. It's a half-assed solution that works better with some cable providors than others. The HDhomerun is excellent for this.

Cablecard will let you watch everything, including pay channels. The new dual and quad cablecard tuners should be much better than the current ATI product.
 

postmortemIA

Diamond Member
Jul 11, 2006
7,721
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ClearQAM works for me with ATi 650 pro, only locals though. ATi still haven't released Win7 driver. Also Media Center is very customizable.