Should I get a CableCard for my HTPC? Do you just plug it in?

[bovinda]

Trying to understand the pros/cons of a CableCard for an HTPC here, as I'm moving tomorrow and want to get cable and use it with my HTPC.

Is it as simple as leasing a CableCard from TimeWarner and dropping it in my existing HTPC (which has Windows 7)? Does that make more sense than getting a cable box? Anyone done this?

(I am googling and searching threads, but am not finding a clear answer. Any help/guidance is appreciated!)

My hardware, in case its an issue:

E2180 CPU
Foxconn P35A mobo
MSI 8600 GT vid card
Avermedia M780 tuner

Side question...if I get a CableCard, will it be compatible with that Ceton Tuner coming out in a couple months (delayed from the end of May, I understand)?

EDIT: Will be recording in HD, if it's significant.

 

[Fayd]

afaik, you have to get a cablecard adapter for it to plug into.

last i heard, cablecards look like pcmcia slot cards. then there's some card adapter that it plugs into, and plugs into a PCI-E slot.

 

[nerp]

Doesn't look like you have a tvcard with a cablecard slot. You need to buy one (good luck with that) or wait for the ceton 4 tuner card coming out "sometime mid year." You can find the ATI card on ebay and other places, and there is the external ATI unit, but you're paying a bit for the convenience of cablecard. I'd just get an MCE kit and use the cable box.

 

[corkyg]

I have used a Cablecard for over 4 years now, and it suits me. But, it has limitations - youcan't access On Demand or PPV. IOW, it is a one way street. It is a PCMCIA card. They are no longer available for direct TV insertion - none of the current HDTVs have the slots.

I see the set top box as a silly intrusion, and will hold out for when cable electronics are built in to the TVs and can be digitally activated.

But, there are PCMCIA adapters as you describe, and some laptops have them built in.

 

[Crusty]

If you have a Cable Card 2.0 you can do two-way communications with your cable provider and receive on demand/PPV content.

You also need to pay attention to whether or not your cable co uses SDV(switched digital video) as your tuner card will need to support that as well to receive all your channels.

 

[bovinda]

Thanks guys. So let me see if I understand this correctly. I could get the CableCard and use it now, but I'd need to get a new tuner card (that the CableCard could directly plug into?).

If that's the case, what are some good tuner cards for HD programming that accept cablecard? Nerp implied these are difficult to find, it sounded like. Corky, what are you using?

Or I just wait for the Ceton tuner later this year, I suppose?

If I decided to just go the set-top box route, what is the MCE kit that nerp referred to? Is that like an IR blaster?

 

[corkyg]

Page 8 of the July issue of "Maximum PC" has a relevant article. It states that a recent FCC policy decision spells the end of CableCARD as well as set top boxes in favor of what is called AllVid.

AllVid is what I have been waiting for - it requires that all devices involving video transmission have the required technology built in. But, Ceton has protested and makes a good case. They are rfeady to field their new CableCARD InfiniTV4 quad tuner (PC Express).

I would say they will succeed, but that depends on the status of AllVid.

http://hd.engadget.com/2010/05/21/cetons-infinitv-4-cablecard-tuner-delayed-again/

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=190907&site=lr_cable

If it hits the street, I would go for the Ceton - AllVid is at least 2 years away.

http://usingwindowshomeserver.com/2...itv-4-tuner-card-now-available-for-pre-order/