[Rich A]

Analog CABLE (Cox) has been guaranteed for at least several more years. (if I recall from memory the letter I got from Cox said something like 2012) Don't know about other cable companies though.

Cox has explained they will continue to use their analog service so that customers with old analog cable ready TVs won't have to change anything. They stated that they (Cox themselves) will no longer be getting analog feeds, but will down convert the digital feeds to analog so as to continue to provide analog cable. You might check with your cable company to see if they may be doing something different. So far the only cable provider I've seen doing this is Cox.

As to the specific question on the HDHR and HVR-1600, I use both to capture clear QAM digital here. Have been doing that for many months reliably via the Beta testing venue. In my experience the HDHR seems to have a slightly hotter (better) tuner than the 1600. Also I like the fact that it is external to the entire HTPC system and feeds it's source via my LAN. As such I am able to put it close to the main cable feed to insure a good source. Then use my gigabit LAN to move it's output across the house to the HTPC. (Note that the HDHR is a 10/100 device) But every other computer on my LAN is a gigabit system which leaves lots of room for the HDHR transmissions)

I have a home run distribution system so every TV or device has pretty much the same signal level. That being that the HVR-1600 has the same signal input as the HDHR. And as such I have found occasionally the HVR-1600 will have dropped frames more often than the HDHR. In fact I'm thinking of getting rid of the 1600 and buying another HDHR. This will also reduce the load on the HTPC system as well as remove yet another heat source from the chassis.