CableCard is here...

[Fonceur]

Go read at AnandTech how easy it is to setup...

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2959&p=1

[Fonceur]

More CableCard fun:

ATI stops shipping CableCARD tuners due to bugs, will resume soon (assuming CableLabs stop dragging their feet...).

[ZetaVu]

I read through the security requirements. Special bios commands (like flashing is impossible) required vista, two keys, occasional phone home (which will probably be linked to cable content so emulators won't be possible)

Not that I don't expect it all to be hacked within a month of widespread distribution, but seriously, all I want is a legal means of recording/timeshifting hd content without being told how I can do it. Cablecard definitely will not be that route anytime soon.

Realistically, no big deal, I don't expect cable/satellite to expand their HD content much for the next couple years anyway, they aren't obliged to shift programing by 2009, and are probably massively limited in bandwidth.

[mrlumpy]

These cablecard requirements seem like a nightmare to me. Is it really worth it to do all this to get "married with children" reruns scandoubled to 480p? I just don't understand why anyone would jump through all these hoops.

Have y'all seen what owners of cyberlink's "PowerDVD" player are going through for bluray/hddvd discs? Mandatory upgrades or the player stops working. Flashrom upgrade discs for your bluray/hddvd player..key revocation...and you'll do this dance..what...once a month? The hackers of powerdvd re-cracked it the day the "security fix" was released. So expect another "mandatory upgrade" soon.

Is this really the type of scenario you all want us to be in? Constantly "dancing" for the cable co/entertainment company?

Because I just want to watch a few relatively clear TV shows from time to time, that I can watch anywhere, on anyone's tv/computer.

[ZetaVu]

That's WINDVD, not Powerdvd. And not sure how they can turn that software off, I assume you can block access to the internet with a firewall, and the only way they can send a command in is with a new DVD, if you isolate your new DVD's shouldn't be an issue. and yes, the cat and mouse game will continue. At least the music industry is finally showing signs of giving up on the ridiculous DRM game. APple signed a deal to release EMI songs DRM free, now Windows is in the same negotiations. Anyone avoiding online music because of DRM should start buying these EMI songs like crazy, send a message to the rest of the labels that removing DRM increases sales. Maybe eventually the movie industry will follow.

[btvfreak]

Originally Posted by mrlumpy

These cablecard requirements seem like a nightmare to me. Is it really worth it to do all this to get "married with children" reruns scandoubled to 480p? I just don't understand why anyone would jump through all these hoops.

I'd jump throught those hoops if I could get CableCARDs working on my custom built HTPC. It allows people to view and record encrypted digital content on their HTPC, which means more than "Married with Childern" reruns (you can get those on plain analog TV). CableCARD gives you access to premium cable content from stations like ESPNHD, HBOHD, and any other digital cable station without the need for a set-top-box.

Bottom line: access to content you cannot access today on your PC. Also access to content you already have today, but without the need for a box, which means good by to IR blasters and the lag they introduce.

[cfaslave]

I agree - I would jump through many hoops to get access for my HTPC to all of the cable channels. I have the HDHomeRun for unencrypted QAM, but it would be really nice to get the rest of the channels with no need for a cable box. Some day perhaps...

[ZetaVu]

Again, depends on what restrictions are built into cablecard. If it lets me record and backup like I can with OTA HD, then yes, if all it does is turn my pc into a restricted PVR, then no.

[cfaslave]

I wonder if CableCard will ever be accessible by BeyondTV, Sage or any other HTPC software program. I did a little research on the topic and then talked about it on my blog
http://brentevans.blogspot.com/2007/...-come-for.html

In summary, I don't see how Snapstream or Sage etc. will be able to pull it off. Read the long (probably to long) post linked above if you are interested as I'd be interested in everyones opinion on this. Some day I really want to be able to use my HTPC to tune all channels I pay for without worrying about a cable box. The HDHomerun gets me part of the way there, but I want more

[queonda]

Damn, I wish we had cable card (I know we cannot, and if we did only with VI$TA).
http://www.missingremote.com/index.p...=2159&Itemid=1

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by queonda

Damn, I wish we had cable card (I know we cannot, and if we did only with VI$TA).
http://www.missingremote.com/index.p...=2159&Itemid=1

Yeah, I saw that too. having the multiple CableCard's per PC is another step in the right direction. If they ever get the Cablecard opened up to non-preinstalled PC's you will see people go to M$'s Vista MCE in droves. Content protection or not, it would be huge to the HTPC market.

If only SS could get Cablecard..... Doesn't seem likely though.

[queonda]

Do they add DRM to unencrypted (clear) qam?

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by queonda

Do they add DRM to unencrypted (clear) qam?

No - CableCards function is to decode the encrypted channels only. The encrypted channels that you can't get to with the HDHR qam tuner for instance. If you one of the lucky ones who get most channels unencrypted already, then you wouldn't need Cablecard - until the Cable Company encrypts those channels anyway

[queonda]

I understand that. But I know that MC e encrypts or adds DRM to their files. HD you just stream to your hard drive. How are they handling that? Are they adding DRM to the files after or taking CPU cycles to add drm (if they are).

[cmcquistion]

Yes, it decodes the incoming stream, in hardware (by way of the CableCard) and then MS adds DRM to the resulting recording.