CableCARDs freed from OEM Requirment

SC385

[H]ard|Gawd
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Jun 14, 2004
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MS is presenting at CEDIA and has announced that CableCARD requirements are being lifed and will allow enthusiast to install CableCard tuners.

Info is still rolling in live and hopefully there will be some more big announcements tonight.

Linkage
 
About bloody time...I was going to post this too, but I guess I was beaten.
 
I would guess with the launch of Windows 7. Hopefully we will see multi-tuner options very soon.
 
Too bad this was the only worthwhile announcement from MS at CEDIA...
I would love to hear something on tuner prices and availability.
 
Finally. Now I have renewed interest in putting together my own HTPC with DVR capabilities again. Just in time for my big hdtv purchase I might add. ;) So...yeah when are they going to be available thats what everyones wondering I guess. I hope they are not too expensive.
 
Too bad this was the only worthwhile announcement from MS at CEDIA...
I would love to hear something on tuner prices and availability.

Well don't forget this is only the first day of Cedia. It runs 9-13th. It is very possible Ceton or ATI may announce new tuners or even other companies.

EDIT:

Also on Display at CEDIA EXPO 2009

At the Microsoft booth at CEDIA EXPO 2009, Microsoft will show additional hardware and software installations that enhance the digital cable experience. Demonstrations include these:

The new Zune HD portable media player using the Zune HD AV dock to display 720p content on an HDTV. The Zune HD and updated Zune PC software will launch on Sept. 15.

A home server powered by Windows Home Server software. The upcoming Windows Home Server Power Pack 3, currently in beta testing, will add enhancements for Windows Media Center. Power Pack 3 features include the option to move recorded TV content to the home server in a variety of resolutions, and the ability for users to see statistics about the home server through Windows Media Center.

A technology preview of the new Multi-Channel Cable TV Card from Ceton Corp., which enables PCs with Windows Media Center to play or record multiple live channels of premium HDTV at once, and stream live HD channels or recordings to multiple TV sets throughout the home, all with a single CableCARD.
source http://thegreenbutton.com
 
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Yawn.... Getting your TV from a cable/satellite company is so 2000.
 
Too bad this was the only worthwhile announcement from MS at CEDIA...
I would love to hear something on tuner prices and availability.

Yeah, I was hoping there would be some more announcements; mainly I was hoping for something about softsled, new, more capable extenders, or even the new webguide.
 
On the computer side. You still have to deal with shitty cable companies who could care less about customer satisfaction.
All you have to do is ask for activated CableCARDs with the package you want (digital basic, digital + HD, etc). They must provide them to you. Beyond that, the rest of the setup is on your end with the computer and media center.
 
Very nice. Now if they would come out with some for FIOS........
 
Verizon states their services work fine with CableCARD.

http://www22.verizon.com/residentialhelp/fiostv/other+hardware/cablecards/questionsone/84912.htm

What digital programs can I watch with my CableCARD?
You can view all FiOS TV Standard Definition and High Definition digital channels to which you subscribe. You can also order certain Pay-Per-View events by contacting the Verizon Fiber Solutions Center. Without a Set-Top Box, you do not have access to On Demand programming, the FiOS TV Interactive Media Guide, or other advanced features of the FiOS TV service.
 
They definitely support them since I am using Tivo HDs on Fios which uses cable cards. The only thing that does happen sometimes is some tuners don't handle the way Fios sends out its signal. This was a problem that Tivo just only recently fixed.
 
Thank god

I cant wait to get a Ceton Card.
Now only if the DRM would go away too....one can only dream.
 
Any word on whether the Ceton card supports SDV? That's a deal breaker for me and my local provider of choice.

edit: found buried in Microsoft press release - "Advanced Micro Devices Inc. (AMD) will be providing a new firmware update that is available to all ATI TV Wonder digital cable tuners being used with Windows 7 and Windows Vista. This firmware update will allow existing digital cable tuner with CableCARD customers to enjoy more portability for digital cable TV marked as CF. Customers will be able to play CF-marked digital cable recordings, such as those from local channels, on other PCs, devices, and portable media. In addition, the firmware will contain support for SDV. When installed on a Windows 7-based PC with a digital cable tuner with CableCARD and a tuning adapter from a cable provider, it enables access to switched digital channels in locations where SDV has been deployed."

Probably old news for most of you guys, but welcome news indeed.
 
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Also Ceton just updated their site...

Q: What’s new since your announcement at CES in January?
A: It’s been an exciting time at Ceton and we’ve made a number of milestones over the last 8 months on our way to commercial availability of the Multi-Channel Cable TV Card.

* Most importantly, we’ve completed the development process for the Ceton Multi-Channel Cable TV Card itself, as well as the testing process with Microsoft for support in Windows 7.
* We’ve added support for Switched Digital Video so the Ceton Multi-Channel Cable TV Card will natively support SDV on Windows 7 PCs via a Tuning Adapter.
* We’ve also adapted the card to a smaller PCIe Low Profile form factor to accommodate slim Entertainment PCs.
* We’ve expanded the product line to include 2-tuner, 4-tuner and 6-tuner versions of the card.
* The 4-tuner version will enter the CableLabs Certification process shortly, which is the final step before we can release it commercially.

Q: In what configurations will the card be available?
A: Initially the Ceton Multi-Channel Cable TV Card will be available in a 4-tuner configuration, enabling a single Media Center PC to watch and/or record up to 4 live HD channels at once. Over time we plan to introduce an entry-level 2-tuner version for consumers as well as a premium 6-tuner version for specially pre-configured OEM PCs.

Q: Will the Ceton Multi-Channel Cable TV Card be available at retail or only bundled with PCs from certain OEMs?
A: With the recent change in CableLabs licensing, we’re pleased to announce that the Ceton Multi-Channel Cable TV Card will be available both as a standalone retail offering as well as bundled in new PCs from leading OEM partners that will be announced in the future.

Q: How come the 6-tuner card will be available only from certain OEMs and not from all OEMs or as a retail upgrade option:
A: The Ceton PC card supports the maximum number of TV tuners that are supported in Windows 7:

* Windows 7 Home Premium supports a maximum of 4 tuners
* Windows 7 Professional supports a maximum of 4 tuners
* Windows 7 Ultimate supports a maximum of 4 tuners

Certain OEMs license the Advanced Entertainment Pack (AEP) for Windows, which enables support for more than 4 tuners. The Ceton 6-tuner PC card is a solution for those OEMs and systems.

If Microsoft were to expand the number of tuners supported in Windows 7 Home Premium or Ultimate to 6 tuners then the 6-tuner Ceton card would be offered on those platforms as well.
Q: When can I purchase the Ceton Multi-Channel Cable TV Card?
A: The card is expected to be available by Q1 2010
 
Wish they had one more question on the FAQ...

Q: How much kablingey will a Ceton tuner set you back?
A: ??? (or possibly ????)

:p
 
All you have to do is ask for activated CableCARDs with the package you want (digital basic, digital + HD, etc). They must provide them to you. Beyond that, the rest of the setup is on your end with the computer and media center.

Err, its not that easy. You pick up a cable card and have to call the cable company to pair it with your ATI DCT. They dont come pre-activated.
 
Err, its not that easy. You pick up a cable card and have to call the cable company to pair it with your ATI DCT. They dont come pre-activated.
My cable company (Wide Open West) just gives you an activated card, they describe it like a SIM card. I could swap them from a tivo to a hdtv without a problem. I'm using DirecTV HD right now, but when the CableCARD stuff is finally made easy with the correct windows updates, I'm switching back.
 
EngadgetHD has a hands-on with the Ceton card and a bunch of pics of the card itself and the config pages. http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/10/hands-on-with-the-ceton-cablecard-tuner/



edit - They also have a hands on with the Dish Network tuner with a video coming later, but they says it's only a proof of concept. http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/10/dish-network-media-center-tuner-hands-on/

That card in the first link seems to be full height, I hope the low profile version will be available at the same time.
 
My cable company (Wide Open West) just gives you an activated card, they describe it like a SIM card. I could swap them from a tivo to a hdtv without a problem. I'm using DirecTV HD right now, but when the CableCARD stuff is finally made easy with the correct windows updates, I'm switching back.

Wow, never heard of that.
 
Here's a little more info from Engadget HD - http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/09/11/ceton-is-set-to-take-over-the-cablecard-pc-tuner-market/

The article basically has two bits of info:
1) There are USB and low profile versions in the works.
2) The price should land somewhere in the $300 to $600 range.

I'm personally hoping for the lower end of that range (as in $300 to $400) but considering an HD TiVo costs $300 for 2 tuners without service, its not a bad deal... I would just need a payment plan if its $600 ;)
 
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Also, is it me or is that low profile card looking kinda tall for a low profile case?
 
Also, is it me or is that low profile card looking kinda tall for a low profile case?
Someone asked a similar question on the Engadgethd post.

One thing that worries me, on that low profile card you can see part of it sticking up over the bracket. Seems like that could be a problem in some cases. I'm thinking of getting an Antec Micro Fusion and from pictures it looks like there might be enough room over the slots, but I'm not totally sure.

Jeremy Hammer from Ceton posted this as a comment on Engadgethd.com in this post discussing hands on with the Ceton cards.

Jeremy Hammer said:
Andrew, yes the card does extend above the official low profile size for a PCIe device. Unfortunately the CableCARD by itself is the size of the official low profile PCIe backplate height, and then we have to get an F-connector on there and some LEDs (two leds are required by CableLabs). We have been able to get it in some slimline cases but we have not tried the particular one you mentioned.

Jeremy Hammer said:
The issue is not the height of the actual card, it is the height of the backplate. In order for the card to fit in a case it has to have a backplate that is the correct height, and in a low profile scenario it is just too short, we cannot get a CableCARD and F-Connector on it.

Here is a picture showing what I am talking about. Sorry for the poor quality, it was taken with my phone:

http://www.cetoncorp.com/images/low_profile_backplate.png

As you can see the CableCARD takes up the entire height of the backplate, leaving no room for the F-Connector. If someone has a suggestion about how to solve this I would love to hear it. Unfortunately we are just limited on space.
 
300 USD? No thanks...

You'd be lucky to just pay $300. I don't see the 4 tuner model selling for less $399 at launch. The good news is that it looks like the other major tuner card manufacturers are getting into the cablecard business as well.

http://www.gearlog.com/2009/09/hauppauge_to_sell_cablecard_tu.php

I doubt they will be as ambitious as ceton in the multi-tuner solutions though. I'm guessing they will stick with single tuners cards, like the current ATI version, in the beginning.
 
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