Let's just hope that D* shows the HTPC home-brewers some love.
It would be a wild stretch to say this is all ironed out right now. Obviously, the best deal would be that both CableLabs and D* put out PCIe cards that when paired with WinVista drivers can be assured of a secure path and work. HDMI/HDCP is a fact of life, I can deal with that, my TV has them. I just want the ability to tune a Cable or D* HD tuner with a HTPC without any stupid IR blaster or any additional digital/analog conversions. The worst case scenario is OEM only with little upgrade options.
Honestly, it makes good business sense for D* to support the homebrewer. I'm not as sure with Cable co's. D* currently subsidizes a lot of hardware purchases of STB's right now to get people locked into subscriptions. Look at all the huge rebates and free h/w and installation they give new subscribers. Imagine them locking in very valuable subscribers ($10/mo extra for HD, lots of premiums, probably ST for $300/yr) without subsidizing a DIME of their hardware because they are using a homebrewed HTPC. Hell, Rupert may want to give the cards away. Assuming Vista gives them the foundation to be confident in their anti-piracy measures, I can't see why they'd be against this - they LOSE money on hardware. CableCo's, however love hitting you with that BS rental fee. I can't see them wanting that revenue stream to dry up.
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Let's just hope that D* shows the HTPC home-brewers some love.
It would be a wild stretch to say this is all ironed out right now. Obviously, the best deal would be that both CableLabs and D* put out PCIe cards that when paired with WinVista drivers can be assured of a secure path and work. HDMI/HDCP is a fact of life, I can deal with that, my TV has them. I just want the ability to tune a Cable or D* HD tuner with a HTPC without any stupid IR blaster or any additional digital/analog conversions. The worst case scenario is OEM only with little upgrade options.
Honestly, it makes good business sense for D* to support the homebrewer. I'm not as sure with Cable co's. D* currently subsidizes a lot of hardware purchases of STB's right now to get people locked into subscriptions. Look at all the huge rebates and free h/w and installation they give new subscribers. Imagine them locking in very valuable subscribers ($10/mo extra for HD, lots of premiums, probably ST for $300/yr) without subsidizing a DIME of their hardware because they are using a homebrewed HTPC. Hell, Rupert may want to give the cards away. Assuming Vista gives them the foundation to be confident in their anti-piracy measures, I can't see why they'd be against this - they LOSE money on hardware. CableCo's, however love hitting you with that BS rental fee. I can't see them wanting that revenue stream to dry up.
Thoughts?