here is a short overview of my experiences with a Sony XL3 that comes with 1 internal OCUR card and a Blu-ray read/write drive: - without inserting a CableCARD in the system I can view or record NTSC, ATSC and Clear QAM signals. Notice the "or" between "view" and "record" as the system only has one TV Tuner... shame... - I can even record all these programs to a blank Blu-ray disc - the moment I pop in a CableCARD I can view or record the Cable content but cannot record it to Blu-ray - I can, however, steam it (using Ethernet -- to address the point earlier about wireless) to my Xbox360. - I can even watch the same file on the XL3 and the Xbox at the same time (sweet, no more watching the same TV show with the wife!) - I can connect an external HDD and store content on it. I can see both the internally and externally recorded content in MCE - BUT, I am unable to view the content stored on the external HDD on anotehr PC (as Ryan mentioned, the content protection behind OCUR is such that one has but limited "to go" scenarios -- in fact, it seems to be limited to the Xbox360).
this short summary is the result of personal trial and error as well as numerous hours on the phone with Cox and Sony.
here is some other stuff I have found out: - you CANNOT buy a standalone OCUR device - you can ONLY obtain it from a Cable Labs certified PC maker - at this time, there are but limited options for CableCARD lovers: Sony, Dell, Niveus, Alienware - also, I had some issues with CableCARD detection but a recent firmware upgrade from Ati resolved that - now if Sony had shipped with 2 CableCARDS, had 1080p output, I would be a completely happy customer - still, if you are looking for HD media hub, I recommend this product
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here is a short overview of my experiences with a Sony XL3 that comes with 1 internal OCUR card and a Blu-ray read/write drive:
- without inserting a CableCARD in the system I can view or record NTSC, ATSC and Clear QAM signals. Notice the "or" between "view" and "record" as the system only has one TV Tuner... shame...
- I can even record all these programs to a blank Blu-ray disc
- the moment I pop in a CableCARD I can view or record the Cable content but cannot record it to Blu-ray
- I can, however, steam it (using Ethernet -- to address the point earlier about wireless) to my Xbox360.
- I can even watch the same file on the XL3 and the Xbox at the same time (sweet, no more watching the same TV show with the wife!)
- I can connect an external HDD and store content on it. I can see both the internally and externally recorded content in MCE
- BUT, I am unable to view the content stored on the external HDD on anotehr PC (as Ryan mentioned, the content protection behind OCUR is such that one has but limited "to go" scenarios -- in fact, it seems to be limited to the Xbox360).
this short summary is the result of personal trial and error as well as numerous hours on the phone with Cox and Sony.
here is some other stuff I have found out:
- you CANNOT buy a standalone OCUR device
- you can ONLY obtain it from a Cable Labs certified PC maker
- at this time, there are but limited options for CableCARD lovers: Sony, Dell, Niveus, Alienware
- also, I had some issues with CableCARD detection but a recent firmware upgrade from Ati resolved that
- now if Sony had shipped with 2 CableCARDS, had 1080p output, I would be a completely happy customer
- still, if you are looking for HD media hub, I recommend this product