Dell's XPS 420: now available with CableCARD

If you've been toying with the idea of ordering up one of Dell's XPS 420s, now wouldn't be a bad time to pull the trigger -- particularly if you're into CableCARD. Effectively immediately, users can configure their XPS 420 with single or dual ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuners, and each one will only add $180 to the bottom line. Reportedly, the option will become a mainstay on the model, and if you're cool with the basics, you can snag a CableCARD-equipped tower for just $1,079 right now. Decisions, decisions.

[Via Chris Lanier's Blog]

[adrian @ Dec 8th 2007 6:32AM]

Let me get this right.... this means that I can use this just like a TIVO, without the need to pay rental on the Scientific Atlanta 8300.

Does this "do" HD ?

[Jon @ Dec 8th 2007 10:22AM]

Yes , You can record any HD and Premium Channels you have such as HBO , ESPN , Etc...

[Grant @ Dec 8th 2007 12:48PM]

You won't have to rent the Scientific Atlanta box anymore, but you will have to rent and pay for the CableCard. Of course that is assuming SDV isn't already deployed in your area, making the CableCards completely worthless for now.

[Jon @ Dec 8th 2007 1:24PM]

If you have comcrap (comcast) they give you one free cable card , another is only like $3 a month

[xxcorpxx @ Dec 8th 2007 8:10AM]

I hope this will work with Verizon FIOS TV. I have been waiting for this type of card for a while. Think i will run over to ATI now and read up on that card. My Dell Precision T3400 has dual PCI Express slots, and one of them is empty and oh so wiating to be filled with some TV tuning goodness.

[Chris @ Dec 8th 2007 9:21AM]

Yes, it will work with FIOS. FIOS is QAM, IP is only used for on demand. Media Center and/or TiVo HD will both work fine with FIOS.

[Joe Maki @ Dec 8th 2007 12:48PM]

The only ATI digital cable tuners I've seen so far are external units.

[Chris @ Dec 8th 2007 1:31PM]

No, there are internal cards too. An external one is just an internal in a separate casing.

[Naveed @ Dec 8th 2007 1:47PM]

you cant buy this card seperately. It only comes with pre-built systems from large OEMs. Nobody has hacked them to work with other computers. coompatibility and encryption is embeded in the type of windows and bios if i remember right.

HOwever this price is amazing. I just built a custom rig and i would have gave this system serious thought if it was out at the time. are XPS systems overclockable? (my q6600 is very very stable at 3.15gh on air)

[Chris @ Dec 8th 2007 2:17PM]

You can buy the tuner from SonyStyle.com. But yes, it will only work with a PC with the correct BIOS and product keys.

[Jonathan Wilson @ Dec 8th 2007 8:25AM]

Oh and no, it wont work with Verizon FIOS TV since they are totally incompatible protocols.

[Ben @ Dec 8th 2007 9:45AM]

You are incorrect. As Chris stated FiOS uses QAM just like every other cable co' so any CableCARD device will work. If you don't believe me head over to TiVo Community and follow all the CableCARD TiVos on FiOS threads.

[thecatt @ Dec 8th 2007 8:26AM]

Awesome. Since I can't build my own, I've been waiting for a via, expandable, non-Tivo solution to HDTV recording (since I got an HDTV two weeks ago). This plus an XBox 360 for streaming looks like an awesome pair.

[DoctaDJones @ Dec 8th 2007 9:43AM]

Wait, a CableCARD MediaPC that isn't ridiculously over priced? I don't believe it.

How about Dell sells me just the motherboard with that mysterious CableLabs "enabled" BIOS. Or at least a ~$500 version that I can rip apart.

[kastonie @ Dec 8th 2007 9:52AM]

I was gonna buy a dell420, but then i got high...
I was gonna hit up cable card support, but then i got high.....
(you guys finish this off)

[Robert V @ Dec 8th 2007 2:27PM]

Seriously though.... I have kinda given up on cablecard for the time being. I'm just not interested until someone finds a way for me to build my own system and not have to buy an OEM'd hunk-O-junk.

For me, I am just gonna stick with my MCE 2005s and HD homeruns. Sure, I can't do HD premiums and a few other things but at least I am not leasing a damn thing from my cable CO and I still get more channels than I really need to watch.

I really think that Cable Card V1 will NEVER see widespread adoption but was a necessary step towards SDV / Cable Card V2 systems. I'm waiting for Bi-directional cable cards and (hopefully) the openness/flexibility they will offer.

[matt @ Dec 8th 2007 2:28PM]

does it pack those bowls too?

[Brian @ Dec 8th 2007 9:47PM]

but....does it play doom?

[711 @ Dec 9th 2007 9:03AM]

I hate you.

[palehorse @ Dec 10th 2007 12:03PM]

Fvck CableLabs.

period.

[Oscar Kafati @ Dec 14th 2007 9:02PM]

Despite what Dell tells you the ATI Digital Cable tuner with cablecard support is EXTERNAL. I made the mistake of buying a 420 but I'm returning it.