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Verizon FiOS Simulcrypt rollout will break most CableCARD tuners
There comes a time in any electronic gadget's life when it becomes useless and although it's inevitable, the length of the useful lifespan can vary greatly. In recent years firmware updates have really helped extend the life of devices, but when the manufacturer has no financial incentive to support older products, it can mean a premature end (at least from the customer's perspective). Well after three years that time has apparently come for FiOS TV subscribers who own ATI Digital Cable Tuners (and many other CableCARD devices). Now before you get too up in arms about this, it isn't really Verizon's fault, you see said company wants to be able to use Cisco and Motorola devices in the same area and this means it needs a tech called Simulcrypt. This is good for most customers as it will likely bring better prices and selection. And although this is a CableLabs certified technology, a firmware update is required to ensure the device handles the encryption properly. So while a company like Ceton or TiVo has already released updates for its devices, ATI and other TV manufactures have long since given up on the CableCARD market, and hence, supporting any legacy devices. The only good news is that you now have the perfect excuse to justify replacing your obsolete device. Don't like this option? Well you can get a FiOS DVR (with it's 2002 circa 160GB HDD) or just file a complaint to the FCC -- this won't do much, but might make you feel better. [Thanks, Scott!]
Are CableCARD tuners for Media Center sold out everywhere?
It figures that Microsoft would finally give DIY Windows Media Center users the ability to add a Digital Cable Tuner with CableCARD to their PC and now the devices are no where to be found. Since these devices were never actually available to the public, they've always been a little hard to come by, but we have seen 'em for sale from Dell as well as from Cannon PC and even on Sony's site. This entire situation only makes us even more sure that ATI's days in the Digital Cable Tuner business are numbered. What we mean is that there is no doubt that ATI knew this was coming to Windows 7 long before we did, so any company who actually wanted to sell something would have actually had them available at retail by now. One thing is for sure, there is a pent up demand for CableCARD tuners in the Media Center community and a more affordable, more available, option can't get here soon enough. While we wait for the 1st quarter of 2010 to come, you can pay through the nose for one on eBay in the meantime.
Microsoft officially delays Digital Cable Tuner firmware and Advisor Utility
Ever since CEDIA Windows Media Center enthusiasts have been anxiously awaiting the announced firmware update for the ATI Digital Cable Tuner and the Advisor Utility. While the firmware will finally relax the DRM on recording made with the Digital Cable Tuner and enable support for Tuning Adapters, the Advisor Utility will make it so anyone can add a Digital Cable to Tuner to their Windows 7 PC. Although a hard release date was never announced for either of these, it was fully expected that both would be available at the same time as Windows 7. Now Microsoft has posted over at The Green Button letting us know that we can stop checking as neither will be released today. To add insult to injury no new date was given, only that it would be available as soon as possible. So yeah, big time bummer for Media Center fans.
Curious about SDV and Copy Freely support in Windows 7 Media Center?
Look here, bub. Do you own an ATI Digital Cable Tuner? Has your Windows Media Center PC been waiting for a firmware update, since like, forever ago? If so, you should already know that SDV and Copy Freely support has been added to Windows 7 Media Center, which is the software coding equivalent of all of your dreams coming true. Of course, getting used to all this new functionality is a daunting task, but that's why Engadget HD is breaking things down to make it fit for digestion. Ready to get schooled? Well, head on over!
A first hand look at SDV and Copy Freely support in Windows 7 Media Center
If you have a ATI Digital Cable Tuner connected to your Windows Media Center then you've been waiting a long time for a firmware update. In fact, although updates were released fairly steadily during the first year of the product's life, the last update (1.17.1) was dated April 30th 2008. But this long delay has been particularly painful because this is the first update since CableLabs relaxed the DRM requirements last Summer -- it's also the very same update Microsoft has been touting since CEDIA 2008. So what took so long? We'd like to know, but one thing is for sure, CableLabs sure took its time in the approval process as the date on the firmware is May 1st 2009! Better late then never, so while you wait for the public release click through to find out what all the fuss is about.
Hauppauge to expand its offerings to include a CableCARD tuner
The tuner company that we never seem to be able to pronounce correctly is planning on adding a digital cable tuner with CableCARD to its lineup. No word on price or availability but the initial seemly over ambitions timeframe was this year. Our friends at Geek Tonic were able to confirm the the company's plans for the new tuner, but also learned that there is little hope that the new device will make it to market before the Ceton tuner, and in fact the actual release is still undeterminable. The good news is that there will be some competition in the PC digital cable tuner market which is always a good thing, in fact at this point we wouldn't be surprised if Avermedia was the next to throw its hat into the mix. [Via GeekTonic]
Windows Media Center is set to thrill at CEDIA 2009 next month
Everyone likes to try and predict the future and with the Custom Electronic Design & Installation (CEDIA) show only a month away, the crew at Engadget HD threw all of their crazy ideas out there for your reading pleasure. For the most part all of the predictions are around Windows Media Center and how it will integrate with other products like the Zune HD, Digital Cable and HD satellite services, but there are some other fun things throw in. We really believe that this is going to be the year that Redmond brings everything together, so if you're the type who doesn't think it'll ever happen, then click through to find out why we think you're wrong. Either way, you can expect we'll be on the scene in Atlanta to check out what's new first hand.
CEDIA 2009 Windows Media Center predictions
With the Custom Electronic Design & Installation show in Atlanta only a month away, we thought it'd be fun to try and predict the future by laying out our expectations for Windows Media Center. The way we see it, CEDIA is the perfect launching pad for Windows 7 Media Center. For starters it is just over a month before the official release of the OS, but more so because Microsoft has used the venue in the past to announce new Media Center features. We really believe that this is going to be the year that Redmond brings everything together, so if you're the type who doesn't think it'll ever happen, then click through to find out why we think you're wrong.
How to install a CableCARD tuner in your DIY Media Center
Access to premium HD on computers has eluded most for way to long, so as soon as we heard that it was finally possible for anyone to add a CableCARD tuner to just about any Media Center, we just knew we had to try it for ourselves, and more importantly, share with you exactly how to do it. This doesn't really require any hacking, or anything illegal for that matter -- we're not lawyers -- but it isn't cheap. The internal version of the ATI Digital Cable Tuner pictured above can be found new on eBay for about $195, or new from PC vendors like Cannon PC for just under $300. If that doesn't seem like a bad deal to you and you already have an HTPC up to the challenge, then you should join us on our journey to HD bliss by clicking through.
New utility makes any computer's BIOS CableCARD ready
After learning that some were having success adding ATI Digital Cable Tuners to HTPC they built themselves, we knew it was only a matter of time before it would be possible to make it work on any computer, but we have to admit we never thought it would happen this fast. The Green Button forum member DanITman posted some directions and links to everything you need to make ANY Vista or Windows 7 computer support digital cable. The hack is very simple actually, it just uses a modified version of VistaLoader to emulate a Sony OCUR compliant computer's BIOS. The real beauty is that it can easily be installed or uninstalled and if Microsoft were to black list the Sony BIOS, emulating a different BIOS would be trivial. The only potentially unworkable caveat at this point is if you are using an Dell OEM Windows PC using the OEM key, this will break your activation, but hopefully a solution for that will be discovered shortly as well.
Tuning Adapters coming to Windows 7 Media Center?
Media Center fans with ATI digital cable tuners that use CableCARDs have felt pretty left out recently as all the TiVo owners have been getting their hands on Tuning Adapters, and thus access to all the SDV delivered HD channels they pay for. Well it appears there may be some good news on the horizon. We were listening to one of our favorite podcasts -- no not that one, or that one or even our own -- by Derek Flickinger who is a foremost expert on everything Media Center, and at about exactly the 40:00 mark he let a little bit of inside information slip that we've been waiting for. According to DrFlick, the next version of the ATI Digital Cable Tuner's firmware-- the same one that is supposed to reduce the DRM -- will enable support for the Tuning Adapter (all though he actually called them by their old name, "Tuning Resolver") in Windows 7 Media Center. Once upon a time there was a little debate as to whether these devices would even work with OCURs, but now it seems that it just a matter of time.
CableCARD recordings and Blu-ray play at full resolution over analog outputs
Yes we know this is not news, but you'd think it was based on the various stories around the web like this one from Yahoo Tech. We don't mean to pick on this one specifically because honestly it is a very common mistake -- although this particular article is way off as the newer Macs do support HDCP -- but as draconian as CableLabs and the AACS can be, the analog hole is still open. Now that doesn't mean these DRM requirements aren't crazy or that this protected path we always hear about is a joking matter, but it is all for naught when the HD signal hits the analog outputs -- the digital outputs do require HDCP though. This means you can watch any Blu-ray Disc or digital cable program recorded with an ATI Digital Cable Tuner at full 1080i via VGA or component -- Blu-ray Discs can be played back at 1080p via VGA but component doesn't support it. Now we're not trying to say this will always be the case, as both technologies support down-rezzing via analog outputs, but as it stands now these bits have never turned on. Now to the main point of this particular article, which is why Macs don't have a CableCARD option. Our best guess would be that Elgato doesn't want to pony up the $200k for the CableLabs certification process and honestly we don't blame 'em.
Comcast plans to go all digital in Portland
Slowly but surely providers all over the country are converting from analog to digital, but not necessarily because of the digital transition in a few months. The main motivation to providers is that by eliminating analog channels, it frees up a lot of bandwidth for other services including our personal favorite: HD channels. Comcast plans to have 20 percent of its footprint all-digital by the end of the year, and at this point it is focusing on the Portland area. The main part of the plan is to utilize Motorola digital terminal adapters (DCT) -- just like Verizon did when it went all digital on its FiOS service. The interesting thing to us is that the 40 or so channels available to those customers with a DCT, won't be encrypted, so you could just use the clear QAM tuner in your TV -- assuming it has one. These DCTs are pretty dumbed down boxes and are only one-way so that means no VOD etc. There seems to be some confusion as to whether the FCC allows providers to charge existing customers for these boxes, but even if there is a charge, it is usually only a couple of bucks.
Cannon PC starts offering internal CableCARD tuners for sale separately
If you're like some people we know - - yes Zatz, we're talking about you -- the idea of adding yet another box to your home theater setup isn't anywhere near consideration. Up until now, this meant that if you wanted to add an ATI Digital Cable Tuner to your Vista Media Center PC, you either had to hold your nose or spend the big bucks on one of the top tier OEMs that offered the internal version -- which is actually the same device sans a case, and yes it still connects via USB. Our friend Chris Lanier discovered today that Cannon PC started selling both the external and internal versions of the ATI TV Wonder DCT separately, so that finally those with CableCARD ready Vista Media Center PCs -- you know the OEM only ones -- can either add additional tuner, or opt to swap out the external variety for the internal type the takes less space, all for about $300 each. [Via The Digital Lifestyle]
Get your Vista CableCARD coverage
So last night Microsoft formally finally lifted the veil for Vista CableCARD reviewers; we've got some stuff up, so do be sure to check it out to get your fix of what amounts to being the most expensive DVR rig yet devised. We missing something? Let us know in our what do you want to know? post, alright?Installing a Vista CableCARD Media Center PC (part 1): Fiasco!Installing a Vista CableCARD Media Center PC (part 2): Perfecto!Vista CableCARD Media Center PCs - what do you want to know?
Vista CableCARD Media Center PCs - what do you want to know?
So now that at least one of us here at Engadget has a fully functional Vista CableCARD home theater rig, we're ready to take on your questions. This probably isn't the kind of thing that we can do an extensive review of -- it is, after all, just the same Vista Media Center you're already used to, except with CableCARD as the video input this time -- but we're happy to do our best to field whatever queries you've got. Post 'em in comments, we'll do our best to answer them after the break!
ATI stops shipping CableCARD tuners due to bugs, will resume soon
There are a lot of puzzled people out there wondering what the hell the holdup is with the CableCARD PCs that supposedly launched. We have, after all, been promised CableCARD media PCs since Vista's launch in January; a couple early units have made it into the hands of extreme early adopters, but where are all the rest? Well, we finally have some answers from a trusted source close to the situation: ATI's stopped shipping CableCARD tuners to OEMs, and put pressure on its partners to hold off on further sales until it can get some issues worked out. The unfortunate irony here is that the bugs holding untold numbers of potential users back are relatively minor, only affecting switching between digital and analog in a very small number of Scientific Atlanta networks -- in other words, definitely not a showstopper, just an inconvenience. ATI's apparently already got a firmware remedy for the issue and sent it off for certification weeks ago, but once CableLABS is involved you know things aren't going to be pretty (or expeditious). The good news is ATI is expected to resume shipping DCTs at the end of this month, meaning your wait -- which you recently resumed -- will once again be over for those who haven't already thrown their arms to the air and snagged a TiVo Series3.[Thanks, Keith]
Velocity Micro to ship CableCARD HTPCs next week?
Well, well, Mr. Velocity Micro Director of Product Development Chris Morley -- didn't think we read AVS Forum, did you? Well, maybe you did, we dunno, but we appreciate your letting us know that "Grand Theater systems look to be 100% and we're shipping [this] week. Pro Cinemas are a few days behind due to issues with Asus." Shipping full-on CableCARD-equipped HTPCs that soon huh? Good, because we can't fricking wait to start rocking some CableCARD HTPC action -- DRM and expensive tuners and delays and all. Let's get it on.[Thanks, Keith]
Velocity Micro to ship CableCARD HTPCs this week?
Well, well, Mr. Velocity Micro Director of Product Development Chris Morley -- didn't think we read AVS Forum, did you? Well, maybe you did, we dunno, but we appreciate your letting us know that "Grand Theater systems look to be 100% and we're shipping [this] week. Pro Cinemas are a few days behind due to issues with Asus." Shipping full-on CableCARD-equipped HTPCs that soon huh? Good, because we can't fricking wait to start rocking some CableCARD HTPC action -- DRM and expensive tuners and delays and all. Let's get it on.[Thanks, Keith]
Pictures of ATI's TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner
We wish we had 'em last night, but for the curious here you are: photos of ATI's new TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner box. It certainly looks after-market to us (please oh please let us roll our own Vista CableCARD boxes) but we have a feeling that's just a dream we're gonna have to keep on dreamin'. Click on for another shot.
