InfoWorld has a few more details on yesterday’s Microsoft/CableLabs announcement that CableCARD is coming to Media Center PCs in 2006:
Between now and next December, Microsoft and CableLabs will work with hardware vendors such as Dell Inc., Gateway Inc. and Toshiba Corp. to make sure their Windows Media Center PCs and notebooks support the hardware specifications for CableCARD modules equipped with Windows DRM. Once the computers are certified by CableLabs and are shipping, Windows Media Center PC users can get cards from their digital cable providers that plug directly into their computers that give them direct access to whatever cable programming they purchase.
Does this mean that CableCARD-ready Media Center PCs will only be available from name-brand PC makers? If so, this is an unwelcome step backwards. The best news of last year was Microsoft’s move to make OEM copies of its Media Center software available to enthusiasts rather than forcing them to buy pricey name-brand systems.
The ideal solution will allow users on any Windows PC (assuming it meets the Media Center specs) to upgrade to Windows Vista, add a compatible TV tuner and CableCARD decoder. Expect screams of anguish if people buying high-powered PCs in the next year discover that there’s no CableCARD ugprade path.
Looks like once again the average consumer gets the screw job by MS and their all too cozy relationship with Hollywood. Instead of cable card MS should be working on the firewire solution (firewire is mandated on STB’s in the US). If nothing else MS should have clear QAM in MCE.
All this DRM stuff is gonna come back in bite them in the ass. Hmmmm, wonder if Steve Jobs is working on Firewire for his Front row software. Instant HD without even adding a TV tuner to the box. Just my 2cents.
We’ve had this discussion already on eHomeUpgrade back in July when first details started coming out about Windows Vista’s need for protected software/hardware to operate optimally (note: some info has changed since then). Bottom line: Either consumers will have to buy their PCs directly from OEMs if they want 100% of all the functionality promised (next gen-DVD support, AACS managed copies, HDCP streaming, Protected Video Path for HD video playback, [Now] CableCARD, etc.), or they can upgrade their current system to Vista, but they will not have access to Vista’s advanced features unless Microsoft provides/allows hardware manufactures to sell “certified” trustworthy PC components (and I definitely mean that in a plural sense) to the general public.
Alexander: FUD. Microsoft doesn’t control the sale of hardware, no reason to wait for them to “allow” NVIDIA to sell a graphics card to the general public. Hardware manufacturers will be able to sell their products as they do today. Everything else that is “special” is added via drivers and other software interfaces with the card. No different from graphics cards today supporting CGMS-A or Macrovision (which is suggested, if not required for official Media Center support) No Linux drivers add CGMS-A or Macrovision support, yet the hardware supports it as do the Media Center drivers. That hardware, still works in Linux too. This is exactly how other hardware will work supporting Vista-based protection methods.
Chris Lanier
I’m not stating anything different than what your saying, but some type of MS certified hardware (or in your example, hardware that can accept drivers designed to support Vista’s protected environment) would need to be released in order for the system to work at 100%. You agree on that don’t you?
And and at 100%, I mean ALL the advanced features — next-gen DVD support, AACS managed copies, HDCP streaming, Protected Video Path for HD video playback, [Now] CableCARD, etc. You’ve stated similar things in the past on your own site, so spare me the FUD.
Chris, one last thing… if it’s as simple as you say as vendors just needing to add drivers that will support the system, why are there so few compatible MCE TV tuner cards? My point is you can’t just use generic hardware, you have to use hardware that is designed to work with Vista’s protected environment (of course they can still be designed to work with any OS, if the company so chooses).
Alexander, as I have said before and as my statements above imply, you will need hardware that supports the new technolgies to take advantage some many (if not all) of these new features. I’m not exactly sure why your telling me to stop spreading FUD, I’m not saying anything that would cause thoughts of fear, uncertainty and doubt. I’m saying that you will be able to buy the hardware without buying a machine pre-built from a large OEM (exact opposite of FUD, as people will be able to purchase the hardware (gfx, sound, etc) unlike you are saying, which is spreading FUD that people will have to buy a new PC to get the hardware)
Again, I’m not aruging that new hardware will be needed, and about your TV tuner point that’s because they need hardware MPEG-2 encoders. You can’t enable that via drivers, it’s a specific tuner aspect of the card.
Chris Lanier
Sorry for not being clear, I meant spare me the FUD label in your opening comment. And I never said you would need a new PC to run Vista, so I would appreciate if you wouldn’t twist my words. Thank you.
LOL. I said “unlike you are saying, which is spreading FUD that people will have to buy a new PC to get the hardware”. Nothing about a new PC to run to run Vista, new PC to get the hardware. Don’t twist someones words now….
The only thing that I worry about is
A) requiring a trusted computing module on the mainboard for something like this
and
B) If the cable card adapter (yes I know technically it’s jsut a pcmcia card) does infact get tied into being provided only in a pre-built vendor computer.
I agree with chris that many of the things that worry people so much about vista can be easily taken care of by driver updates.
I’m sure some matrox fans or S3 guys may be left in the lurch crying why their video cards don’t support HDCP. But all the big players will have drivers that are full featured. It’s not like nvidia or ATI is gonna say vista bleh.
One step forward two steps back?
The problem here is Hollywood and the MPAA, blame the right people. If it were not for them do you think it would have taken this long to get CableCard support in Media Center? MS doesn’t care about protecting hollywood, they care about protecting themselves from law suits, and they are going to alot of work to get a viable option for recording HD into a PC, and competing with the cable companies devices. If it starts out only on OEM boxes to get it past the MPAA I’m at least glad we’re moving forward. Once that happens it won’t be long until you can just go buy the card… look at the Media Center now… it started OEM for similar reasons…
Why Clear QAM Tuner. It is worthless. Check with your cable compnay. They have already started scrambling their signal to avoid compatibility with the QAM Tuner. They found with this tuner their customers were able to get everything with only paying for basic services. My market is Comcast and i work with the Engineering Department. That is my Source. An universal media slot, I.E CableCard is the solution. As long as everyone can agree on singular platform of use. Just like we can use a credit card anywhere in the world. Unfortunately and reluctantly should we believe or want the government to mandate like they did for HDTV? The battle goes on.
I can’t even chat with my Provider without some “JAVA” and do not see Java for this stupid Windows Media Center that came pre-installed on this almost new computer. I am skittish about revoving something FIRST–I know NOTHNG about removing stuff, then installing. I am LOST. Please HELP. I need to Chat with my provider so I can get HTML. Thanks
Jean, Java has nothing to do with Media Center, and you don’t need it to get HTML. I’m sorry, but this is a comments section, not a support forum. Why don’t you pick up the phone and call your cable company’s support number?