Very interesting read on ATI's upcoming cablecard ready tuner

[Hulk]

http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2959

I think it's pretty obvious the cable companies are fighting this tooth and nail. Even though they are required by law to have them available for customers the $42.95 "installation fee" is ridiculous. Also there seems to be numerous snags in the system.

And I think the cable guy's comment about "why would anyone want to do this when you can rent the DVR for $9 a month" shows you where they are.

The cable companies want to bleed every last cent out of us. I really despise them.

[Dr Mordrid]

Most people can already digitize off cable/satellite using the boxes aux outputs and an analog capture card. If you want digital I/O then Canopus's boxes/cards can turn the boxes output to IEEE-1394 DV.

And that's just the tip of the options iceberg.

[Hulk]

I see what you are saying Doc but I'd like to set up a HTPC without the cable company box and I'd need a cablecard and this ATI tuner or something similar to tune my pay cable HD channels.

[Jerry Jones]

I gave up on cable years ago and I haven't missed it one bit.

Based on the incredible "hassle factor" described in the article, I have absolutely no interest in cable.

I'm quite content to pull digital programs off-air using a QAM tuner such as the model I bought from DVICO:

http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/HDTV5usb.aspx

It's inexpensive and easy to install.

Works great on standard Microsoft Windows XP Home, too.

Simple.

I like simple.

Jerry Jones

http://www.jonesgroup.net