Floppyhead – Digital Media and Streaming

Sometimes I feels as if this blog has become a CableCARD blog. It is the most interesting topic regarding home theater computers though. Continuing with that trend, here is more info on CableCARDS:

Anandtech has an extensive article about installing and using a Dell XPS 410 with a Digital Cable Tuner. It is a worthwhile read and reinforces the point that CableCARDs are not quite ready for the mass market. I thought the following quote sums up the installation process, which took two days and involved Time Warner, Dell, AMD, and Microsoft:

Removing the surge suppressor and isolating the coax lines that went directly to the tuners helped a bit, and we could almost watch digital cable normally now. At the end of the entire ordeal, the senior TWC representative that was with us turned to us and asked us what this system could do. We explained, to which he responded with the most priceless of facial expressions. It was an expression that needed no explanation; his reaction asked the question “why on earth would you go through this when you can just rent an HD-DVR from us for $9 a month?”

Here are some tidbits I gleamed from the article:

• Microsoft is responsible for writing the drivers for the Digital Cable Tuner, which is a good thing
• Xbox 360, as a media extender, causes a slight lag in channel changing
• Recorded digital programs are 5 GB per hour of TV and cannot be reduced in file size
• AMD is currently not shipping any more tuners until certain bugs are fixed and approved

Overall, it looks like Digital Cable Tuners need more polishing, which is surprising considering the product has been in the works for years. Hopefully the kinks will get worked out of the installation process.  In theory, the install should be easy, as illustrated in this article from Windows Vista Magazine.