maybe I am missing something here after reading  a LOT of chatter.

as I read it - Dtv is comeing (or MS) out with a turner card ?   maybe ?

and - you run a cable to your dtv set top box and then to the tuner card ?

you will still have to use the set-top remote to change chanels.

if they are bypassing the set-top then u can pretty well figure its going to cost.

I have regular cable that goes into my pc thru a tuner card with its own remote

and it cranks out HD with no problems - has workd fabulous for the last 8 months.

I also have a satalite card in my pc that the cable from the dish hooks into it and

it also works fab.   Umm..   its  FTA  and not Dtv.

 So...  I guess I am asking - whats the big deal here.?

 

Basically, it'll probably be the easiest and best way to get most HD channels through Media Center. The Cablecard on PC has a lot of issues with people, because the tuners currently out don't support switched digital video channels, and this will probably be how most new HD channels will be broadcasted on cable networks. You also can't build your own system and use Cablecard, and have to have a special BIOS on the motherboard, from what I heard.  The DirecTV tuner box hooks directly to the computer and the dish, and it will be accessed through Media Center natively just like Cablecard.  Many hope that it is not limited to OEM's like Dell, HP, etc. but is also available for purchase by system builders.  This is probably where most of the excitement comes from, as DTV hasn't announced one way or the other yet.  If you're getting HD through you're cable box I can only assume you're using Firewire, as I know of no other way to get all HD channels from a cable box, and for me I only had 2 channels consistently work.  If it's connected directly from your wall to your PC you may be lucky enough to have your provider broadcasting in clear QAM, because for most people they would only receive the same OTA channels this way, not HD channels or even digital channels. Please feel free to correct me if I've made any mistakes.

 tedks: So...  "I guess I am asking - whats the big deal here.?"

This is a big deal here in the U.S. because there is no FTA satellite content available and most cable HD content is encrypted.  You can get local market stations in HD (ATSC) through an internal tuner card conneted to a VHF/UHF antenna, but outside of a few unsubstantiated testimonials, I don't know of anyone who is getting clear QAM HD content over their cable system.

The DTV solution is a tuner box.  It connects to the PC via USB2 or Ethernet (based on the pictures).  The VMC computer will be able to change channels and otherwise control it directly.

WRK

kingwr:

outside of a few unsubstantiated testimonials, I don't know of anyone who is getting clear QAM HD content over their cable system.

Sorry, but that's just flatly untrue. Tons of people here are using HDHRs for clear QAM HD. It's not a total solution (that would be CableCard or the DirecTV tuner), but it's something.

Back to the DirecTV solution: no one knows _for sure_ whether it will or will not require certified PCs like the CableCards.

Untrue is a harsh statement.  Let's say mistaken.  What I meant to say is that there has only been a few, unsubstantiated rumors of someone being able to obtain HD cable content (e.g. Discovery HD Theater, TNT HD, HDNet, HBO HD, etc. not local channels) from their cable system without the use of cablecard or firewire connection.  In other words, it is unusual for a cable company in the U.S. to offer conent (outside of locals) via clear QAM.  At least that is my observation of the situation having monitored this and other forums for a number of years.

WRK

For me, this could be a reason to switch from Cox cable to DirecTV.

I am not able to record HD content from Cox without a DCT and in my area SDV is only a few weeks off from rearing its head.

This solution would allow me to record the dozens of HD channels available through DirecTV.

This would be a more expensive approach for me though - increases my high speed internet costs by $10/month and I currently get my HD OTA, but for about $20/mo plus the cost of the setup I could record the latest HD channels.

In response to tedks

the tuner device will act as your stb, there won't be a need for another stb as it has a dual tuner... VMC will control the channel changes much like it does for analog cable without the need for ir blasters

Chris - Moderator:

abuttino:

However, DirecTV is gonna release this when they feel like releasing it.. It really has not much to do with MS at this point. They are going to get on point with h.264 and that's all they have to say.

You need to look at D* for the final.

I'm not sure why you think that, D* can't release it until Microsoft ships the next version of Media Center.  H.264 is far from the only thing needed, this whole tuner is based on the next release of Media Center.

Makes sense. Then does anyone know when MS will release the version of Media Center?   The DTV tuner would be the final piece in my HTPC puzzle.

 

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Origen AE S21T, Vista Premium, Gigabyte GA-965P-DS3, Intel E6600 Core 2 Duo, 4GB Ram, EVGA 8600GT, 320GB HD, 500GB HD, 2-Vistaview tuners, WS-73411 73" Mitsubishi rptv

In that quote, I feel the opposite way now. It's all up to MS now, they need to get "Fiji" out soon.

abuttino:

In that quote, I feel the opposite way now. It's all up to MS now, they need to get "Fiji" out soon.

Could not agree more, lets see, didn't Jessica annouce they were looking for beta testers for "fiji" last year around this time ?

I just hope they are getting closer and have this DTV addon out before the end of the year (say in a month or 2 ? PLEASE)....

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-Dave

MCP, MCSA, MCSE 2003
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Technologists
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Sales professionals

Home theater specialist (10+ years)

Are there any updates out there?  I guess I didn't get into the beta, but was hoping someone had a small hint as to the status.  I just ordered one of the DMA 2100 extenders at the discount price and really want to switch back to Vista soon so I can actually use it.

So far the beta hasn't even started.

im kinda a little pissed i didnt get in on it (i really would have loved to get in on it)....  assuming the process is over.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/29/did-you-get-invited-to-beta-test-directvs-media-center-tuner/

jagowar:

im kinda a little pissed i didnt get in on it (i really would have loved to get in on it)....  assuming the process is over.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/03/29/did-you-get-invited-to-beta-test-directvs-media-center-tuner/

Yep, join the crew, I wish I could of gotten into that one....boy, I tried...

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-Dave

MCP, MCSA, MCSE 2003
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Technologists
Windows Vista Connected Exp:Home Theater for Sales professionals

Home theater specialist (10+ years)

I managed to get in. I haven't seen anything about an NDA so I'll report what I can as it progresses.