Chris - Moderator:

How is it not a software problem?  Tuner firmware doesn't fix much.  Media Center still has to tell the tuner what to tune.

Like I said before, it is entirely possible that the device is simply detected by Windows as a USB NIC, and a firmware update in the DCT instructs it to find the TA via UPNP. Then when Windows sends a channel change cmd to the DTC, it would then send the command to the TA.

Of course I don't know that it'll work this way, but it's silly to pretent that it couldn't.

Either way, I believe MS keeps tight reigns on this type of thing so any way you slice it they'll be in the mix.

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Ben
How good can it be, if it isn't HD?
Engadget HD

If it isn't in the specs I don't see it happening.  But hey, aren't we getting a second Media Center update this year?  Most likely in that. 

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

Chris - Moderator:

If it isn't in the specs I don't see it happening.  But hey, aren't we getting a second Media Center update this year?  Most likely in that. 

Haha, yeah we're on the same page with that one now, we'll all just have to wait until 2010 to get any new features.

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Ben
How good can it be, if it isn't HD?
Engadget HD

bjdraw:

Chris - Moderator:

If it isn't in the specs I don't see it happening.  But hey, aren't we getting a second Media Center update this year?  Most likely in that. 

Haha, yeah we're on the same page with that one now, we'll all just have to wait until 2010 to get any new features.

By that time, CableLabs should have the BOCR Spec halfway finished.

jelinback:

bjdraw:

Chris - Moderator:

If it isn't in the specs I don't see it happening.  But hey, aren't we getting a second Media Center update this year?  Most likely in that. 

Haha, yeah we're on the same page with that one now, we'll all just have to wait until 2010 to get any new features.

By that time, CableLabs should have the BOCR Spec halfway finished.

And by that time, all of us Cable card users will have only 1 channel left to watch in HD because everything moved over SDV....and it's the only channel you would never watch.

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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)

The good thing about SDV is that MSOs have little reason to move "everything" to swtiched.  It is more likely that they add new content and special interest packages to the switched tier.  Now the downside there is that many MSOs are still behind on HD channels so they might end up just sticking basic HD channels on the switched tier.

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Chris Lanier
The Green Button Forum Moderator

Chris - Moderator:

The good thing about SDV is that MSOs have little reason to move "everything" to swtiched.  It is more likely that they add new content and special interest packages to the switched tier.  Now the downside there is that many MSOs are still behind on HD channels so they might end up just sticking basic HD channels on the switched tier.

Yea, My area sticks for cable, but, only thinking about going because I can get some HD channels. They only have 7 or 8 besides locals and On Demand.

I'd hate to spend $1500 to get into this cable card thing, just to see new channels come but because they are SDV only I wont be able to view them but, I am paying the same price.

I hope Microsoft keeps that in mind when they are doing something like this, as people are going to get "stiffed" on programing because of the lack of support.

time will tell....

---

-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)

DavidinCT:

Chris - Moderator:

The good thing about SDV is that MSOs have little reason to move "everything" to swtiched.  It is more likely that they add new content and special interest packages to the switched tier.  Now the downside there is that many MSOs are still behind on HD channels so they might end up just sticking basic HD channels on the switched tier.

Yea, My area sticks for cable, but, only thinking about going because I can get some HD channels. They only have 7 or 8 besides locals and On Demand.

I'd hate to spend $1500 to get into this cable card thing, just to see new channels come but because they are SDV only I wont be able to view them but, I am paying the same price.

I hope Microsoft keeps that in mind when they are doing something like this, as people are going to get "stiffed" on programing because of the lack of support.

time will tell....

Honestly, seeing the crap TV tries to peddle off as "entertainment", I question if we aren't getting stiffed already.

jelinback:

DavidinCT:

Chris - Moderator:

The good thing about SDV is that MSOs have little reason to move "everything" to swtiched.  It is more likely that they add new content and special interest packages to the switched tier.  Now the downside there is that many MSOs are still behind on HD channels so they might end up just sticking basic HD channels on the switched tier.

Yea, My area sticks for cable, but, only thinking about going because I can get some HD channels. They only have 7 or 8 besides locals and On Demand.

I'd hate to spend $1500 to get into this cable card thing, just to see new channels come but because they are SDV only I wont be able to view them but, I am paying the same price.

I hope Microsoft keeps that in mind when they are doing something like this, as people are going to get "stiffed" on programing because of the lack of support.

time will tell....

Honestly, seeing the crap TV tries to peddle off as "entertainment", I question if we aren't getting stiffed already.

yea, I agree but, that is for a whole different chat....

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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)

 

Charlie from Microsoft posted something about this in the general vista area, Of course the thread is locked and this site (as I have said a handful of times), does not use stickys, some people might not of seen it....

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/290393.aspx

CharlieN_MSFT:

As most participants of the Green Button know, Switched Digital Video (SDV) is an issue affecting our digital cable customers and products.  SDV is a bandwidth-saving technology that allows cable providers to "switch out" content when no one is watching; allowing those cable providers to gain more bandwidth for higher-demand content.  SDV requires a bidirectional communication between the receiver and the cable network, thus unidirectional receivers such as Windows Media Center Digital Cable Tuners (also referred to as OCUR) or CableCARD TVs are not able to receive SDV content.

In order to support unidirectional receivers CableLabs has developed an SDV Tuning Adaptor which enables unidirectional devices with USB ports and appropriate software/firmware updates to provide the bidirectional communication with the cable network, allowing customers to receive SDV content.  This adaptor will be provided by cable operators to their customers.  Without the tuning adaptor, current Unidirectional Digital Cable Receivers (UDCR) such as Media Center Digital Cable Tuners will still receive much of the popular CableCARD-enabled content they receive today.

SDV systems are now being rolled out in some areas of the country, with deployment in select cities.  Microsoft recognizes the impact of this technology on our customers and partners.  We are working to enable support for the CableLabs SDV Tuning Adaptor for Windows Media Center Digital Cable Tuners, ensuring that Windows Media Center users will be able to access switched content.

While we have no further details at this time, we will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

---

Charlie Nilsson, Program Manager
Microsoft eHome Division
NetOps TV, Windows Media Center

At least they are working on it....

 

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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)

DavidinCT:

 

Charlie from Microsoft posted something about this in the general vista area, Of course the thread is locked and this site (as I have said a handful of times), does not use stickys, some people might not of seen it....

http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/290393.aspx

CharlieN_MSFT:

As most participants of the Green Button know, Switched Digital Video (SDV) is an issue affecting our digital cable customers and products.  SDV is a bandwidth-saving technology that allows cable providers to "switch out" content when no one is watching; allowing those cable providers to gain more bandwidth for higher-demand content.  SDV requires a bidirectional communication between the receiver and the cable network, thus unidirectional receivers such as Windows Media Center Digital Cable Tuners (also referred to as OCUR) or CableCARD TVs are not able to receive SDV content.

In order to support unidirectional receivers CableLabs has developed an SDV Tuning Adaptor which enables unidirectional devices with USB ports and appropriate software/firmware updates to provide the bidirectional communication with the cable network, allowing customers to receive SDV content.  This adaptor will be provided by cable operators to their customers.  Without the tuning adaptor, current Unidirectional Digital Cable Receivers (UDCR) such as Media Center Digital Cable Tuners will still receive much of the popular CableCARD-enabled content they receive today.

SDV systems are now being rolled out in some areas of the country, with deployment in select cities.  Microsoft recognizes the impact of this technology on our customers and partners.  We are working to enable support for the CableLabs SDV Tuning Adaptor for Windows Media Center Digital Cable Tuners, ensuring that Windows Media Center users will be able to access switched content.

While we have no further details at this time, we will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

---

Charlie Nilsson, Program Manager
Microsoft eHome Division
NetOps TV, Windows Media Center

At least they are working on it....

 

After the TV Pack fiasco, anybody even considering buying a new CableCard PC is a fool. I will be very surprised if, even when a solution to SDV is developed, it will apply to existing users. $10 per month for a DVR (which now comes with Tivo in many markets) from the cable company is what a smart consumer who wants premium channels should consider. Spend $$$ on that CableCard PC now and be sure to cry later when your screen remains dark.  

Charlie said, "In order to support unidirectional receivers CableLabs has developed an SDV Tuning Adaptor which enables unidirectional devices with USB ports and appropriate software/firmware updates to provide the bidirectional communication with the cable network, allowing customers to receive SDV content."

Since when did CableLabs do anything but write a spec? It certainly hasn't developed anything. Should the eHome Program Manager not be accurate?

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dnr
edelan

I know this won't be of much help, but... I use a TiVo HD for my cable channel recordings. TiVo keeps up with the current cable hardware changes. A "tuning resolver" is available (or will be shortly) for those units on SDV systems. Not 3 years from now!

I use my media center PCs for recording OTA HDTV and analog cable (while that lasts).

al74:

After the TV Pack fiasco, anybody even considering buying a new CableCard PC is a fool. I will be very surprised if, even when a solution to SDV is developed, it will apply to existing users. $10 per month for a DVR (which now comes with Tivo in many markets) from the cable company is what a smart consumer who wants premium channels should consider. Spend $$$ on that CableCard PC now and be sure to cry later when your screen remains dark.  

Depends on what your after. If your looking for Just a PVR, then you should get just a cable box for $10-15 a month and be done with it.

I like my Media Center system, I like the features and everything else with it and many things I could not even possably do with a Cable box or Tivo. Right now, I want HD content, the only way to get the most content is to go cable cards. If Microsoft is stating they are working on it, I feel, in time, there will be something to resolve this issue. I can not see them stiffing customers with this issue. The sad part is, I feel this will be a band-aid to the problem, when Windows 7 comes out, the ATI tuners will need to be replaced for True SDV programming (on-demand, etc).

Are you saying I'm a fool because of this ?

thewarm:

I know this won't be of much help, but... I use a TiVo HD for my cable channel recordings. TiVo keeps up with the current cable hardware changes. A "tuning resolver" is available (or will be shortly) for those units on SDV systems. Not 3 years from now!

I use my media center PCs for recording OTA HDTV and analog cable (while that lasts).

Well, according to what I have read on other sites, what Microsoft has said and others on this site (some Mods here), it's not available yet.  Sure, it will work with the Tivo, because it was designed with Tivos in mind, not Media Centers.

As for Microsoft being 3 years behind.....Look at my other posts, I agree...

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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)

DavidinCT:

Depends on what your after. If your looking for Just a PVR, then you should get just a cable box for $10-15 a month and be done with it.

I like my Media Center system, I like the features and everything else with it and many things I could not even possably do with a Cable box or Tivo. 

Then use your existing VMC or a cheap $300 machine to complement the cable box DVR. It's not ideal but better than spending $1,500 for a product that may become useless a year from now.

DavidinCT:

Are you saying I'm a fool because of this ?

If you have the money and willing to take the risk that it gos down the drain then no, you are not a fool.
If you are spending your hard earned money under the assumption that MSFT will take care of you then yes. Considering MSFT's decisions in the last couple of months, I don't see how you can expect that any updates or solutions be available to existing users. I believe that the solution for SDV, if comes in time, will be available to new machines only.