Want to record a high-definition show on that big screen and share it throughout your house? You can do that with a CableCard (right) that fits into a CableLabs certified Microsoft Vista Media Center.
Sure, the computer card–sized CableCards that are supposed to fit into the backs of some TVs and replace the dreaded cable box have taken a beating. After all, the present generation is one-way, meaning you sacrifice interactive services such as pay-per-view and video-on-demand. But high-definition CableCards are becoming readily available—and they can be used in a digitally networked home to provide a rich set of home media and control experiences.
Today, these cards can be inserted into CableCard- (or digital cable-) ready HDTVs, Series3 TiVos and even some of the Microsoft Vista Media Center computers (those that have been certified by CableLabs and from companies such as Dell, Sony and Niveus Media). Inserting this card into an HDTV is the easiest installation. It will cost you only about $2 a month, but you can’t enjoy the benefits of an HD recording experience. You can put two CableCards into the new $700 TiVo Series3, but that won’t allow you to share your high-definition recordings with other TVs in your home. Put up to two CableCards in a certified Microsoft Vista platform, however, and you’ll have the ability to record HD television and route that to up to five TVs connected to the Xbox Media Center Extender platform. Depending on the setup, this will cost anywhere from $1,500 to $4,000.
Although the CableCard is one-way, when it’s installed in a Vista Media Center computer that is on a high-speed Internet connection, you can access web-based pay-per-view or video-on-demand services. The Online Spotlight tab of the Vista Media Center provides a number of these interactive video services.
Another real benefit of the Vista solution is that you can now use the same interface that controls your TV to enjoy other media. The Media Center allows you to navigate from viewing your TV to viewing your photos, your music, and your personal videos.
And with a number of new hardware and software peripherals from companies like HAI, Exceptional Innovation, Superna and others, you can add home control to your TV’s Media Center navigation bar. This allows you to adjust your home thermostat from your TV screen—and with the same graphical interface.
This is the same approach that Apple is deploying by extending its music and video iTunes library into the living room with Front Row software controlled by Apple TV. What is missing, however, is the ability to provide TV tuning and recording capabilities, sharing this recorded content with other TVs and home control.
Time will tell who will be the dominant player in this area. Microsoft currently has a lead with its Vista Media Center, the addition of CableCard tuning and recording functionality, and its third-party home control extensions. But Apple’s Front Row control screen may compete with Microsoft Media Center’s portal. (And could the iPhone be a future home remote control?) The next step may be a CableLabs-certified Apple Computer offering the same high-def recording now available in certified Vista computers. Stay tuned to see who wins.
No such thing as an “HD” cable card. Also, all cable cards are two-way. The host devices have limited them to one-way communication.
How about the Tivo HD box that takes cable cards and records HD for $300. Can’t you buy 3 of those and network them for less than the $1500 low end price mentioned?
I wonder if the author got a free HTPC for writing this article?
Mike - you are correct. There are plenty of TVs out there that have high-def recording capabilities.
Talk about misinformation. . .you bet I can slap a cablecard in my tv and record in HD. I was a smart buyer and bought an HDTV that has both a cablecard slot AND a hard drive/dvr function!! And yes, I can also share a Tivo S3 throughout the house IF I have a whole-house a/v distribution system (which I do). It’s one thing to push Vista and the Xbox media center extender platform in your article, it’s another to misstate facts and say that other solutions aren’t possible when in fact they are. I’ve been reading many “slanted” articles with misstatements from you guys too much recently. C’mon, get your facts straight.
Name:
Email:
Remember my personal information
Notify me of follow-up comments?
Please answer the question below:
Type the first letter of the word "stereo":
Electronic House is now available in a digital edition. Learn more.
I have been trying for two days now to subnit my entry and it’s not letting… 
Stay up-to-date with home electronics. 
Weekly email offers tips, info and product news.
Get the content that's important to you.
I agree with the above comments but also have more. Why isn’t the cable industry held accountable for the pathetic reputation (as mentioned in the original article) of cable cards? After all, they invented them and control the specs on them! For example, Time Warner won’t allow customers to install cable cards so it requires a service call (at least in my area). The first installer tried 5 cards in my Tivo unit - none of them worked (and he blamed the Tivo unit). I insisted they bring someone else with “new” cards (the other 5 cards had clearly been used) and they did and the new cards worked. However, the second installer blamed Tivo for the poor operation of the cable cards - go figure.