What card do I need now to build a media center with win7 & Xfinity?

[FuzzyReets]

Is this even possible anymore considering everything is digital? Just want to know the cheapest way to get the following:

1. HD output.
2. Guide

I don't really even care about recording but that is probably a given with a system like this. Just want the guide and high def video output. Thanks.

[edDV]

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/TV-on-your-computer-Understanding-TV-...ners#section_3

Two levels:

NTSC/QAM tuner - gets the locals in HD
http://www.enduserblog.com/2009/11/in-the-clear-qam-that-is-with-windows-7.html

Cablecard Tuner - Required for encrypted HD channels
Google "cablecard tuner". Verify MCE support*.
Then call Comcast about cablecard availability in your town.

* read all the user reviews before you buy. Cablecard tech is still buggy.

[FuzzyReets]

Thanks for your response. I really want like 1-100 of my cable channels in HD, not just the local. Where do I get a cable card? Do I need another device to "hold" the cable card? Does comcast still charge me a monthly rate. Some research I've done tells me that they still are going to charge me like 8.50 for HD service to that card a month which pretty much negates the point of all this since a box is like 9 bucks a month. Thanks for your help.

[edDV]

Best to confirm that price with the cable company. It depends whether you already have an HD cable box, HD subscription plan or not.

You would need a Cablecard tuner like the SiliconDust.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HKIB6E/ref=asc_df_B004HKIB6E1841434?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&ta...SIN=B004HKIB6E
Advantage is this tuner lives on the network and the three internal tuners (with one cablecard) are available to all computers on the net. Next Gen HDTV sets will also be able to use these shared tuners in lieu of cable boxes.

Disadvantage vs. cable box is no VOD or interactive services. There is no return path.

PS: A second disadvantage vs cable box is no IEEE-1394 port for direct recording currently tuned channel.

[usually_quiet]

Is this even possible anymore considering everything is digital? Just want to know the cheapest way to get the following:

1. HD output.
2. Guide

I don't really even care about recording but that is probably a given with a system like this. Just want the guide and high def video output. Thanks.

I am considering that option myself, and have done some research. edDV is correct about the tuners. HD locals can be had via a digital tuner that supports clear QAM. Anything else HD requires a CableCARD tuner. I have not heard that Comcast is using switched digital video anywhere, so a CableCARD tuner is more likely to work well. (Most of the problem reports for CableCARD tuners are related to using them with the tuning adapters required for switched digital video. TiVo owners also report problems using tuning adapters, so it is not a PC-only issue.) If you want to network the CableCARD tuner, the ability to do that is built in to SiliconDust's tuners. Ceton's tuner does networking via software, which does not work quite as well.

Guide service for Windows 7's Media Center is provided by Microsoft. You should check first to see that your location is covered. Scanning and mapping clear QAM channels is a hands-on process with Windows Media Center and anything else I have tried. I'm not sure about whether scanning and channel-mapping is an automated process or a manual one when using CableCARD tuners.

Check with your local Comcast service center regarding price for an M-Card CableCARD and HD channels. Also, read this link if you decide to go with a CableCARD tuner: http://www.fcc.gov/guides/cablecard-know-your-rights

CableCARD tuners require your PC to pass the tests run by the Digital Cable Advisor program. CableCARD tuners require Windows 7's Media center. An HDCP compliant path for video output is also required, as is installation of Play Ready DRM software. Most recordings from cable-only channels will be encrypted, and the files are not playable except using the machine that made them or via a media extender.