DIY, CableCARD 2.0 in Vista only for certified PCs
By Kevin C. Tofel 
posted Jan 30th 2006 8:34AM
posted Jan 30th 2006 8:34AM
Planning to upgrade your
current Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition PC and
take advantage of the new CableCARD 2.0
standard later this year? You probably want to change those plans thanks to CableLabs, as CableCARD 2.0 will only
be supported on Vista platforms based on hardware systems that are certified by CableLabs. While CableCARD 2.0 support
is a general step forward, we're also taking a step back since this could effectively shut out any home-built WMCE machines like ours. We're now reliant
upon the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM's), which costs time and money, something that not every OEM has the
luxury of.Our take is that we'll initially see CableCARD 2.0 Vista systems from a small handful of OEM's out of the gate (HP, Dell, and Sony come to mind), which will limit choices and configurations. While we understand the need for certifications and standards, perhaps a better approach would be a list of approved system requirements from CableLabs so the do-it-yourselfers have an option.
It will be interesting to see how this pans out. When MCE was first released it was available OEM only. As time passed they loosed the reigns. Many in the industry predicted that we would never see CC in a PC product because of DRM issues. At CES I asked the Media Center staff about DRM. They weren't able to answer any of my questions. I won't be surprised if they don't even store the recorded files on a standard file system to even further protect the content.
This re-affirms a major DRM fear. In many regards DRM means no do it yourself products.
I say we should take the next few months and get all the DIY HTPC users to make it known that this is the wrong move. I have been waiting for cable card for the longest and when they finally announce it I get this information. What are they so afraid of that we will enjoy our products too much or make something better than them?
Oh this is a deal breaker. I already have an AWFUL impression of CableCARD from TWC's inability to get my parents setup with their Samsung HLR in Milwaukee. I love the idea but HATE the implementation of CableCARD to date, and this is another strike against it.
Let's just hope D* is smart enough NOT to do this with Vista and releases their tuner as an expansion card. I accept that these tuners will need to rely on some sort of trusted computing based DRM scenario, but it is crazy to expect people to be locked to OEM solutions only. The home brewer is going to be the one who really innovates with the platform!