CableLabs loosens up on PC CableCARD tuner restrictions
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted Jul 21st 2008 7:31PM
posted Jul 21st 2008 7:31PM
No CableLabs isn't going to make it so you can purchase an ATI Digital Cable Tuner without an OEM PC, but it's almost that big of a change. Believe it or not, currently, even after you pony up for a PC and CableCARD tuner from the likes of Dell or Niveus, every single recording made with the CableCARD tuner is locked down with DRM -- no it doesn't matter whether the content is marked as copy freely or not, crazy huh? Well it finally looks like there is some sanity over at CableLabs, because the recently revised OCUR specification (6/20/08) no longer requires this draconian limitation. No clue when this change is going to take affect to current owners however, but it appears that a firmware update for the tuners and the elusive Vista Media Center TV Pack may be required. Either way this is a step in the right direction, but there is still no way these things will really take off until the OEM requirement is eliminated too, especially considering the current alternatives.
Misspelled "loosens".
Thanks, Fixed.
Ben and the other 5 people with a working media center cable card setup are exicited!
Oh come on there are six of us :) Actually I think 90% of the cable card problems are with the cable companies not pairing correctly and not wanting to support cablecards in general.
I as Ben probably does think this is great news and can't wait to be able to use commercial skip on my CC recordings.
Love my VMC setup with cable cards... the ONLY issue I had was with Comcast figuring out how to setup their equipment. Once that was done, it's been 100%. Very excited about this announcement.
I'm confused. I thought the ONLY reason for the OEM restriction was so they could be sure the DRM wasn't circumvented.
Without DRM, why is there still a need to lock it down to OEM systems?
This is good news if and when implemented. Nice reporting.
Any idea if I can transfer my library to an upgraded computer, or is that retriction still in place?
There will still be DRM, just not on EVERYTHING, like it is now. You prob still won't be able to copy export HBO etc. So it'll be more TiVoToGo is now.
horngreen,
We don't know for sure, but at this point it seems like you'll have to be running the TV Pack update which can't be upgraded. So in order to get the new feature you'll have to re-install windows and thus lose all your recordings made with your DCT.
Glad I didn't buy that POS. I'll keep archiving on my DVHS and Hauppauge HD DVR.