You'd know that I'm the type who tends to overanalyze from time to time. Heck, thats what it takes to be successful in the IT industries, there are so many details out there and any one of them can really make or break a tech product. So, I spent quite a bit of time researching the ideal configuration of HDTV, Surround Sound and DVR features. We've become quite addicted to our Vista Media Center with its simple and elegant interface, great performance and full stock of features. I've tried several different PVR applications such as SagTV, BeyondTV heck I even tried to get Myth working a few times. So, I was quite interested in getting a upgrade for my existing Media Center to allow the recording and playback of HDTV from our cable.

 If you've been following the clear QAM progress you'll know that the cable networks are required by law in the United States to broadcast their digital channel in clear QAM. This is a digital format that can even be HD allowing full picture quality. So, Comcast abides by this requirement. When I connected the correct equipment I discoved that I could receive 5 HD channels. Thats not exactly the stunning number you'd want to see on your brand new 1080p set. Tools like the HD HomeRun, Avermedia's new MCE compatible QAM tuner and other hacks can't change the fact that Comcast is encrypting a lot of their other channels. So, the only way to get those channels is to have a cablecard equipped device, like a Cable Box or Vista pc with Cable Card support. 

Well, the Vista pc with Cable Card support tends to start at a thousand dollars. And, since I've got a working Vista MCE pc already, why would I want to replace it? I did a bit of shopping and frankly, I'm not going to invest a grand on an unproven and barely working tech. Perhaps in a year or two when the prices have dropped and the performance has come up a bit. But, that leaves only the Comcast provided cable box... The dreaded cable box.