Slashdot Mirror
Vista Media Center Plus CableCard Equals No TV
notthatwillsmith writes "ATI's internal CableCard readers are finally available, and Maximum PC got hands-on time with a couple of Vista-powered systems built using the FCC-mandated technology. The short version? It doesn't work. From the article: 'The tech told me he'd receive training direct from Microsoft, but none of it covered internal tuners. We both agreed that the process should be the same, since the only difference is that the slots are inside the case, versus in an external box. The tech then proceeds to install the CableCards, connect the tuners to coax line, fire up the PC, and begin the software configuration. This step involves activating the TV Wonder with a product-activation code, and calling the Comcast office to exchange some information. We should have had a picture at this point, but we didn't.'"
OK, how is this modded insightful? Troll, Funny, Flame, Redundant? Maybe. Insightful? C'mon
Not the point. The point is - the cable companies will be able to say "Look you can buy it, we don't set the price". The fact that it doesn't work, ties your hands, is VERY espensive - isn't their problem (anymore). It's 'your problem' now.
the card have DRM that only works with windows vista on oem systems that pay m$ for the right to use the cards.
also how do they lock them down to the oems only?
what happen if you put non dell ram, video card, or other things in to a dell system with a cable card? will that lock you out?
I guess it is true. Never...and I mean NEVER buy anything from Micro$oft that is version 1.0.
Remove "from Microsoft" from that sentence. It rarely matters who it is, there will be problems.
Perhaps someone out there can answer this for me, but what is to stop some company in China, or Europe, or somewhere else where US laws apply in name only (i.e. there is some trade agreement or treaty on 'intellectual property' but the foreign producers simply ignore it when it is inconvenient) from producing and selling third party hardware which does not recognize a 'broadcast flag' or any other junk that the government and the cable monopoly lobbyists come up with?
Now can someone name one (1) show that it's worth going to all this trouble to record?
I can't think of a show in the last 5 years that I have been the slightest bit bummed out about missing.
My turnips listen for the soft cry of your love
(through some deep secret kung fu no customer should ever know how to do)
I was under the impression that the tech "had received his training direct from Microsoft" and then should have this kung fu that no customer should know how to do. of course should doesn't mean that he did, the test could still be faulty. On a different note, I find it interesting that you feel there is product knowledge that should be forbidden to the customer.
We are all just people.
I prefer to remove "that is version 1.0" instead.