The CableCARD contains a decryption processor, which decrypts digital video streams from your cable provider. It also manages the lists of channels from your provider, mapping the "virtual" channel numbers generally used for the individual cable channels to QAM channel and subchannel (stream) numbers.Resist said:
You don't *have* to get CableCARDs if you don't want them - if you get all the HD content you care to over the air, you're more than welcome to use that method. Also, if your cable provider transmits local OTA channels as clear (unencrypted) QAM streams on their cable network, you'll be able to watch them - however you won't get guide data for those channels, as the numbers won't match up (and may be subject to change). Keep in mind that this is not always the case - there's an FCC mandate that says they're supposed to, but different providers show differing levels of interest in complying with that.Resist said:
The SA 8000 box has security logic hard-wired onto its system board - it has chips which serve the same purpose as the CableCARD. However, newer cable boxes (anything used for the first time after July 1, 2007) will have to use CableCARDs - this is a new FCC requirement.Resist said:
Dunno about that - I'm not wealthy, but I threw my lot in for a Series3 because I'd read up on the SA and Moto DVRs, and found that they were generally quite bad, by most actual customers' accounts.Resist said:
It's not going to get easier. Unfortunately with the availability of higher-quality (visually at least - overall quality can still be argued for a lot of what's on TV) content, the content producers are more and more paranoid about you, the end customer, taking their precious content and selling it for profit. CableCARD is the result of that, and the requirements spelled out in section 629 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (requiring reasonably open access to new digital content by third-party hardware). Unfortunately CableCARD is something of a red-headed stepchild as far as the cable industry is concerned - they don't want to deal with third party hardware, and they don't like CableCARD (ironically, they're the ones that speced it out - so it's kinda their own damn fault, but I digress). Fortunately once you get them set up, they (usually) just keep working.Resist said:
Also, keep in mind that many cable operators tack on assorted hidden fees when you use their DVRs - I haven't used a cableco myself, but I've seen other threads where those who have enumerate all the different charges they stick on your bill for the box, for the DVR functionality, and several other things you wouldn't expect. Obviously, it's a matter of choice, but if you ask people around here, you're probably going to hear "Yes, TiVo is better". Is it *cheaper*? Well, not necessarily - it may work out that way under some circumstances, but for a lot of people using the new HD-enabled TiVos, it's not about saving money (or at least, not primarily so), but having a better overall DVR experience than what you'll get with the cableco box.
