[Bigg]

Windows 8, and thus Windows Media Center, has just shy of 3 years left, and after that, TiVo will be the only fully functional CableCard system on the market.

 

[tarheelblue32]

Just because extended support has ended does not mean that Windows 7 and Windows Media Center can't continue to be used.

And one would hope that Silicon Dust could figure out their CableCARD support issues at some point within the next 3 years.

 

[Sparky1234]

Just because extended support has ended does not mean that Windows 7 and Windows Media Center can't continue to be used.

And one would hope that Silicon Dust could figure out their CableCARD support issues at some point within the next 3 years.

Especially as WMC with limited internet connectivity.... no threat in a closed system.

 

[Bigg]

Just because extended support has ended does not mean that Windows 7 and Windows Media Center can't continue to be used.

If you want an insecure system, sure, you can run an obsolete version of Windows.

And one would hope that Silicon Dust could figure out their CableCARD support issues at some point within the next 3 years.

I don't see the business model behind continued CableCard development. Between cord cutting, Comcast going IP, and it being a tiny market to begin with, I don't see a future for CableCard on PCs.

 

[tarheelblue32]

If you want an insecure system, sure, you can run an obsolete version of Windows.

If the computer is being used solely as a media server, I really don't see why it matters. After all, I highly doubt that my TiVo Roamio has a good anti-virus software built into it, and that doesn't seem to matter at all.

 

[ej42137]

If you want an insecure system, sure, you can run an obsolete version of Windows..

You don't have to run an obsolete version of Windows for it to be insecure; or at least that's what the NSA has told us recently.

 

[Mikeguy]

Just to mention it, for those on Windows 7 and wondering about options: Upgrade to Windows 10 for free right now.

 

[Bigg]

If the computer is being used solely as a media server, I really don't see why it matters. After all, I highly doubt that my TiVo Roamio has a good anti-virus software built into it, and that doesn't seem to matter at all.

You can't install arbitrary code and run it on a TiVo like you can on Windows. TiVo is not much of a security risk. These machines are on the internet, and thus on your network, so yes, there is some level of risk to running an out of date machine.

You don't have to run an obsolete version of Windows for it to be insecure; or at least that's what the NSA has told us recently.

Well, at least relatively secure. Microsoft has come a LONG way in reducing security risk, you're throwing that out the window if you're running something that can no longer get updates.

 

[joestan]

If the computer is being used solely as a media server, I really don't see why it matters. After all, I highly doubt that my TiVo Roamio has a good anti-virus software built into it, and that doesn't seem to matter at all.

Still a risk if it has access to your LAN

 

[dougtv]

Any process that accepts incoming requests could eventually be compromised. If that compromise gains access to some form of a backend shell/prompt to install or run any code, then it can reach the LAN. But at the same time, that process exposed would have to be exposed on the customer's public WAN completely. Which would only be the case if the unit was on a DMZ or port forwarded improperly.

The worst reality is more like:
hacker: im in ur tiv0z, st33lin all ur sh0wz

 

[tarheelblue32]

Still a risk if it has access to your LAN

Seems like a pretty low risk to me. But to be on the safe side, I suppose I could always just connect it to my neighbor's open wifi network instead of my own. Problem solved.

 

[Bigg]

Seems like a pretty low risk to me. But to be on the safe side, I suppose I could always just connect it to my neighbor's open wifi network instead of my own. Problem solved.

Then it wouldn't work correctly, as it wouldn't have access to you LAN.

 

[Dan203]

We'll be lucky if CableCARDs are still a thing in 3 years for Comcast customers. And once that domino falls, the rest aren’t far behind. Not sure why SD would put a bunch of effort into CableCARD when they know it's on it's last leg.

 

[SNJpage1]

I don't see any reason not to upgrade to win 10. It has been out long enough to get most of the bugs out of it. Plus you can up date for under $6 by buying a license key off of e bay that are perfectly legal.

 

[humbb]

I don't see any reason not to upgrade to win 10. It has been out long enough to get most of the bugs out of it. Plus you can up date for under $6 by buying a license key off of e bay that are perfectly legal.

Actually, you can still get the Win 10 upgrade for free from MS (which, I presume is even more perfectly legal).

 

[foghorn2]

Have SSD? have Win7 key, simple, get a fresh new install of 10 for free and legal! Make your PC new again!

 

[tim_m]

I don't see any reason not to upgrade to win 10. It has been out long enough to get most of the bugs out of it. Plus you can up date for under $6 by buying a license key off of e bay that are perfectly legal.

I wouldn't touch those, even if they are legal .Who knows how many times the key might be sold and risk getting a key that no longer works.

 

[Mikeguy]

And there is no need to buy a (perhaps dubious) key, if you have Win7 or later which still generally can be updated for free to Win10 (see above).

 

[tim_m]

And there is no need to buy a (perhaps dubious) key, if you have Win7 or later which still generally can be updated for free to Win10 (see above).

Yep, Microsoft never actually turned it off because they want to get everyone on 10.

 

[jlb]

Just to mention it, for those on Windows 7 and wondering about options: Upgrade to Windows 10 for free right now.

I can confirm it worked about 5 months ago for me

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