Now that Comcast has changed to all Digital signals my WMC won't work. Before anyone suggests some jerry rigged system of multiple ir blasters there is another thing you should know. Even if this conveluded system would work to switch my stations for recordings, there is a plan by Comcast to begin scrambling all the tv stations in the fall.

 So what I would like is for Microsoft to acknowledge that Comcast has engaged in a campaign to stop WMC and take it's business away. And as of yet, Microsoft has no answer for this attack on our software.

 Its that simple.

Try this http://www.cetoncorp.com/products.php, or this http://www.amd.com/us/products/pctv/tv-wonder-tuners/pages/digital-cable-tuner.aspx ATI stoped making the tuner, but you can find it cheap on ebay. I too was using clear QAM, but now I have the ATI tuner, could not be happier, HD content very good quality, very much worth the $200. plus the cable card rental is much cheaper than a STB from comcast, $1.50 a month. I just hope that comcast will not discontinue the cable cards.

Cable companies are required by law to supply cablecards, so I don't see those disappearing any time soon. Now what Comcast CAN do is make all their TV Copy Once, so that you can only watch it on the PC on which a show was recorded, plus xbox extenders.

So you're saying that even the Local channels (NBC, ABC, CBC, FOX, PBS, etc) are scrambled? I thought this was against the law... As far as analog signals, that was expected. I'm a Comcrook customer in Houston. Every 2 months or so, analog channels jump to the digital feed and get scrambled. While I use my tuners to DVR local channels (and dwindling analog), we've been chained to this $16/mo set-top box to watch all our premium HD stuff. No one likes Comcast... or any cable provider for the most part, but CableCard is the answer for HTPCs. Here in my neck of the woods, Concast rents the first cablecard for free and allows user installation so, the Ceton card is the best answer for now. I hope they can get all the preorders filled soon and make more available. There's also the Silicon Dust option in the works.

I myself have went through this same situation with Comcast. It sucks but, Comcast is doing what they can to keep you tied to their box and fees. After the switch happened in my area I used a STB via RCA's and was able to record some channels. Then copying prohibited became an issue. Since then I completely dropped Comcast for cable, I do miss the cable channels but, I don't miss the bill or the hassle. I even downgraded my internet service and bought my own cable modem to free myself of the Comcast hold. Comcast still has a hold on me but, not like they used to. I really don't like Comcast either but, where I live it's the best option as far as price/service goes. We the WMC users are a small portion of Comcast's customer base. All the different conversations I have with the people at Comcast to me it seems like they are just realizing that not everyone uses or wants to use their STB. To me it seems like there isn't much that can be done about it, Comcast is within their legal rights.

You posted this (twice) on the Microsoft Answers Forums (and I've replied there) but -

1. You CAN get a DTA free of charge to use with your existing analog tuner.

2. This requires a single IR blaster cable and and eHome receiver (not multiple)

3. It isn't a conspiracy against WMC. 

4. You spoke to a CAE who was misinformed.

5. You can go the DCT (Ceton) route + cable card ($$) or you can get a DTA (free)

 

I only find this comment about copying here.  I want to determine if I can use a 100GB USB drive safely to record where sleep/hibernate issues can be avoided, and move to another computer physically to view on a UPS system with a larger monitor.  Manual QAM recordings can be tolerated.  So far this has corrupted my system and seems related to recordings in Media Center or Windows 7 or even Comcast.  Sleep/hibernate issues are related to the power management of the TV card itself.