Hey Everyone,

I built an HTPC with off-the-shelf parts that of course doesn't support CableCard.  I had read about the Dell and HP HTPC's that have the OCUR-supported BIOSes, and that the HP HTPC's used standard Micro-ATX form-factor boards. 

So I went digging and found out that the HP Media Center PC m8010y, which is CableLabs certified, uses an OEM-only modified Asus "P5BW-LA" motherboard.  This board is exclusive to HP.

I also found a website selling OEM replacement P5BW-LA motherboards for compatible HP Media Center PC's:

http://www.serversupply.com/products/part_search/request.asp?q=5188-6778 

My question is, would I be able to buy this board and put my own CPU-RAM-HDD-VidCard in it and be able to run CableCards with it?  Or is there other specific hardware I would need that can only be obtained with an actual HP Media Center PC?  Also, would I need any special codes or anything printed on an HP HTPC case?

I've already spent a lot of money building this HTPC, so I am trying to cut costs as much as possible to get this thing CableCard functional, since I won't be able to justify buying another whole HTPC to the wife.

You've also got to have the Digital Cable Support key that is on the Windows Vista product key sticker.

So, even if you could get the motherboard that has the cable card enabled bios, you still need that key. I don't know of any way to get that, other than being an OEM.