Hello,

I have a Vista MCE that currently works great for standard def. I'm running Vista Ultimate without the TV pack.  I'm willing to install that if it'll help.  I would need someone to point out a good thread for installing the TV pack on an existing MCE install.

I'm interested in upgrading it to receive HD TV.  I currently subscribe to Time Warner HD, so when I want to watch HD, I switch over the the cable box.  And I have to use the cable company's DVR when I want to record HD.

Can you guys guide me?

I'm using an NVidia dualtune standard def card.  I'll need to replace that.  I need recommendations.  I would like to tune two channels.  I'm guessing that means I need to Cablecard tuners?  Are those now available DIY or do I still have to buy an OEM machine?

Video card.  I need to replace the one I have, I'm not happy with it.  Whites are extremely washed out and no amount of adjusting yields a good picture.  Hockey games are either really dull and dark, or if I turn up the gamma where it should be then the ice is very bright and you cannot see the lines or the puck.  I'd like a nice video card that is quiet, not too hot, and will drive my 1080p flatscreen.  I'm using a Zalman HD160 case.  I am currently able to run the case without the case fans running (for noise).

In summary my questions are:

Which video card?  Prefer NVidia over ATI - just a personal preference

Which tuner?

I'm not fully sure how these tuners work.  Would I still need to get two cable boxes or does the coax go from the wall right into the tuner?  How hot do they get? Recommend internal or external if there is an option?  Can I hide them in the back of the cabinet or do they need to be controlled by IR?

I'm still not clear on which channels that will get me.  Are some HD channels not QAM?  Do these cablecard tuners only get QAM channels?   If I go this route over using my cable box will I lose channels?

Thanks,

Hammers

Technically you need to buy an OEM PC for CableCARD support, but luckily there is a hack.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2009/05/12/how-to-install-a-cablecard-tuner-in-your-diy-media-center/

You can buy a tuner from Cannon PC, but they are about $300, or you can try to pick one up on eBay.

The internals are great if you have a decent size case and good ventilation. Otherwise go with an external, which is good with the exception of an external power supply.

As for the Video card, most modern cards will work. I use a Nvidia 9400GT that I paid $50 for that works perfectly.

Thanks for repsonding so quickly!

I'm looking at the ones on Ebay.  Looks like you can get a new one for $200 without docs or get one shipped from Australia NIB for $220.  At those prices it would be smart to get one set up before getting the second one.

What is the Digital Cable Product Identification (PID) ? I noticed that some of the capture cards on Ebay said it does not include the PID.  Would that make it useless?

Just to verify, this works in leui of the STB, I could get rid of the STB and I wouldn't lose any channels, right?  Thats what the Cable Card does.

What is the difference between Windows Vista Ultimate and Windows Vista Ultimate with Digital Cable Card Support?  How do I know which one I've got?

Should I install the 2008 TV Pack on my existing Vista MCE install?

EDIT: Follow-up question. I went to NewEgg and looked at video cards.  I looked at the 9400 and 9500 cards with HDMI.  Pretty much the ASUS and MSI cards.  Do the HDMI capable video cards pass the audio through the HDMI connector these days?  I know when they first came out they did not.  I'm not opposed to continue using my digital coax optical out, but it would be nice if I could route the audio through the HDMI cable... assuming it doesn't degrade it.  I want to get 5.1 sound to my Receiver.

Thanks again,

Hammers

I spent a slow afternoon at work researching and answering most of my questions.  I'll post here for anyone else's benefit.

The PID is what separates "Windows Vista Ultimate" from "Windows Vista Ultimate with Digital Cable Card Support".  It is like a product activation key that enables you to use the DCT with Windows.  It comes from Microsoft.

Without it, the DCT is useless.  Most sellers on ebay are not selling the PID with the cards... only someone that bought their PC from Dell or HP or something and are selling their DCT will also be able to provide the PID.

Ya...  I bought an external "no PID supplied" ATi DCT on ebay and followed the engadget guide.  All the info is there.  Didn't need anything else.  We're watching and recording Cox HD Digital Cable on our "non-cablecard, non-pre-built" HTPC...  Still has all the DRM, it's just installed on a DIY computer.

Wait, I thought the PID was something that came with the OS. So it comes with the DCT? And without one, the DCT won't work? Or am I interpreting wrong.

Just read the engadget guide. Seriously - everything you need to know is there...

Existentialism0:

Wait, I thought the PID was something that came with the OS. So it comes with the DCT? And without one, the DCT won't work? Or am I interpreting wrong.

 

Existentialism, read the post two above yours.  The PID is issued by Microsoft with the OS.  That is what makes the OS "cable card ready".   If you read the Endgadget, and/or several other very helpful articles, you will learn how to make sure you have it.