ceton tuner and ceton q record format and htpc advice.

Since they are using Win7 embedded, I'll assume the Ceton Q will be the same format that 7MC uses. In that case, the video is recorded natively, i.e. a channel using MPEG2 will be recorded unmodified in that same format. Same for the resolution, 720p channels are 720p files, 1080i is 1080i. The container is .wtv, which can be converted to mkv or mp4 with the proper tools. The ability to copy/transfer the files depends on your cable provider, many will flag the majority of the channels as "copy once", which means the recording on the HTPC or Ceton Q is that one copy and can't be transferred elsewhere. If you're lucky enough to have FiOS, then all channels except premium and PPV are flagged "copy freely" which means just that, you can copy them to another computer and do whatever you want with them.

A gaming PC would be overkill for this use, a pretty modest PC running Win7 is all you need. I built a system with an i3 and that's well more than needed.

HBO is copy protected on FIOS now