Mce Qam

Nope. Only OTA. Of course you could use the software that comes with the Fusion, but not within Media Center itself.

the only way i've seen to get qam HDTV into MCE is via a the "firewire hack" with a cable box.

- Josh

nope

The issue is a lack of BDA drivers that support QAM. My understanding is that, until MS updates the BDA spec to allow card manufacturers to create such drivers, MCE and any other third party software will be unable to support QAM.

Also, some theorize that when MS finally does update the spec, DRM will be a significant part of it.

Since Vista will support CableCARDs (which essentially provide access to encrypted QAM), it would be possible (I think) to provide access to unencrypted QAM using the Open Cable Uni-directional Receiver (OCUR). Not sure if Vista will actually support it, but it seems like it should technically work. Anyone feel free to correct that theory.

Im' confused. Several programs, including Dvico's softwared work with QAM, so what is MS's drive not to supply code so they can create the drivers for MCE? Where does the cable company kickback come into play for the cablecard stuff?

The hdhomerun (http://hdhomerun.com) dual HD tuner now supports QAM (unencrypted) in MCE2005. I've tested it and it works great -- after a slightly painful setup. According to a tech on the hdhomerun Web site, it wraps the QAM signal in an ATSC wrapper so that MCE can see it. Whatever it does, it works very nice!

Be patient ...

It's a bit late for being patient Rayon. Not like QAM just came out and you haven't had time to work support in for it since the dawn of the first qam capable tuners some what 4 years ago or so?

Sorry, just a rant as this delay has been frustrating and I'm not taking about waiting for vista, which is surely what you are referring to. This support should have been added to MCE05 when it first came out or shortly thereafter. Now we'll have to have it in vista only, two OS's too late and...

Oh wait, sorry, you probably don't call the shots do you.

Troy

I still don't think QAM tuners are the answer, specially with every other if not all the "good" channels are encrypted.

- Josh

But it's a 1st step. It gives those that can't receive OTA the same opportunity of recording HD channels.