DirecTV PCI card?

For that matter, is there a Dish Network PCI? I can't find much either, which leads me to believe it doesn't exist...

They are working on this with intel. It will be for Windows MCE computers running on the intel viv platform. Expect to hear more at CES in January.

I'd upgrade my standard DirectTV to HD if I could get a card for the PC. Really, I only watch the Motocross/Supercross races on TV and do not use my SAT TV for much of anything else but if I could get a DirectTV HD PC card I'd upgrade my sat service. Will there be regular definition PC cards coming out as out well? I highly doubt that the M/SX races are shot in HD but if they where, I wouldn't hesitate a minute to get HD service on my SAT.

I hope they won't only be limited to pre-built MCE systems. I can't stand garbage mass produced pre-built systems and only opt to run my own built custom high performance rigs.

MS has assanounced that they are working with Direct TV for DircecTV tuner that D* will lease and install on qualified Vista systems. When and what exact qualifications are required I also expect to be avaialble at CES2007. I suspect that it will be a USB device similiar to the one ATI has demonstrated for Cable Card usage on Vista.

Ya, and it would not surprise me if it requires one of those new HDMI/HDCP video boards.

I don't like the idea of DirectV "installing" anything on my computer. Having a stb w/firewire or usb connection is ok for recording purposes, but I think I'll steer clear of a tuner card, and the "software" they install to use it.

I feel like I'm living in the twilight zone sometimes: In this episode the freedom to do what we will with our PC's hardware/software is being taken away, and we're ok with that.

Well for now anyway, we have ways around certain limitations (thanks "any dvd"), but it makes me less and less excited about any "new technology" in the digital age.

count on it.

I recall reading somewhere that it will be an external device, connected to the PC via USB. That's fine with me.

Well CES is over. Was there any news of a DirectTV PCI card for HD?

Nothing directly, I don't think. I have read through other blogs and such that it's in beta testing, but haven't heard any release dates, or really have heard anything official about it. I wouldn't expect it before the second half of this year.

This is doable right now but it is not permitted/legal/approved. No, I am not talking about hacking Directv, I am talking about using your subscribed card in card reader attached to your computer and using a PCI DVB/DSS tuner card to pick-up your signal. The software is not very user friendly and will definately not give you all the options that a STB does but you can definately record the channels you subscribe to your hard drive.

You got a link for that?

Does it do HD?


As for something from a bigger company that may work directly in MCE, this is a precusor to what we want http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/pro...a_hvr4000.html

It does DVB-S2 which is the transmission format DirectTV uses for their new HD service that has locals. It will support subscription channels as well, "* There is no Pay TV reception with WinTV-HVR-4000 today. WinTV-HVR-4000 can receive only free-to-air satellite channels until our Pay TV module (CAM reader) will became available as accessories in 2007."

So when that cam reader comes out to take the smart cards it'll probably be around the same time as the first update to vista's media center and possibly the same time as SP1. That is the time frame for a very user friendly solution.*


*I reserve the right to be wrong.

Check out the last two paragraphs of this recent article. It provides a little insight into the state of things for DirecTV/MCE tuners.

Well, as I said before it is not exactly main stream but here is a link to the author that develped the software.

hxxp://www.dsscr.hostiz.com/dsscr/ (replace the xx with tt).