For those who aren't aware, my latest little project is building a HTPC. I'm not sure what software I'll base it on, but I like Windows Media Center and Media Portal so far. The hardware for the computer is up and running with all sorts of home media server type goodies. I'm right in the middle of putting all of our DVDs onto the server and implementing them into the media center of choice. It's a long process ripping the DVD then converting to the proper format and getting that format to play nicely with Windows Media Center was a bit of a challenge.
My biggest gripe right now has been the inability to include premium cable channels into the system. Media Center is perfectly capable of grabbing stuff from an attached antenna or basic stations from the cable company, but I want to use this HTPC to record stuff like "Ghost Hunters" on SyFy. Up until recently, that was completely impossible, but with the advent of Windows 7 and relaxing of CableCard restrictions there is now a way to make that happen.
CES is a symposium of the latest doodads and gadgets and, I feel, the most exciting component is the CableCard capable tuners from the likes of Hauppauge, Avermedia, and the new kid on the block Centon. Centon already claims to have a four and six stream capable tuner, which means the ability to watch a channel and record 3 others, or the potential to transfer other streams to other TVs/computers around the house.
Needless to say, I pretty excited. The price tag is a bit high on the Centon tuners, but there are a couple reported to be approx. $250. Hopefully, with some competition prices will be a bit lower.
