HTPC fans were devastated when it was revealed that
only OEM PC builders would have the privilege of building
Vista Media Center PCs with CableCARD support, but hope is here: it looks like a few members of The Green Button forum have figured out how to build their own CableCARD ready HTPC. There's two barriers to overcome, which unfortunately still make it more difficult than just
picking up an internal or external ATI Digital Cable Tuner, but they're not terrible: would-be system builders just need to score an OCUR tuner product ID number and use a BIOS contains the correct OSFR table. No one's figured out how to tweak just any BIOS yet, but apparently most ASUS P5Q motherboards work fine -- so really you just need to score some used CableCARD tuners off eBay and ask the seller for the PID from their computer. Or you could throw caution to the wind and plug in the generic PID of 263DJ-2Y9YT-6X9G6-W28DB-697TF, which may or may not work. Anyone feeling brave enough to grab a new mobo and CableCARD tuner and give this a shot?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Entertainment 2.0 @ Apr 29th 2009 4:38PM
I've said it before and I'll say it again, no amount of restriction will stop an online community from finding a way. It happens all the time. I wonder when CableLabs (along with the RIAA, MPAA and others) will figure it out?
Nothing they do will stop people from getting to the content and bypassing their rules
Peter F @ Apr 29th 2009 4:48PM
Been watching it for a while. Definitely great work. I noticed last year that my Intel motherboard had an update to support OCUR. I never followed through since I already bought a CC PC for cheap on Woot. Glad to see progress is being made.
Jim Mallory @ Apr 29th 2009 6:01PM
I wonder if the PIDs can be recovated like a forged certificate? Well, if my Velocity Micro CineMagix stops working with its OEM PID and I have to enter my unique PID (on the sticker) I know who I can blame....Thanks Guys!
Or, if you are going to sell your PID on Ebay with your DCTs...use your unique PID not the OEM PID.
Jim Mallory @ Apr 29th 2009 6:18PM
On second thought...I mean this really doesn't enable a mass DIY option.
1.) There are only so many PIDs in the wild (and I am sure Cablelabs would insist that Microsoft shutdown PIDs that are known to be comprimised/cloned)
2.) There are only so many DCTs in the wild. You still can't just go buy them in a store AFAIK and that can easily be restricted back to you can only buy them from your OEM as it was in the beginning.)
And this really doesn't solve the DRM issue. This is similar to cloning DirecTV cards back in the day other than Microsoft does have a way of revocating the PIDs.
Ben @ Apr 29th 2009 6:19PM
Cannon PC and other OEMs have been selling DCTs to anyone who wants them for some time. As for the PID, it depends on how many times you can use them before they get invalidated. Personally I've re-installed Windows like 7 times and used the same one every time.
Nate @ Apr 29th 2009 6:34PM
I have reinstalled at least 10 times...no lockout yet.
Chris D.(PSN: Aggie_CEO | XBL:The Aggie CEO | Steam: Aggie_CEO @ Apr 29th 2009 6:27PM
too much to go through to do this. But if I had my mind dead set on this then I would definitely try it.
Jim Mallory @ Apr 29th 2009 6:29PM
Actually some people did get locked out after multiple installs of Windows 7 during the beta process (see http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/thread/344318.aspx). But that isn't the issue. The issue would be Microsoft seeing the same Digital Cable PID tied to a bunch of different Vista PIDs (as far as I know the two PIDs are not linked). Microsoft should have no issue shutting down that obviously cloned Digital Cable PID.
Ben @ Apr 29th 2009 6:36PM
I just built a system on Newegg using one of those motherboards and it was over $800 (with Blu-ray drive). I mean you might as well buy a Dell or HP.
Nate @ Apr 29th 2009 6:43PM
Ben is taking some serious heat on TGB for posting the PID. I admit that I was also surprised to see it, seeing that it's a hack and all. I'm sure there is some way to call it illegal. No matter though, Ben, there's more where that came from.
Jim Mallory @ Apr 29th 2009 6:52PM
You know I sat down and thought about this. I don't see how this hurts Cable at all.
1.) You still have all the DRM
2.) You still have to subscribe to the services
3.) You still have to rent the cablecards themselves.
If this hurts anyone, it's the OEMs. It hurts them in two ways.
1.) Obviously the loss sale.
2.) Loss of "legitimate" customer satisfaction as I will all put guarantee that PIDs will be shutdown and "legitimate" customers will suffer some loss of service (until the PID issue is resolved by using the one on the sticker if it is an OEM PID that gets revo'ed or a new PID is issued).
Yep, you guys sure stuck it to cable...
squeeg @ May 7th 2009 2:48PM
It really doesn't even hurt the OEMs that badly. I, for one, refuse to buy a prefab computer system. I only build mine from parts these days. So until this is a real, viable option, I'm out.
DanITman @ Apr 29th 2009 10:45PM
Nothing about this is really a hack. It's actually using all components and OEM uses to get it running.
The key that has been posted is the DELL key. It's sure to get revoked now.
John @ Apr 29th 2009 11:10PM
Fine mess Ben has set-up for all of us with Dell DCT systems. Now we'll find out how much MS knows about each system and authorization and whether they can tie it to IP addresses and Vista PID.
Thanks Ben, I'm sure Dell is pleased. But for the rest of us, what are you going to do if all our systems are shut down?
Griffon @ Apr 29th 2009 11:24PM
That is really the hole point though, all these restrictions are totaly meaningless and only serve to 'hurt' the cable providers by limiting growth (never mind their miopic fucking focus on box fee's), hurt the OEM's by limiting sales of tuners and piss off the customers who want to deploy kit bashed solutions. Totally pointless and of course it all dose nothing, not one fucking thing, to stop piracy. But I'm sure in their control freak insanity to piss off their customers cable labs will find some way to kill this process.
The Fuzz 53 @ Apr 30th 2009 11:27AM
This really is a bunch of nonsense. Why can the cable industry tell the computer industry how to run it's business?
Nate @ Apr 30th 2009 11:32AM
Because they control the content that consumers will pay to get.
Bret @ May 1st 2009 2:57PM
Beyond being an outrage, the limitation on DIY HTPC's is a last ditch effort by the cable companies to make more money and maintain they're monopolistic approach to business. Many providers only make money (or at least the majority) on DVR's and STB's rentals for which they overcharge. I truly believe the time will come when cable companies will be somewhat obsolete. How? While 4G isn't the final death knell, it opens open wireless broadband to the home. Then Verizon, ATT, T-mobile, Sprint, etc. would be able to deliver not only broadband but HD conent such ESPN, Science Channel, etc. via cell tower for certain areas. Granted real world 4G will probably have a speed of only 5-10Mbps (not bad), but 4G could be a viable option for some. 5G whatever and whenever it comes will probably crush the cable companies completely. Not to mention Verizon and ATT are agressively building all fiber networks in some areas, so conent can be accessed via Fios or whatever ATT names theirs. It isn't unreasonable to think a Fiber company like Verizon could buy a Phone company like Qwest to get access to many more areas that are currently not in their market.
Also, If Dish gets is right with Microsoft in Windows 7 cable companies will lose so much business they will be forced to evaluate what went so wrong. PLEASE Dish, make it happen. Dish is lagging behind Direct TV in subscribers, so I think they really would like to open up the DIY HTPC.
I don't think the FCC is doing their job idley accepting Cable Labs practices. Ironically, I don't care if my content is DRMed like many of use here, but there insistance on using an OEM HTPC is going to make me go to satellite.