More cablecard vs. stb/ 2nd generation cablecard

[homerhd]

This is the last time I'll bring this up I promise! This past weekend I had the opportunity to have a Motorola 6412 HD dvr stb from Comcast and a cablecard installed in my tv. I was able to toggle back and forth between the same channels from the different feeds. The stb was connected via dvi to the tv hdmi to give it it's best shot at picture quality. On the HD channels there really wasn't any noticable difference. On the digital and analog channels the difference was substantial. The picture quality through the cablecard was far superior. I know I'm contradicting what I said in an earlier post but I didn't have the benefit of a side by side comparison and we all know how our brains tend to lie to us about color when they can. As much as I wanted to keep the stb for the guide and the dvr, I couldn't tolerate the inferior picture. I'll put the $15 a month rental fee I save towards a dvr sometime in the future.

I've heard rumors of more advanced cablecards in the future. What are the chances that the next generation of cablecards will work in current sets or is it way too early to tell?

[akirby]

Not surprising. Most HD tuners are terrible at SD. I think Richard uses a VCR tuner for analog stations for that reason.

Don't understand the cablecard comment - it's just a security feature. It tells the TV that you're authorized to receive the programming that's sent over the cable line. I don't think it has anything to do with actually decoding the picture - that's done in the TV. So unless you upgrade your TV I wouldn't expect any PQ improvement from a new cable card.

Somebody correct me if I'm misunderstanding this.

[homerhd]

I was refering to the two way cards that I've read about being in development.

[Richard]

This is the last time I'll bring this up I promise!

Why?

Seriously, please come here to talk...

What you are experiencing is also what many of us have been hoping for, the ability to purchase our own cable STB because it works better than what we can get from the cable company. The Motorola boxes are terrible at SD and I have been using an SD DVD/DVR (used to be a VCR) with an external scaler instead to achieve good SD reproduction. The only negative is that the current products are still only one way devices and many cable companies special services require two way. Many are still stuck with what the cable comapny has to offer and you can bet it not geared towards the best picture as much as the most cost effective solution.

[Cableguy619]

I was refering to the two way cards that I've read about being in development.

Talk here in San Diego is that 2 way cable cards to be brought out summer 2006..so a bit of insite..Ill buy my new tv then as well lol