TiVo Series 3 with CableCARD Support Caught in the Wild

By | August 23rd, 2006 comments icon (7) Comments


tivo cablecard screenshotWhile it’s not available at a local retailer near you (yet), HD Beat got a hold of some pics of a TiVo Series 3 testing unit and screenshots that show off the device’s support for dual CableCARDs. HD Beat also learned from their anonymous source that the testing unit showed signs of not being compatible with readily available CableCARDs – the set-top went through four before it found one it liked. In any case, it looks like the Series 3 should be a big hit this holiday season if they work out its bugs and continue to offer TiVoToGo.

Question: Why do PCs makers who want to support CableCARD required to use HDCP and other lock-down technologies by CableLabs when obviously the TiVo Series 3 does not? Or are there new lock-down mechanisms in TiVo Series 3 that we don’t know about?





Filed in: Digital Media Servers

  • http://www.msmvps.com/chrisl/ ChrisL01

    TiVo Series 3 has HDCP (HDMI). A TiVo must follow all of the same rules that a PC must in order to be certified by CableLabs (which clearly it has).

    Chris

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    But what about the Component, S-Video, and RCA out? I see in the pics that it offers these types of video outputs as well. My understanding is that a PC can only have secured video output through DVI or HDMI with HDCP if an OEM wishes to certify their PCs with CableLabs.

  • http://www.msmvps.com/chrisl/ ChrisL01

    Nothing is stopping you from using those same outputs on a PC (right now, there are bits in the AACS for HD DVD and Blu-ray that “could” in the future, but I think it’s at least 2010 before it can even be considered). However, the CableLabs CHILA defines the outputs.

    I don’t have it in front of me, but I think they define their “Constrained Image” (or Constrained Image Trigger, CIT) over component to be reduced to 540p. Much like HD DVD and Blu-ray with ICT, which does the same.

    Have to wait to see what the TiVo manual says, but it should say for best image quality use HDMI-HDCP.

    Chris

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    Thanks for looking into this. I’m debating on adding it to the front page news because it seems like an interesting contradiction.

  • http://www.msmvps.com/chrisl/ ChrisL01

    The main point to keep in mind is that in a CableLabs certified CableCARD device, no matter on what platform or who makes it, the same rules apply for overall protection.

    A TiVo can’t get certified and allow output in such a way that CableLabs forbids. Of course, CableLabs would not certify the device it if tried too, and if they don’t certify it the product doesn’t come to market. Under the same idea, a Windows Vista PC with a CableCARD Reader can and will not be certified if it doesn’t met the specs set by CableLabs.

    Chris

  • http://www.alexandergrundner.com Alexander Grundner

    But the point I’m trying to get at is why TiVo is allowed to have all these various video outputs (i.e. HDMI, Component, S-Video, and RCA), when a PC certified by CableLabs can only have DVI or HDMI with HDCP. Or are the upcoming Vista MCE PCs going to offer multiple video ouputs as well? If yes, this is new to me.

  • http://www.msmvps.com/chrisl/ ChrisL01

    I don’t think that’s the case. The PC can have all the above output, if the graphics adaptor can support them. I have not seen anyone try and output using component with a new HDMI video card (most people would like to use HDMI if they can, pure digital).

    However, for example the X1600 from ATI can support component output according to the specs on ATI’s website. I’ll assume the same goes for NVIDIA cards. You would just need to purchase the Component Output Cable/Dongle. Be sure to check the specs of the specific to ensure it can support, but I don’t think a PC with CableCARD is limited to just HDMI out.