AMD Announces HD Digital Cable Tuner for PCs

[Shane]

AMD today unveiled the ATI TV Wonder™ Digital Cable Tuner - the industry's first and only device that enables users to watch and record premium HD digital cable content, such as HD ESPN and HD HBO, on their PCs.

The ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner turns a PC into a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) with easy to use Microsoft Windows Vista Media Center menus and interfaces. It is scheduled to be available starting...

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[theicom]

I actually got excited by the email alert about this.

How silly of me to actually believe I will be able to buy this.

Looks like it will only be available as a complete system from an OEM.

You will not be able to buy just the tuner.

Someone please prove me wrong.

[Shane]

It looks like a stand-alone unit to me: http://ati.amd.com/products/tvwonderdigital/index.html

You'll have to add a cablecard from your local cable co., but appears to be available as a separate component.

- Shane

[theicom]

From your article:

Pricing for the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner will vary depending on the OEM manufacturer and the level of hardware included.

From the AMD site:

Shipping with new Windows Vista

[Shane]

I will inquire ... stay tuned.

- Shane

[Shane]

From the PR Company:

The device will only be sold with a new Digital Cable Compatible PC, due to the requirements that the cable industry and Microsoft have put on the product, so it cannot be purchased as a standalone unit.

There are two configurations of ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner, one external and one internal. It is up to the OEMs whether they use an internal or external unit.

I have asked them to elaborate on the specific reason/issues involved.

- Shane