Microsoft announced yesterday that they will be bringing CableCard support to the Windows Media Center platform by this time next year. Microsoft reached an agreement with CableLabs to allow PC manufacturers the ability to integrate support into PC’s using MCE. CableCards are PC Card like devices that decrypt digital television broadcasts. These cards will probably be inserted into a PCI card that will sit in a slot in your PC. You will need to obtain a CableCard from your cable vendor. Why is this important? This allows MCE to use a digital tuner to tune into the digital television stations as opposed to relying on an external set top box. Unfortunately this support isn’t coming until the 2006 holiday season but at least it’s finally coming.

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