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<blockquote data-quote="Darkbee" data-source="post: 670585" data-attributes="member: 107794">I'm sad to see there's no reply to this thread.&nbsp; I'm a complete PVR/HTPC noob and I'm currently researching what TV card/s would be a good choice, but the more I read the more I think I should just not bother.&nbsp; I have Time Warner Cable Digital Cable too and it seems like I'm basically dead in the water before I've even started.&nbsp; If I understand correctly I could buy a QCAM supporting TV Tuner card, and I'd be able to view any unencrypted digital channels.&nbsp; However, given that TWC basically has a monopoly here in Upstate New York, I'm fairly confident in saying that they would only offer the barest of minimum unencrypted channels (probably a dozen if I'm lucky).&nbsp; Normally an optimist, where TWC is concerned and their total lack of customer service it's always best to err on the side of utter epic-fail.So assuming the worst, can I then use a TV Tuner card with the digital set top box?&nbsp; What would be the disadvantages of this?&nbsp; I have to confess I really don't understand the technology enough (both cable and TV Tuner side) to wrap my head around it.&nbsp; I'm assuming that if I'm tied to the cable box that I'm basically restricted to one channel at a time for anything (viewing or recording)?&nbsp; If this is true then this sort of defeats the purpose of having a PVR/HTPC.&nbsp; I suppose that is why the cable companies offer all these (paid) services because they basically don't want you to have your own system.As you've probably gathered now, I'm currently drowing in doubt and confused.&nbsp; I'd really love to have something like MediaPortal to allow me to control my home multimedia experience but I'm very confused and unconvinced that it's even possible at the moment given my circumstances. Can anyone give me a vague glimmer of hope to cling to?</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Darkbee, post: 670585, member: 107794"] I'm sad to see there's no reply to this thread. I'm a complete PVR/HTPC noob and I'm currently researching what TV card/s would be a good choice, but the more I read the more I think I should just not bother. I have Time Warner Cable Digital Cable too and it seems like I'm basically dead in the water before I've even started. If I understand correctly I could buy a QCAM supporting TV Tuner card, and I'd be able to view any unencrypted digital channels. However, given that TWC basically has a monopoly here in Upstate New York, I'm fairly confident in saying that they would only offer the barest of minimum unencrypted channels (probably a dozen if I'm lucky). Normally an optimist, where TWC is concerned and their total lack of customer service it's always best to err on the side of utter epic-fail. So assuming the worst, can I then use a TV Tuner card with the digital set top box? What would be the disadvantages of this? I have to confess I really don't understand the technology enough (both cable and TV Tuner side) to wrap my head around it. I'm assuming that if I'm tied to the cable box that I'm basically restricted to one channel at a time for anything (viewing or recording)? If this is true then this sort of defeats the purpose of having a PVR/HTPC. I suppose that is why the cable companies offer all these (paid) services because they basically don't want you to have your own system. As you've probably gathered now, I'm currently drowing in doubt and confused. I'd really love to have something like MediaPortal to allow me to control my home multimedia experience but I'm very confused and unconvinced that it's even possible at the moment given my circumstances. Can anyone give me a vague glimmer of hope to cling to? [/QUOTE]

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