Floppyhead – Digital Media and Streaming

As I have said before on this blog, the main new feature of Windows Vista Media Center is the addition of CableCARD support. Microsoft has a lot riding on the implementation of CableCard by various vendors, including Niveus. The Niveus Digital Cable Receiver has two internal CableCARD receivers, allowing users to tune and/or record two channels simultaneously. It is a very sleek and attractive piece of hardware and looks so much better than the digital receiver offered by ATI.

From the Niveus website:

Optimized for dual HDTV CableCARD recording, the Niveus Digital Cable Receiver enables you to record one high definition channel while simultaneously watching another high definition channel. You’ll never miss a show.

The design of the receiver is phenomenal. So what is the catch? It costs $1500. Think about that. $1500 for a glorified cable box. The $1500 does not get you a computer or any hard drive. It simply is for a place to install two CableCARDs. A Series 3 Tivo can be found forunder $800 now and offers the same functionality and comes with a hard drive to actually record television shows. The Niveus Digital Receiver is insanely expensive and should quite frankly scare Microsoft. If vendors cannot sell Digital receivers for less than $1500, Vista’s Media Center may become pointless.

The Niveus Digital receiver should be available in the next couple of weeks.