Setup, Round 1

With parts in hand, I decided to attempt setup today. The first step was to install the tuner in my PC and cable up everything, which was pretty well explained by the directions that came with all of the parts.

Then, it was time to setup the software.

Ceton includes a "Quick Installation Guide" with the tuner. Follow it!

You need to begin by downloading and installing their drivers. Easy enough.

The next step they mention was not obvious to me - in Windows Media Center, you need to go to the Extras Gallery, and run the "Digital Cable Advisor". This sets up all of the DRM stuff required to use a CableCARD.

A fun note on that, currently only Windows 7 (not Vista, not XP, and most certainly not Linux) support all of the DRM features required to watch and record digital TV channels from the cable service. Furthermore, Windows Media Center is the only software package that correctly supports the DRM.

After your computer has been DRM-approved (you need an HDCP compliant display also, btw) the setup process is basically to run the "Set Up TV Signal" dialog and do what it tells you.

This is where I encountered my first problem:

CableCARD not detected? I did a few cursory debugging attempts, like reseating the card in the tuner and rebooting windows. No dice.

At this point, I discovered Ceton installs a really awesome diagnostic tool with their drivers.

I noticed I had a firmware update available, and installed it. After the complementry reboot, I still had the same issue. I decided to explore the tool a little more, and see what else it had.

Well, shoot. I checked the CableCARD Time Warner sent me, and it is a "PowerKEY Model PKM600". A little googling and sure enough, it's an SCard.

Looks like I'll be going back to the Time Warner office tomorrow and asking to swap for an MCard.