CableCard Tuner on Windows 8 without MediaCenter

[ElihuRozen]

I bought a new system to replace my old server. It came with Windows 8 Home. Can I use a CableCard Tuner (Ceton InfiniTV 4) without spending $100 for the Pro Pack that includes Media Center? If not, I might take the Windows 7 Retail license from the old system & install that on the new system & put Windows XP back on the old system. My understanding is I can activate the Windows 7 license on the new system & that will deactivate it on the old system.

[sub]

Yes, you can use CableCard devices without Media Center (but obviously only for copy-freely channels).

[johnsonx42]

My understanding is I can activate the Windows 7 license on the new system & that will deactivate it on the old system.

Technically, legally, yes. The license is for one active install. However in practice, you can activate the same license on another computer, and both will work fine. Morally, you've paid MS for a license to run Windows on both computers, does it really matter if you run an older version on the new one? Legally, yes, it does, MS only gives downgrade rights for Windows 8 Pro, not regular windows 8.