Ceton changes the rules! Could this be the ultimate HTPC replacement? TiVo killer?

[HarryH3]

Just read about this over at http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/10/ceton...-hands-on/

:eek:

SIX tuners.
Free EPG data.
2TB internal drive.
Built-in BlueRay player.
Online streaming.
Ethernet and MOCA.
Supports extenders.
No fiddling about with decoders, firewalls, etc.

I wonder just how insane the price will be? If priced properly this could put an end to TiVo's "bill you for life" business model.

[whurlston]

I don't think it will kill the HTPC (the 2TB drive would be a downgrade for most). If anything, they just extended the life of Media Center. I think it will drive up the demand for an HTPC now that they have a viable extender for Media Center with the Echo.

[pcostanza]

Definitely the news the Windows Media Center community wants to hear. It will be interesting to see if anything else comes out of CES that can help keep Media Center alive.
Cable companies are still fighting to keep cable cards out of as many hands as possible as they lose rent on their DVR's.

[HarryH3]

I can see where the hard core techies will still want an HTPC. But for Joe and Jane Average, who only want an out-of-the-box solution that just works, this thing seems to have what it takes. While my family is addicted to GBPVR, they aren't too happy when they have to wait for me to be home to reset the MVP's after a power failure or Windows throws up on itself. I think if this box works as advertised, isn't priced in the stratosphere and they market it properly that they'll have a serious hit on their hands. If it also has ports for external drives then all the better.


As for cable cards, my cable company lists a multi-channel cable card as being available for $2.50 per month. I read somewhere (probably on dslreports.com) that the gov't finally passed a law that took effect in the fall that cable co's must provide cable cards and must offer self-install.

[pcostanza]

Yes, now it's law that they have to allow self install if they also allow self install internet and cable boxes. But, they don't have to 'support' them. Try calling and telling the tech (low level) on the phone you need to pair your cablecard. They can do it but not until they go looking in a book and taking forever. Then, it's likely not to stick and you have to ask for level 2.
I'm paying $1.98 a month.
I assume you'll need more than 1 cablecard for this 6 tuner card but maybe I'm wrong. My 4 tuner Ceton uses one card and I was told that was max.