AMD Unveils ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner

[malware]

AMD today unveiled the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner – the industry’s first and only device that enables users to watch and record premium HD digital cable content, such as HD ESPN and HD HBO, on their PCs. The ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner turns a PC into a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) with easy to use Microsoft Windows Vista Media Center menus and interfaces. It is scheduled to be available starting January 30, 2007 inside desktop and notebook PCs from the industry’s top PC manufacturers.


“With the upcoming release of Windows Vista, more consumers are ready to make their Media Center PC the entertainment hub for the home,” said Kevin Kettler, vice president and chief technology officer, Dell Inc. “Dell Systems that include the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner finally provide consumers with a comprehensive HDTV option that combines all their favorite TV programming with the feature-rich functionality of a Media Center PC.”

The ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner is certified by CableLabs®, a cable industry research and development consortium. CableLabs tests devices for conformance to CableLabs specifications. The process is extremely strict and passing this certification process gives the device manufacturer access to special security certificates that are required to operate a device on an OpenCable™ network.

“We congratulate AMD on achieving CableLabs Certification for the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner device,” said Dr. Richard R. Green, president and CEO, CableLabs. “We greatly appreciate their support on this initiative, which helps to showcase the future of high-definition cable television on a PC.”

With the new ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner, consumers can watch live or record high-definition broadcasts to preserve in a video library or stream to their Xbox 360™, if permitted by the content provider. Powered by AMD Avivo™ image technology, consumers get outstanding picture quality and smooth playback of their premium HD digital cable TV content on their media center PC, beyond basic cable channels, traditional analog TV and free over-the-air HD channels.

“ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner demonstrates the maturity of PC-based media centers,” said Dr. Jon Peddie, of Jon Peddie Research, an analyst firm. “It enables the PC to compete on a level footing with traditional consumer electronic devices. For the first time, you can build a media PC and watch, record and play back any and all of the content you can see on your TV.”

“AMD is driving innovation and choice for today’s connected home while offering new PC entertainment experiences with products like the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner,” said Rick Bergman, senior vice president and general manager, AMD. “Not only does the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner provide high video quality, it provides the most complete choice for HD cable programming content, both at home and on the go.”

Pricing for the ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner will vary depending on the OEM manufacturer and the level of hardware included.

For more information on the new ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner or all AMD products please visit http://ati.amd.com. You can read more about CableLabs at http://www.cablelabs.com.

Source: AMD

[Wile E]

It's about time someone released something that recieves more than over the air HD on our computers. Well, this is the first I know of. If there is something else. I'd like to check that out, too.

[Easy Rhino]

woo! finally a real HDTV tuner for my HTPC! couldnt come at a better time too.

[unsmart]

If AMD says jan 07 it's more like may 08

[WarEagleAU]

I dont think so. Jan 07 is more like Jan 07. Now on to the hardware. this is pretty sweet. ATI makes great cards and have great video drivers, so this is truly a pleasure to see. Im also sure, at first, it will cost just a tad more than most TV WONDER Cards, but thats to be expected. Even though I dont watch TV on my computer, if I were to go true HD With my dishnetwork, I might consider getting this.

[Jimmy 2004]

Take a look here for some possible images.

[Grings]

Someone needs to make something like this for sky (u.k.) due to the (our own tuner software/hardware) approach of sky i doubt it will ever happen. There is a chance with cable tv, but its crap

[XooM]

Cancel that. From what i just read, I'm shockingly underwhelmed and disappointed.

[unsmart]

Originally Posted by Grings

Someone needs to make something like this for sky (u.k.) due to the (our own tuner software/hardware) approach of sky i doubt it will ever happen. There is a chance with cable tv, but its crap

Thats what I was thinking, who will support it?
I have charter cable here in the U.S and I have to rent there tuner box. I don't think they'll want me to have a tuner that I could hack and We all know everyone would be trying to hack this
I not know about you but I hate the Idea of renting PC parts or singing a 3 year contract to get one.
where is r600

[Steevo]

Some of the newer cable boxes have serial ports inside, or at least the RX-TX.