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Comment by utexaspunk | Hacker News Reader

I have a Hauppauge WinTV HVR-2250 and Windows 7, which I use with the cheapest basic cable package Comcast has -no STB, basically just analog and HD Clear QAM of the local channels. Upon installation, Windows scans your signal and asks your ZIP code and service provider, and that's it- the EPG is set up and works great. Hardly what I'd call 'hacky'. If Microsoft can maintain a database and have it work flawlessly, I don't see why Google couldn't...

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Getting EPG data is not a big deal, but may be costly if you plan to sell services based off it, e.g. a single Tribune (EPG data monopoly in the US) EPG data access costs around $10K. However, if you are developing apps for non-commercial purposes, e.g. open source, you can get this data for $20/year at http://www.schedulesdirect.org/.

The real problem is to access the video stream. Currently this is viewed to be illegal (see the lawsuit in 2001 that pretty much sank ReplayTV, http://www.eff.org/cases/newmark-v-turner).

I'm guessing Microsoft has gotten a licensing deal with Tribune to get and share the EPG data for Windows Media Center. As far as the video stream, I wonder then how Microsoft/Hauppauge get away with it?

You're only getting access to the unencrypted channels. (and generally I believe only SD?)

The vast majority of Comcast's channels and content can't be accessed without a cable card or cable box.

Yes- I'm getting SD analog channels + HD Local Channels (which the FCC mandates they carry in the clear), although there are CableCard PC tuners out there, and from what I've heard, CableCards are available from Comcast (I just refuse to pay $50/mo, or whatever it is, to get the digital package). I also use my Xbox 360 as a Media Center Extender to watch stuff I've DVR'd in the bedroom. I don't see how this is really doing anything different than what ReplayTV was doing. Maybe it's just that there aren't enough people doing it to have drawn the ire of the media companies...

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