[Bobby @ Jan 30th 2007 11:31AM]

Jay, you hit the nail. This could be a really exciting time, and a time for MSFT and the big names to pull some of us who have happily been innovating and creating new ways to use existing technologies in the 'illegal' arenas into the 'legal' fold.
Yes CableCARD could eliminate the STB. It could get rid of the complexities of using an analog tuner, plus and OTA HD antenna, plus the STB firewire just to access the channels you already pay for from your PC (as I do on my custom HTPC rig).
It could enable the plug-and-play ease of popping the OCUR card into the Media Center Edition PC some people already PAID for (I have not) giving you a really fun and easy-to-use machine. But it will not.
It will only be provided with new PCs from the big-name OEMs.. Forget the small OEMs and DIYers that have developed these concepts of practical living-room PCs, extenders, and so on. Releasing the OCUR cards to a larger audience could usher in a wave of new consumer innovation still dependent on MSFT for an OS and hardware that provides the framework. Instead it will find its way into a few living rooms of those who have no idea what it is or how to take it apart and understand it, let alone use it.
It will become an add-on to overpriced POS machines from Gateway; and the rest of us will sit down and figure out ways to steal it or otherwise continue to rip-off these companies that so easily rip us off.