New 1080p HDTVs and HD signals

[Paisaab]

If one has one of the newer 1080p HDTVs (like the Mitsu for eg), with a card reader slot (I am assuming it is for dish/cable?), would one still need a set top satellite or cable receiver? Or is it purely for the aded benefit of the inbuilt hard drives that these devices are needed?

 

[racquetman]

If one has one of the newer 1080p HDTVs (like the Mitsu for eg), with a card reader slot (I am assuming it is for dish/cable?), would one still need a set top satellite or cable receiver? Or is it purely for the aded benefit of the inbuilt hard drives that these devices are needed?

I assume you are talking about a cable card slot on the back of the TV. If so, that is an alternative to having a cable box (you won't need a cable box, just the card). I believe it is a one way interface, so you can't use such features as video on demand or order movies or whatever. Therefore the cable companies aren't a big fan of them because they make money on such features. They are also prone to not working properly from what I've heard. However, if you don't want that cable box around and you don't want to use such features as VOD, then give it a try.

There is no such interface for digital satellite that I'm aware of, just cable.

Someone will come along and correct me if I'm wrong

 

[MDS]

IMO, Cable Card is another example of a technology that was rushed to market. As alandamp says, it is currently one-way so therefore pretty much useless because you can't use the cable company's interactive guide or Video On Demand features. Its only advantage is the fact that it's $2 per month instead of $8 for a set top box.

When they get around to ratifying the 2.0 standard, then it will have some value but of course none of the TVs that currently support 1.0 will be able to use it.

 

[BMXTRIX]

If TV Guide would work, CableCard could be great. My wishes are to put a TV in my master bedroom. I don't need, or have room for a cable box, and I want HDTV. I WANT to use the speakers inside the cabinet for most of my day-to-day (or mostly nightime) viewing. Yes, I have in-wall speakers and I can watch and use my HD-DVR cable box as well, but I only want to do that when I have to, not all the time.

CableCard, at the very least, is a good idea that is headed in the right direction I think. Just 10 billion more standards to write before every manufacturer can really screw it up.