I didn't know something like that was available. So I assume the cable card is something you get (buy?) and allows your device to access the account you already subscribe to. Or is getting the card the thing that establishes a working account with them?
The cable card is something you get from your provider and allows the channels you are subscribed to. In your cable box (if you have an HD cable box) there's a cable card. This is just receiving the card without the box. For me and with Verizon fios, it is cheaper to rent the card than a whole other box. The up front cost of the cable card reader is about $112, but there's no rental fee and with fios the rental fee for box and card is like $11/mo. If you have cable for more than a year or two, you start saving money. For me, it was the cheaper way to get fios in the basement.
My TV service here is Charter cable. I can't get competitive "wired" services because it's all contolled by contracts with local government and considered to be a "public utility." That kills me because I know Verizon has a fiberoptic backbone running down our Main St that's only 106 feet from me. I can get any sat TV service of course but my "geography" doesn't lend itself to that.
You still have to have the service, but I Think this works with some sat companies. You'd have to check on the company website and see. If you set it up right, and have the correct software, I think it will also allow your TV to be a DVR as well. If I was going to go DVR I'd probably go with the Ceton and its 6 tuners.
