The elephant in the room for Windows Media Center users has long been availability of native HD content from cable providers. Following ATI’s brief stint with external CableCARD tuners, workarounds were achieved by using the Hauppauge HD-PVR or more recently, the Centon InfiniTV 4. Today, a new and affordable networked CableCARD solution exists, say hello to the Silicon Dust HDHomeRun PRIME.
Windows Media Center (WMC) is a beautiful piece of software included with every Windows build since Media Center 2005. In Microsoft’s latest, Windows 7, WMC offers an unparalleled user interface, besting even the latest TiVo boxes. Unfortunately, until today, being able to bring your HD cable content in WMC is easier said than done.
The Silicon Dust HDHomeRun PRIME is unlike any other solution on the market. Simply rent a multi-stream CableCARD from your provider, connect the HDHomeRun PRIME to your router, run the setup and you’ll have three HD streams which you can access from any Windows machine in your home. If you have a Xbox 360 you can add the console to as an Extender inside the Media Center Setup and share those same HD tuners. You’ll also be able to share your recorded TV library throughout your home.
If that’s not the dream Windows Media Center experience, we’re not exactly sure what is. It’s just too bad it took an extra five years to reach this point. The Silicon Dust HDHomeRun PRIME is now available for pre-order with an official release date set for July 25.
July 25 | Silicon Dust | $249.99 (£154.38)
