Review on Enhanced CableCARD Receiver: Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650 Dual Tuner by Robert Fulce

I love this product. That's exactly what I need for my Windows Media Center. This allows me to watch the cable instead of constantly fumbling with the antenna. The only problem is that the cable company has no idea what it is or how to activate it. After following the instructions that came with it and using a Comcast cable card, nothing worked. I would not get channels. I contacted Hauppauge, they were more than helpful but couldn't do anything as it was on the Comcast site. Every time I called comcast (yes, even the secret "cable card" number that was posted online) I got someone who couldn't UNDERSTAND that the cable card wasn't used by Tivo and tried to use it as a to activate such. Of course it never worked. After about 5-8 hours of phone calls, two tech visits to my house, a very nice tech manager to come to my house, and finally a call to Comcast tech and replacing the cable card, everything is working now. It's great that they were able to fix it, but my god, at what cost!? Here's my advice to all potential buyers: if you really need it and are willing to take the time to TROUBLESHOOT if it doesn't work the first time, then go for it. If you just want to plug it in and connect your computer with a cable, it probably won't be that easy. Again, this is a great product, but an ignorant cable company creates a huge barrier to entry.