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HTPC & UPC Cable

  • 15-08-2011 11:22AM
    #1
    squonk
    Moderators, Entertainment Moderators, Paid Member Posts: 11,382 Mod ✭✭✭✭


    Hi, I'm setting up an HTPC at the moment. I'm using a MacMini and Plex. I have UPC's digital box but I'm not a fan of it and I'm wondering if there is a way to use the MacMini to receive UPC instead of using their box?

    It's a big bulky box under the TV and is just awful to use. The menu system is slow and the EPG takes a good time to load. I'd think the MacMini could at least do as good a job without the bulk! Plus, I'm thinking about power as well and there's no point in powering a UPC box if I can do the same job on the MacMini which will be powered on anyway.

    I've got a card for my UPC box so I'd need a way to integrate that with whatever solution might be out there.

    Thanks!


Comments

  • #2
    MarkR
    Moderators, Regional Midwest Moderators Posts: 11,338 Mod ✭✭✭✭MarkR


    I believe that from a technical stand point, you need their box. They transmit an encrypted signal that only their hardware is able to decrypt.

    There have been other nefarious devices, boxes if you will, that bold people designed and made in order to get more than the channels they paid for. This has all been stopped with their latest encryption (nagravision 3 I think), so that should put an end to any hardware, bar their own, from being able to interpret a signal.


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