Over the weekend, Microsoft released the CableCARD firmware update for Windows 7 Media Center which relaxes DRM for recordings in a big way and adds support for SDV.  The package arrived as the “ATI Digital Cable Tuner 1.19.12.09050155 firmware” — available to all of those with the ATI CableCARD tuners via Windows Update. Next, Microsoft also pushed out the Digital Cable Advisor  tool, which checks your computer to ensure it meets minimum hardware requirements for CableCARD viewing/recording. The Digital Cable Advisor, found in the Windows Media Center Extras Gallery, measures system CPU speed, RAM, graphics card support for hardware acceleration, and digital connection capabilities. If your PC meets the minimum requirements, it enables digital cable functionality on your PC. (CableCARD tuner and connection from your cable company required of course.) Once you have it all set up, you’ll be able to use your Windows 7 computer’s Media Center HTPC front-end to access cable TV, including premium content.

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The CableCARD firmware update devised for the Windows 7 Media Center was released by Microsoft a short while after the launch of the new OS.

This is a pretty good software and serves the purpose of relaxing DRM for recordings in a really massive way and also adds support for SDV. The package came under the caption “ATI Digital Cable Tuner 1.19.12.09050155 firmware”. Anyone with ATI CableCARD tuners via Windows Update can access it.

Microsoft also launched the Digital Cable Advisor tool, which checks if a computer meets minimum hardware requirements for CableCARD viewing/recording. The Digital Cable Advisor is compatible with the Windows Media Center Extras Gallery, measures system CPU speed, RAM, graphics card support for hardware acceleration, and digital connection capabilities.

If these requirements are met, then it makes sure that it enables and fixes the digital cable functionality on a PC. (Note that the CableCARD tuner and connection from your cable company is mandatory and is required at any cost). Once everything is all set up and looks raring to go, one will be able to make good use of the Windows 7 computer’s Media Center HTPC front-end in order to make an access to cable TV, including premium content.