Firewire, HTPC's and STB's

[aud19]

The thought came to me earlier today....

I seem to remember hearing a while back that by law (in the US) STB's had to be available with firewire (and/or possibly DVI..?) to cable/satellite subsribers who asked for it, sometime this year, for the ability to record to DVHS decks. Is there any reason you couldn't connect that firewire output to your HTPC if you wanted? Does anyone actually have a STB with an active firewire port yet? Was this just a rumour I had heard? If you have an STB with an inactive firewire port could shady men in dark drenchcoats activate it for you?

Jason

[aud19]

Well I found out that the FCC has required as of April 1st of 2004 that cable companies must give an active firewire box to customers that requested one.

It looks like it may be possible to record HD or SD via firewire equipped STB's but it's a bit dodgy depending on the STB, your firewire card/mobo and your cable provider.

I sure would love to hear from anyone who has succesfully set this up...

Jason