S1Digital Allows HD CableCard Streaming from Media Server to Media Center

S1Digital solves the big problem with Windows Media Center -- the ability to stream protected CableCard content to a PC

S1Digital with Autonomic Control software

Aug
26

By Julie Jacobson
Filed in: News, Product News, Media Center, CEDIA, Media Servers
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08.26.2009 — UPDATE: The S1Digital server is not Windows Media Center; the client is. Still ... quite a feat.

The big bummer about Windows Media Center is that you can't stream protected HD content from PC to PC.

You can stream it to a Media Center Extender, but no one makes Extenders any more. Plus, Extenders have their limitations.

S1Digital has found a way around this DRM quirk. The company's new Digital Entertainment Platform (press release) lets you stream HD content – even from a CableCard -- from ~~PC to PC~~ its server to a Media Center PC.

S1Digital principal Paul Heitlinger says:

In addition to being able to stream HD movies, music and any other type of content, you’ll notice that we’ve developed a cable TV over network solution – you can stream live TV from DCTs [CableCards] on our server over the network to Media Centers around the house. The Media Center will be able to watch/record TV, just as if the TV tuner was locally attached. This is huge – kind of like Softsled that keeps getting requested. So now we have the ultimate “extender." You can watch HD movies AND HDTV from one box in each room.

More details in the S1Digital press release

Softsled, by the way, was a Microsoft code name for an Extender that would provide Media Center sharing, just like S1Digital now provides. We all waited for it; it never came.

The S1Digital Digital Entertainment Platform comprises three components: an Entertainment Server, Media Center clients and a control solution.

The Server supports 16 or 32 terabytes of protected storage in a 3U rack chassis, or 4 or 8 terabytes in a 1U chassis. In addition, the Server can stream live CableCard or ATSC HDTV to clients.

The Media Center clients play content stored on the server, streaming smooth 1080p video and 7.1 channel audio. Live and recorded HDTV can be streamed directly to the client, without needing TV tuners or a cable box directly attached. The custom designed chassis is small, quiet and can also playback Blu-rays, DVDs or CDs directly from the built-in optical drive.

An optional touch screen controller can manage the Media Centers from any room.

S1Digital is an integrator-friendly vendor and there aren't many of them left these days. The company partners with Autonomic Controls for integrating Media Center with home control systems. The new Digital Entertainment Platform starts at $3,500.

Check out the new S1Digital platform at CEDIA Expo 2009, booth #5729.

Julie Jacobson, Editor-at-large, CE Pro

As a co-founder of EH Publishing in 1994, Julie has edited and contributed to all of the company's publications at one time or another. An authority on home automation, networking, integration, digital convergence and the CE pro channel, Julie speaks often about these subjects at industry events. She graduated with a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan, and received an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin. Julie is a washed-up Ultimate Frisbee player.

Comments

Posted by lithium630 on 10/16 at 01:34 PM

As discussed on the The Green Button, all they are doing is moving the tuners to a different room. You still cannot share tuners or use one guide. It’s one tuner for one pc. No real benefit especially for the high price.

Posted by Julie Jacobson on 10/16 at 01:38 PM

I have to disagree, lithium. I’d love to be able to use cheap, small tuner-less WMCs at remote locations—especially where there’s no cable drop.