So it looks like cable companies are set to raise their set-top box rental rates another $2 or $3 in the coming weeks. This price increase is a result of the July 1st FCC mandate that ordered all cable operators to start providing set-top boxes with CableCARDs, which are literally credit-card sized modules that go in the back of a set-top box or TV. The advantage of CableCARDs is that they're all-digital and offer a better picture, particularly for standard TV. For now, anyway, cable companies charge a significantly-lower monthly rental fee for CableCARDs than they do for set-top boxes (about $3 for cards versus $8-$15 for set-top boxes). But in order to take advantage of the savings, you'll need CableCARD-ready equipment that will let you by-pass your cable company's set-top box. Even if you don't have the right equipment, you can still take advantage of the other alternatives to the traditional cable-set-top-box, all of which can save you money in the long run (not to mention look nicer on your media rack). Here are some of the current options to the traditional cable set-top box:



Your Own Set-top Box, PC or TV with a CableCARD: This option is worth pursuing if you're in the market for a new TV, Vista-enabled PC, or DVR, since many new models are CableCARD compatible, which means you can add skip the cable set-top box (and its rental fee) altogether and insert the cards directly into devices you own. Some cable operators offer CableCARDs for free, while others charge a nominal $2 or $3 fee. Prices for CableCARDs may also go up when the prices for set-top boxes go up, but this so far has not been confirmed (regardless, they will still be cheaper than a set-top box).

The advantages of this option are less clutter on your media rack, as well as more user-friendly and responsive interfaces and program guides. We got an advance preview of the new Moxi DVR that Digeo will sell in September – it not only looks sexier than the average cable-company set top box on the outside, but also boasts a fast and easy-to-scan onscreen program guide (pictured) and user-interface. CableCARD-enabled televisions also have built-in program guides.

Disadvantages of this route include substandard interfaces (the Tivo Series 3 is great for maneuvering around recorded content, but slow and hard to read for scrolling through 200 channels) and the lack of on-demand capability (so you'll have to record all your favorite shows, the old fashioned-way). Windows Vista Ultimate PCs with CableCARD compatibility also offer some unique options, which we detail in the next entry.

Stream Your TV to another TV for free: The best way to get live TV on several televisions your house (without using cable set-top boxes) is to stream them from your Windows Vista Ultimate Media Center PC to up to five different Xbox 360s in your house. Of course, you'll need to shell out around $300 for an Xbox 360 and around $2,000 for a Windows Vista Ultimate computer that can take CableCARDs (right now, they're only made by Dell, Niveus, and Velocity Micro), but if you're a gamer and a media hound, this is a fantastic, smooth solution that works like a charm. If you're an iTunes user, you can use the sexy-looking and easy-to-use Apple TV, though it's essentially an on-demand-style option that requires purchasing episodes of TV shows for $2 a pop, so you might not save any money in the end. You can also try try media streamers such as Buffalo Wireless's LinkTheater, but these won't do live TV. For a decent overview of streaming media options, check out Lincoln Spector's piece in PC World.


Satellite: The prices are close, but, on average, satellite TV is a better bargain than cable TV in general, particularly if you compare pricing for basic and extended basic cable offerings, as well as for premium channels. On average, the basic extended type package – all your local network affiliates plus cable stalwarts such as CNN, E, MTV, and the like – costs about $45 on average from a cable company, and about $80 for 200-channel premium packages, versus $40 from DISH (which offers 200 channels for that price, and 100 channels for $20). Of course, prices vary depending on how much your state taxes cable TV and satellite, respectively (some states don't tax satellite at all). It's worth noting that cable systems are increasingly upping their offerings, which include more varied on-demand options than satellite operators, so it all depends on how many interactive features you want.

Verizon FiOS TV: Because it uses a fiber optic connection directly to the home, the phone company's television offering purportedly has the capacity to offer thousands of HD channels, but right now has about 200, including 28 HD channels. FiOS TV is comparable to satellite on pricing (around $42 for 200 channels), and a better value than cable. In addition, you can get better pricing if you order FiOS Internet, which is one of the fastest Internet services around (30Mbps download speed versus the 5Mbps of most broadband providers).

Any of these alternatives to the cable set-top box appeal to you? If you have any experience using any of the above options, please share your thoughts below.

Related Links:

• Switched Splurge: High-End Windows Vista PC
• Who's Got the Most HD Channels?
• Channel Surfing the Internet Video Wave