ASRock VISION HT 321B Pre-Sale Question

[cobrien84]

As an individual who cut cable back to a bare minimum almost three years ago by transitioning our family to Streaming Netflix via a Roku, I've reached the point where I hope to integrate our other media (ripped DVDs, digital pictures, digital music library, etc.) with the use of an HTPC, specifically ASRock's VISION HT 321B.

My only point of confusion (assuming the Blu-Ray drive "just works" under Win7Pro's WMC) involves our cable company's (Comcast's) recent announcement that they've "gone completely digital," even for the basic / local channels. This is what DROVE my initial investigation, leading me to find items like Ceton's InfiniTV 4 PCIe card.

And while I haven't found any glaring evidence of lost functionality on Comcast's basic / local service, I'm VERY curious as to whether the HT 321B can take ANY expansion card. Also, since our media is stored externally, I'm inclined to replace the included 750GB hard disc with a 64GB SSD (for Win7Pro) just to keep things as simple as possible.

[synack]

Re: ASRock VISION HT 321B Pre-Sale Question

Does not appear to be expandable. looking at the pictures online, the case doesn't even have a slot. Looks like all add-ins will be via eSATA and USB.

IT does state there is room for a second 2.5" hard drive. It will also support an mSATA card. (a SSD hard drive on a special board)

You may have to look for a USB digital tv tuner (and one that supports comcasts encryption, if one even exists) You might want to ask comcast what they have available. The solution will be similar to a laptop solution if the comcast support goes blank when asking about a VISION HT.

I quickly read that some ClearQAM (unencrypted) tuners might work for some basic channels, but i have also read that those channels are disappearing quickly.

Looks like those Ceton guys make a USB variant of what you posted above. here
I cannot vouch for its value, or if it'll even work with comcast (as most all providers are moving to encrypted QAM channels and require specialized hardware)
I assume you have done your homework and found out if it works with comcast or not.

Syn

[synack]

Re: ASRock VISION HT 321B Pre-Sale Question

Update:
anandtech has a great review of this, including pictures of the inside. You most definitely cannot add a PCIe card