A closer look at Niveus CableCard receiver

While CableCard equipped PCs are finally starting to ship, they're still veiled in a shroud of mystery for most consumers. Gizmodo got a close-up look at the new Niveus systems, complete with a video demonstration.

The video's a little grainy, but you get to see a Niveus rep demonstrate recording 3 HD shows at the same time while watching a previously recorded show at the same time.

You'll need a high end Niveus Rainier or Denali edition media center PC running Windows Vista in order to get CableCard support. And that's not counting the $1500 you'll have to shell out for the separate digital cable receiver box. Makes that TiVo Series3 start to look cheap, doesn't it?

The new Niveus systems should be available later this month or in early May.