I am looking to buy 30 + analog CATV boxes for a cool IPTV project. We have an analog CATV system that we are hoping to replace with an IP based solution that multicasts the streams out to a proprietary client that acts like a TV tuner (channel up dn etc..) The problem is that the encoder stations require s-video or composite input. Since the days of needing a cable box to tune to analog cable signals have gone the way of the Dodo, it is very hard to find a source for them . Especially ones that have S-Video out, if they ever existed. For my trial I have 2 old VCR's feeding composite out, but I can't see going into production with 30 VCR's next to a stack of servers.

Unfortunately the vendor does not offer tuner cards in the encoding station.

Anyone know of a good source?