The firmware you get depends on your cable service provider and the particular market area you are in. The SARA version is Scientific Atlanta's own. The program guide and other operational features aren't quite as nice as the Passport but it seems SARA versions get the edge for hardware implementation. The SATA port for connecting another hard disk, for example, is working on the SARA boxes. And it sounds like if the Firewire port isn't enabled yet it will be soon. This of course would give you the ability to archive non copy protected HD material to an external recorder. This usually means a D-VHS machine or PC since DVD recorders are not yet HD capable.