I did the search but couldn't find the answer.

Q: Can I mix QAM and OTA ATSC signals in the same RG-6 cable and use each signal after splitting at the end?

Here's my situation. I'm moving to a town where basic cable with QAM is mandatory. But I want to record HDTV using OTA signal (my HDTV tuner in PC is ATSC only).

RG-6 cable is wired throughout the rooms, which is fed by Cable TV signal. I have access to these cables in the attic. I want to put an antenna in the attic and mix the signal to the cable TV signal (before the main splitter).

This way I don't have to make another hole in the wall. I can simply split the signal at the outlet and feed one to the ATSC tuner and another to the QAM tuner.

I think it's possible but I'm not an expert in this.

I did the search but couldn't find the answer.

Q: Can I mix QAM and OTA ATSC signals in the same RG-6 cable and use each signal after splitting at the end?

Here's my situation. I'm moving to a town where basic cable with QAM is mandatory. But I want to record HDTV using OTA signal (my HDTV tuner in PC is ATSC only).

RG-6 cable is wired throughout the rooms, which is fed by Cable TV signal. I have access to these cables in the attic. I want to put an antenna in the attic and mix the signal to the cable TV signal (before the main splitter).

This way I don't have to make another hole in the wall. I can simply split the signal at the outlet and feed one to the ATSC tuner and another to the QAM tuner.

I think it's possible but I'm not an expert in this.

Quick question, how is Basic Cable mandatory? I can't see a town forcing cable on it's citizens, but who knows?

You could change the tuner card in your PC to one that does QAM. That way, you won't have to run any new cables.

Alternatively, perhaps you could use a couple A/B switches. Put one in the attic and one down by the PC. The one in the attic will need a remote, and depending on how close your PC is to the attic, this method may/may not be feasible.

As for making another hole in the wall, you don't have to. As long as you can fish some RG-6 up into the attic (from your PC room), all you need is a dual RF plate. That's probably your best/cleanest option, but it's probably the most work as well.

ft

The city is Weston, FL. Because of some charter, all the residents are required to pay basic cable to Advanced Cable Company through the water bill till 2010. Sounds crazy? Don't ask me why.

If my plan doesn't work, then I'll get HDhomerun and ebay off 2 ATSC USB tuners. I'm running Vista MC.

Cable must be run to the house - doesn't mean that it has to be hooked up to anything.

Start thinking outside the box.... You can still use OTA and DBS.

And if you need both at a location -- use separate cables completely.

Basic cable is not QAM it is standard old NTSC SD analog for chanels 2-67. Cable companies are required to cary the local channels in analog till 2012.
However, the problem with analog 2-67 and OTA digital channels using the same frequencies is still a problem.

Most Basic cable customers can watch QAM. Which mostly carries local channels in "Basic" cable package anyway.