I was just wondering if the Tivo HD can be used as a HD tuner without a subscription. I'm not interested in the DVR functionality, I just want to be able to use it as an HD Tuner.

Thx

It would be a really expensive HD tuner. REALLY expensive.

Are you thinking of using it as an ATSC tuner, or a QAM tuner (or both)?

Did I mention .... REALLY expensive?

I'm thinking of using it as a QAM with cablecard and NTSC tuner.

It would be a very expensive HD tuner. It's about 250 plus 400 USD for the lifetime subscription. Add the cost of the cable cards and it can be very pricey. The Cableco non DVR box is actually cheaper to own if you don't want a DVR. The cableco will still have to install the cards for you which incurs an installation fee.

Edit: Tru2way is eventually coming out so you can buy your own non DVR and just have the cableco add the card.

The OP's idea was to not pay for subscription.

I don't believe CableCARD will work without subscription, but don't quote me on that.

But as a QAM tuner, you'll have to continually chase channels around the dial, because your cable company may keep moving channels around, and since you don't have a TiVo Subscription, there won't be any channel mapping between the actual QAM channel and the user-friendly channel.