I have TWC in LA. All we pay for is RR internet service (6megs), but, as I suspected, I ran a splitter from the line going into the house so that one line goes to the modem and the other to our living room tv and, magically, we have basic cable...almost.
I have an LCD tv with a QAM tuner and I pick up all the networks channels as well as their HD channels, and a lot of the basic cable HD channels (Discovery, CNN, History, Food, TLC, ESPNEWS, NBA, those crappy music channels). Of course the channels that I would really like to watch are not coming in (Comedy Central, ESPN, FX). Is there any way to get these channels to come in? If I were to pay for cable I'd really only be paying for these channels b/c they're the only ones I watch. I feel like the signal for them is being fed into the house, but my TV isn't picking it up. It just says 'weak signal' where those channels are supposed to be. I know I'm complaining while I'm already getting more than I'm paying for, but I'm poor/cheap and don't want to shell out $45/mo for a ton of channels I don't need.
I live in a guest house and the owner says we have to do our own cable so splitting off of hers isn't an option. I have fairly easy access to the gray TWC box on the side of the house as well as the line going into the house. Any suggestions? I need my Monday Night Football and NCAA Football and Daily Show and Colbert. And It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and eventually Rescue Me. Help a midwest transplant out...

Most likely, they are encrypted. Gotta have a box in order to get them.

I have TWC in LA. All we pay for is RR internet service (6megs), but, as I suspected, I ran a splitter from the line going into the house so that one line goes to the modem and the other to our living room tv and, magically, we have basic cable...almost. I have an LCD tv with a QAM tuner and I pick up all the networks channels as well as their HD channels, and a lot of the basic cable HD channels (Discovery, CNN, History, Food, TLC, ESPNEWS, NBA, those crappy music channels). Of course the channels that I would really like to watch are not coming in (Comedy Central, ESPN, FX). Is there any way to get these channels to come in? If I were to pay for cable I'd really only be paying for these channels b/c they're the only ones I watch. Do I understand you correctly: you are not subscribed for ANY level of cable TV service? Sounds like your cable op inadvertently hasn't filtered out TV feed for their lowest level ("limited basic") from your HSI. If these are being transmitted "in the clear" in unencyrpted QAM, consider yourself lucky and be on notice that the channels might disappear at any time without notice. Using a gray-market (unauthorized by the cable op) box may be illegal in your jurisdiction, you might consult with an attorney before proceeding.

I know I'm complaining while I'm already getting more than I'm paying for, but I'm poor/cheap and don't want to shell out $45/mo for a ton of channels I don't need. I live in a guest house and the owner says we have to do our own cable so splitting off of hers isn't an option. Being "poor/cheap" is no excuse. FREE pay-TV service isn't a constitutional right. Your landlord doesn't want to risk being sued for "theft of service" by splitting off of her line.

I have fairly easy access to the gray TWC box on the side of the house as well as the line going into the house. Any suggestions? I need my Monday Night Football and NCAA Football and Daily Show and Colbert. And It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and eventually Rescue Me. Help a midwest transplant out... Tinkering with TWC's equipment may be illegal. Consult with an attorney before proceeding.

Your cheapest LEGAL solution to this dilemma is view the shows you want online using your HSI. Your cable op eventually will curtail the "free" pay TV service, as many cable ops have begun encrypting all QAM channels except the local OTA broadcast stations.

If you really want expanded-basic cable TV service, you're gonna have to pay for it. Again, most of the shows you mentioned can now be viewed online in streaming video.

You're missing channels because you don't subscribe to cable video/TV.
What you are getting is considered theft of service.

No sympathy or help here... move on.

Most likely, they are encrypted. Gotta have a box in order to get them.

They're not encrypted, at least not in the analog band. I get all of them on my STB-less NTSC-only TV and VCR in my bedroom.

I'm guessing seatacboy is right and the other channels just aren't filtered on a RR only account. Gotta step up to at least a basic TV service (which IIRC includes them with TWC-Socal.)

What is the penalty for theft of services in your community? You may want to find out because that splitter is most likely illegal. Just because you are "poor/cheap" does not mean you can steal from others and that includes the cable company.

I think we scared him off.

I'll admit that I'm looking for everything for nothing and that's probably not realistic, but I don't see how what I'm doing is theft of service. A splitter isn't illegal. I'm not stealing from another party. If the cable company sends the signals to some channels w/o me ordering them it doesn't make me a thief. If I bought 2meg internet service and was given 6meg service instead, would I still be stealing? They absolutely have every right to take it away and filter it whenever they want, but if they're not filtering it then I'm going to keep using it. How upset can I really get when I'm getting more than I pay for? I guess it's either suck it up and buy service or quit my complaining.

It's called passive theft. I won't get into a debate over it.


If you want to watch Comedy Central and FX for free, go to www.hulu.com. The shows you mentioned on both of those channels are there, free.

If you want football, go to a sports bar or a TGI Fridays (lord knows there are enough of them in the Southland.)

They're not encrypted, at least not in the analog band. I get all of them on my STB-less NTSC-only TV and VCR in my bedroom.

I didn't see anything in his original post to indicate what band he was dealing with -- whether analog or digital.

I'm assuming his LCD TV has an analog tuner built in if it has QAM. At least I've never seen one that had only digital tuners at present.

I also don't think TWC-LA encrypts those channels in the digital band, although I could be wrong. Either way I'm willing to bet if he stepped up to the basic cable service he'd get them without a box.

Of course if he's unwilling to get even basic cable, I doubt getting a digital package and box fee would appeal to him, either. :p

I'm assuming his LCD TV has an analog tuner built in if it has QAM. At least I've never seen one that had only digital tuners at present.

I also don't think TWC-LA encrypts those channels in the digital band, although I could be wrong. Either way I'm willing to bet if he stepped up to the basic cable service he'd get them without a box.

Of course if he's unwilling to get even basic cable, I doubt getting a digital package and box fee would appeal to him, either. :p OP didn't mention getting analog cable channels, just clear QAM digital which apparently comes through the HSI line unless a special filter were applied by TWC.

Glancing at TWC's web info for the SoCal market, it looks like his local cable op provides a few cable networks in addition to local OTAs with their lowest-cost "Broadcast" service tier. That "Broadcast" tier is pretty cheap at $15/month and included about 50 channels. I was surprised how many cable networks TWC "throws in" as part of that super-cheap service tier.

The next-highest service tier is $55/month. That's where the channels he purports to need (Comedy Central, ESPN, FX) are domiciled.

More likely than not, TWC will eventually filter his line to prevent unauthorized cable TV reception.

At that point, the "poor/cheap" OP either should be willing to pay $15/month to keep his current level of "broadcast basic" TV services, or learn how to receive free OTA at the Los Angeles, CA - OTA (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=191672&page=126) thread.

Glancing at TWC's web info for the SoCal market, it looks like his local cable op provides a few cable networks in addition to local OTAs with their lowest-cost "Broadcast" service tier. That "Broadcast" tier is pretty cheap at $15/month and included about 50 channels. I was surprised how many cable networks TWC "throws in" as part of that super-cheap service tier.


Yeah, there are a decent amount on the lowest. Although a lot are alternate language channels (especially Spanish channels, not surprising given the high Latino population) and some are HD simulcasts. Still a good selection, probably owing to the presence of LA's TV production facilities.

I guess I assumed he was getting analog channels and didn't think that HSI might exclude that band. My bad. I guess the question is whether the Basic Cable package (one step above the $15 Broadcast) is in the clear.

You're missing channels because you don't subscribe to cable video/TV.
What you are getting is considered theft of service.

No sympathy or help here... move on.

lol :rolleyes: