On advice in a different thread, I purchased a small RCA CRT TV with NTSC, ATSC, and QAM tuners. I'm hoping the cable company continues to provide the digital level of programming that replaces the Extended Basic level in analog without encrypting, so that I can put this TV in my child's room as an easy-to-use TV without having to use any box or DTA from the cable company.

This is my first experience receiving channels on a digital TV. The QAM tuner seems to be picking up most of the channels we presently have on our analog TVs---except we're missing Food Network and HGTV, the latter of which my child inexplicably enjoys watching.

What's really confusing, though, is that all of the channels are identified by what I presume are their QAM channels + subchannels (i.e., 106.5 For Disney). It's difficult to get used to these numbers and, certainly, impossible to remember them all. Is that the way channels will have to be tuned if one tries to avoid the STB by getting a TV with a QAM tuner? Is there any way to get around it?

We aren't actualy subscribed or switched over to all digital yet, so is it possible that if we switch from the analog package to the digital package from our cable company that the channel lineup will go back to the traditional 1 to 3 digits, without subchannels, and the channels will be mostly grouped in a somewhat logical manner (i.e., OTA broadcast stations together, cable news together, sports together, etc.)?

Also, does it usualy take several seconds to change channels with a digital tuner?

Sorry if this is a really stupid question, but this is all new territory for me.

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels is a place where you can find out what's available on your Cable system. Cable companies can (and do) change their digital channel assignments somtimes, so it's worth rescanning once in a while. The set top box from the cable company is where these QAM nubers get changed to the numbers we already know, so no, as long as you aren't using their box, the numbers won't make sense. And it does take a little longer for a TV to tune a digital signal.

You're getting the Disney Channel in clear QAM? You must not have Bright House cable! Bright House and most other cable companies scramble every digital channel except the local HD channels and sometimes the simulcasts of all of the limited basic tier. You are very lucky if you are getting the digital versions of expanded basic channels enencrypted.

You will be stuck with the wierd channel numbers probably until they kill all analog service. At that time they will probably move them to the familiar channel numbers, but all digital channels will always have a decimal point.

It does always take a few seconds to change digital channels.

Thank you! I have asked questions here before, and I always get the answers I need. I appreciate knowing this is a site where I can be assured that I will receive an accurate answer, without criticism for how little I know about the subject.

My cable provider is Comcast. I think they may have stopped encrypting the channels in the Extended Basic analog line-up recently because they are scheduled to soon switch ALL customers to digital. I'm hoping they don't go back to encrypting later, as it would really mess up my child's ability to watch TV---but that's another post. We've never had to deal with STBs, and I'd prefer not to have to start now. But I don't think I'll be buying anymore equipment until I see how things settle out. I wish Comcast would be a bit clearer on the subject, but I can call and talk to three different reps and get three different answers.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to respond.

I wish Comcast would be a bit clearer on the subject, but I can call and talk to three different reps and get three different answers.

Heh, don't hold your breath on getting a clear answer.

You'll get your answer when you find out for yourself whether they've encrypted it or not. Until then, don't take the word of any rep, because they most likely won't know themselves. It's not up to them. That's every cable company, BTW, not just Comcast.