I've asked this before, but can't find my old post.

Can anyone here recommend a set top box that tunes QAM channels if connected to cable?

It looks like my cable company is about to drop analog (a BUNCH of channels from our basic cable package just showed up in unscrambled QAM on the digital side). While my newer recorders can deal with it, by old Series 1 TiVos can't unless I get a set top box...and I refuse to rent cable boxes. :o

Hopefully, this box that can handle QAM might also be one whose IR remote codes my TiVo will already know, but one thing at a time.

See the HDTV STB Synopsis at the top of the forum for a list of current QAM compatible devices.

But. The FCC has just approved encryption for non-CableCARD devices, known as DTA's, like most cableco's are going to use after eliminating analog.

This means in the very near future a QAM tuner will only work for local HD channels, and maybe a few others like public access, etc. Maybe 15-20 channels at the most. No ESPN, Discovery, TNT, CNN, etc.

If you are already paying for channels beyond the local channels, which is normally channels 1-99, many (most?) cableco's are providing at no cost a DTA (or 2), which will decode all the channels previously on 1-99 in analog. Call and ask them how they plan on handling their transition from analog to digital.

Is your cableco Comcast?

Well I guess I'll be canceling my cable tv soon then. I have MANY QAM capable devices and a HDTV card that does it as well, what good will all this paid for gear be once they pull that crap.
I have Comcast and I'm pretty sure he does too, they've been pushing us here to get these crappy DTA boxes and one basic regular box that can't output anything but rca analog outs or RF.
The whole thing is a money grab to get more people to rent their high end services and HD boxes.
I all ready pay too much as it is....So when does the magic scramble everything but basic date happen?

I'm actually impressed with the On Demand functions of the digital starter freebee box. Too bad my mother can't even handle the menu on a DVD player.

I don't see it as a money grab myself (I fully understand Comcast is a for profit company, and all that goes with it, I run one myself). I have Comcast, and my area is changing, I'll gladly take two of the boxes free , how can you keep a straight face and complain about that? I'm looking forward to the additional HD content they will be able to provide with the switchover to mainly all digital. I use qam when I can too, FWIW.

Was all this not obvious years ago when FIOS and QAM came along? Every cable co's bottom line will eventually be locals in clear QAM and scramble everything else with no analogs. If you want anything above the locals, bend over and take it. Otherwise kiss cable bye and go OTA.

I wonder how long Comcast is planning on providing two boxes for free, though?

I wonder how long Comcast is planning on providing two boxes for free, though?

At least 2012 (or as long as they are required to provide some analog locals).

I wonder how long Comcast is planning on providing two boxes for free, though?

Honestly, they aren't really FREE.... :)

Yeah, our rates went way up a year or two ago when they thought it all up. We've been paying for it and didn't even have it.

I don't see it as a money grab myself (I fully understand Comcast is a for profit company, and all that goes with it, I run one myself). I have Comcast, and my area is changing, I'll gladly take two of the boxes free , how can you keep a straight face and complain about that? I'm looking forward to the additional HD content they will be able to provide with the switchover to mainly all digital. I use qam when I can too, FWIW.
Well the DTA's and the free box they give you wont do HD at all, The DTA's only output to RF, and the starter box does RCA outs and RF and thats it.
It can do on demand and the extra channels I guess but nothing will be in HD. If you don't care about HD except for the locals then I guess it's great, otherwise you will have to pay extra for a HD box or HD DVR. AS far as all the stuff in SD digital now if they scramble everything then all you'll get is the locals and whatever basic stuff below 30 they decide to allow.
The only additional HD channel I got in the clear is Ion..WOOO HOO!

Well the DTA's and the free box they give you wont do HD at all, The DTA's only output to RF, and the starter box does RCA outs and RF and thats it.
It can do on demand and the extra channels I guess but nothing will be in HD. If you don't care about HD except for the locals then I guess it's great, otherwise you will have to pay extra for a HD box or HD DVR. AS far as all the stuff in SD digital now if they scramble everything then all you'll get is the locals and whatever basic stuff below 30 they decide to allow.
The only additional HD channel I got in the clear is Ion..WOOO HOO!

In ATL this change over is allowing a good many more HD channels. I have TWO HD boxes now, and I'll appreciate the extra HD on them. I also have a couple of analog SD TV's running that would be nice to have the OnDemand etc on them.

Well if your all ready paying the fees for the extra boxes and HD then I guess your good to go. Many of us want to use the gear we all ready have and not pay Comcast a dime extra. It seems that they are trying to set things up so that soon you will be forced to pay extra for the HD service, plus rent HD boxes for every TV that you want to get HD on.
Thats why many of us are upset right now, we feel that soon we may actually loose services and channels we now don't have to pay extra for and haven't for quite a few years.

Well the DTA's and the free box they give you wont do HD at all, The DTA's only output to RF, and the starter box does RCA outs and RF and thats it.
It can do on demand and the extra channels I guess but nothing will be in HD. If you don't care about HD except for the locals then I guess it's great, otherwise you will have to pay extra for a HD box or HD DVR.Close, except for CableCARD devices. But, that's the way it's always been......


The only additional HD channel I got in the clear is Ion..WOOO HOOUh, Ion is just another OTA HD channel.

Well if your all ready paying the fees for the extra boxes and HD then I guess your good to go. Many of us want to use the gear we all ready have and not pay Comcast a dime extra. It seems that they are trying to set things up so that soon you will be forced to pay extra for the HD service, plus rent HD boxes for every TV that you want to get HD on.
Thats why many of us are upset right now, we feel that soon we may actually loose services and channels we now don't have to pay extra for and haven't for quite a few years.

You seem to be confused. Nothing about what you say is any different than DBS & Cableco's have always done.