Greetings Learned Forum:

As I was about to rent a HD tuner from Comcast for $8.95 per month so that I could feed my most basic of basic cable into my tuner-less projector, I thought, "Wait." I am not a big fan of renting equipment. Perhaps there is something I can purchase. A tuner? Something that will be able to take the raw cable signal, and make it useable to my projector. I have no need for an antenna, since I am in the way, way boonies. I just want to watch on my projector what I can watch on my cheap TV. Any ideas? Thank you in advance.

Nick

For unencrypted digital cable channels, you need a QAM tuner. See the HDTV STB synopsis thread:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=179095

If you're curious about what free OTA channels you could get at your address with an antenna, enter your address here (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29).

If you're curious about what free OTA channels you could get at your address with an antenna, enter your address here (http://www.tvfool.com/index.php?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29).

Dear Ar:

Been there. Done that. I can't get squat where I am. Boonies with a capital B.

How do I determine whether my cable signal is encrypted or not? All I know is the cable out of the wall goes right into an old TV and up pop the channels. I would guess this means they are unencrypted?

Nick

How do I determine whether my cable signal is encrypted or not? All I know is the cable out of the wall goes right into an old TV and up pop the channels. I would guess this means they are unencrypted?

Nick

The channels your old TV are getting are analog, doesn't prove if you have any unencrypted digital channels. You can try the HD Local Info section for a thread for your viewing DMA to see if any other local cable customers can confirm what channels you might get or you may just need to get a QAM capable tuner and try it out.

Thanks, Matt. I just ordered a Centronics ZAT502 HD. From what I read on this an other sites, it is well respected and cost effective. The trouble is that it is quite backordered. At least I am in line. Thank you.


Nick

How do I determine whether my cable signal is encrypted or not?

Encryption is done on a channel-by-channel basis. On most cable systems, the unencrypted digital channels include the local broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, PBS, maybe also CW and MyNetworkTV) plus a few public-access or shopping type channels. No CNN, ESPN, etc., although some people report being able to get a few channels like Discovery "in the clear." All other digital channels are encrypted.

Call your local cableco and ask them. I don't have cable, but Cox Cable in our area has been very helpful with friends' questions about which digital channels are unencrypted, or "in the clear" on the system here.

The channels your old TV are getting are analog, doesn't prove if you have any unencrypted digital channels.

Mr. Jones:

Shouldn't I be able to get what I am getting on my old TV with my new tuner? I can't imagine that my TV is un-encrypting encrypted channels. I can't understand why I may get fewer channels out of my new tuner than my old TV. Am I missing something?

In any event, I will take Ar's advice and contact Comcast directly and simply ask them. As usual, the most direct approach seems to make the most sense.

Thank you all for your replies.


Nick

Shouldn't I be able to get what I am getting on my old TV with my new tuner? I can't imagine that my TV is un-encrypting encrypted channels.

Basic analog cable channels are not scrambled or encrypted to begin with. That's why a cable-ready analog TV tuner can pick them up without a box.

Basic digital (QAM) cable channels are mostly encrypted. The only unencrypted ones are usually the local broadcast channels (ABC, NBC etc.), as listed in my previous post.

Yes, by switching from analog to digital, you lose the ability to get the non-local basic cable channels without a box. This is a deliberate decision by the cable companies.