I didn't know who to talk to about this. And hopefully this is the right place.

I'm part of a sports forum, and some of the people there capture NBA highlights, but usually it was only local stations. I wanted to get in on the action so I took the necessary steps, in getting HD service, a firewire, and CapDVHS. When I went to record this to my Computer (which I also purchased a 320 gig external HD for so I could capture shows to rewatch), I was disappointed to find out that nearly all my channels were encrypted (couldn't capture). Now I know thats ok for cable stations like TNT, Discovery and others.... but even local channels like Fox, and CBS were blocked.

So my question is, is there something I should mess with on my computer or TV? Maybe it just needs some fine tuning to pick up these channels (some work like National Geographic, ABC, and NBC). Or if nothing helps, what should I do legally? As I hear encoding local channels is in violation of FCC rules.

Also if it helps I have a Motorola HD cable box provided by Comcast Cable.

Thank you for any help, and if this is the wrong section, I apologize.

I would try contacting the FCC on this to enforce their rule. No idea how responsive they will be but it is worth a try. You could also try talking to someone on the local level at Comcast. A CSR will not know what you are talking about but if you can speak to an engineer they will know and may be able to pull the strings to make the necessary change. I still think the FCC is your best bet.

I would check the AVS HDTV Recorders (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=&f=42) forum.

I would also go to your local area forum and ask there. Find it via this link:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241

Ok thanks a lot for this help guys. I submitted a complaint to the FCC, though I'm not sure it is the right place. Their site looks like it's set up by a 5 year old. Hopefully I will get a response but I am completely doubtful. Also reposted this in the local section.

As corporate policy, Comcast provides all local HD in the clear. You need to contact a supervisor or the local business office and inform them of the problem. They will correct it for you, without the other complications.

By in the clear do you mean that all the HD channels should be able to record? Or just those they are forced to keep open?

Cable companies are free to set the 5C flag on any station, and many do on local broadcasts. My understanding of the FCC regs is that the channels have to be available in the clear on QAM, but there's no requirement for you to be able to record them via firewire to a PC. You can simply purchase a QAM tuner card and record the channels in the clear directly from the cable. You don't have a location listed, but I would guess you are in the Bay Area since I have a friend there who has the same problem of not being able to record Fox and CBS via firewire. He has been told by higher-ups at Comcast that the settings are due to how their equipment interprets flags in the broadcasts from the Fox and CBS stations. He simply uses a QAM tuner to record these stations and it works fine.

Find your local thread - either "HDTV" or "Comcast" - in the link provided in Post #4. Continue discussion there.