I have heard from two people now that their new TVs get HD channels with nothing more than regular cable plugged in straight from the wall to the set. I have a Samsung LNS3241, which has a built in ATSC tuner, which I understand will allow the set to display HD once it has been setup. I have let the TV search for available channels, and I'm told that I would get two seemingly identical channels, e.g. 6 and 6.1 (HD version). I'm guessing that my TV doesn't have the capability to simply go from wall -> search for channels -> voila, HD, because this isn't happening. So there must be some device that I can buy to do this, but I am confused as to what it is that I am looking for. Is it a terrestrial tuner, such as this one (http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-DTBH260F-HDTV-Terrestrial-Tuner/dp/B000JV6TQY******pd_bbs_1/002-4693794-5734464?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176686600&sr=8-1), or something else? What does it take to get my TV to find these channels that appear to be broadcasting over the lines in my friends' homes?

The built-in ATSC tuner allows you to receive HD over the air (OTA) with an antenna.

In general, you need a built-in, purchased or rented QAM tuner to receive free HD (usually your local networks only) from your cable.

A quick review of the owner's manual for your set doesn't indicate that a QAM tuner is integrated into your set. If you perform the procedure for memorizing cable channels and no HD channels are found, I believe this would verify that the required QAM tuner is not present in your set. If that is the case then cable HD channels could be tuned with a rented set top box (stb) from your cable company or a purchased QAM tuner.

In general, you need a built-in, purchased or rented QAM tuner to receive free HD (usually your local networks only) from your cable.

Since cable companies try to sell HD at an extra cost, would their boxes be setup to block access unless a fee is paid?

If that is the case then cable HD channels could be tuned with a rented set top box (stb) from your cable company or a purchased QAM tuner.

Searching Amazon.com for "QAM Tuner" displays only one result that actually says "QAM Tuner" in its title: Autumn Wave USB HDTV Analog QAM Tuner PVR (http://www.amazon.com/Autumn-Wave-HDTV-Analog-Tuner/dp/B000GGQ55M******pd_bbs_sr_3/002-4693794-5734464?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1176763539&sr=8-3). Is the Samsung Terrestrial Tuner (Samsung DTBH260F HDTV Terrestrial Tuner) a QAM tuner, too? What choices do I have in this purchase?

Thanks a lot.

I have a samsung with built in Qam tuner. I only have analog cable so I cannot receive local HD threw cable only. I have a cheap antenna hooked up and receive them OTA. Check and see if you need digital cable to receive them threw cable and ask your friends if they have digital cable.

One of them has digital cable and the other just has standard.

I have a samsung with built in Qam tuner. I only have analog cable so I cannot receive local HD threw cable only. I have a cheap antenna hooked up and receive them OTA. Check and see if you need digital cable to receive them threw cable and ask your friends if they have digital cable.

If your TV has a QAM tuner, it will pick up any channels in the "clear". I'm guessing any locals offered by your cable company will be available on QAM. Let your TV do a scan. I know comcast has the locals available in my area. SD and HD on the digital QAM tuner. No box needed, just the coax plugged into the set.

Since cable companies try to sell HD at an extra cost, would their boxes be setup to block access unless a fee is paid?What do you mean? They only give you the box after you agree to pay the extra cost.

Is the Samsung Terrestrial Tuner (Samsung DTBH260F HDTV Terrestrial Tuner) a QAM tuner, too? What choices do I have in this purchase?Yes the Samsung is both ASTC and QAM. There is a huge DTB260F thread on this forum. What do you mean what choices do you have?

Ed

I have a samsung with built in Qam tuner. I only have analog cable so I cannot receive local HD threw cable only.What's your cable company? Seems like most don't encrypt local broadcasts so I'm surprised that you say you can't get HD *THROUGH* cable.

Ed