Sorry if this has been asked and answered elsewhere, please direct me to the thread(s) if so.

We currently have 3 HD TV's (I know two have a QAM/ATSC/NTSC built-in tuner. The third is a Sharp Aquos 37 Inch LCD installed about 2 years ago and is receiving HD and cable through a box from the cable provider). I believe the two TV's with the tuners have separate channel memorization for the antenna and cable inputs.

My current cable provider (Patriot Media in Central Jersey) encrypts the local HD channels so the built-in tuners do not pick up the channels. I have tried plugging the outlet cable to the cable and antenna input ports on the and run a channel Scan. When plugged into the cable, I get some 130 odd channels, but only get picture and sound up till about 95. After that, all the channels are said to be digital but show no picture or sound.
If connected to the antenna port, I pick-up 24 channels, all analogue.

We do not subscribe to any premium HD channels (HBO HD or the like) nor do we plan to. We also do not use Video on Demand.

I am planning on purchasing an attic antenna to receive local HD channels, as those are the ones we most commonly watch. However, we still do not want to "cut" our digital cable (minus HD). I am hoping something like a DB4 HD antenna from antennasdirect will work for receiving most of the channels in my area code of 08502. Will it?

Now that the background is done with...

Is there any easy method to distribute the antenna signal through the existing coax wiring in the house? From what research I have done, it seems that combining the cable company signal with the antenna will cause interference on both lines, so I have a feeling the answer is no.

The only other solution I can think of is have an installer come and wire another coax outlet into the rooms for the antenna.

If they are encrypting the OTA HD feeds, I think they're violating the FCC rules.

Unfortunately, you're right -- you can't distribute OTA through the same coax as you use for cable. You'll need to add another coax line.

At 40 miles from either New York or Philadelphia, you'll most likely need a bigger antenna than a DB-4. It's not impossible, though, that you could get several digital stations with a DB-4. Depends on your exact location. Also note than come 2009, you'll need a VHF antenna -- VHF-L and VHF-H for Philadelphia, I think VHF-H only for New York.

If they are encrypting the OTA HD feeds, I think they're violating the FCC rules.

I think you're right, they would be violating the FCC rules. However, in my haste I took no notice of the *.x channels (5.1). Thats where the local HD channels were hiding. So Patmedia is not encrypting the the local OTA HD feeds.

Thanks for your prompt reply. Perhaps I don't need the antenna after all.