I am considering purchasing an HDHomRun box, which is a network dual tuner box. It has support for ATSC and Clear unencrypted QAM. If I have cable run to a spare tv, are all of those channels considered clear QAM? Are all channels I would get with a standard analog tv available with this QAM tuner setup, or possibly would the ATSC tuner be more pertinent here? Both tuners are clear QAM and ATSC, but I didn't know if standard cable was NTSC, and not compatible, or whatnot. I want to use the tuner without having a set-top-box, and I would like to be able to pull in all my cable channels. I do have a set top box in the livingroom for digital cable, but we do not have the HD tier. Time Warner cable, by the way.

Thanks in advance.

Analog cable is NTSC.
What will be in the clear for the QAM channels will vary from system to system.

Most cable cos encrpyt all the digital channels except for the local affiliates. But, you won't know until you hook up a QAM tuner. Who knows - maybe you'll get lucky.

I called the tech support of the local time warner office, and they didn't know what i meant when i asked what I could get unencrypted over QAM, so she put me on hold and checked, then said that I could get channels 2 to 70-something all unencrypted. I even asked again if that was over digital and she said yes. Does this sound possible?

Usually, anything numbered below about 70 or so (plus, the 95-99 channels) are analog. Those are the type that any regular (analog) cable-ready set will pick up.

But is it possible that they are also sending these channels in digital over unencrypted QAM. I would love to get this working, but don't want to spend all the money on the tuner to find out I don't get any of the actual cable channels, just locals.

Here's what I can get in my area:

http://home.comcast.net/~cypherx/freeqam.htm

It varies from area to area though. You might get more, you might get less. In fact there were about 12 more channels available on that list just a week ago. Sure they were all in the $30 spanish language tier (with the exception of MTV3), but they closed that hole.

It's a matter of time before providers realize what QAM is and start encrypting feeds. Interesting thing to note is that the HD locals are showing on the actual broadcast channel numbers in my area. A year ago they were on numbers like 116-1, 116-2, 115-1, 115-2, etc.. If they can map them where they go it would be nice to see them map the digital version of the basic package to the regular numbers. The digital version is much cleaner than the grainy analog counterpart. Example, I would rather watch Comedy Central on 77-3 than analog ch 51.

I use a DVR and subscribe to everything just about, but the tuner in the TV is great for stuff like PIP, or if both tuners in the DVR are recording and I want to watch something else.

Yep, you're very lucky - on Comcast in the ATL there's nothing other than locals and shopping on clear QAM. Well, I take that back - we do get CSPAN1/2, Weather Channel, and WeatherPlus. ;) But that's all the freebies. I'm just glad that they're passing all the network HD's through so I can record all the good stuff with my Myth box this fall.

Yeah our area is pretty lucky. In fact it should be the providers goal to lock up all the QAM exept for stuff in the basic (Tier 1) level of service.

Here if you get the $12.95/month basic service, they put a trap on the line out at the pole which block channels 28 through 65. Note that all of the QAM is in the 75+ range. Comedy Central may be on Ch 51 normally, but with a cheap $12.95/month basic service subscription you can still watch it in clear QAM.

A summer ago they had the entire standard 77 channel lineup in clear QAM for a few good months after they started simulcasting the analog tier in a digital format.

Oh and how about the data only people who have the basic trap (Ch 2-27) and expanded basic trap (Ch 28-65). Plug in a QAM tuner and you'll get all of those basic channels besides the few analog that already slip by (Ch 66, 67, 73,74).

I say take advantage of the Clear QAM while you can... but I don't see how an operator can let that go for long. Once these tuners become commonplace, providers are going to have to get strict with their signals.

Ok, so I have currently an ATSC STB tuner, but I don't know if it has QAM capabilities or not. It is a Samsung SIR-T150, and I can't find any information about if it has a QAM tuner in it or not. If anyone can find that information and let me know, it would be appreciated.

Ok, so I have currently an ATSC STB tuner, but I don't know if it has QAM capabilities or not. It is a Samsung SIR-T150, and I can't find any information about if it has a QAM tuner in it or not. If anyone can find that information and let me know, it would be appreciated.

That box is a great ASTC tuner (I should know, I've had it for years), but it does not pick up QAM.