Cable Internet Not getting All of Local Channels.

If you are a Internet only subscriber and you connect your TV and recieve service without the cable companys permission this would make you a thief. If you want tv service from source other than OTA you need to pay for it.

Samuez ... FYI, to subscribe to local cable usually costs very little, and may even reduce your Internet rate. In my case, the splitter they gave me has specific taps for Internet and TV, though I don't know how it's different from a common splitter.

Sounds like your other problems, OTA and cable, stem from signal strength issues. Digital has a fairly narrow range of signal strengths where it works poorly; above that the picture's fine, below that it's gone. Work on that.
Edited by gring40 - 8/7/12 at 9:48am

Sounds like you didn't setup your TV to scan for digital channels (QAM). Most likely, it is looking for analog channels, which, of course, aren't there.

If your TV set is new enough (made within the past 6 years), it will have a digital tuner in it (in addition to the regular tuner). Go into the menu and tell it to look for digital TV signals. When it scans, you'll see numbers like 83-2, 208-36, and so on. Just odd-looking channel numbers. The vast majority of what it finds will be encrypted, so it won't display anything. You should be able to watch, at a minimum, your local channel, though. Those are what is known as "Clear QAM" channels. Depending on your system, there may be other clear QAM channels as well.

If you are not subscribing to TV service and only pay for internet service, by connecting TV to the cable, you are commiting cable theft.

It is no different than me coming over to your house with a long extention cord and plugging it into your outdoor outlets, and saying that the "electricity is just there" for me to take it.

I don't know which provider the OP uses. but the "cable theft:" BS gets old.

Most cableco's send locals "in the clear" (unencrypted). If you happen to have a QAM tuner in your TV, go for it. If they don't encrypt... that's their problem.

I don't know if it's still subscription policy (in regard to Comcast), but as mentioned earlier, sometimes internet and lifeline basic is a lower monthly rate.

It would really help if the OP provides info in regard to the make/model of the TV, location, and cable provider.

Agreed, when the coax line enters the demarcation point of the customers home they are free to do what they want with their internal wiring, but if it cause's leakage issue's and or return path issue's be ready for a door tag request to fix such a problem. Other that enjoy what they send out to you, keep in mind that some traps (filters) remove some Clear QAM's/analog channels depending upon your system.

So, years ago if you lived in a system that used a positive trap system for their premiums and you acquired positive filters for those channels that was okay? Or in a system that sync scrambled theirs, if you bought a black-market box, it was alright?

Here is the problem, you are comparing purchasing and or acquiring an unlawful device (black market box) which was used for Premium channels to getting basic analog/digital channels. The way the law is worded it is up to the Provider (Cable Company) to filter the channels the subscriber should and should not receive, with Docsis forward levels depending where they are in the spectrum this can be easy or difficult with a trap (filter). If a subscriber hooks up their TV and acquires basic channels analog and or digital but are paying for Docsis internet what are they doing wrong.? The signal is reaching their home wiring lawfully and no illegal device is used to receive it.

If someone leaves an item unsecured its still not legal for you take that item. This is the problem with the world today there is no moral character left. Have you checked out the Bait Car show? If you can just take things shouldn't a car running with the door standing open fall into this catagory? Bottom line is if you take a product with out consent you are a thief.

Have you not read numerous threads about clear QAM and internet only? This has been discussed many times over the last few years.
It's 2012. The cableco's do not typically install filters or traps to block reception anymore. It's not cost effective for hardware costs or truck rolls . Subscription is contolled at the headend.

This is not a moraliity thread. It's reality and it gets tiring continually reading with people being called "thieves" and threatened.

Again... read the past posts (in this and previously posted threads) and you will become more informed.

If it were not a issue then why does Charter have over 10 opening with this job title?

Job Description
 
Plant Security Investigator(Job Number: 1203584)
Description
 
 
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Join Charter and live the career you’re wired for.
At Charter, we are a growing and dynamic $7+ billion Fortune 500 organization with 17,000 employees strong. Our goal is to be America’s #1 service organization in advanced video, high-speed internet and telephone service – and we need talented people like you to deliver that exceptional and unmatched experience for our customers. Join us, and be connected to a collaborative workplace where everyone plays an important role and where you can make an impact – on your career, our growing company, and our 5+ million customers.
 
SUMMARY
The Plant Security Investigator support the company’s Plant Security Program by investigating claims of unauthorized connections to Charter services, collecting evidence, preparing and presenting evidence for potential prosecution, and pursuing appropriate course of action with individuals engaged in unethical activity.
 
The position will work with law enforcement agencies, attorneys, courts and other related agencies regarding criminal prosecution and/or civil litigation for theft of cable service, and will provide testimony as needed in both civil and criminal proceedings.
 
The Plant Security Investigator will use measuring devices, gaffs, safety harnesses, ladders, test equipment, PDAs, smart phones, routers, modems, converters, and wireless devices.  
 
The Plant Security Investigator will travel (including during inclement weather) to and from assigned territories and company facilities.  The successful candidate will have a personal vehicle to travel within the assigned territory, a current valid drivers’ license and satisfactory motor vehicle report.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
·         18 years of age or older
·         Current valid driver’s license
·         Must have bachelor’s degree or minimum of 2 years’ work experience
·         Must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience in law enforcement/investigation training
 
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
·         1+ year of technical work experience
·         Industry and vendor specific certifications and training (NCTI, SCTE)
·         Ability to handle confidential information
·         Ability to prioritize and organize effectively
·         Knowledge of cable or telecommunications services
·         Knowledge of basic mathematics and electronics
·         Experience with consumer education of products and services

 
WORKING CONDITIONS
·         Office work and field work which may include standing 50 - 70% of the time and working indoors in confined space, poorly ventilated areas such as attics, basements and/or crawlspaces  
·         Exposure to dust, dirt, noise, insects, rodents, pets, and cleaning solutions
·         Work outdoors in all kinds of weather and at all times of the day or night
·         Work performed near power lines and electricity
·         Work performed at various heights above ground on telephone/power poles
·         Work and travel in inclement weather
·         Ocassionally required to work overtime as the business needs dictate
 
Charter is an equal opportunity employer.
And I'm well informed as I have worked in the industry for over 20 yrs and a published subject matter expert with the SCTE. Thank You Very Much.

LOL... sounds like you potentially have a new career on the horizon.

The real problem with unpaying cable subs is it's going to force the cable companies hand. It already has in NYC where they've been allowed to scramble even the locals. 'Sneaky Bastages' like you will eventually force every system to scramble it all and require me, a legitimate subscriber, to need a cable box. THAT's why guys like you piss me off.

The sad reality is that it's probable that providers will eventually encrypt everything anyway.

As mentioned, the only thing to do is run a scan using the TV's digital tuner. Once that is done, you're getting all the channels you will ever get with your current cable subscription. On Internet-only cable setups, sometimes they send a few clear QAM channels, sometimes they send none. It's a crapshoot, and there isn't anything more you can do.

It sounds like you need a taller antenna for OTA. If you live some distance from the transmitters, you may need a rooftop or outside tower, depending on where you're at (you may only need the tower if you live in the sticks, though.)

The reason it is not encrypted is because FCC mandated that cable compnies can not encrypt it. But, thanks to people who STEAL cable, CableVision has won an approval to encrypt locals as well, and main reason FCC allowed them is Cable Service Theft.

Problem is that if you look up on top it clearly says that "No cable theft talk allowed" and what you are asking is clearly Cable Theft since you are tyring to receive services that you have not paid for. Jus tlike AVS forums, whoever posts a suggestion to your query is libale in the legal sense as accessory to theft.

If you want TV and don't want to use the FREE TV availabe, or don't want to invest in the equipment needed to make FREE TV an viable option, then pay $10/month to get TV from your cable provider, rather than stealing it.

Whether you buy a black box, FM traps, illegals cable or satellite cards, or a piece of cable to connect TV to the wall, it is all the same in the eyes of the law, you aquired a piece of equipment to receive services that you are not entitled to.

While adding video does add that cost, usually there is a $10-15 discount for bundled services. Adding something such as limited basic could increase the overall cost by only 2 or 3 bux.

Providers differ in their offerings/bundles depeding on the area(s). So, I apologize to the the cable evangelists. But, if you (the cableco) send "stuff" in the clear, that's their problem.

The guy did not buy a "black box", did not splice into the neighbor's feed, did not break into a PED, did not climb a pole, etc....

NYC and Cablevision is an exception, not the rule. City life...... it's a jungle out there.

Sue me for speaking about reality and not being hung up on morality.

We know that are Clear QAM's are passed thru with our Basic-Broadcast Trap and if Customer's pick them up so be it. But I am sure someone will correct me on here because they feel I am in the wrong some how... For clarification it is a 50-550 mhz filter and are Clear QAM's are next to the Docsis downstream QAM's so they make it thru.

It depends. I tried to get basic cable and internet only when my original sign-up rate expired, and it was cheaper to stick to the full digital tier/Internet I already had (though it was a bit more than what the promotional period was.) Still trying to figure out that one.

My sister and her husband thought they were slick. They have CableVision in Montville, NJ. They subscribe to CableVision's tirple play, but only with 1 TV out of 5 connected. They thought that by having 1 TV they could get basic TV on other set, but... CableVision has either dropped analog or is encrypting everything now. I haven't had a chance to see what exactly is going on. They called me asking me why their other TV's are only showing "snow"

My guess is that CableVisions phased out analog, since when they called CableVision to inquire, they were offered free boxes for 1 year for other TV's.

If they get "snow", then:
1) CV has dropped analog
2) they don't have QAM tuners in the other TV's

TWC just sent me a letter saying they're moving a few channels to digital, and offering a standard def box for free (until Dec 2013) to get those channels. They also said a couple were still available in the clear on QAM. None of the channels appealed to me (C-span, Lifetime Movie, etc.) But all the remaining analogs were untouched. So I guess until at least 2013 TWC will keep their analog band.

LOL the FCC couldn't care less about some cable or satellite provider's piracy problems LOL ........... now on the other hand if someone were to try an over-the-limit unlicensed pirate radio broadcast they have more than enough licensed-to-carry people available.