[tabeytabe]

Hi, I currently subscribe to Insight cable and have one HDTV connected to an Insight HD DVR box...

I have a tv in another room that is only HD-READY (so, no built in tuner) and have it connected straight to the cable wall outlet.

I want to be able to view the free local HD programming on the 2nd tv without paying for a box from the cable company. Can I buy an HDTV converter for this (hook the converter to the wall outlet and to the tv)?

I know I won't be able to get all of the other channels that I get on my primary tv, but want to at least get the free local HD programming (ABC, NBC, etc...). And I don't want to use an antenna.

Any recomendations on the cheapest way to do this?

 

[mjones73]

You would need a QAM capable tuner such as the Samsung DTB-H260F or Centronics ZAT502.

 

[tabeytabe]

I have read that there are some QAM tuners out there that are unable to display all of the QAM channels through Insight cable... Does anyone know anything about this?

I obviously don't want to waste my money on one that won't work with my cable provider!

 

[Beerstalker]

There are two types of QAM, clear QAM and scrambled QAM.


Clear QAM are channels that the cable company sends out in the clear. This channels can be tuned in by any QAM tuner. Clear QAM channels are usually only your local digital stations (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, etc), and maybe a couple of other stations that they cable doesn't care about scrambling like QVC, CSPAN, etc.


Scrambled QAM channels need either a cable box rented from your cable company, or a device that contains a QAM tuner with a cable card slot. You then have to rent a cable card from your cable company (usually only $2 a month or so). Some TVs come with QAM tuners and cable card slots, some pre-built home theater computers come with them (you can't build your own though), and there are a few stand alone boxes that have them. Most cable companies scramble everything other than your local stations. So to get channels like ESPN, FX, USA, SciFi, TBS, HBO, Showtime etc.

 

[mjones73]

I suggest you check the local HDTV info section for a thread for your viewing area to get in touch with other Insight users and see what their experiences have been.

 

[tabeytabe]

Oh, ok thanks! Didn't realize that section existed! Guess I should have looked around a bit more before posting...