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Help - Need QAM Decoder

1145 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by HDMI Guy, Dec 30, 2008

cyniclaus

Discussion Starter · Dec 29, 2008

I need a simple but capable QAM box to decode my cable signal for my HD projector. Would prefer output over HDMI but component with optical audio would be fine too.

I don't need an OTA tuner or HD/DVD recording capabilities unless they are included at insignificant cost.

Any recommendations on a simple unit that does this effectively? I just have an existing cable connection that I don't pay for (no premium channels obviously) from the previous tenant in my apartment. I already use it to get QAM on my LCD TV but my projector has no tuner in it.

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Ken H

· #2 · Dec 29, 2008

There are no dedicated QAM tuners you can buy; all of them have ATSC also.

Keep in mind you'll only get the local HD stations in clear QAM. For digital tier HD, like ESPN, TNT, etc., you'll need a CableCARD unit, which for right now is the HD TiVo.

From The AVS HDTV STB Synopsis, at the top of the forum:

Over The Air DTV/HDTV/Cable Clear QAM

Available Now:

· Dish DTVPal DVR (ex-Echostar TR-50) $249 Intro Price ($299 regular) ATSC, 30 Hours HD recording

· Centronics ZAT502 HD $70 ATSC, Clear QAM

· Samsung DTB-H260F $179 ATSC, Clear QAM

· Winegard RC-1010 $190 ATSC

· Coby DTV-140 $139 ATSC

· Tivax LX1000 $90 ATSC

· TiVo HD $299 ATSC, CableCARD, Clear QAM, NTSC

· Contemporary Research 232-ATSC $1050 ATSC, NTSC, Clear QAM, RS-232 control

· AV Tool ATSC-100 $199 / Choice Select CHO4006 $239 ATSC (analog audio only; no DD output)

· Grandtec TUN-5000 $249 ATSC (analog audio only; no DD output)

· KWORLD SA290-Q LE $100 ATSC, Clear QAM (analog audio only; no DD output)

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cyniclaus

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 29, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H /forum/post/15406919

There are no dedicated QAM tuners you can buy; all of them have ATSC also.

Thanks for the quick reply; I did not know that. So it looks like the Centronics ZAT502 HD, at $70, is my best (i.e. cheap and effective) option. I guess I will get one of those.

There is a disclaimer on the merchant's site that states:

"This box has a QAM Cable tuner, but will not decode encrypted cable broadcasts used by some cable carriers "

Hopefully, since I am already able to watch the channels on my Vizio LCD with its built-in tuner, that means that the content is unencrypted and will work with the Centronics unit!

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jtbell

· #4 · Dec 29, 2008

Yes, the Centronics should be able to pick up anything the Vizio can get, at least in principle. I've seen reports here of varying results on clear QAM with different tuners, presumably because of signal-strength issues.

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walford

· #5 · Dec 29, 2008

If your Vizio allready has an internal OTA digital tuner then you will receive more digital channels using it then using a separate STB which can receive clear QAM from your cable company since the cable companies are not required to carry unencrypted (in the clear ) to more then one digital from each High powered local broadcast station.

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HDMI Guy

· #6 · Dec 30, 2008

Quote:
Originally Posted by walford /forum/post/15408231

If your Vizio allready has an internal OTA digital tuner then you will receive more digital channels using it then using a separate STB which can receive clear QAM from your cable company since the cable companies are not required to carry unencrypted (in the clear ) to more then one digital from each High powered local broadcast station.

I don't think the original poster is using any OTA. Therefore a good tuner should get the same channels as the Vizio.

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