Re: [H] QAM and digital cable...
Last I had looked at it the answer was no if we are talking about encrypted channels (nearly all of them are). The only way you can tune encrypted digital cable is through the use of a Cablecard. Something you would have to obtain from your cable provider. This is why some of the new television sets have cablecard slots built into them. This way people arent forced into renting or purchasing a cablebox. I have not seen a pci or usb cablecard addon for whitebox/homemade PCs. There is a device made by AMD/ATI but it is for use with OEM systems from the likes of Dell and HP and has some serious DRM lockdown stuff. ...now if your provider does have unencrypted qam, Clear QAM, channels then you should be able to get those. --- On Sat, 7/26/08, Bobby Heid [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: From: Bobby Heid [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [H] QAM and digital cable... To: hardware@hardwaregroup.com Date: Saturday, July 26, 2008, 3:43 PM Hey, I currently record regular cable TV with my Hauppauge PVR-150. I know that the PVR-1600 can do QAM. I know this is supposed to let me record unencrypted HD channels, but does it also mean that I would be able to record the regular digital channels without having a cable box? Or, I guess in general, does a QAM enabled tuner allow me to record unencrypted HD and unencrypted digital channels in addition to regular cable? Thanks, Bobby
Re: [H] QAM and digital cable...
At 01:09 PM 7/28/2008, you wrote: Last I had looked at it the answer was no if we are talking about encrypted channels (nearly all of them are). Actually, the networks aren't, but it is up to the cable companies to provide them unencrypted. The only way you can tune encrypted digital cable is through the use of a Cablecard. The free network HD channels are supposedly (according to Extreme Tech) provided along with the analog over cable. Something you would have to obtain from your cable provider. This is why some of the new television sets have cablecard slots built into them. while this is still available they have mostly been abandoned by cable companies and TV manufacturers. The cable companies don't like them because they are not bi directional, so many of the features, like pay for video, or the TV guide can't work with a cable card. The manufactures don't like them because they cost money to install in the TV, and most consumers don't care. There is a new technology that has replaced cable cards ... I think it is called TV2. Sony will be deploying it next year, it won't be cheap but it will be built in and provide bidirectional support to cable users without a cable box. Cable companies are supporting it because it meets their needs, and manufactures are coming to it largely because it seems to meet their needs expect one. price per unit. However, manufactures believe the price will come down quickly as more consumers use it.
Re: [H] QAM and digital cable...
At 01:09 PM 7/28/2008, you wrote: Last I had looked at it the answer was no if we are talking about encrypted channels (nearly all of them are). Actually, the networks aren't, but it is up to the cable companies to provide them unencrypted. If a cable company chooses to carry local OTA networks (CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, CW, etc) over their cable plant, they MUST do so unencrypted, and must provide them on the most basic (typically analog) tier. It's an FCC rule. If your cable co provides locals and is encrypting them, report them. while this is still available they have mostly been abandoned by cable companies and TV manufacturers. The cable companies don't like them because they are not bi directional, so many of the features, like pay for video, or the TV guide can't work with a cable card. The manufactures don't like them because they cost money to install in the TV, and most consumers don't care. There is a new technology that has replaced cable cards ... I think it is called TV2. Sony will be deploying it next year, it won't be cheap but it will be built in and provide bidirectional support to cable users without a cable box. Cable companies are supporting it because it meets their needs, and manufactures are coming to it largely because it seems to meet their needs expect one. price per unit. However, manufactures believe the price will come down quickly as more consumers use it. Actually, STBs provided by the cable company can (as of July 1 2007) no longer use integrated components--they MUST use CableCARDs per FCC rules. If you go get a new STB from the cable co and it doesn't use CableCARDs, report them. Now, that being said, currently only company-provided STBs/cards are capable of bi-directional communication. Greg
Re: [H] QAM and digital cable...
Well, you can have OTA analog and OTA Digital. Not all OTA digital is HD, but most of it is. My point is that if your cable company carries channels that are available OTA in your area, they MUST, per FCC regulations, do so unencrypted. They can still encode it to facilitate transit over their network--currently using a method called QAM--but they can't encrypt the content. That means any device capable of Clear QAM decoding should be able to pick up all digital local broadcast networks over the cable, assuming that the cable co carries them. If the cable company does choose to carry OTA channels over their network in a digital capacity, either SD or HD, they must make them available on the most basic tier. Your typical basic tier is advertised as having 8-15 channels for less than $20/mo, typically analog, typically channels available OTA as well, plus some public access / local programming. HD versions, if present on the network, must be available in this tier as well, but they aren't usually advertised. What this basically amounts to is that assuming your cable company carries local channels in HD, you could subscribe to the most basic tier of service and, with a tuner capable of Clear QAM decoding, view any and all of those local HD channels without buying/renting an STB, CableCARD, digital or HD tier, etc. Cable companies are not bound by the 2/09 all-digital broadcast restriction, since they don't broadcast--they transmit over a physical cable plant. However, most are moving to all-digital anyway, since they can run 4, 6, or even 8 compressed SD digital signals (subchannels) over the spectrum reserved for a single analog channel. This frees up more spectrum for HD channels, and likely also for bonding channels in DOCSIS 3.0 internet service offerings--though that's going to be a future offering. I have Time Warner cable, and subscribe to just about everything. However, my HTPC is outfitted with two ATSC HD tuners, and I pull in local broadcast HD. It just looks better than anything you get over cable/satellite. Greg -Original Message- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:hardware- [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of DHSinclair Sent: Monday, July 28, 2008 8:01 PM To: hardware@hardwaregroup.com Subject: Re: [H] QAM and digital cable... Greg, I will not argue, except to say that in my area, all CC users are getting upgraded to full digital. One user at a time (whatever that means?) I do not know. I do not have CC. I believe this is CC's blunt to the local power company's plan to do FIOS. This past Sunday CC admitted that 'we are a completely fiber network in this area.' OK, that is OK, if true (but it is cable to the house). I still use xdsl. I can not afford CC's cable internet ($49.95/mo). So, I think your 1st para about (typically analog) may be back on the table. And, softened a bit for regional-specific pricing. Yes, there will be much more talk about the 02/09 business. But, I try not to confuse this with anything HD now or in the future. Can we agree to separate OTA and HD? I know that this may be really tough. If so, tell me; I'll pound sand... :) Look, Many of us still do OTA and analog, I think; or, let's have a HWG vote so WE know who/what we are talking to. Otherwise, all this talk (with no basis) has little meat. BTW, my TV is OTA Best, Duncan At 18:08 07/28/2008 -0500, you wrote: At 01:09 PM 7/28/2008, you wrote: Last I had looked at it the answer was no if we are talking about encrypted channels (nearly all of them are). Actually, the networks aren't, but it is up to the cable companies to provide them unencrypted. If a cable company chooses to carry local OTA networks (CBS, NBC, PBS, FOX, CW, etc) over their cable plant, they MUST do so unencrypted, and must provide them on the most basic (typically analog) tier. It's an FCC rule. If your cable co provides locals and is encrypting them, report them. snip
[H] QAM and digital cable...
Hey, I currently record regular cable TV with my Hauppauge PVR-150. I know that the PVR-1600 can do QAM. I know this is supposed to let me record unencrypted HD channels, but does it also mean that I would be able to record the regular digital channels without having a cable box? Or, I guess in general, does a QAM enabled tuner allow me to record unencrypted HD and unencrypted digital channels in addition to regular cable? Thanks, Bobby
Re: [H] QAM and digital cable...
At 01:43 PM 7/26/2008, you wrote: Hey, I currently record regular cable TV with my Hauppauge PVR-150. I know that the PVR-1600 can do QAM. I know this is supposed to let me record unencrypted HD channels, but does it also mean that I would be able to record the regular digital channels without having a cable box? Or, I guess in general, does a QAM enabled tuner allow me to record unencrypted HD and unencrypted digital channels in addition to regular cable? they way Hauppauge tech support explained it to me, anything digital that is not encrypted. The problem is my provider COX, encrypts everything digital through their cable box and then charges for digital. The free stuff is all analog. However, there is a recent article about this at Extreme Tech that says, yes you can get free HD with QAM from COX for CBS, NBC, the networks but I haven't personally tried. I am waiting for the upcoming dual tuner PVR-2500. Although I am thinking about the new Hauppauge stand alone box that uses your computer and hard drive to record HD broadcasts from a cable box. about $250 When I asked COX tech support if there free cable included unencrypted QAM HD they didn't now what I was talking about no surprise there. Thanks, Bobby
