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Dumb Clear QAM Question

S

scootermaster

Platinum Member
So my girlfriend ditched her cable, and got FIOS, then ditched that. We tried antennas, and couldn't tune much of anything, but then, on a whim, just plugged in the cable cable to the TV.

Now we have like 80+ channels. So, I'm assuming that's clear QAM, no?

Do you have to have [pay for?] cable to get clear QAM, or is it like getting OTA signals? Cuz she has internet (from time warner) but not cable, unless it's some sort of glitch or something (cuz she's not paying for it).

So anyway, I'm thinking I might cancel my cable (I have Time Warner as well) if I can get that many channels for free. I just don't want to do that, and then have my girlfriend's situation be something weird and it turns out I get nothing.
 
scootermaster said:
So my girlfriend ditched her cable, and got FIOS, then ditched that. We tried antennas, and couldn't tune much of anything, but then, on a whim, just plugged in the cable cable to the TV.

Now we have like 80+ channels. So, I'm assuming that's clear QAM, no?

Do you have to have [pay for?] cable to get clear QAM, or is it like getting OTA signals? Cuz she has internet (from time warner) but not cable, unless it's some sort of glitch or something (cuz she's not paying for it).

So anyway, I'm thinking I might cancel my cable (I have Time Warner as well) if I can get that many channels for free. I just don't want to do that, and then have my girlfriend's situation be something weird and it turns out I get nothing.
Click to expand...

If you are getting cable TV but not paying for it, then yes, there is a glitch. Your cable outlets should be dead if you aren't being billed for it.

They probably haven't disconnected you from incoming main line yet on the box that is bolted to the outside of your house/apartment.

Typically (and this can vary) only local originating broadcasts are sent via clear QAM into the cable system. So for example lets say you have several local news affiliates in your area for the major networks (i.e. PBS, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, etc...). You cable company is required by law to re-broadcast those into their cable system via clear QAM.

In my area I have 6 channels via clear QAM. They are the 5 major networks I listed above plus some religious channel.
 
Agree with above, you're just not disconnected yet.

I thought most cable companies have put their "basic" channel lineup on ClearQAM, which includes a smattering of variety channels. This normally costs like 40-50 a month.

If I were your, I'd ride it out. See how long it takes before they go away. Then, if youre just interested in local channels, you can call the cable company and ask about their cheapest cable tier, which normally includes the local channels broadcast over ClearQAM and a few other non-superstation channels (things like tv guide, cspan, local weather, a shopping network or two and any local government or school channels) for pretty cheap, like $15 a month or so. That would get you your locals without needing an antenna.
 
scootermaster said:
Cuz she has internet (from time warner) but not cable, unless it's some sort of glitch or something (cuz she's not paying for it).
Click to expand...

Cable modems and CATV channels share the same cable and delivery mechanisms. Some places will put a blocking filter on the cable line if you are only getting internet service to keep you from being able to see cable tv also. In a lot of areas though the techs forget or just don't bother putting the filter on the line so anyone can connect the cable to their tv and get channels even though they only subscribe to internet service.
 
bearxor said:
Agree with above, you're just not disconnected yet.

I thought most cable companies have put their "basic" channel lineup on ClearQAM, which includes a smattering of variety channels. This normally costs like 40-50 a month.

If I were your, I'd ride it out. See how long it takes before they go away. Then, if youre just interested in local channels, you can call the cable company and ask about their cheapest cable tier, which normally includes the local channels broadcast over ClearQAM and a few other non-superstation channels (things like tv guide, cspan, local weather, a shopping network or two and any local government or school channels) for pretty cheap, like $15 a month or so. That would get you your locals without needing an antenna.
Click to expand...

You could be right. I have only ever gotten my local news affiliates in clear QAM. Maybe I'm being "jipped"!

😉
 
frowertr said:
You could be right. I have only ever gotten my local news affiliates in clear QAM. Maybe I'm being "jipped"!

😉
Click to expand...

Do you subscribe to Cable TV service?

Mine puts a filter on that blocks out channels above 20 (in my area, all the variety/superstations) when you subscribe to the basic tier.
 
bearxor said:
Do you subscribe to Cable TV service?

Mine puts a filter on that blocks out channels above 20 (in my area, all the variety/superstations) when you subscribe to the basic tier.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I have digital expanded service but only get 6 clear QAM's.
 
We are in Albany with Time Warner. We are paying ~$50 for Road Runner 10down/2up by the time taxes and fees are done. With no extra cable boxes it is only $1 more to legitimately get the basic 30 channels. The service guy was even nice enough to start filtering out after ESPN, and ESPN 2 🙂
 
Modelworks said:
Cable modems and CATV channels share the same cable and delivery mechanisms. Some places will put a blocking filter on the cable line if you are only getting internet service to keep you from being able to see cable tv also. In a lot of areas though the techs forget or just don't bother putting the filter on the line so anyone can connect the cable to their tv and get channels even though they only subscribe to internet service.
Click to expand...

So at my place, I have Time Warner cable and Internet. Do they send techs out for cancellations? I can't imagine they do. In my g/fs case, I think it went like this: House [somehow] got wired for FIOS. Previous tenant (I think) had TW. She got FIOS. Cancelled fios and got TW (just internet). Now has 80+ channels when cable plug is in TV.

I wonder if something similar would happen to my house if I cancelled TW TV. We've had both (TW TV and Internet) for years; would a tech have to come out to filter something?

Anyway, the only downside I can think of is ESPN/2 don't come in HD. Everything else one needs is there, I think.
 
What you have is analog most likely. ClearQAM will have odd numbers and come in at 480p or above. 720p/1080i will have channels like "937.3"

Usually they "trap" out the analog stuff, but I just plain don't know about clearQAM on a disco'd line. They often leave you plugged in, but disable your cablecard in the STB. Eventually they will have a tech out to clean it up. BUT if there is an active account that is allowed to be plugged in (i.e. Internet) you may not get trapped. It all depends on how much time the tech has and how much work there is to do, and how crowded the distro block is.
 
bobdole369 said:
What you have is analog most likely. ClearQAM will have odd numbers and come in at 480p or above. 720p/1080i will have channels like "937.3"

Usually they "trap" out the analog stuff, but I just plain don't know about clearQAM on a disco'd line. They often leave you plugged in, but disable your cablecard in the STB. Eventually they will have a tech out to clean it up. BUT if there is an active account that is allowed to be plugged in (i.e. Internet) you may not get trapped. It all depends on how much time the tech has and how much work there is to do, and how crowded the distro block is.
Click to expand...

I guess ClearQAM may have been a misnomer. What's more important are just "cable channels you get for free when you plug in a random coax coming from the wall to your TV".

As mentioned, my girlfriend gets, like, lots. Some of which are duplicated (I swear there's like 4 different golf channel feeds). There are channels like 2, 2-1 (HD) and then the same channel will reappear as like 87-113 or something.

So she gets all of those.

I want all of those. For free!
 
wtf channels are they? a bunch of redundant local ones with 50+ music choice? thats clear qam but you normally have to pay for the minimum tier to get that. if its mtv, nickelodeon and history channel, youre getting free shit. you know what cable is
 
Also, keep in mind that techs have mostly stopped putting traps on lines here as they plan on phasing out the analog cable signals anyway. A year ago, we lost everything above channel 60 for more digital bandwidth. Now we got a letter that says in 2 weeks, we're going to lose everything above channel 22 in the analog spectrum. The digital channels don't require any filters, its handled by encryption.

So, its likely that they just don't care you're getting it for free as they plan to discontinue the whole analog/trapping setup altogether. So, I'd say go for it and cancel your TW cable (as long as you don't use a box).
 
I get those 80 or so channels without a box through my provider. Most are digital, 60 some digital, 20 some analog. Every month the digital channel count rises and the analog count falls. As long as I have a digital tuner I don't need a box. I am currently paying for tv though.

Planning on canceling tv but keeping internet so I'll see if I still get anything.
 
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