HDTV CableCard questions

[FreshPrince]

what I'm trying to accomplish:

I want to get local channels in HD only (I really just need abc, nbc, fox, cbs, and maybe tbs but it won't hurt my feelings if I can't get tbs...). I don't realy care about getting HBO or any DVR/on demand features. I also don't want a set top box, I'd rather just plug a coax cable and a power cable to my wall mounted tv only. I don't want to mess with any more cables coming from the cable box...

with that my only option is to get an HDTV with a cablecard slot right? if so, then I have a few questions...

1. I know the cablecard plugs into the pcmcia cablecard slot. does anything plug into the cablecard itself? if not, where does the signal come in? through the regular coax cable? once the signal comes through the regular coax cable, then it is decrypted by the cable card right? Just wondering how many cables need to go to the back of the tv...

2. cablecard v1 vs v2. obviously if you can get an HDTV with v2 slot, get it. but I need some recommendations. is v2 slot capable tv's even out yet? how can you tell if it's v1 or v2?

3. I'm going with comcast and I just called them. I explained what I wanted and the rep. said this is possible with just the basic package @ $16.95 plus $6.95 for the HD. Does anyone have comcast who can confirm this? how is the quality? does it still give you the occasional stutter like HDTV OVA? I'm looking more for the stability that regular cable tv provides. If comcast HD via cable card does not provide this, then I would not be interested...

thanks for you input.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

get a TV with a QAM tuner. Most cable comp[anies broadcast the network HD Feeds free over the system. You just need a QAM tuner to tune them in. You MUST subscribe to some level of cable service however.

cablecards don't connect to anything but the tv. there are single stream card (one tuner) and multi-stream (multiple tuners, for PiP, dual tuner DVRs, etc.). All current cards are unidirectional, so you cannot order PPV or get guide data, etc.

 

[Dman877]

Comcast where I live broadcasts all the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, WB, and a few others) in HD along with basic cable. They also have about 50 digital music only stations and some other digital stuff though TBS isn't one of them. The quality is pretty good but for me, on some of the channels, the audio doesn't sync with the video. I think this is a station problem though cuz OTA does it too and it's only certain networks (CBS, NBC to a lesser extent). There is no stuttering.

 

[FreshPrince]

Originally posted by: Dman877
Comcast where I live broadcasts all the major networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, WB, and a few others) in HD along with basic cable. They also have about 50 digital music only stations and some other digital stuff though TBS isn't one of them. The quality is pretty good but for me, on some of the channels, the audio doesn't sync with the video. I think this is a station problem though cuz OTA does it too and it's only certain networks (CBS, NBC to a lesser extent). There is no stuttering.

ya, I heard about the audio sync problem too...

that would drive me absolutely NUTS!

sigh...