QAM and Digital Broadcasting question

[Modular]

If I were to pick up the Hauppauge HVR 1600 or 1800, both of which support QAM, would I be able to tune the digital channels without having to use a set top box on February 17, 2009 when they make the switch to all digital?

 

[weeber]

QAM is the method cable companies use send their digital signals over the wire. The 2009 change-over only mandates that over-the-air broadcasts have to be digital, this is the ATSC standard.

In other words, cable companies may still use analog signals after 2009, though they are being phased out for bandwidth issues. Also the QAM tuners in these cards will only be able to pickup digital channels that are not encrypted. By federal law, the cable companies must broadcast those stations that are freely available over the airwaves in an unencrypted format. This means you're guaranteed to get your local network stations via a QAM tuner

Here's the kicker, you may or may not get other stations via a QAM tuner. For me, Comcast-Atlanta gives me all my locals via QAM (as they have to) and home shopping network stations for some reason. However, things like Discovery and History channel are on encrypted QAM. So no matter what, I need a cable box for these.

 

[nboy22]

Originally posted by: weeber
QAM is the method cable companies use send their digital signals over the wire. The 2009 change-over only mandates that over-the-air broadcasts have to be digital, this is the ATSC standard.

In other words, cable companies may still use analog signals after 2009, though they are being phased out for bandwidth issues. Also the QAM tuners in these cards will only be able to pickup digital channels that are not encrypted. By federal law, the cable companies must broadcast those stations that are freely available over the airwaves in an unencrypted format. This means you're guaranteed to get your local network stations via a QAM tuner

Here's the kicker, you may or may not get other stations via a QAM tuner. For me, Comcast-Atlanta gives me all my locals via QAM (as they have to) and home shopping network stations for some reason. However, things like Discovery and History channel are on encrypted QAM. So no matter what, I need a cable box for these.

Thanks for that info.. I just bought a Philips ambilight tv and it's got a triple tuner--- with the QAM of course.

I was wondering because I have channels like 85.1, 85.2, 85.3, and then there's also channels that are like 105.1 which is PBS HDTV. I was wondering why the hell PBS was way up there.

I was talking to my room mate about the discovery and history HD channel because he was stating at the start of the shows it says "also available in HD." I told him it was probably only available on HD for the cable box and digital cable.