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Thread: HD with QAM/ATSC |
    
New member Username: Tiggerpounce
Post Number: 2
Registered: Nov-07
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| Posted on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 09:56 pm: |
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I just bought a Panasonic TC-32LX70 as a bedroom tv. I don't plan on hooking up a cable box (we have comcast), and I choose the tv because I thought with the ASTC tuner I would be able to get HD over the air and with the QAM maybe get some unscrambled from comcast. The question is now that I've hooked it up, how do I get these stations. When I auto programmed it, the only channels it finds are the channels I would expect to get without a box (channel 1 thru 25). I see people referring to hyphen stations (i.e. 95-1), how do I get those. Thanks. |
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Relevant Product Info
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Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 1883
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Sunday, November 11, 2007 - 06:36 pm: |
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You will not receive any HD channels (other than maybe the locals) with a QAM tuner. Cable companies charge for them, just like they do for the standard def. movie channels and other premium stuff. Comcast is not obligated to send even the local HD signals unscrambled on your basic cable line.
BTW, You must confirm regestered channels by selecting "Apply" and then "OK" after the scan is completed. Before the scan you must select "Ant In", "Cable", and "All Channels".
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New member Username: Tiggerpounce
Post Number: 3
Registered: Nov-07
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| Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 09:33 am: |
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So what is the point of the QAM tuner, I thought it would allow me to get some unscrambled stations? |
Gold Member Username: Cableguy
Somewhere on...
U.S.
Post Number: 1008
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 04:22 pm: |
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So what is the point of the QAM tuner
So you can receive any unscrambled digital or HD channels. Just in case you forgot, some people still rely on rabbit ears for reception. Once they turn off analog transmissions you'll need a QAM tuner to pull in OTA transmissions. |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 1885
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 10:01 am: |
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"Once they turn off analog transmissions you'll need a QAM tuner to pull in OTA transmissions."
Now I'm the one who's confused. Isn't the ATSC tuner for OTA and the QAM for unscrambled digital cable channels?
Also while I have your attention: After the digital changeover are all channels on basic cable going to be digital, or can a cable company send a few channels analog so that those poor souls out there with the wire and an old TV won't have to get a cable box?
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Gold Member Username: Samijubal
Post Number: 3602
Registered: Jul-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 10:13 am: |
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Local channels are mandated by the FCC to stay on analog cable until 2012, so there will still be analog channels. National channels are under no such mandate and can convert to digital whenever they choose.
You have it right, ATSC is the OTA tuner. QAM is for unscrambled digital cable channels. |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 1886
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 11:46 am: |
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Thanks David. I feel better now. |
Gold Member Username: Cableguy
Somewhere on...
U.S.
Post Number: 1010
Registered: Mar-05
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| Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 04:58 pm: |
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Wouldn't digital/HD transmissions still be OTA? |
Gold Member Username: John_s
Columbus,
Ohio
US
Post Number: 1888
Registered: Feb-04
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| Posted on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 06:59 pm: |
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Yes indeed. The point is that one doesn't need a QAM tuner to receive HD OTA signals. |
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