[mythtv-users] Scrambling analog channels

[Joseph A. Caputo]

On Friday 23 September 2005 13:08, Joseph A. Caputo wrote:
> On Friday 23 September 2005 11:52, Paul Schied wrote:
> > Just thought people might be interested in this. When deciding 
> > whether  
> > or 
> > not to go ahead and attempt to pull together a mythtv setup I came 
> > accross 
> > the unfortunate reality that my cable company (comcast in Philly) 
> > scrambles 
> > almost all of my analog channels. If i hook up my direct cable feed 
> > to  
> > my tv 
> > I am only able to get about a dozen basic channels, almost all cable
> > channels are scrambled. I only have basic extended cable and from 
> > what  
> > I've 
> > been reading most people think that cable companies do not scramble 
> > analog 
> > channels even if they give you a cable box. Just an example where 
> > they 
> > definitely do.
> >  If anyone has any possible work arounds (I'm doubtful) I would love 
> >  to hear 
> > them as this has been a definite bummer for me.
> 
> 
> Are you sure you've got your TV set up properly?  When plugging analog 
> cable directly into your TV, some TV's have a setup switch (older TVs) 
> or a menu option that tells the TV whether it should try and tune to 
> antenna (ANT) or cable (CATV) standards.  You wouldn't have had to 
> bother with this if you were previously using a converter box, as the 
> box typically outputs S-video or Composite video, which don't need a 
> tuning standard; or else it outputs a broadcast-type signal on VHF 
> channel 3 or 4, which wouldn't be a problem regardless of which tuning 
> standard the TV was set for.
> 
> What you're describing sounds exactly like what would happen if your 
> TV  
> thought it was tuning OTA via an antenna -- you're getting just the 
> VHF  
> channels.
> 
> I live right across the river from Philly and I'm pretty sure the 
> analog  
> channels aren't scrambled.

One other thing... are you sure your TV is "cable-ready"?  If not, that 
would also explain why you can't tune higher channels.  It's unlikely 
that a recent model TV wouldn't be cable-ready, but I don't know how 
old your TV is.

Actually, I'd be surprised if it's even legal to scramble analog cable 
(non-premium) channels.

-JAC