[mythtv-users] Digital Television In US

[David Shay]

Ivan Kowalenko wrote:

>No, I think you understood the question quite well. This was exactly  
>what I was looking for. I guess I didn't realize that those sub- 
>channels would provide digital signals that weren't at HD  
>resolutions. I was trying to find an alternative to having to rig up  
>a digital cable box with an IR blaster for getting digital channels.  
>With an XBox Front-end (that means no HD), I was worried I wouldn't  
>be getting anything useful.
>
>So, I'm guessing if I asked ComCast for an HD cable box, I could hook  
>it up to my Myth backend, and I'd be able to capture the stations at  
>480p, even if there is a 720/1080 signal available?
>  
>
>  
>
It's also possible that ComCast has the SD variants of the HD channels 
on the cable in digital forma via QAM.  Most of the DVB-ATSC cards also 
support QAM, including the pcHDTV 3000, most of the DVICO line (even a 
USB one), and the air2PC cards.  Many cable companies broadcast local 
channels "in the clear" over QAM, so they are unencrypted and these 
cards can pick them up.  That avoids the additional cable box and 
IR-controller.