[mythtv-users] what exactly can you record in QAM mode?

[William Munson]

Eric Mesa wrote:
> So if I have a QAM/ATSC/NTSC card such as, for example, ( 
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116016 ), I 
> understand that I can only record in NTSC or QAM or ATSC.  
> (especially, as far as mythtv is concerned since the analog tuners 
> aren't working with the current drivers)  When I'm in QAM mode can I 
> only record the unencrypted HD Channels or can I record anything from 
> channel 1 and up?  (Provided it's unencrypted, of course) 
>
> To put it another way, if I wanted to watch Digital (QAM) channels 
> from my cable provider and didn't have a MythTV, I'd need to rent a 
> box from them.  Is that box switching between NTSC and QAM as I go 
> from normal to digital channels or are all channels being transmitted 
> in QAM while channels 1-120 are ALSO transmitted in NTSC. 

Here is a bit more technical detail than you probably need. Comcrap 
(They are my provider too) is currently sending the bottom ~99 channels 
as analog NTSC. These are receivable by any tv set with a "cable" 
channels option. Above that they have a number of ATSC channels that 
contain multiple QAM 64 and QAM 256 (HD) sub-channels. The number 
depends on your specific local cable segment and the stations they have 
to provide. Again, depending on your specific segment you may get all, 
some, a few or no unencrypted channels.

Cable providers are going to start hawking the analog 99 as a way to 
keep using your existing tv set once the digital age sets in next year 
for broadcasters so I doubt they are going to go away anytime soon. Of 
course they are going to charge extra for this "new" feature since there 
is a sucker born every minute and 99.9% of them buy a tv at some point 
in their lives. :)

Cynical Bill