[mythtv-users] Best Supported Cards

[Brian Wood]

On Friday 09 April 2010 09:27:14 am Travis Tabbal wrote:

> If you want to capture HD from a cable box output, you need the HD-PVR. If
> you can get by with SD, there are a lot more options. If your provider
> offers clear-QAM, you might be able to use an HDHR or other QAM capable
> tuner to get the channels directly, including HD. But clear-QAM is going
> away in many markets. You could try asking your cable company if you can
> connect a new TV directly to the cable WITHOUT a cable-card. If the answer
> is yes, you have clear-QAM available. Note that premium channels like HBO
> are not likely available this way even if the normal channels are. Your
> cable provider is really the only place to get the info you need for that.
> 

Th Silicon Dust site has information on what's available in various (mainly 
large) markets. The problem is that cable companies are encrypting so fast 
that things are changing faster than the info on that site can keep up with.

Encrypting basic channels (non-premium) is certainly not consumer friendly. 
People pay for tuners they then can't use, sort of like back when the original 
"Cable Ready" sets came out and the cable companies made you use their 
converter (and pay rent for it).

Recent court decisions are trending in the cable operator's favor, even to the 
point of allowing them to interfere with alternatives. Complain to your 
lawmakers.