[mythtv-users] Is there a card that will tune in digital cable tvchannels?

[Joseph A. Caputo]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org]On Behalf Of Sean, Sharon and
> Kyle Harbour
> Sent: Monday, September 15, 2003 2:41 AM
> To: mythtv-users at mythtv.org
> Subject: [mythtv-users] Is there a card that will tune in digital cable
> tvchannels?
>
>
> I'm a mite confused. Apparently digital cable TV channels are not the
> same as HDTV digital channels, or are they? Is there a tuner card out
> there, hopefully with linux/MythTV drivers, that can tune in digital
> cable tv channels? Right now I have Comcast cable service in
> Portland, Oregon, and I use a General Instrument digital tuner box to
> access all channels over 125. I'd like to just get rid of the box if
> possible. What are my alternatives?


No, there is no such thing as a card (or a TV, for that matter) that can
directly tune digital cable channels.  This is because digital cable is
currently solely up to the provider to implement.  However, a new FCC ruling
has created a digital cable standard, which opens the door to TVs and other
products (tuner cards, etc) that can directly tune digital cable if used
with a add-on decryption key card from your cable provider.  Don't hold your
breath, though; it remains to be seen whether the strict controls mandated
for this pseudo-open standard will allow tuner card manufacturers to
participate.

In the mean time, you can tune channels below 125 with a regular analog
tuner card.  For channels over 125 you must still go through your set-top
box.  The 2 main methods for doing this are (1) an IR transmitter (IR
blaster) or (2) a serial cable that controls your tuner box (if your box
supports this).  Search the list archives
(http://www.gossamer-threads.com/archive/MythTV_C2/)for discussions on how
to set this up; someone may have posted instructions relating to your
particular model of set-top box.

-JAC