mjmsr
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Lombard, IL
clubs:
| reply to sansri88
Re: 2/17/2009 - All DIGITAL TV Transition Discussions go here
OK, confused - somewhat!
Only one question - but it's lengthy and in 2 parts.
I currently have HDTV via Comcast (unfortunately)connected to my HDTV (via HDTV Box). The TV in the other room receives analog TV without a box.
Question: If I hook up a converter to the analog TV, will I be able to pick up ALL (or most) of Comcast's digital broadcasts that I receive on my HDTV? Would I split the cable coming out of the HDTV box from Comcast or use the direct cable connection as I am with the analog TV and connect it to the government box?
Thanks,
Mike |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL
 ·Comcast
| Ys, with the box it will pick up anything that Comcast pushes through their system. Without, only Clear broadcasts that are not in their digital tier. The Digital conversion has nothing to do with your CATV provider, other then they have to comply with the Open broadcast policy set by the FCC for ATSC channels. This means anyone without a set that has a ATSC or QAM tuner (QAM is needed for CATV provder networks), you will be stuck watching what little is still in NTSC format on the Cable network. |
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mjmsr
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Lombard, IL
clubs: | GREAT!
I will pick up a government issued converter box and will be able to watch all the digital broadcasts on my analog tv!
Any recommendations on a good box? |
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sansri88
Go digtal you analog laggards
Premium
join:2005-12-17
New York, NY
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to Greg_Z
Misinformation at its best.
The boxes that can be bought with the government coupons DO NOT have QAM tuners in it. Therefore, you won't be able to tune to any channel broadcast in the clear on Comcast systems.
In order to view any channel that Comcast sends digitally unencrypted you need a QAM tuner, or a box from Comcast/box that has a QAM tuner.
--
Sriram Satish
5th Place, Cyber Security NJFBLA SLC 2007
4th Place, Networking Concepts NJFBLA SLC 2008 |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| Right. I was disappointed to hear that as well. If anything $40 coupons for VOD scanning boxes would be fun 
Comcast does not broadcast ATSC signals on their plant. QAM is much more efficient for HD broadcast over cable's 6 MHz channel spacing plan. |
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bicker
join:2007-05-10
Burlington, MA
1 edit | As far as I know, all major cable providers broadcast QAM. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL
·Comcast
1 edit | reply to sansri88
I was talking about the CATV provider boxes.
Here, lets clear some things up:
1) Will the ATSC boxes that the government coupons are being given out for, work with a CATV or DBS provider? No. They only work with an antenna to pick up OTA (Over The Air) broadcasts.
2) Will I need the CATV provider box in 2009? It is possible, dependant on the system. Verizon Fios is already going forward on converting to the ATSC provided OTA signals for the locals on the QAM channel, that you either need their box, or a Set (does not have to be HD ready), that you can pick up the QAM provided channels.
For more on the technologies, you can go to »en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atsc
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_television |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | reply to cypherstream
The digital channesl that are broadcast on the plants from the OTA is ATSC format, and yes, you do need a tuner that picks up QAM to get those channels. |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
1 edit | Right because OTA ATSC is modulated with the 8VSB modulation scheme, while Cable opted for the QAM modulation scheme.
Why?
We are mindful that digital television signals are transmitted in the 8-VSB digital broadcast modulation technique while operators will use either 64 or 256 QAM as the cable digital modulation technique. Both 64 and 256 QAM provide cable operators with a greater degree of operating efficiency than 8-VSB, and also permits the carriage of a higher data rate, with fewer bits devoted to error correction, when compared with the digital broadcast system. Therefore, the FCC allows cable operators to remodulate digital broadcast signals from 8-VSB to 64 or 256 QAM. The FCC does not and will not require cable operators to pass through 8 VSB.
Some interesting wikipedia articles regarding different modulation techniques:
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/8VSB
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16VSB
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quadrature···dulation
»en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL
·Comcast
1 edit | And we all know that OTA broadcasters can send their signal in QAM modulation (if you cannot take that as a mock, read it again). QAM is a modulation scheme to take the input to turn it into an output that can be understood by STB's, and the newer TV sets. If the CATV provider wanted to, they could of stayed with Analog broadcasts, and screw the FCC and the public, and let them get Satellite.
You do know that this is an argument that is understood by myself, yourself and others, so what are you trying to prove, other then you can place links for the same that I have. |
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andyross
join:2003-05-04
Schaumburg, IL
| reply to sansri88
Legal dispute could increase cost of digital TV
quote:
Patent suits translate into costlier transition to digital TV for viewers, nonprofit says
»biz.yahoo.com/ap/080416/digital_···tml?.v=2 |
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cypherstream
Looking forward to the future of things.
Premium,MVM
join:2004-12-02
Reading, PA
clubs:
| reply to Greg_Z
Re: 2/17/2009 - All DIGITAL TV Transition Discussions go here
Well Greg your right, I know.
I guess I was just trying to reiterate to other visitors that the reason the $40 boxes won't work on Cable, is because they don't have QAM tuners. Why is that important, well because QAM happens to be the modulation cable chose, while 8VSB is the modulation broadcasters choose. I'm not trying to explain this to you, but just reinforce it for others.
Sorry if I was overstepping my boundaries, but I think that the point is made. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL
·Comcast
| I think that the main problem, is that this thread was let to go to the point that everyone, including myself got into a tiff. The main problem is, that the info needs to be placed in a FAQ, or this thread be trimmed to include the Fact's, and give good references.
If anything, you where spot on, but just that I did feel that it was directed to the prev. post to try to cyper the correct, and incorrect that I know is in everyone's postings. |
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robert2513
join:2007-01-08
1 edit | reply to sansri88
Hi folks.
Unfortunately, I saw that the boxes you can buy with the government coupons are no good with cable, particularly Comcast. Bummer.
So here is my question. I have Basic package with two analog TVs right now that get their signal directly from the wall. I like the freedom of being able to connect TVs without having the need to have extra equipment or especially monthly fees  .
As Comcast moves channels from analog to digital, I'll have to start renting boxes for each TV and paying rental fees.
So does/will Comcast offer a discount for multiple box rentals? I know Comcast is a company but that just seems like it will be a rip off.
Thanks. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | Why would they offer a discount, when those people that want the extras will pay for them? Unless you have a set that has a QAM tuner, and the channels are Open-QAM, the CATV provided STB is a necessity. |
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robert2513
join:2007-01-08 | Unfortunately, for people like me, the basic package is enough. One could hope, though, those rental fees add up.
Thanks. |
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mjmsr
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Lombard, IL
clubs:
| reply to cypherstream
OK, all this tech jargon is another language to me, but I think I understand the answer to my question.
Let me say it back to you so that I know I understand.
I have a HDTV with Comcast's hdtv box for that TV. I have a splitter in the wall for an analog TV in another room with NO BOX.
Even if I split the signal coming FROM the HDTV cable box and connected it to the government box for the analog tv, I still will NOT be able to view digital broadcasts that "come FROM the HDTV cable box" on my analog tv that has the government box.
Is that correct? If so, are their ANY digital to analog converters that would work with this scenario? If I could "split" the cable from the HDTV box, what kind of splitter would I use?
I would like to view the extended "digital" channels that Comcast offers on my analog tv without renting another box.
Sorry for my confusion, I just want to be certain. |
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Greg_Z
Premium
join:2001-08-08
Springfield, IL | You cannot use the ATSC box on a CATV system. It is only for OTA broadcasts. This means Antenna needed. |
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AquaSport
California - Sun, Surf, Traffic Jams
join:2007-05-03
California | reply to sansri88
eh remember when you'd get double images and crappy sound on your cable... and then you got digital?
technology is good in that way, it just takes 13 years to do things... |
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matt3D
@comcast.net
| reply to sansri88
I called Comcast a couple of months ago for some tech support and a male tech support agent told me that comcast was going to be broadcasting analog for another 3 years, now if they do how will this work if the TV stations are going digital themselves? I don't know if this is true but that's what he told me... |
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