Options for a victim of the digital revolution

[johnsonx42]

err, i thought the asterisk meant the channel was scrambled? I dunno, I don't have cable, but that's what I thought it meant.

Either way, what you are probably seeing is the result of a waiver granted by the FCC that allows cable companies to use the decryption capability of the DTA boxes. The only channels your cable company must provide without encryption are the local channels. Up till a couple months ago, they weren't allowed to use the decryption feature of the DTA's, which meant if they wanted to use cheap DTA's instead of full cable boxes they had to provide the full basic tier unencrypted - a nice loophole for HTPC users. The FCC has gone and ruined that now. If your TV can't see the other channels any more, then your 1950 isn't going to either.

As to the repeating results using manual scan, I get that too on OTA; as far as I know the manual scan is just busted in this release. It has nothing to do with Comcast. The only way to do a limited scan is to edit the qam.ini file and limit the channels there... or just let the thing scan the full range.

You may wish also to consult http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us to see what channels you should be getting... I'll bet you'll find a new channel list for your cable company with just the locals.

[imagn]

I have comcast here on the east coast. I received a mailing last week that included updated pricing and channel tiers. The mailing said that all tier packages above basic are going to be encrypted, and only basic will remain in the clear. I think basic for me ended at channel 30, with some sporatic others mixed in. I am currently getting the expanded basic channels in the clear which were the previous channels that came in through analog.

Although i knew this was going to happen eventually (well it actually hasnt quite happened yet) its still alittle sad.

[icrra]

Here in Portland, OR, all "non-basic" channels are encrypted now. I broke down and bought an HP IR Blaster on Ebay. Going to spend some time today trying to get it hooked up. I think that is the only option.