hi-def box question

[rstewartmailacct]

Hi all,

I think I know the answer to this but though I would ask anyway. If I pay for hi-def service with Charter do I still have to use their box to get channels like ESPN etc. In other words would all of the hi-def channels then be like clear QAM or does their box actually descramble the channel?

Thanks

[235301]

I don't know about charter but I have Time Warner and only the local stations are clear QAM, the rest are encrypted. This is likely the case with Charter also as I believe it's law that they only have to provide the local stations. The only way to get the digital channels in HD is cablecard or the cable companies tuner card(either one will be a pain or impossible to get to work). The bottom line is likely that you will have to accept analog for the digital channels and only HD for the local stations.

[imagn]

Here a bit more info.

You will only receive unencrypted channels though clear QAM, these are whatever your cable company deems not to encrypt, i have about 50 channels. Most only get the locals, and i only get the Locals in HD the rest even though digital they are all SD content.

If you want to record all your cable HD channels and use GBPVR your only option in the US that i know of is a Hauppauge HD PVR.

otherwise you are better off with a cable DVR or TIVO, cable card tuners are still in the works and not sure they work with GBPVR

Check this site to see what unecrypted channels your cable co provides

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us

[rstewartmailacct]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'm getting my locals and can see a ton more but they are encrypted. I was just "hoping" if I paid for one box from cable co that the other channels would be unencrypted to the tuner.

A guy I work with has Comcast closer to Nashville and he tells me that apparently they are moving all of the old analog channels to digital requiring either a box or some type of little box converter from Comcast. They provide two as part of the package and charge for extras.