ClearQAM cut to local channels, options?

[antialias]

So it seems that Comcast has cut the clearQAM to just the basic cable channels(local channels, shopping channels, discovery, and 1-2 others). I have their set top box in the bedroom and can of course still see all the "digital starter" channels up there (food network, kids channels, sci fi, etc), but now my main tv with the pvr has only basic channels and I can't record 2/3 shows we used to.

I've thought about trying to get the ir blaster going but I've fiddled with it before with the digital switchover and couldn't seem to get it to change the channel on the Comcast box. Other options are satellite though I don't know if I'll hit the same clearQAM issues there? Do they use the same QAM system? I looked at getting a cablecard tuner to use with windows media center(Would have to leave Gbpvr ), but I only see one from ATI for like $250 and there doesn't seem to be a lot of info out there about it yet.

Has anybody hit the clearQAM wall yet and what solutions are working well? We love our DIY PVR and would hate to lose the configurability and freedom that comes with it.

Thanks for your input!

[whurlston]

Most people have always only had the channels you are now getting. The HD-PVR is the recommended capture device if you want to capture from an STB that outputs HD. Firewire can be used to channel change some STBs.

[JavaWiz]

I use the HVR-1600 and have comcast here in Seattle, WA. I split my cable, running the Motorola DCT-700 STB to the analog input, and the cable straight into the digital side.

I can map approx. 80-90 channels on the QAM/Digital side, most SD, and about 10-15 HD. The main problem is that Comcast seems to muck around with the frequencies every couple of months, and I need to go back and remap a few every so often.

Initially, I had some problems mapping the QAM channels (couldn't find many, and program aborts). But after some playing around, I was able to get things working pretty well.

[antialias]

I use the HVR-1600 and have comcast here in Seattle, WA. I split my cable, running the Motorola DCT-700 STB to the analog input, and the cable straight into the digital side.

I can map approx. 80-90 channels on the QAM/Digital side, most SD, and about 10-15 HD. The main problem is that Comcast seems to muck around with the frequencies every couple of months, and I need to go back and remap a few every so often.

Initially, I had some problems mapping the QAM channels (couldn't find many, and program aborts). But after some playing around, I was able to get things working pretty well.

That's basically what I was doing, and I was seeing the same juggling of QAM frequencies. The cable line that went directly into the digital input allowed me to get 50+ channels that were sent by Comcast in clearQAM. After the last time they jumbled them I can't get any of the non local channels anymore. Now if I go to those channels there is a black screen with a white box that says "this channel is encrypted". Those same channels work of course if I go in the bedroom where I've got the Motorola set top box to decrypt them. It seems that Comcast is moving to have only the local channels in clearQAM.

[soccerdad]

Did Comcast drop the analog cable as well. Here, Time Warner only broadcasts the big 4 on clear QAM, but still has the other basics like food, etc on clear analog. I am sure they will stop this soon, but you might try the analog side. Otherwise, you might wait (if you can) for the new cablecard tuners to come out. I would expect in about 6 months. That MIGHT be a path to keep you on gbpvr. Or there is the HDPVR as mentioned above.

Satellite wont help as it will also require a sat box and blasters. The direct tuner sat capture with plugins no longer works due to new encryption systems.

[nightwalker]

Comcast analog is already down to or about to be down to (depending on your area) channels 2-18, pretty much only what the government requires.