QAM Tuner HD Channel Access

whunter31comcast · Post by **whunter31comcast** » Wed May 09, 2007 4:44 am

The Sony KDL-46XBR2 tuner is promoted as "Clear QAM" enabled, supposedly providing access to unscrambled high-definition local channels through the cable system (Comcast). Although I can obtain access to these unscrambled HD local channels through my Pioneer Elite TV (also QAM enabled), I am not able to obtain access through the Sony. Are there different flavors of QAM tuners, providing different levels of access to HD material? Thanks.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed May 09, 2007 7:14 am

So you input the exact same wacky channel numbers that you do for your Pioneer and you get nothing? Does it even accept the channel number?

bobby_c · Post by **bobby_c** » Wed May 09, 2007 7:27 am

Is there more than one coax input? If so, try the other one. Some of these TVs are picky about which one the QAM tuner is on.

whunter31comcast · Post by **whunter31comcast** » Wed May 09, 2007 10:54 am

Thanks for the quick reply. My recently purchased Sony KDL-46XBR2 is sent the same feed as the the Pioneer Elite TV. Although the Sony has two coaxial inputs on the rear of the Sony Television, the inputs are clearly marked, and the "Cable" input is being used. Although the Pioneer Elite has provision for a CableCARD, there is no card used in the unit.

Due to some other damage on the Sony, Sony Service swapped the TV this morning with a fresh unit. Neither the original nor the replacement televisions recieved the local HD channels (i.e. NBC - 4.1; Fox - 5.1; ABC - 7.1 and PBS - 26.1 through 26.4), however, both the new as well as the former Sony televisions picks up the Comcast Menu Screens used for On-Demand Movie Selection (channels 12.16; 12.17; 12.18), . The interesting thing is that the Pioneer Elite does not see these channels.

I remain confused.

bobby_c · Post by **bobby_c** » Wed May 09, 2007 12:35 pm

Just for jeepers, try moving the coax to the other input and try to scan. It may be that the ATSC and QAM tuners are on the same input.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Wed May 09, 2007 1:24 pm

recieved the local HD channels (i.e. NBC - 4.1; Fox - 5.1; ABC - 7.1 and PBS - 26.1 through 26.4),

Those sure look like over the air channel numbers rather than QAM cable numbers...

picks up the Comcast Menu Screens used for On-Demand Movie Selection (channels 12.16; 12.17; 12.1Cool, . The interesting thing is that the Pioneer Elite does not see these channels.

Those look like QAM channel numbers. For On Demand my understanding is they can change over time. The Pioneer is likely ignoring them because they are somehow digitally tagged as video on demand and are useless to the product.

What are the QAM channel numbers for your local HDTV?

whunter31comcast · Post by **whunter31comcast** » Wed May 09, 2007 1:43 pm

Richard,

Thanks for your reply. I apologize in that I don't believe I have been very clear. Although the local HD channels (i.e. NBC 4.1; Fox - 5.1, etc.) appear to be OTA, they are coming through the Cable system for the Pioneer Elite. There is no OTA antenna attached to the Pioneer. With regard to the Comcast Menu Screens (i.e. 12.16; 12.17, etc.), these channels are the "menu" channels typically seen by a cable-box used for selecting On-Demand movies and not the movie channel itself. These channels are viewable by the Sony, but not viewable or addressable by the Pioneer. The HD local channels are viewable and addressable by the Pioneer, but not by the Sony.

Like yourself, I am trained and certified ISF/HAA, however obviously I don't have your experience. I am truly be-fuddled by this and am very interested in your further thoughts.

Bill Hunter

whunter31comcast · Post by **whunter31comcast** » Wed May 09, 2007 2:04 pm

Bobby,

Thanks for your suggestion. I tried both the "cable" as well as "OTA" coax inputs on the Sony. While the Sony's "cable" input does pick up the QAM menu channels for selecting On-Demand movies, it does not pick up the local HD feeds. The "OTA" coax input picks up nothing but ATSC.

Thanks,
Bill

whunter31comcast · Post by **whunter31comcast** » Wed May 09, 2007 2:38 pm

Not to "beat a dead-horse" but as further clarification to my situation:

If I keypress channel "4.1" (the local HD feed for NBC) via the Sony remote-control , the local network HD channel is not visible to the Sony. However the On-Demand "MENU" channels (12.16, 12.17, etc.) are all viewable, as if the Sony television was a cable-box front-end for the television.

On the contrary, if I keypress the On-Demand Menu channels through the Pioneer, the Pioneer does not see the On-Demand Menu-Channels and of-course the local network HD feeds are available for viewing.

It seems as if the Sony QAM tuner is programmed to see QAM as a cable-box may see QAM (as a front-end to make programming choices) and the Pioneer's QAM tuner is set to see QAM as another source for viewing on the television.

I hope that I have not made this too confusing. If anyone has any further thoughts or insights, I would appreciate the advise.

Bill Hunter

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu May 10, 2007 7:35 am

It seems as if the Sony QAM tuner is programmed to see QAM as a cable-box may see QAM (as a front-end to make programming choices)

For a cable box all of that revolves around receiving a channel map from the cable head end plant. To receive that channel map you typically require a cable card...

I dunno Bill, maybe these articles will help...

ATSC Cable QAM Tuners - CableCARD or ATSC Ready
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/20 ... le_qam.php

CableCARD Basics
http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/articles/20 ... _basic.php