cable box, cablecard and tru2way?

SELIM · Post by **SELIM** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:37 am

Years ago, i remember when cable TV had started, every TV had to have a cable box connected. Then Tv's were made such that the box was not needed. Now with HDTV's using cable, we need a box again. Some months ago I read an article saying that HDTV's will soon be made without having to use these boxes
Does anybody know when the new HDTV's as such will be in the market ? If in the near future, I would prefer to wait and buy one of those.

I will appreciate your feedback.

eliwhitney · Post by **eliwhitney** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 1:15 pm

Hello SELIM -

What you might have read about IS already the case with the vast majority of HDTVs .... and, has been for some time.

It's called the " QAM " internal tuner - which allows a HDTV to simply have the coax cable of the very least, most-basic local cable service connected to the threaded terminal @ rear of the HDTV.

Now, using that set's Remote, within the Menu's available settings, find ... auto program or scan ... or words to this effect & start ... may require from 30 - 45 minutes.

Just helped some friends " DO " this very thing with tow sets ... one a Panasonic & the other a Panasonic.

Each got a total of 116 channels, including all the local networks + PBS in " HD ." Best part of all, NO Set top Box of any sort, NO increase in cable billing .... still that very same basic billing !

Here's some more about it --- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner

eli

SELIM · Post by **SELIM** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:37 pm

Hi Eli

Thanks for the info. I will look into it and check with an existing HDTV of a friend with a Qam tuner.
I was under the impression that the Qam tuner provides only the network channels on HD and not the cable channels,like CNN, MSNBC CNBC etc.. Your information is much appreciated.

eliwhitney · Post by **eliwhitney** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:42 pm

Hi SILEM -

You ARE absolutely correct ... Those are usually considered "Premium HD " offerings ... only a few are seen w/ a QAM tuner & at that, ONLY on the #02 thru #72 channels in standard digital for many local cable companies now.

Any Full-featured " HD " cable service DOES have to have an Upgrade Subscription, HD Box, 1.3 HDMI cable between it & HDTV .... the entire works ... about $66 w/o any HD Recording or $81 with.

eliwhitney · Post by **eliwhitney** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:49 pm

(back) SILEM - F.Y.I.

Not a lot "less costly" than HD Box, especially " IF " you must buy another or different HDTV !

Specifically in Only two cities currently, IS a Comcast HD service featuring an all-new Two-way cable card in concert with specific Panasonic sets .... so far , only built-in & on their lesser series HDTV series.

As far as I've read, these special HDTVs are not yet for sale.

eli

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:00 am

That was attempted with cable cards but there were lots of technical and interoperability problems. You also have to consider that satellite has a lot of customers (Dish and DirecTV). And cable (QAM), Dish, DirecTV and OTA all require different tuners. No TV manufacturer can afford to build in tuners for all 4.

Then there's the DVR issue - you don't want the DVR built into the TV either. Might as well make the leap and start treating your HDTV as a monitor with some type of external tuner/DVR.

eliwhitney · Post by **eliwhitney** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:09 am

Akirby is absolutely right .... one way cable cards have been " spotty " at best & - for the most part - the original ones have been removed from market.

Since you seem to be Against the very good cable / satellite HD boxes for whatever reasons, here's yet another alternative - frightfully costly plus the very same $13 / monthly fee as those "rental-leased" HD Recorders ..... but, each to their own , of course ----

https://www3.tivo.com/store/boxes.do

scroll down to their newest XL HD @ $600..... huge HD storage capacity !
eli

SELIM · Post by **SELIM** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:04 am

Thanks akirby and Eli for the useful info.
The reason why I am against a box is only because where I was thinking of placing the HDTV is a den so small that having to put even a small table under the TV for the box (or just putting the box on the floor) will clutter the room.
I guess I have no choice.

akirby · Post by **akirby** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 8:24 am

SELIM wrote:Thanks akirby and Eli for the useful info.
The reason why I am against a box is only because where I was thinking of placing the HDTV is a den so small that having to put even a small table under the TV for the box (or just putting the box on the floor) will clutter the room.
I guess I have no choice.

Understood, but you do have a choice. You can hide the box somewhere else in the room and use a simple IR repeater like the hotlink pro. You could also consider a small shelf to avoid tying up the floor space.

Richard · Post by **Richard** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:02 pm

eliwhitney wrote:Akirby is absolutely right .... one way cable cards have been " spotty " at best & - for the most part - the original ones have been removed from market.

Eli, can you be more specific?

ALL cable cards are two way.

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

At this time cable cards have been implemented as one way communication devices only, meaning they do not support VOD (video on demand) or PPV (pay per view) services. If you want to receive these types of services, you must use a cable box. Cable Cards are inherently two way devices, but implementation has been delayed due to two reasons; 1) There remains considerable industry wrangling over what the 2 way standards should be, and 2) Technical problems in the field still lingering with the one way devices. It has been a very tough two years for the cable providers and manufacturing industries as they worked together resolving the problems of implementing universal standards for this system. Based on that experience, if you are having problems it is more than likely due to your cable company. It should be noted that some manufacturers decided to not provide the cable card feature for 2007 in part or all of their line due to the problems. Some have decided it is not worth the hassle.