ATSC and QAM tuners?..What the difference?

[richinwb]

Morning guys..hope everyone had a great holiday..i just purchased a D-VHS with a built in ATSC tuner..i currently have cable service with the HD package..i bought the D-VHS to see how good OFA broadcasts are..ive got a nice line of sight to my local towers..but i wondered if i can also pick up the HD channels off the cable since they dont seem to be scrambled..i have the showtime hd package also and i know they have to send a hit to the box when you subscribe..but all the others are just in the cable hd pack..is this where ATSC and Qam differences come in or doesnt it make any difference?..i was hoping to get rid of renting the STBs to recieve the hd content..im also considering one of the sony HD units with tuner..all opinions are welcome ..even if you want to tell me im dreaming!...Rich G

[Richard]

I use the Sony and it is great except for not having dual tuners. If you are recording a program you are stuck just like a VCR.

To do what you want requires a QAM capable receiver and cable card. The Sony qualifies. You may find getting the cable card to work correctly frustrating. We are on the bleeding edge of new technology helping the providers learn how to implement the cable card system.

I am not aware of an OTA/cable STB that does have dual tuners at this time.

[richinwb]

Thanks for your advice Rich..and i did get the d-vhs today and figured i would try just running the digital cable into the ATSC input..no signal...so this is only for over the air broadcasts..im going out tomorrow and pick up a HD antenna and hope i will be impressed with the picture vs the cable one..we will see..Thanks again..Rich G

[akirby]

Some shopping tips - there is no such thing as a HD antenna. HD is broadcast using the same UHF and VHF frequencies that have been used for decades and the antennas are the same. If you're 20 miles or more away from the towers the Channel Master 4228 is a great choice - with the optional CM 7777 pre-amp if some channels are weak. If you're close then an indoor antenna might work just as good. The Zenith Silver Sensor used to be the gold standard but I think there are some new ones out now that are just as good.

[Richard]

Great tips!

The Zenith Silver Sensor used to be the gold standard

Silver Sensor dethroned for an indoor antenna
viewtopic.php?t=3940

[richinwb]

Thanks guys!..im only 5 miles from our local towers..i should be able to get all 4 local hd signals and i hope with a indoor one..ill let ya know

[richinwb]

Well...after getting thru the holidays without buying a antenna i got off my butt and tried a few..wanted to watch the steeler game in hd this past weekend..went to radio shack and got 3 of theirs..the terk ..looks like the zenith didnt work for crap..another one which had the loop antenna and rabbit ears brought in a good signal but couldnt hold it..and the other which came in a small box...well..when i unfolded and put it together my wife just said ..YOURE PUTTING THAT ON THE HOUSE?!!!...so..they all went back and i ran to BB and got a RCA which was small and had the loop and ears..it worked great as long as it was close to the outside wall toward the towers..got to watch the game but it goes back today..after all is said and done ive decided on the wineguard squareshooter..my wife likes the design.can go on the house..and since im only 5 mles direct veiw to towers i think it will be great..anyone have a squareshooter?

[akirby]

Have you considered putting a small 4-bay bowtie antenna in the attic? Or the squareshooter? If you're that close it should work and you won't be able to see it at all.

[richinwb]

Bought the squareshooter..non amplified..looks sleak and ill try it in the house first

[jcrobso]

QAM is a cable tuner. The two are not interchangeable !!
For antenna info go to the link. John
http://antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx