Does Suddenlink "Scramble" QAM?

[boalexander]

I am in Midland TX using Suddenlink and I was wondering if anyone is recording/viewing QAM on Sage with cable from Suddenlink?

I have the enhanced plan. Nothing special no boxes, no HBO, PPV or anything like that. My channels end with 76 preview channel. I tried a standalone ATSC tuner hooked to the regular cable and all I got was the 4 regular local channels in HD and PBS in HD and the digital music channels.

I would like to get more HD or just regular digital channels without paying more. Would a HDhomerun or an EVO setup give me this?

I guess what I am asking is Suddenlink (in Midland) scrambling HD and other digital signals?

Thanks
Bo

[boalexander]

Does Suddenlink (Midland TX) scramble the QAM signals? If possible I would like to view/record digital TV. I would like to know this before I go to the expense of buying HDHomerun or building an EVO box. I presently have basic cable without any boxes. I have been running Sage since 2.2.8. I have a Hauppauge USB2, a Hauppauge 150 and a MVP.

Thanks
Bo

[paulbeers]

It sounds like your standalone tuner does QAM. What you are getting is most likely all you would get if you went with the EVO/OnAir/HDHomerun route. A place you could check is over at www.avsforum.com. I used it to find out what channels my cable system does not have encrypted. They have so many forums, it can be difficult to find a forum thread just for your area, but it is probably in there (a little searching/meandering and you should find it). Most of the time though, only your locals and the digital music channels are unencrypted.

[boalexander]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

It sounds like your standalone tuner does QAM. What you are getting is most likely all you would get if you went with the EVO/OnAir/HDHomerun route. A place you could check is over at www.avsforum.com. I used it to find out what channels my cable system does not have encrypted. They have so many forums, it can be difficult to find a forum thread just for your area, but it is probably in there (a little searching/meandering and you should find it). Most of the time though, only your locals and the digital music channels are unencrypted.

I returned the standalone tuner because 5 stations in HD didn't justify the > $200 for the tuner box.

I have checked out the forums over at www.avsforum.com and didn't find anything about Suddenlink and QAM in Midland TX.

I guess the next step is checking the price of digital cable and maybe HD. More $$$$$ to the cable company.

Thank you for your help
Bo

[mattdcknsn]

One thing you can try, if your TV has a built in QAM tuner plug it in and scan. I think most newer TVs have it built in. I think if your TV has cablecard capabilities it should have a QAM tuner.

It would at least give you some information.

[boalexander]

Originally Posted by mattdcknsn

One thing you can try, if your TV has a built in QAM tuner plug it in and scan. I think most newer TVs have it built in. I think if your TV has cablecard capabilities it should have a QAM tuner.

It would at least give you some information.

My tv doesn't have a QAM tuner. The search continues.

Thank you