The Loss of Qam Channels

[mzup]

Here in CT, Comcast has removed all but local stations from the clear qam availability. I have one cable box and now can only record one cable show at a time, because I don't want to spend money on more of their equipment. I am thinking of just dropping cable all together since we don't watch too many shows on cable as it is, and with hulu and the playon plugins we can get basically everything we need thru them.

How are other users recording shows, i.e. multiple cable boxes, haven't been effected yet, or one at a time?

[Fuzzy]

I think in most cases, a single STB would be all that is usually needed. Cable channels have such often repeats, that one tuner is pretty capable at catching most of your favorites. then you can either keep whatever your using for QAM now to get the locals, or try an antenna for OTA.

[jhkoenig]

I had the same experience about 3 months ago in the S.F. bay area. I used two SD boxes to decode the "cable" channels and continue to use to HDHR boxes (4 tuners) for the 4 "broadcast" channels still broadcast unencrypted. In the 3 months with this kluge, I have only had 1 recording conflict. Given that my family handily fills our 3TB storage, this is pretty good luck. You might ask about a second, free, box. In our area they gave out 3 without monthly cost.

[stanger89]

I had the same experience almost 5 years ago when I signed up for Dish, which never had a "clear" option, only STBs. I've got two, and R5000 and and an HD-PVR connected one.

[matt91]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I think in most cases, a single STB would be all that is usually needed. Cable channels have such often repeats, that one tuner is pretty capable at catching most of your favorites.

This is absolutely my experience. We are so behind on cable shows (which are a lower priority for us to watch than the broadcast ones), that even if an episode isn't repeated right away, chances are that it will be in the 6 months before we're actually ready to watch it.

[mzup]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I think in most cases, a single STB would be all that is usually needed. Cable channels have such often repeats, that one tuner is pretty capable at catching most of your favorites. then you can either keep whatever your using for QAM now to get the locals, or try an antenna for OTA.

I do end up doing this a lot of times. I am also looking into OTA for locals if I drop cable, but if I don't then I wouldn't need it.

thanks for the reply.

[mzup]

Originally Posted by jhkoenig

I had the same experience about 3 months ago in the S.F. bay area. I used two SD boxes to decode the "cable" channels and continue to use to HDHR boxes (4 tuners) for the 4 "broadcast" channels still broadcast unencrypted. In the 3 months with this kluge, I have only had 1 recording conflict. Given that my family handily fills our 3TB storage, this is pretty good luck. You might ask about a second, free, box. In our area they gave out 3 without monthly cost.

thanks
I already have the 2 free boxes they give out but the are on other tvs. So my next one they will bill me.

[Fuzzy]

you should use those, and put sage on those tv's...

[src666]

I've ordered the Ceton quad CableCard tuner, and will have it ready to go once Comcast nukes ClearQAM. I'll switch to Microsoft's media center if I have to. As much as I love SageTV, there's no way I will let product loyalty interfere with my having a technology that works.

[mechling-burgh]

Comcast did this Pittsburgh about six months ago. I bought a USB URIT then setup the free DTAs to tune through the old analog tuners I was using. I also have one HD Homerun for the local hd channels. This setup has worked pretty well for me so far. The only thing is I had to tell the kids not to watch any of the upper channels live since I use the hd box for both HD through Firewire and svidio for the the non hd channels, so if they are watching Nick HD and it starts to record BBC it will change the channel on them. I have not missed any programs with this setup and only one HD tuner. I do have to balance out some shows on Friday nights so certain shows will record first and others will record later because I want to watch certain shows before other ones.