 BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | problem with digital channels Ok got a new Sony Bravia Tv. When you hook it up directly it only gets in a very few digital channels. We have the digital package where you get in everything but the HBO, Showtime, etc. So the Tv SHOULD get in everything else. It picks up all the local HD channels and few other digital channels and all the music channels. Channels like GSN and MLB Network SHOULD be coming in at least since they are technically part of expanded basic anyways no matter which digital tier I have, but even they don't come in. They say "can't decode signal" The one common theme I did notice is that all the channels that do come in are QAM256( even the non HD digital ones )I didn't check them all but every channel I did check that didn't come in is QAM64. Now if the TV can decode QAM256 why can it decode QAM64? Is it the TV or Charter? And it also says the signal strenth for the digital signals is around 76-77 which I think is kind of low for cable. I could be wrong.
I know I could always hook up the cable box, but then I can't get in the local HD channels. |
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| Encrypted MPEG streams? May need a CableCARD or box to decode. |
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| reply to BF69
To further clarify, you may only get BROADCAST basic unencrypted. Everything else can be encrypted especially if the channel broadcasters require it. |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN
3 edits | said by NSA_CIA :
To further clarify, you may only get BROADCAST basic unencrypted. Everything else can be encrypted especially if the channel broadcasters require it.
Last month a tech came out to replace a digital box I asked him specifically what you could get if I got a HDTV with a QAM tuner he said EVERYTHING except those that require you to pay extra. I would think he would know what is encrypted or not. In fact he SPECIFICALLY told me only the HBOs and stuff like that are encrypted.
once again channels like MLB Network, G4, GSN are part of EXPANED BASIC they are just digital. So even if I didn't have digital I SHOULD be getting those in regardless.
117 Disney XD Exp Basic (Digital Only)
143 G4 Exp Basic (Digital Only)
144 GSN (Game Show) Exp Basic (Digital Only)
158 Soap Net Exp Basic (Digital Only)
320 MLB Network Exp Basic (Digital Only)
410 FLIX-E Exp Basic (Digital Only)
These for SURE I should be getting in. They are EXPANDED BASIC channels. But I should be getting in everything.
303 CBS College Sports Network Sports View
This station comes in fine for some reason. And I don't even have the sports tier.
As far as a cable card the TV doesn't have slot for a cable card.
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| Ya, now adays the way things are it dose not pay to get a TV with the tuner inside. You must of paid at least 100 bucks extra for that tuner in the TV and you still need a cable box for at least 5 bucks a month.
From what i have seen and read around here it is hit and miss what channels come in in different areas. Most came in including the one that shouldn't like porno last year but then when they learned about that they started to get control and limit what you can get in most areas without paying extra for the cable box. |
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said by BF69:Last month a tech came out to replace a digital box I asked him specifically what you could get if I got a HDTV with a QAM tuner he said EVERYTHING except those that require you to pay extra Expanded basic is an EXTRA charge on top of Broadcast basic. The broadcast HD channels are actually part of broadcast basic, since they are often must carries and you can pick them up off an antenna.
That some of the expanded basic channels still come is somewhat random luck and you shouldn't expect it to last. |
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MadCityPremium
join:2008-10-17
Middleton, WI | reply to BF69
You can find your clear QAM channels here.
»www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | That's not correct it shows Nashville which is Comcast territory. |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | reply to NSA_CIA
said by NSA_CIA :said by BF69:Last month a tech came out to replace a digital box I asked him specifically what you could get if I got a HDTV with a QAM tuner he said EVERYTHING except those that require you to pay extra Expanded basic is an EXTRA charge on top of Broadcast basic. And I'm paying for that. DUH!
That some of the expanded basic channels still come is somewhat random luck and you shouldn't expect it to last.
Oh so which Charter I shouldn't expect to get channels I PAY for? Gotcha. |
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 msmisfit
join:2004-09-13
Lawrenceville, GA
kudos:1
1 edit | What cable connections are you using, only coax to the TV?
My brochure [I know we are in different areas, this is just FWIW info] says that the digital cable box is necessary for several of those channels you mention. [i.e. G4, MLB, Flix]
This is even though they are listed in the Expanded Basic group. Some others within the Expanded Basic Group, are noted as needing an HD box to see. |
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| reply to BF69
Tiers above broadcast basic are encrypted. It's to help prevent THEFT.
Don't have an authorized decryption device and you don't get the channels broadcast basic.
Old style filters used for analog aren't very good security, severely hamper channel layout flexibility, and are an extra expense. |
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| said by JoesphM :
Don't have an authorized decryption device and you don't get the channels broadcast basic.
That should read
"Don't have an authorized decryption device and you don't get the channels ABOVE broadcast basic." |
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msmisfit
join:2004-09-13
Lawrenceville, GA
kudos:1 | That hasn't been true within our Charter system. Here they put caps on subscribers who don't subscribe to anything above the basic tier. Now they are slowly moving channels within the formerly open "Expanded Basic" tier from analog to digital which requires a cable digital box. |
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| reply to BF69
CBS College sports is in a free preview now (in the clear). Over on the 7th
Some of those channels you mentioned are digital expanded basic that require a set top box or cable card. They are encrypted channels. digital Broadcast channels are required to be in the clear (not encrypted) and that's why you are getting them. |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | reply to JoesphM
said by JoesphM :
Tiers above broadcast basic are encrypted. It's to help prevent THEFT.
Don't have an authorized decryption device and you don't get the channels broadcast basic.
Old style filters used for analog aren't very good security, severely hamper channel layout flexibility, and are an extra expense.
I'm not theiving anything. I'm paying for the digital Total View package. I have a LEGAL device that can LEGALLY get in those channels without a box. And Charter is just being well themselves.
Anyways since it seems obvious that I need to have a STB the question is can one get swap out the SD box for a HD box without getting the HD package. |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | reply to msmisfit
said by msmisfit:That hasn't been true within our Charter system. Here they put caps on subscribers who don't subscribe to anything above the basic tier. Now they are slowly moving channels within the formerly open "Expanded Basic" tier from analog to digital which requires a cable digital box. No shit in the last 2 years Charter has moved 5 channles to the digtial package with 4 still suppoedly being on teh expanded basic tier. Yet one can't get them without paying for the digital tier. Kind of seems like a bit of a scam to me. Each year Charter moves more and more channels to the digital tier. Which is fine that their choice except if they are still calling them EXPANDED BASIC that is basically a lie. |
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I see no reason to why you would not be able to get an HD set top without subscribing to the HD tier. |
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msmisfit
join:2004-09-13
Lawrenceville, GA
kudos:1
2 edits | reply to BF69
It seems they didn't send you the same information that I got this year, when prices changed. My literature shows what equipment you have to get for the various channels within each lineup.
I know that is a change from before, but it's clear now in the materials I received.
You can get a digital/HD receiver for $5.00 more than the basic box here; and you don't have to subscribe to the the HD Ultra tier, which is another $5.00.
Forgot to say, if I were you, and the price is the same in your area, I would get the DVR/HDTV box. Here, it is $6.75 for either one.
Don't want to pass along misleading info, so I decided to check that printed info again... and I forgot the DVR *service* fee, so there is a $$ difference in the boxes.  |
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| reply to BF69
said by BF69: I have a LEGAL device that can LEGALLY get in those channels without a box. No you can't because the channels are encrypted.
Your TV doesn't do can't be authorized nor can it do decryption because it doesn't have a CableCard. It just has a "clear" QAM tuner.
Cable companies CAN'T order QAM tuners in TVs to NOT tune to a "in the clear" channel, so how do they secure the EXPANDED BASIC tier in digital? They encrypt them. |
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BF69Premium
join:2004-07-28
Camden, TN | said by JoesphM :said by BF69: I have a LEGAL device that can LEGALLY get in those channels without a box. No you can't because the channels are encrypted. Your TV doesn't do can't be authorized nor can it do decryption because it doesn't have a CableCard. It just has a "clear" QAM tuner. Cable companies CAN'T order QAM tuners in TVs to NOT tune to a "in the clear" channel, so how do they secure the EXPANDED BASIC tier in digital? They encrypt them. Then don't advertise those channels as being part of exanded basic when it's CLEAR you'll have to upgrade to the digital tier to get them. |
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