DTV Convertor boxes plus Basic Cable on the same TV?

[RedPenguin]

Alright, I realize that since I already have basic cable, that I'm still going to get my local in analog until at least 2011.

Though, the main local TV station around has a nice sub channel that I would like to receive, that is available on QAM but it's encrypted for some reason (it's free OTA but pay for on Cable WTF?)

If a cable company encrypts a channel that is normally free, is there anything the FCC can do in that case? Or can the cableco encrypt the subchannel since it's not an HD copy of the main channel, but an extra channel?

Can I easily hook up both the convertor box for that channel but also watch the channels on my cable line, basically just switch back and forth without literally unhooking wires all the time?

 

[davidmc36]

I have seen automatic switching boxes that will pass on whatever signal is senses on it's inputs. So I assume you would have a remote for the cable box and the digital box. Hook the switching box output to your TV and the cable box and digital box to it's inputs. Just turn on the one you want to use and the switch box will pass whichever signal it senses.

 

[RedPenguin]

Well....

I have seen automatic switching boxes that will pass on whatever signal is senses on it's inputs. So I assume you would have a remote for the cable box and the digital box. Hook the switching box output to your TV and the cable box and digital box to it's inputs. Just turn on the one you want to use and the switch box will pass whichever signal it senses.

The only problem with that is, I don't use a cable box, I just watch TV on my TV right now with the analog signal that the cableco provides.

 

[w8jjr]

The only problem with that is, I don't use a cable box, I just watch TV on my TV right now with the analog signal that the cableco provides.

You can get a box with a knob on it to switch the input

Your swich would go between the cable line / converter and your rf input on tv

| |
[ ] -----------------------| |
Coverter | Switch |------------------------ [ ]
| | TV RF Input
[ ] -----------------------| |
Cable Line | |
| |

 

[davidmc36]

The only problem with that is, I don't use a cable box, I just watch TV on my TV right now with the analog signal that the cableco provides.

OK You threw me when you said "cableco"

Buy A/B Switch Box With Push Buttons

 

[tcg]

The only problem with that is, I don't use a cable box, I just watch TV on my TV right now with the analog signal that the cableco provides.

A couple options depending on your TV.

Does it have an auxiliary input? If so just hook the new converter box to that input. When you want to watch the new converter box just tune to the axillary input on your TV. This is what I do.

If the only input on your TV is coaxial get yourself an A - B switch. Hook your current cable to A and your new converter box to B. Radio Shack has a wireless A B switch.

I have a 5 switch box with the press of a button I can switch from wii, DVD player, VCR, converter box or computer.

Get a universal remote to control both your TV and the new converter box.

Matt

 

[RedPenguin]

Well yes....

A couple options depending on your TV.

Does it have an auxiliary input? If so just hook the new converter box to that input. When you want to watch the new converter box just tune to the axillary input on your TV. This is what I do.

If the only input on your TV is coaxial get yourself an A - B switch. Hook your current cable to A and your new converter box to B. Radio Shack has a wireless A B switch.

I have a 5 switch box with the press of a button I can switch from wii, DVD player, VCR, converter box or computer.

Get a universal remote to control both your TV and the new converter box.

Matt

Well at first, I did not realize that many of the boxes seemed to have composite out, so basically I will have no problem at all now since I can just do like you said.

Analog-Pass Through probably would not passthrough cable frequencies right? I noticed that on some of the boxes, but seems it's probably just OTA frequencies.

 

[tcg]

Well at first, I did not realize that many of the boxes seemed to have composite out, so basically I will have no problem at all now since I can just do like you said.

Analog-Pass Through probably would not passthrough cable frequencies right? I noticed that on some of the boxes, but seems it's probably just OTA frequencies.

My box has analog pass through. It does not pass the cable signal.

I border Canada and they are not required to go digital yet so the pass through is helpful.

Matt

 

[RedPenguin]

Well...

Well, it seems basically every box has composite that I have looked at but dang every single retailer either is out of them or charge you more even with the coupon.

Walmart must somehow get them cheaper, because they only want $49.99 a box when so many others want $59.99.

 

[gmclam]

Alright, I realize that since I already have basic cable, that I'm still going to get my local in analog until at least 2011.

Well, you hope. When your cable company stops sending out NTSC signals, you'll either need a TV with QAM tuner (and probably CableCARD or software equivalent) or a cable box provided by the cable company.

Though, the main local TV station around has a nice sub channel that I would like to receive, that is available on QAM but it's encrypted for some reason (it's free OTA but pay for on Cable WTF?)

Yup, that's cable. They are in business to charge you for stuff you get for free OTA don't you know?

If a cable company encrypts a channel that is normally free, is there anything the FCC can do in that case? Or can the cableco encrypt the subchannel since it's not an HD copy of the main channel, but an extra channel?

Actually the cable company has to get an agreement from the broadcaster for "retransmission rights". Whether or not they can charge is usually part of that agreement. One thing many people don't know is that one of the reasons cable bills have gone up so much over the past decade is because cable companies are usually required to pay broadcasters for the right to 'retransmit' their otherwise free signal. In other words, you can receive the signal for free OTA. But your cable company is making money from it (via your cable fees) and broadcasters get a part of that action.

Can I easily hook up both the convertor box for that channel but also watch the channels on my cable line, basically just switch back and forth without literally unhooking wires all the time?

Yes, BUT.... First of all, you will need some sort of ANTENNA for the converter box. Don't expect the converter to work from the cable signals. OTA uses ATSC and cable uses QAM. Once your antenna is up and the converter working, I strongly suggest that you watch ALL of your local channels via the converter - the signals are far superior to what cable provides. If your TV has a LINE INPUT, use that for signals from the converter.

 

[RedPenguin]

Yea....

Yes, BUT.... First of all, you will need some sort of ANTENNA for the converter box. Don't expect the converter to work from the cable signals. OTA uses ATSC and cable uses QAM. Once your antenna is up and the converter working, I strongly suggest that you watch ALL of your local channels via the converter - the signals are far superior to what cable provides. If your TV has a LINE INPUT, use that for signals from the converter.

Yes, I have gotten two new converter boxes, one for me and one for my mother.

The only problem is, in my area, no matter what antenna you use or what location you are at, you seem to only get one channel, 6, which the transmitter is literally only about a mile down the road.

The other channels, even though some have offices in my city, have their transmitters 30-50 miles away, which I can never seem to really pick up.

Though, 6, technically 6.2 is the only channel in my area I care to watch anyway, so I'm not looking to get those other channels, which are on my cable line anyway.

I'm impressed, I didn't get a chance to get an actual UHF/VHF antenna, but even a wire plugged in to the Coaxial In of the converter box is picking up 6 fine for now, though it's only receiving a signal on channel 34 (Physical) about a mile away.

Also, I know what you mean about the retransmit fee, because we got a letter from the cable company saying the rate is going up a $1 or $2 because of two local TV stations want more money. I guess they have no choice to charge since OTA people get their signal for free but cable makes money so they can make money, though I assume they make money other ways as well though. I have to laugh how VOD junk is all non-encrypted yet a local sub-channel is. I would think think they would rather encrypt VOD vs a local sub-channel.

How do the DTV converter boxes scan for channels, so fast? My WinTV Tuner cards take much longer to search for ATSC channels but this Magnavox just whizzed though, and found 6's 3 channels almost immediately.


EDIT: What's funny is that, now of days, it seems a lot cheaper to just pay for Internet, and just watch the shows online at various sites, like Hulu and even YouTube.

EDIT: Only thing I hate now is that, the programming on RTN (6.2) is quiet and need the volume up, but then local commercials seem to blast at times, they seem to have much more volume. I noticed this online, where classic TV programs need turned up then online commercials blast. Do older TV shows just have lower volume?

 

[57Bill]

Hi RP. You might like reading on this site: www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/

 

[k8tmk]

Maybe I'm being overly simplistic, but can't you just use a splitter backwards as a combiner?

Randy

 

[gmclam]

Maybe I'm being overly simplistic, but can't you just use a splitter backwards as a combiner?

It depends on the splitter and what you are mixing. Some splitters are directional and won't work backwards. However, there are bi-directional splitters which can be used for combining.

Consider that you are combining RF, which is AC. If 'identical' signals are 'mixed', and they are in phase, good. But I'd be surprised if they are perfectly in phase and will reduce or cancel each other.