HDTV channels on cable for FREE?

For the last year or two, I've been receiving HD digital channels free of charge, even though I only
have BASIC cable service with Brighthouse.

I simply auto-scan for digital channels on the cable, and my QAM256 capable tuner locates them. But,
only the FTA (Free-To-Air) channels are there - the ones that are broadcast via towers. This
includes ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX and all local independents. YMMV... All other non-FTA channels are
encrypted.

To try this, first verify that your receiver supports QAM256 (the HD/Digital compliment to QAM64).
Most new receivers built in the last year or so, do. I have new Vizio's, and they do. I also tried
a relatively new Sony 46", and it does as well.

Then do a channel scan on your analog cable line (without the cable box). Most receivers take a
long time to do the scan (20-30 minutes is normal). Then, make sure that you are viewing the
"digital" signal (not the standard analog input). See how many channels you can get. Be aware,
that if your cable company installs your STB, they often reset any channels that you have on your
TV, and you'll need to rescan when they are through.

Enjoy...

I am curious, in that even though the cable companies don't promote this, or even admit it, why is
it there? Is it because cable compaies MUST carry FTA channels by agreement, contract, or law?
Perhaps someone can shed some light.


LS

"Lone_Stranger" wrote in message
...

Is it because cable compaies MUST carry FTA channels by agreement,
contract, or law?

Yes

"Lone_Stranger" wrote in message
...
..............................
Then do a channel scan on your analog cable line (without the cable box).
Most receivers take a
long time to do the scan (20-30 minutes is normal). Then, make sure that
you are viewing the
"digital" signal (not the standard analog input). See how many channels
you can get. Be aware,
that if your cable company installs your STB, they often reset any
channels that you have on your
TV, and you'll need to rescan when they are through.

Enjoy...


When I had the analog input connected to the cable (I usually keep it OTA),
I found the analog channel scan tto be a lot faster than the digital. Also,
with both analog and digital connected, you have some control over which
version you are seeing. For instance, if I punch in 4.0 I get NBC analog; if
I punch in 4.1 I get NBC digital. 232, or something like 98.1 gets me NBCHD.
Generally, if I am watching a digital channel and punch in 4 (with no
subchannel) I get NBC digital. If I am watching an analog channel, and puch
in 4, I get NBC analog.

Sometimes all the translations don't show up, and depending on the type of
service, you might pick up additional channels by scanning through the
memory, starting with 75.1.

With the QAM input connected to the cable, I get channels 2 - 24, plus the
local HD channels 231 -240. Oddly, when I had analog cable, I got channels
2 - 29 on the QAM. That included SciFi and FOX news.

Tam

I am curious, in that even though the cable companies don't promote this,
or even admit it, why is
it there? Is it because cable compaies MUST carry FTA channels by
agreement, contract, or law?
Perhaps someone can shed some light.


LS