DicknDenver

bicker

Could you please be more specific? I'm not familiar with a Comcast service called Basic Digital. When I've seen that term used, it is typically a reseller service, rather than the label of the service level Comcast is providing.

As you've discovered, there are no such devices currently in production, for sale to the general public, in the United States. There are requirements for service providers to support such devices, but the FCC failed to require that manufacturers design, manufacturer and sell such devices, and Samsung, Sony, Panasonic, Motorola, Cisco, Thompson, Pace, etc., all have decided not to do so.

If this is your main concern about getting a DVR, specifically, as your solution, do be aware that the TiVo HD DVR does not downconvert the signal.

Note also that this device does not comply with the standards associated with the FCC's separable security ban, so may not be useful for tuning in advanced cable television services via its QAM tuner. Essentially, the QAM tuner in the H260F was a bonus; it may someday not necessarily be good for anything, if you're using the ATSC tuner for over-the-air reception.

I'm not sure when Project Calvary will hit Denver (or perhaps it already has), but once it does, this will be a significant consideration for you, so you should factor it into your purchasing decision.

DicknDenver

Thanks to Bicker for the thoughtful reply. I have Comcast "Digital Starter" not basic digital. One follow up question, does the TiVo HD DVR require a monthly subscription fee??? I should have included "no fee" in my list of criteria. Will appreciate knowing of any other combo tuners that may have a DVR and that do not down scale.....
DicknDenver

bicker

For about $700, you can get a TiVo HD with lifetime service (i.e., no monthly subscription fee).

There are other DVRs that support what you're looking for, with regard to either OTA or cable, but the TiVo HD is the only one in production that does both.

Thanks for the clarification regarding your service level. With Digital Starter, there will indeed very likely be a number of HD cable networks that either already are, or shall be, encrypted, necessitating that your host device comply with the standards associated with the separable security regulations -- i.e., you will need CableCARD-compatible tuners if you want to tune in all the channels that you are paying for.

DicknDenver

Hello again, I just checked with Comcast. They say the digital change has been made in my area and that I will continue to receive all the digital channels I now have. That doesn't include any premium channels, but we don't want them.
I just found 2 sources that claim both ATSC/QAM tuners in the same unit:
HDTV TUNERS PC TUNERS VIDEO CONVERTERS PAL NTSC VHS COPY REGION FREE DVD mod DCT612 $195
ePVision.com ? The online Digital Video Specialty Store for HDTV Tuner Set top Box, 26?, 32? LCD HDTVs, CCTV Cameras, Security Cameras, Video Converters, Video Enhancer box, RGB/VGA Cameras, Medical and Inspection Cameras. PHD-205LE $140
Only problem I could see is: they don't remember ATSC and QAM scans at the same time, you must re-scan when changing from one system to the other.
Are you familiar with either of these tuners, what else could be a problem with them???
Thanks again, DnD

bicker

If Project Calvary has already been through your area, then you'll almost surely need to be sure the tuners you use are CableCARD compatible to gain access to all the channels you're paying for on Digital Starter.

Neither of those boxes are CableCARD compatible. They are only good for Limited Basic Service, not for Digital Starter. I don't know much more about either tuner.

DicknDenver

Thanks again, one more clue in this mystery, we have 2 off the shelf HDTVs that tune +/- 40 digital channels from Digital Starter. I've never put a cable card in either. Does that mean these 2 tuners would get the same Comcast channels??? The reason I'm so interested in this question; want to get my existing digital Comcast service to the Dell projector. DnD

bicker

Without CableCARDs installed into the televisions, they would not be able to tune in any encrypted QAM cable channels (and as I indicated earlier, the trend is toward encrypting more and more cable channels, as a means of securing the service from reception on unauthorized digital outlets). While there were a few HDTVs sold in 2005 and 2006 that had CableCARD slots in them, and there are a few being sold in some parts of the country starting a few months ago, you probably don't have one, because you'd probably know if you do... people who paid extra for this capability mostly did so because they knew what capabilities it afforded them. And, of course, you'd surely know if you're paying rental on CableCARDs installed into these HDTVs.

Of course, local over-the-air broadcast channels must be provided in-the-clear (though not necessarily in HD, typically the HD signals are provided in-the-clear as well). You probably will be able to tune those channels in using QAM tuners in your HDTVs without CableCARD, but by the same token, you might be able to tune them in using your ATSC tuners as well, so you're not gaining much that way.