Comcast beginning to encrypt basic cable; goodbye QAM tuners

[Sparhawk6]

http://gigaom.com/2013/04/15/comcast...le-encryption/

I guess we all knew it was coming after the FCC allowed this. So my 3 clear QAM tuners are going the way of the dodo. I'll be down to the three tuners on my HD HumeRun Prime. I didn't think I could hate Comcast any more.

[Sparhawk6]

On a related note, will I need three antennas for each of my tuners if I want to go that route? Or will one work for all three?

My sever is in the basement -- will I need to place my antenna on the roof?

[IVB]

for OTA, my HD Homerun (not prime) only needs the one antenna, one wire. It splits it internally into the two different tuners. For reception, only one way to find out, try leaving it in the basement and see how it is. Depends on how far from the towers, type of antenna. Use antennaweb.org if desired.

[MattHelm]

With a true basement, you will get nothing, but if it like most in Chicago, only 1/2 the basement in underground. Most people near a tower (<20 miles) can use a 1st floor, or attic mount. Most farther than that will need to be above the roof.

Oh, be careful before you buy a "HD" antenna, as some stations are still down in the VHF range, and most of the "HD" antennas are UHF only. See tvfool.com to see locations, distances and RF band for stations near you.

[Sparhawk6]

Thanks.

[bialio]

Originally Posted by Sparhawk6

Thanks.

Is there not a law that at least locals have to be offered without encryption? I seem to remember talk about that in the past...

[WellThen]

Just to encourage you to think outside the box...

If your house is wired for network, you might be able to get away with using a small disk antenna in an upstairs bedroom, and bringing a network tuner into that room. That's what I've done with my non-prime dual HD Homerun.

[BobPhoenix]

Originally Posted by bialio

Is there not a law that at least locals have to be offered without encryption? I seem to remember talk about that in the past...

Recent FCC ruling says they can encrypt EVERYTHING. Was a post about it here.

[PiX64]

Originally Posted by Sparhawk6

On a related note, will I need three antennas for each of my tuners if I want to go that route? Or will one work for all three?

My sever is in the basement -- will I need to place my antenna on the roof?

Nope.. I run 6 tuners off of 1 OTA antenna in my attic.

[rmiller]

I know there's been discussion for some time about Comcast encrypting basic channels, but now it looks like this will soon be affecting everyone.

I just came across this article on endgadget: http://www.engadget.com/2013/04/15/c...t-basic-cable/

I am one of those that just have the basic channels running through a HD Homerun.

[darcilicious]

.

[jarredduq]

Do you think there would be anyway to use the DLNA tuner with SageTV described here: http://media2.comcast.net/anon.comca...14%20final.pdf

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by jarredduq

Do you think there would be anyway to use the DLNA tuner with SageTV described here: http://media2.comcast.net/anon.comca...14%20final.pdf

Not likely in it's current form. Comcast's specs states it is using DTCP-IP content protection, which sage doesn't support. Now, I'm not saying a future version of sage WON'T support it - but currently, v7 can't do it.

My hopes for future support are coming from the fact that this comcast spec is very similar to the AllVid proposal that SageTV, LLC was a founding member of. I'm thinking he had to have some idea at the time on how to implement a DTCP-IP compliant DLNA client in the sage server.

[ptzink]

Well, this sucks (in a way). Looks like I will be dropping my cable subscription and going antenna style. Quick question: I have 3 HD tuner inputs - will I need an amplifier for my antenna or will some sort of splitter work?

[jarredduq]

Originally Posted by ptzink

Well, this sucks (in a way). Looks like I will be dropping my cable subscription and going antenna style. Quick question: I have 3 HD tuner inputs - will I need an amplifier for my antenna or will some sort of splitter work?

Try an unamplified splitter first.

[MattHelm]

Remember that when using a splitter, each output is more than 1/2 as weak as the input. Don't buy a 3x splitter, as 2 of the outputs are ~1/4 power, and 1 is ~1/2 power, unless you plan on adding a 2x splitter downstream of the stronger output.

With HD signals, noise is bad, pick up some 75 ohm terminators for unused outputs. ($5 gets you 10)

If you need a distribution amp, I recommend a Electroline series. (someone else might know of cheaper/better ones)

[IVB]

For the $40 it cost, I just got a 3 way powered splitter from RatShack.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by IVB

For the $40 it cost, I just got a 3 way powered splitter from RatShack.

I Definitely agree with trying passive first. Something to remember is that amplifiers amplify noise as well. A good directional antenna is unlikely to need an amplifier if splitting to 4 or fewer devices. If you DO go with an amplifier, it is always better to amplify at the antenna, than is to amplify downstream.

Check your location on tvfool. It will give you an idea on what signals are available, and more importantly, whether they are all in close enough a direction for a directional to work.

I lived in Bremerton, WA back during the DTV rollouts, and i actually had a custom joiner built to combine two directional antennas to get good signal from the two very different directions.

[nyplayer]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I Definitely agree with trying passive first. Something to remember is that amplifiers amplify noise as well. A good directional antenna is unlikely to need an amplifier if splitting to 4 or fewer devices. If you DO go with an amplifier, it is always better to amplify at the antenna, than is to amplify downstream.

Check your location on tvfool. It will give you an idea on what signals are available, and more importantly, whether they are all in close enough a direction for a directional to work.

I lived in Bremerton, WA back during the DTV rollouts, and i actually had a custom joiner built to combine two directional antennas to get good signal from the two very different directions.

This why I love this forum. I bought a directional antenna with amplifier ... but I was getting breakups. I did as you suggested tried a 4 way digital splitter to drive my hd homeruns unhooked the amplifier and it worked much better... no dropouts or breakups.

Getting ready for Comcast encryption.

[Spot]

I went through this with Comcast as well. After I mistook a channel move for encryption of locals...I built an HD antenna put in the attic for best reception & connected it via splitters to 2x HDHomerun Duals. I couldn't have been happier. The quality and strength were better than I got through cable...so I quit Comcast....for about a year.

Then, Comcast offered Cable Plus internet for the cost that we were paying for internet only....So, I bought a Prime, got set up with a Cablecard & am very pleased. I did make a tweak to the setup & didn't allow the Prime to tune anything I can get OTA.

Love it....