this is probably a stupid question but i am told that local HD & stuff like ESPN HD are included with my basic cable subscription. my HDTV has a QAM tuner, so will I be able to view these channels in HD/digital thru just the cable box they provide?

[Edited on October 18, 2010 at 11:01 AM. Reason : ]

10/18/2010 10:59:27 AM

only the stations broadcast over the air in HD (local stations) will be available in unencrypted HD. ESPN/disney is like 50% of your cable bill, so the idea of free HD ESPN is lol.

10/18/2010 11:01:31 AM

reason why i asked is because of this

http://www.timewarnercable.com/east/support/clu/clu.ashx?CLUID=100&Image1=&Zip=27713

there are dozens of HD channels in the basic cable section that aren't part of the digital cable tier.

10/18/2010 11:09:41 AM

hmm. thats interesting. I wonder if "basic cable" includes a set top box these days. You can always call them up and ask them. I'd be real surprised if they were sending unencrypted non-broadcast HD channels.

10/18/2010 11:19:21 AM

^Nah, you're right, you only get HD for broadcast channels. I don't think you can even tune into the 1000's with a tv.

10/18/2010 7:06:23 PM

the funny thing is, basic cable costs MORE than digital cable tier

10/18/2010 8:55:43 PM

^lawl

to get anything that isn't clear QAM, you need a tuner with a cablecard slot or one of their STBs. end of story.

10/19/2010 12:36:25 PM

here's what you do. you buy digital cable for a month, and then take it back. in a few hours you'll get a phone call asking why you canceled and you tell them it's too expensive and not enough channels. they'll cut the price by like 30% and add hbo and showtime.

10/19/2010 5:36:55 PM