Recording cable TV programs
What is the most cost effective equipment for recording cable TV programs for later viewing? I use to record cable TV on my VCR with a tuner but want to upgrade to a hard drive for recording.
Forum Discussion
jcthorne wrote:
Current Tivo models record all cable channels in full 1080p HD resolution.
I wish- it won't record my current cable signal- the majority of which is switched digital, and not clear QAM.Chris Bryant wrote:
jcthorne wrote:
Current Tivo models record all cable channels in full 1080p HD resolution.
I wish- it won't record my current cable signal- the majority of which is switched digital, and not clear QAM.
Correct.
Although to clarify, the cable companies are still using QAM, however due to FCC rule changes they are now ALLOWED to enable the PRIVACY bit in the digital streams. This Privacy bit hides all the channels that are marked with this bit from QAM tuners.
In a nutshell rendering ALL TVs with QAM tuners that do not have a cable card slot useless..
Ran into this with my Dad's cable, local cable co switched this summer and no you MUST have THEIR cable box in order to get channels. They do offer "rental free" boxes but they are very limited and are not widescreen friendly? For some reason they only have 4:3 output and my dad has a widescreen TV..
They control the boxes and the access..- Really good suggestions people. Thank you for your input.
I should have told you that this is to be used in my RV and using the campground cable as the input source. Does this change anyone's recommendations? - Well it changes mine
You can use any digital recorder with a QAM digital tuner
It will see the same channels that your TV will see
In short everything that's not encrypted, most of the recommendations will work
Including the Home Worx DVR that I use because you will be connecting to an RF cable input, not A/V or HDMI
