Digital cable

[tinstartrvlr]

While escaping Irma, I haven't bothered to set up satellite so I just hooked up to park cable. In the past, I dreaded watching park cable because the picture is usually pretty bad (snow, out of focus, etc).

What a surprise I got in the last two parks I've been in. Most of the channels were crystal clear, hi-def, like what you would get OTA or from satellite. And a lot of channels.

I asked one of the camp hosts about it, and he said most of the cable companies are transitioning to digital, thus the clear picture.

I can only hope he is right-what a nice change it would be.

Anyone else experiencing this shocking news, or am I just catching up? :S

[TechWriter]

theoldwizard1 wrote:
Every flat screen TV I have seen handles ATSC and unscrambled QAM.

You obviously haven't seen every flat screen TV.

QAM tuners are not included with every new TV, especially the cheaper ones found in many RVs. Only an OTA ATSC tuner is required in new TVs. QAM tuners are optional.

[theoldwizard1]

wa8yxm wrote:
There is Digital, Digital and Digital

Over the air Digital is ATSC. all TV's solid in the USA since some time back several years ago must be capable of ATSC reception

Digital Cable can be ATSC or QAM Mostly QAM There is one make of TV which is MADE in the USA (ELement) also one make that does not decode QAM (Element) I'd like to see them fix that.

I don't understand. Every flat screen TV I have seen handles ATSC and unscrambled QAM.

wa8yxm wrote:
Finally there is encrypted. Several cable companies are going to Encrypted that requires a "Set Top Box" to view.. The reason is greed by the way.

ABSOLUTELY !

There WAS a push to allow you to purchase your own set top box about 12-18 months ago, but it seems to have died.

The set top box DOES handle the guide and DOES allow you to purchase pay per view. Not worth the $7-$15 per month, IMHO !!

[tinstartrvlr]

Thanks all.

Guess I will go ahead and hook up the cable at every park I visit and check, since maybe some are catching up.

I've always used either satellite or OTA; nice to have a third option that has a clear picture.

[wa8yxm]

There is Digital, DIgital and Digital

Over the air Digital is ATSC. all TV's solid in the USA since some time back several years ago must be capable of ATSC reception

Digital Cable can be ATSC or QAM Mostly QAM There is one make of TV which is MADE in the USA (ELement) also one make that does not decode QAM (Element) I'd like to see them fix that.

Finally there is encrypted. Several cable companies are going to Encrypted that requires a "Set Top Box" to view.. The reason is greed by the way.

[Old-Biscuit]

Back in 2008 I got rid of the analog TV in my 5vr and went with a new Vizio with digital tuner

Have always had good pictures cable or OTA
OTA.....antenna head pointed in direction of Tower, booster ON, tuner set to 'antenna' and do an auto scan for channels

Cable....booster OFF, tuner set to 'Cable' and do an auto scan for channels

Picture quality was good.

[lryrob9301]

Your just catching up. Digital cable transition has been going on for the last 3 or 4 years. Most RV parks are behind the times on making the switch since their cost increases.