[mythtv-users] HD5000 now working with QAM256; not many channels

[Len Reed]

I got my new HD5000 working last night.  (Thanks to those of you who 
replied; my issue was that I had neglected to compile all the modules 
needed.)  I'm using a very recent development version of mythtv for this.

I have Cablevision digital cable in Gwinnett County, Georgia, USA. 
Scanning found five QAM256 channels: local ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS, and WTBS 
(which is a local over-the-air channel in Atlanta).  They all came in in 
high-def format, even when the content was NTSC.  That is, the 4:3 
content had black sides.  Actual high-def came in fine, so that Leno's 
show looked great but was nevertheless still worthless IMO. :)

I didn't find digital versions of other local channels (CBS, UPN, WB, a 
couple of others) even though the cable company claims they provide them.

All the other digital channels, both low and high def, presumably are 
scrambled and hence myth's scan feature doesn't find them.  By this I 
mean ESPN, Comedy Central, etc., and HBO etc.

Curiously, I found several clear digital signals above QAM256 channel 
101.  These didn't correspond to anything showing at the time.  (The 
Longest Yard, Cheaper by the Dozen, Rome, etc.)  My guess is that these 
were my neighbors watching "video on demand".  (They were all 4:3; some 
even with low resolution for NTSC.)  When I first saw "Rome" I thought 
"HBO [which I pay for] in high def!"  Alas, no; not high def and not 
even HBO.  I just deleted those channels.

I haven't yet tried to get over-the-air ATSC. My location isn't ideal, 
so I doubt I'll do a lot better than these five channels.

I suspect that getting a DC6200 will give me these five channels (and 
maybe the other local ones) on firewire, but probably not Comedy Central 
and ESPN, and certainly not HBO.  I fear that time-shifting these means 
NTSC composite into my PVR-250s (as I now do), or getting their "Moxi" 
PVR/tuner.  For non-local channel HDTV off the cable, only the Moxi 
seems doable.

-Len