12-03-2007, 12:56 AM
I read something about this the other day but I can't find the reference right now, so this is from memory.
If your new TV is QAM capable it can scan for unencrypted digital channels but it takes a long, long time. Something about there being 2 to 3 subchannels on each digital channel it finds. The channel numbers it finds will not necessarily align with the channel guide provided by your Cable Company. Normally the proper channel mapping is contained in either their set-top box or in the CableCard they rent you to install in your CableCard enabled TV.
So I think you should be able to get the unencrypted channels on a QAM capable set without a set-top box or CableCard. There's no guarantee that TW hasn't encrypted all the digital channels though. I have a standard set-top box and a HD TV but the HD digital channels on my TW cable don't show video, all I get is the audio.
If your new TV is QAM capable it can scan for unencrypted digital channels but it takes a long, long time. Something about there being 2 to 3 subchannels on each digital channel it finds. The channel numbers it finds will not necessarily align with the channel guide provided by your Cable Company. Normally the proper channel mapping is contained in either their set-top box or in the CableCard they rent you to install in your CableCard enabled TV.
So I think you should be able to get the unencrypted channels on a QAM capable set without a set-top box or CableCard. There's no guarantee that TW hasn't encrypted all the digital channels though. I have a standard set-top box and a HD TV but the HD digital channels on my TW cable don't show video, all I get is the audio.