Four tuners require how many STB's?

[brianc2112]

Greetings,

I have been using BTV for a number of years with a cable splitter connecting all four of my tuners. It appears that when everything switches over to Digital, Comcast in my area will drop some channels from the standard cable. In order to get all my channels again, I will have to use a box from Comcast (yuck).

Is it safe to assume that I will need a separate converter box for each tuner, or is there a way to use a single converter with multiple tuners?

Thanks in advance.

Brian

[LionRed]

I would guess.....you will need a STB for each tuner card you have. Even if you get a dual STB...like for example...some that Bell has here in Canada. You might run into problems....as one tuner is using UHF to change the channels.
I am guessing though....so maybe someone who has CC would know better.

[tscales]

One per tuner, but only for the tuners where you want more than the analog channels.

[blaze818]

first off what tuners are you using, and i honestly think youll be ok. most cable companies are already finished with the transition. you should call your provider and see where they stand on the switch. i personally have a cable company that says they have finished all the changes early and if my setup works now it will work after feb 9th. and i like you have basic (ch 2-99) cable and a four way splitter directly to my tv tuners.

maybe i am being optimistic in thinking that come feb 9th it wont be like flipping a switch and BAM your screwed. i think that if you pay for cable from you cable provider without having "digital cable" you will be fine with your basic 2-99 cable channels. at least for a few more years. think about how many people just have cable that plugs into their tv from the wall.

[tscales]

February 9th means nothing to cable companies. The deadline is ONLY for over-the-air broadcasts. Cable companies can use analog forever if they want.

They don't want to. They can squeeze more channels in digital AND they get to charge you for the STB. Win-win for them.

[lsilvest]

ConCast is already cutting out some analog channels and forcing customers into an STB to get channels they are paying for. They were trying to charge people $6.99 a month for each STB (not DVR), but I saw where they tried to appease the FCC by offering boxes at no charge now.

I found this out when I tried to help a neighbor get a couple of her favorite channels back. I did help her find a solution - she just has to decide between D* & E* now.

[Wolfie351]

Looks like I will be affected by this too, making my PVR-500s pretty much worthless. If I have to use a STB, I might as well go to satellite.

http://www.mercurynews.com/topstories/ci_11594570

[blaze818]

well damn that would be fine since they will give you three STB for FREE!. my cable company charges me like 10-15 bucks for my box and its a DVR and i obviously dont need that yours will hook you up with s standard on for 1.99 a month.

[mayhem70]

Note these aren't regular cable boxes, but minis that allow you to tune 31 through 99 only.

[Wolfie351]

I guess the only plus is the possibility of more QAM channels available.

[jbartlett777]

Make sure that they're dropping analog from CABLE. They're only required to drop it for OTA.

[TomXP411]

I believe a cry of "RTFA" is appropriate.

The linked article specifically said that the cable company was moving many of its analog channels over to digital, and that only the broadcast basic customers would be able to get by without a box after the switch. At least they're loaning free "basic" converter boxes. (Of course, I'm betting that the city or county is requiring it as part of the franchise agreement.)

[Randyre]

Originally Posted by TomXP411

At least they're loaning free "basic" converter boxes. (Of course, I'm betting that the city or county is requiring it as part of the franchise agreement.)

Free for now, but at any time they could start charging for them as they all have serial numbers and you have to register them online with your account.

Comcast sent me three DC50X mini STB's for free, what sucks is I need five and they will charge me monthly for any over the three.

Only cool thing is they all come with a IR extender that works great with my USB-UIRT.

Randy

[gswonsn]

I am able to get get all of my former analog channels in Clear QAM at the moment in Atlanta. No need for STB as of now. That may change in the future but I am sure enjoying it while it lasts. In addition I am getting Oxygen, Hallmark, History and CMT that had been moved to digital over the past year.