| Qam Tuner |
Article Index for Qam |
Information AboutQam Tuner |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT QAM TUNER | |
| cable television | |
| digital television | |
| digital cable | |
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An integrated QAM tuner allows the free reception of unscrambled digital programming sent "in the clear" by cable providers, usually local broadcast stations; however most digital channels are scrambled because the providers consider them to be extra-cost options and not part of the "basic cable" package. Which channels are scrambled varies greatly from location to location, and can change over time. In the United States a television that is labeled Digital Cable Ready can have a CableCARD installed by the cable provider to unscramble the protected channels, allowing subscribers to tune all authorized digital channels without the use of a set-top box. QAM-based HD programming of local stations is sometimes available to analog cable subscribers, without paying the additional fees for a digital cable box. The availability of QAM HD programming is rarely described or publicized in cable company product literature. Although technically most digital and high-definition programming on cable uses QAM, the term is generally reserved among viewers for discussions of unlabeled channels. These are not included in guide information on devices like TiVo DVR s, and can be unexpectedly moved from channel to channel. This makes watching QAM channels frustrating for the casual viewer, encouraging them to purchase a "digital cable package" which includes a set top box and guide data. EXTERNAL LINKS
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