View Full Version : paying for basic, receiving digital?
deckscrew
03-22-2005, 06:35 PM
I have an LG4200 tuner for my Antenna, and have standard cable on the other cable TV input. If I hook up the cable to the LG and start to receive more than standard cable can the cable company charge me for receiving digital TV? I read somewhere that the digital tuners (STB's?) send a signal back to the cable company.
I'm not really interested in digital cable enough to pay for it, but sometimes during storms the antenna doesn't receive so well. so I'd like to hook up the LG to the cable
In fact, if the cable company does not charge extra, is there some way to run cable and the antenna through the LG, thereby having to use only one remote.
Any suggestions greatly appreciated.
Ratman
03-22-2005, 06:46 PM
From what I can see, this reciever should be able to receiver QAM (digital cable) in the clear. What's sent unencrypted by your cable provider may vary.
So... you should be able to connect your cable and receive what's available without any problems/legally.
Be aware that with some LG receivers you have to select one or the other (OTA or digital cable).
Check your manual and give it a try.
mjones73
03-22-2005, 07:16 PM
Unfortunately the only downside with the 4200 is it's only got one input, you would need an A/B switch of some kind to switch between your cable and antenna feeds. The 4200 will remember any channels discovered as you switch feeds though so you don't need to rediscover them every time. There's no way to join them because of the shared frequencies, certain channels would step on one another.
torchwing
03-23-2005, 02:57 AM
Deckscrew or others,
You question got me worried. My landlord in our apt. bldg let me put my antenna on teh roof. Sometimes I hook up my antenna tuner to the cable outlet and get some digital TV stations and music. Mainly to see what the free previews are. I don't pay for cable, and never have in the three years I've lived there. I have a feeling that other people in the building aren't paying for cable.
My question is because I have a digital tuner can the cable company trace my signal and find out that some people in the building aren't paying for cable. Since I live on the top floor and my antenna gets great reception. I don't want to get other people in the building to get mad and tell my landlord to make me take my antenna down.
mjones73
03-23-2005, 07:27 AM
A stand alone digital tuner doesn't report back like a 2-way box from the cable company. Regardless, you should double check your lease to see if basic cable is included, if you have doubts it should be, an anonymous call to your cable company might be due if it'd make you feel better.
Ratman
03-23-2005, 08:57 AM
The cable company can't trace the signal as mjones73 states.
So... you won't get 'found out'. Use your hookups and enjoy.
Mum's the word.... :)
rlh149
03-25-2005, 01:55 AM
Hello
I just recently signed on to HDTVoice and I am replieing to deckscrews question on the lg 4200. I as probable most of the folks on this site have been to the other sites on hdtv, everything I have read tells how the clear qam on the 4200 picks up the non encrypted channels on cable. Now for my reply to deckscrew, I am going to go with the same set up as you have with the 4200 and basic cable but I have looked into the remote control a\b swithck from radio shack for around $34.00 I believe. That way if I want to switch from ota to cable I can do so from the luxury of the recliner. This way I can program the a\b swithch to my universal remote and still be down to one remote control.
