Samsung SIR-T351 Question

[johnc1969]

This might sound dumb, but I'm learning as I go and do hope that someone can help me. I have a 53'' HDTV tv and just got the Samsung SIR-T351 STB that has QAM. Does this mean that I can hook up my cable in line and use as the antenna, and what channels will I be able to get this way, or will it be better to install an indoor/outdoor antenna? What is the benifit of having QAM. Please help... Thanks.

[Lowpro]

I just purchased the Samsung SIR-TS351 from Sears and ended up taking it back the same day. The QAM tuner did not work. I have a couple friends in my area that can tune unscrambled HD cable channels from Comcast with their Integrated HD sets. One just happened to be home that day, so I tried it out at his place as well. No luck. Only one Sears store in my area had the 351 in stock to begin with. I went out of my way to go pick it up. If I could have tried another box I might have. Perhaps I just got a bum unit, but now I'll never know. It's not worth my time to try another one out.

Couple other items of note. Everywhere on the outside of the packaging for the 351 where it mentions the QAM tuner tape was covering it up. Everywhere in the manual where it talked about the QAM tuner it had tape covering it up as well and in several places new language was printed on the tape. I called Samsung and one of the techs told me the QAM tuner was still in the unit, but that they don't support it so they have removed any reference on the packaging and manual concerning the QAM tuner.

[Ratman]

I may be wrong... but I am pretty sure that you have to notify the cable provider to activate any digital cable box. It isn't like the old analog cable boxes.

I would verify with your local provider...

[ned215]

After purchasing the 351 and not being able to get it to tune QAM signals, I called Samsung's technical support. They told me that the box does has QAM tuning capabilities but that it has not been activated. The guy didn't know why.

Dan

[57U]

As stated above by Ratman, any digital cable box needs to be "activated" by the cable company. This is necessary to prevent cable theft, otherwise anyone could buy a box, hook it up and watch free digital TV.

This will no longer happen (like in the analogue days) because the cable company does the activation and communication between the STB and the cable company is "two way". They can tell what you receive, etc. If the two-way communication goes down, they shut you down - that's why those PPV filters advertized won't work - they simply stop the two way communication, but the cable company will deactivate the STB.

Whether the cable company will activate certain equipment is up to them. Most cable companies provide (rental or sale) their own equipment, but this is changing... You'll need to check with your service provider.