Digital Channels on Cablevision without Cablecards?

[swechsler]

I just got a second HD TiVo. My first one has two cablecards and I can get all the digital channels I'm supposed to, but the new one, with no cable cards, can't see any digital channels (I've tried both setups - telling it I was going to be adding cablecards later, and also no cablecards).

Shouldn't I be able to at least see the networks?

[andyf]

Yes, you should, however not necessarily where you'd expect them. Do a channel scan and go through the hundreds of channels it will find to find your networks. Guide data will not be provided for those channels though.

You need cablecards to get your channels mapped to their correct numbers and for the guide data to be available.

Search for QAM mapping to find the multitude of threads on this subject.

[swechsler]

When I did a channel search, it didn't find anything higher than 100.

[Saxion]

They are not necessarily higher than 100; all of mine are less than 69.

All digital channels found during the scan will have the X-Y format; try each channel with a "-" and you should find all your local HD stations. Also, the presence of a text string next to the channel number (like "KXWG-HD") is a good indicator it's a local HD channel.

[swechsler]

Do they show up in the channel list in the setup menu?

[Saxion]

You have to initiate a manual scan for them first...after that, then yes they show up in the channel list that you get to via the Setup menu.

[jrm01]

At the end of the scan it will say" Found xxx new channels" and "Do you want to add them to your Channel List". Just say yes.

[blacknoi]

Also keep in mind you will have NO GUIDE DATA on these unencrypted QAM channels you find.

Only with cablecard(s) do you get guide data for the digital channels.

Sad but true.