Unencrypted QAM Question

[kevbeck122]

Is it legal, if you only have Road Runner, to hook the cable up to your TV to get unencrypted QAM channels/is it possible to do, or do they filter that?

[Mark Strube]

If you only have Road Runner with absolutely NO cable tv service, not even analog 2-99, then they put a filter on your line that lets only the Road Runner signal through. There's a chance it doesn't filter the digital cable signals, since you'd need an authorized box to get them anyways (except for the QAM locals), but I wouldn't count on it. If you have Road Runner with at least analog service, then you should have no problems getting the free QAM channels.

[gopheralex]

If you only have Road Runner with absolutely NO cable tv service, not even analog 2-99, then they put a filter on your line that lets only the Road Runner signal through. There's a chance it doesn't filter the digital cable signals, since you'd need an authorized box to get them anyways (except for the QAM locals), but I wouldn't count on it. If you have Road Runner with at least analog service, then you should have no problems getting the free QAM channels.

I have only RoadRunner and I get the QAM HDTV too. Roadrunner uses QAM modulation just like HDTV, so it would be hard to filter only one of them. Of course it's legal since you're only getting the same networks you can get over the air for free.

I can also pull in analog TBS, Discovery Health and a few other channels. I guess the filter is not perfect.

[Mark Strube]

I remember back in the day when they used analog filters to block HBO for non-subscribers. On very hot summer nights, it would come through nearly perfect. Ah channel 29.

[jpfieber]

I have a friend that wants to do this because he can't get CBS well through his antenna (anyone else in Bay View not picking up CBS?). He did a chat with Time Warner support, and they said it was illegal. Can anyone confirm that this is correct, that splitting your RR line to your TV so you can watch the local channels without subscribing to a tv package is 'cable theft'?

[AndrewP]

I have a friend that wants to do this because he can't get CBS well through his antenna (anyone else in Bay View not picking up CBS?). He did a chat with Time Warner support, and they said it was illegal. Can anyone confirm that this is correct, that splitting your RR line to your TV so you can watch the local channels without subscribing to a tv package is 'cable theft'?

Techically yes. But TWC should install filter and if they forgot or were lazy, the customer can get those channels. It can't be traced back, so the customer will be "safe", but technically it is a stealing.
When I switched to Dish in January 2001, cable guy came to pickup boxes late in the evening, he asked were the TWC was outside. It was cold, snowy, he just did not go there. So technically I had channels for 1 year, never watched them (had no reason, I had better TV:)). Only when I had RR problems next summer, the guy fixed the line and installed filter. I did not care:D