You will need the adapter if your cable provider is implementing Switched Digital Video. If they are, you may not be able to receive many popular channels. More and more cable providers are switching to SDV so check into it.
If you order HD service through your cable company and use Cablecards for access, you may need one of these tuner adapters to properly tune in some HD stations. They should know whether you need one or not. Not too many cable companies have gone SDV, but it looks like it really helps them cram more HD stations in, so expect it to be almost mandatory in the future.
Thankfully it seems the cable companies that DO require SDV tuners, are just tossing in the equipment at no additional rental cost. I think if they did, the FCC would come down on them since they're mandated to offer Cablecard access to all their stations and SDV "broke" that and this is their way of keeping out of hot water and being fined to death.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Chip Douglas @ Jul 18th 2008 3:05PM
So I don't get it? Will I need an adapter box with my Tivo HD or Series 3 box or not? I thought it supported CableCards?
unsub1 @ Jul 18th 2008 3:16PM
You will need the adapter if your cable provider is implementing Switched Digital Video. If they are, you may not be able to receive many popular channels. More and more cable providers are switching to SDV so check into it.
DIIIIIIIIIIIRTTTTTTT @ Jul 18th 2008 5:28PM
If you order HD service through your cable company and use Cablecards for access, you may need one of these tuner adapters to properly tune in some HD stations. They should know whether you need one or not. Not too many cable companies have gone SDV, but it looks like it really helps them cram more HD stations in, so expect it to be almost mandatory in the future.
Thankfully it seems the cable companies that DO require SDV tuners, are just tossing in the equipment at no additional rental cost. I think if they did, the FCC would come down on them since they're mandated to offer Cablecard access to all their stations and SDV "broke" that and this is their way of keeping out of hot water and being fined to death.