What is a QAM Tuner?

[SolidSignal_Musa]

A QAM tuner is a built-in digital tuner in some new digital televisions. It allows you to receive digital cable channels without renting a set-top box from your local cable provider. QAM stands for "quadrature amplitude modulation."

In the United States, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is regulating the television conversion from analog to digital.

Here are the deadlines:
• July 1, 2005: All TVs with screen sizes over 36" must include built-in ATSC digital tuner
• July 1, 2006: 100% of 25-35" TVs must include ATSC digital tuner
• July 1, 2007: 100% of 13-24" TVs must include ATSC digital tuner
• July 1, 2007: 100% of all interface devices must have an ATSC digital tuner (VCR, DVD, DVR, ect)
• February 17, 2009: TV stations will cease broadcasting on their current analog channels, and the spectrum they use for analog broadcasting will be reclaimed and put to other uses.

Digital television (DTV) is a telecommunication system for broadcasting and receiving moving pictures and sound by means of digital signals. Three digital modulation schemes are currently being used:

Antenna (over-the-air)
Eight Level Vestigial Sideband modulations (8VSB)

Television stations in most metropolitan areas are now offering over-the-air HD broadcasts. These include all of the major stations like ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, PBS, WB and UPN. Many local television stations are also producing HD content. If your tv set has an ATSC tuner built in, then simply connect an antenna to it and tune in the HD stations. (HD channels are labeled in the format xx.1 or xx.2 where xx is the channel number you are used to using. For example the HD version of channel 11 is 11.1).

Cable

Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)

Most cable companies are now providing some high definition content on their systems. There are a couple of ways to view this high definition content. The easiest is to obtain a set-top-box or cable box. Another method of viewing high definition content from a cable provider is with a built in QAM tuner. If your set has a built in QAM tuner you simply plug the cable from the cable company directly into your TV set. This will allow you to watch non-encrypted (scrambled) programming. (Encryption is used for programs such HBO and Showtime). Some of the newer sets have slots for a special device called a Cable Card. The Cable Card is a device that you obtain from the cable company. It plugs into a small slot on the HDTV and allows viewing of all the encrypted stations that you are subscribed to.

Satellite
Quadrature Phase-Shift Keying (QPSK)

You can now obtain high definition content from a satellite provider. Four of the largest satellite service providers are DirecTV, Dish Network, GlobeCast, and Voom. Satellite service is available almost anywhere in the country with the installation of a small dish

Qam Tuner

[SWHouston]

Musa,
First of all, what a great Post. Clear and to the point, well done !

However, I have had some experience with QAM as it applies to Cable, and to be specific…
A Samsung DTB-H260F, Digital HDTV Receiver, and
Comcast/Time Warner Cable Provider.

I had already subscribed to Comcast, and at the time, was receiving their programming directly to my Analog TV. Though one may think this a little “shady”, I thought to purchase my own QAM Receiver, and “expand” my catalog of stations, without having to rent their Box.
HAY, I was buying the Cable, why not !

I bought one, hooked it up, and got possibly two or three additional channels, more than what I was receiving with a direct connection to my TV !

Paid about $175 for it, and this was a while back, right at the start of anyone even mentioning the Digital Changeover. I thought I had bought the proverbial “pig in a poke”, and set the unit aside, eventually renting one of their Box’s to get the vast number of channels, which I previously did not have access to..

Fortunately (and I’m not usually this lucky) here comes the Changeover, and guess what !?
The H260F, has an Analog output, and I can use it as a DtA Box and HD at that. WHEW !!!
I have a OTA attic mounted Yagi, and it provides me with 30 or more UHF/Dig channels, and several VHF as of this post. Post Changeover, I expect that number, to grow vastly !

I say this, mainly to advise anyone, that given the extent of Encryption that most Providers are applying to their Channels, buying a QAM to try to slip by and get a few more channels, is probably not worth it.

I hope these comments, help someone decide on situations as mine, and hope if they do purchase one, that it has an analog output like mind does !

Have a good Day !
S.W.