I just bought a Panasonic TC-32LX70 as a bedroom tv. I don't plan on hooking up a cable box (we have comcast), and I choose the tv because I thought with the ASTC tuner I would be able to get HD over the air and with the QAM maybe get some unscrambled from comcast. The question is now that I've hooked it up, how do I get these stations. When I auto programmed it, the only channels it finds are the channels I would expect to get without a box (channel 1 thru 25). I see people referring to hyphen stations (i.e. 95-1), how do I get those. Thanks.
You will not receive any HD channels (other than maybe the locals) with a QAM tuner. Cable companies charge for them, just like they do for the standard def. movie channels and other premium stuff. Comcast is not obligated to send even the local HD signals unscrambled on your basic cable line.
BTW, You must confirm regestered channels by selecting "Apply" and then "OK" after the scan is completed. Before the scan you must select "Ant In", "Cable", and "All Channels".
So what is the point of the QAM tuner So you can receive any unscrambled digital or HD channels. Just in case you forgot, some people still rely on rabbit ears for reception. Once they turn off analog transmissions you'll need a QAM tuner to pull in OTA transmissions.
"Once they turn off analog transmissions you'll need a QAM tuner to pull in OTA transmissions."
Now I'm the one who's confused. Isn't the ATSC tuner for OTA and the QAM for unscrambled digital cable channels?
Also while I have your attention: After the digital changeover are all channels on basic cable going to be digital, or can a cable company send a few channels analog so that those poor souls out there with the wire and an old TV won't have to get a cable box?
Local channels are mandated by the FCC to stay on analog cable until 2012, so there will still be analog channels. National channels are under no such mandate and can convert to digital whenever they choose.
You have it right, ATSC is the OTA tuner. QAM is for unscrambled digital cable channels.