Suggestions for DTV booster amp?

[radiotvnut]

Your flatscreen likely has a QAM tuner, which can decode clear QAM cable channels. Usually, only the minimum basic (local) channels are delivered in clear QAM format. The other digital channels are usually encoded and require a digital cable box.

The typical DTV converter box is designed to receive ATSC broadcast and convert them to analog for use on older TV's. Although ATSC and QAM are both digital, the formats still have differences and are not compatible. In rare cases, some cable companies deliver local channels in ATSC format. My digitalstream DTV converter actually has a menu selection for cable or air. Even on cable, it looks for ATSC signals; which, are not on our cable. Therefore, the box finds zero channels when connected to cable.

If you want to receive digital cable channels on the old TV, your only option will be to obtain a digital converter from your cable company.

In my area, Comcast offers two types of digital cable converters. One type is the large Motorola box that enables the user to access pay-per-view movies, program guides, etc. The other type is what they call a digital transport adapter (DTA). This is a basic digital cable converter that does nothing more than convert the digital cable channels to analog channel 3 or 4. These DTA's don't even have A/V output jacks. Basically, these are a modern version of the older analog cable boxes that were popular in the '80's.

When you obtain a digital cable box, you first connect it to your TV and turn everything on with the TV set to channel 3 or 4 (whatever the output channel of the box is set for). Then, you contact the cable company with the box serial number and your account number. They will then send a signal down the line to activate your box for the level of service that you are supposed to receive.