I am not sure if I should post my question here or not but I will ask it here anyway. If it does not belong here please move it.

I just bought a new 37 inch LCD HDTV (Acer AT3705-DTV) and it has a built in digital tuner. Here are my questions.

In New Brunswick can I:

1. Use the Digital Tuner instead of my Digital Cable box? If yes how? If not when can I, if at all.

2. Can I in NB get OTA Digital or HD programming and if yes how?

Thanks in advance for any info. And BTW the Acer is my first HDTV and will never go back to SD ever again. To say the least "W O W"!!!:eek:

The answer to question 1 is no, as cable channels are mostly encrypted. See the following:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=32271

The second question should really go into the OTA forum, perhaps in the thread below:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=41143

There is no OTA HD in NB (or anywhere else east of Montreal) right now.

OTA-HD only in NB, if you live near Presque Isle (WAGM DT 16 [CBS-HD, Fox SD], & WMEM DT 20 [PBS]) or Calais (WMED DT 10 [PBS]).
I think Saint John is too far for Calais, ME with such a low power antenna 3.5 kW.

See the OTA Thread for the Maritimes HERE:
http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=41143

I used a QAM tuner PCI card on my PC and picked up about 80 unencrypted channels, a few hd off the Rogers line going into my house. I am not a Rogers subscriber, but have had free access to over 50 channels on the coax line since They must have never come to unhook it. I bought the house 5 years ago.

redskull

Are you in New Brunswick?

Yes, Moncton

Here's a link to the QAM situation:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=32271

By the way, watching cable without paying for it is called cable theft.

Actually, 57, I have no desire to thieve anything. I am looking at this as a far easier way to get digital content into my MCE box(es) without needing a STB.

I used a QAM tuner PCI card on my PC

What brand/model of card did you use?

Actually, 57, I have no desire to thieve anything.
Sorry, my comment was aimed at post 5, but is applicable to any signal theft.

I was using the Fusion HDTV Lite 5 card. I'm not really stealing it, I'm a bell sub. I got the card for cheap and hooked it up. I used it for a month and sold it. I don't use the cable line at all, it's not my fault its a live line running into my house.

redskull, would you mind providing a list of what channels you can get unencrypted? Or does anyone have a link to this list (for NB) ?

I am not looking to pirate either - pat for 3 STBs right now - but if you can tune significant channels with the QAM I might pony up for a card for my PC.

There are several CBC, CTV, and Global channels. HDNET, A&E HD, PBS HD, OMNI 1 HD, CBC HD, Playboy Channel, NFL Network, and more.

In all I would say there are about 70 unencrypted channels.

I really don't think it should qualify as cable theft, if Rogers failed to disconnect or encrypt the service. Now if your doing anything at all to decrypt the channels, then that is cable theft.

My parents just purchased a new Sony LCD HDTV and they are able to get digital channels without having a box.