Alright, this is my problem...

I own a Samsung LN-S2641D 26-Inch LCD HDTV (its about 4 years old), now i have always used just an hd antenna for getting over the air signals and HD channels, but now im in college and they have cable running through everyones rooms. The problem is that when i hook up the cable i dont get any HD channels (ie 6.1 or 15.2) it just gives my the regular channels (which btw look very crappy). Now ive been reading about this but can't come to a conclusion for what i need to get those channels (i know theyre out there because my friend down the hall gets all these channels on his new tv). I talked to the restech for my building (technical support) and they told me i needed a tv, or tuner that decoded the Clear QAM signal to get their digital cable. >>My question is what is it and where do i get one?<<

Thank you in advanced for the help (this whole thing has been very time consuming for me)

I think they are right, your tv does not have a clear QAM tuner. I just read the user guide and it does not indicate that it has it. only analog cable tuner. you will need a stand alone tuner that tunes in clear QAM signals. someone else will chime in with model numbers and where tu buy it probably. welcome.

Isn't this the "HD cable box" you can get at Best Buy?

No. The OP wants to get the free , clear QAM signals , that every room in the university apparently gets from the cable provider. I bet this is no Rogers Land !!! I beleive in USA , together with the basic cable service you also get the HD Locals in clear QAM. But this is Canada, time to pack and go to Miami , lol.

4 years old... 26"... digital tuners weren't mandated for that size TV back then, so no QAM possibility.

Do the likes of Rogers not serve up their HDTV in QAM? I guess not....

Agreed on cable providers charging "extra" for DTV. What a bunch of bandits.
There was a full-page ad in the paper the other day from the cable companies pointing an accusatory finger at the TV stations for charging the cable/satellite providers for their signal. Um, without the TV stations they'd have no business, no? Unbelievable!

They use scrambled QAM256 indeed , but not even the local channels are in the clear in Canada , like I beleive it is mandated in the States. After all , the digital signal is already free in the air and you at least are subscribing to the basic analog package so why not give you the HD locals free.

To be fair , donny, I dont know who is a bigger bandit , the cable companies or the local channels themself (OFF topic). But isn't that what we after all are supposed to be in this jungle?, the predator rather than the prey. Some people call it freedom, enjoy it while you can then, lol.

BTW , the OP is asking where to get a digital ATSC/clear QAM tuner.

(Off topic): In the US, cable companies are required to rebroadcast what you can receive in your area OTA, HD too. If you're lucky, they'll throw in, or "FTE" (forget to encrypt, thanks HD fan!) the music channels, MOD channels, and sports.

(On topic): I googled "stand alone QAM tuners" and wow, those tuners are expensive if you want HDMI output, to the tune of $250 and up, which is about what you'd expect to pay for a new, 26" set with a built-in NTSC/QAM tuner.

Manbearpig4LFE, you might be better off getting a USB QAM/NTSC tuner, connecting it to your computer, and then sending the output to the Samsung. Hope this helps.. .

Try [Link: amazon.com]

That one seems to be ok and well priced. Kworld also manufactures USB tuners that are less expensive.

In other news, I hear that Dish Network turned off their encryption due to some technical difficulties.

Yeap. Apparently a Server failure at their Uplink facility and suddenly their own susbcribers were unable to watch any programming at all , specifically the ones with receivers that have a smart card inside. I guess the pirates are happy these days eh?.

And it is funny but since the signal is CNE or (Can Not Encrypt otherwise my own subscribers will not be able to watch it) or in other words ITC , you can legally point a Dish to their Satellites (110W and 119W) and record as many PPV movies as you can.

Enjoy it while you can, BTW.