New HD: TCM-HD, BigTenNet, CartoonNetHD, MSNBCHD

[beachrider]

Is that for some technical reason that they would do ONLY broadcast-basic as in-clear QAM? They certainly didn't operate that way in the olde analogue days. AFAIK, if you have a cable-card, you get all HDTV programming as in-clear QAM. The only exceptions are SDV-channels (so far it is only used for PPV and on-demand programming).

Am I correct about CV's cablecards and HDTV?

[TNGTony]

Cablecards allow you to SUBSCRIBE (not just get) all programming available with the exception of DVR, On Demand, PPV and other data services, as you mentioned. But it is not the same as Clear QAM.

Why do cable companies restrict their clear QAM channels to broadcast basic/lifeline basic channels? Because the old way of filtering out channels for cable ready service is expensive. Essentially there is a physical trap/filter on your line blocking out reception of channels you do not subscribe to on the analog service. Since digital channels are multiplexed it makes it much harder to trap. It's much easier to have addressable cable boxes/cable cards to get subscribers the channels they subscribe to than having to send out a technician every time a subscriber changes their level of service to install/remove traps.

See ya
Tony