Cablecard with basic cable?

[aphex]

I currently use clear QAM for my HD channels via Brighthouse Network's basic cable service ($35/mo including 10/1 internet, tax included)

My mother in law picked up a Tivo HD for $99 with her new TV, but doesn't want it so is offering it to us.

According to Tivo's website, since very limited guide information is available via Clear QAM, you need a cablecard to receive the guide and thereby make Tivo work as expected.

My question is though; Will a cable company provide a cablecard for basic service? (with just the additional monthly fee of the card)

(My cable company doesn't open for another 2 hours so I figured I woould call then as well)

 

[sdifox]

shouldn't you check their website? no one else can answer this question for you.

 

[aphex]

shouldn't you check their website? no one else can answer this question for you.

No info on the website, just was curious if anyone else had tried.

 

[sivart]

My guess would be no. You need to subscribe to their digital package (minimum digitial package) before you can get a cable card.

Much like you can't get a cable box without the minimum package.

Can you not point the listings for an over the air channel to populate the QAM channel guide information? (I know on Windows Media center you can manually assign guide listings to any channel).

I.e. if OTA channel 7.1 is QAM 83.1, point the guide listings for 7.1 to channel 83.1.

 

[aphex]

Actually, much to my surprise they said I can indeed get a cable card with basic cable (we'll see what they say when I actually go in tomorrow and try and pick one up).

She seemed to fully understand my situation though, she said I would get basic cable for 1-26, then the free digitals from 600+ (which is what I get now with the clear QAM)

 

[sdifox]

Cable company caved in (recently) to MS regarding cablecard access for people with computers. I can't see how your tivo would be barred.

 

[Tifababy]

Right now the FCC still mandates that cable companies provide cable cards. I got a tivo HD for Christmas and had the cable company out on Saturday to install a cable card and I only subscribe to basic cable (channels 1-26). Now I get my locals in HD and I can drop the cable company DVR which runs $25+tax every month.