QAM TUNER - What is a Qam Tuner?
A QAM tuner is a electronic tuning device. The qam tuner is used in digital television sets and other electronic equipment, such as vcrs and dvrs. QAM stands for "quadrature amplitude modulation". Qam is the format by which digital cable channels are encoded and transmitted by the cable companies. A qam tuner can tune non-encrypted, digital cable channels, without using a cable box (set top box). If your set has a built in qam tuner, you can simply plug the cable from the cable company, directly into your TV set. This will allow you to watch non-encrypted programming. (Encryption is used for programs such as HBO and Showtime).
Another type of tuner found inside digital television and electronic equipment is the ATSC tuner. The ATSC tuner is required to receive over the air, digital channels. The ATSC tuner replaces the older analog tuners (NTSC).
Many new digital televisions contain both a ATSC tuner and a qam tuner and are labeled "with ATSC/QAM Tuner". However, unlike the case with ATSC tuners there is no FCC requirement that a qam tuner be included in new television sets.
On February 17, 2009, all TV stations must cease broadcasting, over the air, analog channels. Stations must start broadcasting, over the air, digital channels by this date. Digital does not necessarily mean HD (high definition). Digital can include high definition signals, but the FCC does not require that HDTV signals be broadcast. Most major networks are voluntarily providing HDTV content. It is up to each television station to broadcast, in HDTV format.