does my regular (non-hd) TiVo broadcast HD?

David Kuper: Unfortunately, the answer is "that depends". This is a lot more complicated question than you probably thought. The first question you need to ask is "What system does my cable company use to send HD signals?" If the answer is "unencrypted QAM", then it's possible to avoid using a cable box. If the answer is something else, then you have to get your HD signals through their cable box (one channel) using a HDMI or component cables. Unless you are also going to record over the air programs, there is no advantage in having a digital tuner in your recorder in this case. If your cable system is using "unencrypted QAM", then you would probably want to get a recorder that includes a "QAM tuner". This would allow you to record one digital channel while watching another. What is a "QAM tuner"? There are two different types of digital tuners used in the US. ATSC tuners will pick up all digital over the air signals. Cable systems do not use ATSC, one common system that ! cable systems use is called "QAM". When a DVD recorder says it has a digital tuner, it could mean it only has an ATSC tuner. Check the specs to make sure it also has QAM tuner if that's what you need. Another limitation is that all current DVD recorders only record and send out standard definition signals. If the recorder has a QAM tuner and you have an unencrypted QAM signal, it will receive the HD programming, The HD signals will be downconverter to standard definition and this is the best signal that it will send to your TV, even if the DVD recorder has a HDMI output. To see HD programming in HD resolution, you will need to hook it up to your cable system separately from your DVD recorder. If you don't have an unencrypted QAM signal, you will have to get this through your cable box using HDMI or component cables. If you have an unencrypted QAM signal, you could tune this in directly without a cable box using either a QAM tuner in your TV (if it has one), or an external Q! AM tuner such as the Samsung DTBH260F HDTV Terrestrial Tuner..! .Show more

Marti Declue: >does my regular (non-hd) TiVo broadcast HD?Assuming that:-You have a series 1 or series 2 Tivo-You have an HDTV with a built in QAM tuner-And you get some HD channels (in HD quality) when you connect your TV directly to the cable outlet. No it will not pass through HD (or any other digital) signals. The Tivo can only receive and send out non-HD analog signals. However you can split the cable signal and connect one lead directly to the HDTV antenna/cable input to receive any non-encrypted HD channels, and then connect the other lead to the Tivo with it's output connected to one of the TV's A/V inputs so you can continue to use the Tivo with analog channels.If your cable company decides to go all digital, you can still still use your analog Tivo but you will need to use an IR blaster & cable box ("DTA adapter") to convert the digital signals to analog before they get to the Tivo. The Tivo will only output non-HD analog signals to your TV, ev! en if the original cable signals were in HD....Show more

Janita Tetlow: In order to record in hd, your dvr has to be hd and you have to subscribe to hd programming unless your planning on using an hd outdoor antenna.

Cierra Gadbaw: OK, so at least the first person didnt read the whole question,I know that the Tivo does not record HD, and I do not subscribe to the full-blown digital cable.All I am talking about is the regular cable channels that are broadcasting in HD. Can I run the cable through my Tivo box then back out to the TV and still keep the HD broadcast?This is what I am asking....Show more