Can the hdhomerun prime function without a cablecard, meaning it will just use the QAM channels available in the coax?
Yes. You can also use a CONNECT to pick up QAM channels.
Many cable companies no longer broadcast clear QAM channels, but if yours does you can use either tuner. Note that the channels usually come in with random numbers, so it can be tricky to get it mapped to the guide data correctly.
Yes they would have different channel numbers. I assume all of them will appear and you can just select channels via favorites.
Would you prefer the connect versus the extend?
I was using an HDHR Prime without Cablecard until recently, using the ClearQAM channels. It worked pretty well prior to the SD channel guide provider change, I got channel data and no problems. We were able to watch all our starter TV package.
After SD changed their guide data provider, I started seeing only the channel numbers and no guide at all. I tried multiple troubleshooting steps and sent a trouble ticket to SD but never heard anything back. As a troubleshooting method I went to my local TWC and got a Cablecard. 3 Cablecards later I got a functional setup and can see my guide data again.
So your mileage may definitely vary these days trying to use ClearQAM. I am fairly convinced my issue was not with TWC because nothing had changed there and was purely on the SD side, but I have no confirmation on this from anyone.
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