Do I Need a Cable Card for HD Time Warner?

A CableCARD is a small device, slightly larger than a credit card, provided by cable TV service providers like Time Warner that enables the viewer to receive digital cable channels without a set-top receiver box. It is inserted into the CableCARD slot of an HDTV (or other capable device, such as a PC or DVR) and allows the TV to access the encrypted digital cable channels the viewer subscribes to, which is normally done through the connected set-top box.

Time Warner offers two different types of CableCARDs to its subscribers. One is a Unidirectional Digital Cable Product (UDCP), a one-way device that allows access to basic and digital channels, and the other is a Tru2way card, which enables the flow of data both to and from the TV. This allows access to all Time Warner Cable TV services available to the subscriber, including pay-per-view and On-Demand programming. The only exception to this is DVR service, which still requires the set-top box.

An HDTV with an ATSC (digital) tuner has the ability to receive over-the-air HD channels without the aid of an external device, and those with QAM tuner capability can also receive basic cable channels without a set-top box. However, to receive the encrypted digital cable, premium and other HD channels, as well as the services that come with them, either the set-top box/DVR or CableCARD is necessary.

Time Warner Cable leases the activated CableCARDs to subscribers for a small monthly fee, just as they do set-top boxes/DVRs. One advantage of choosing a CableCARD is the freedom of being able to place or mount your flat-screen TV anywhere in the room without having to deal with the set-top box and the cables linking it to the TV. Disadvantages include the lack of DVR capability and the fact that your HDTV will not be connected to your cable service via the HDMI or component video cables supported by the HD set-top receivers that provide the highest HD resolution.