With all I've been reading on these forums these days regarding TWC eventually encrypting all channels, I was wondering whether or not I would be able to use my Roku player instead of a cable box. Since the Roku works with the Internet, not with standard TV signals, I would think anyone could use a recent Roku player (Roku 2, 3 or 4) to receive all channels (dependent on level of service, of course), even though they may be encrypted on the cable. I presently have Starter TV service, which allows my Roku Spectrum TV app to receive my area's local TV stations; however, if I switch my TV to "TV" input, I can get most of the cable channels. Why is this happening, and in fact should it happen at all? My present level of cable service, of course, does not include cable channels, only broadcast channels. My best guess is that once TW/Spectrum encrypts all channels in my area, those cable channels will immediately disappear.
My question is this: When the cable channels are eventually encrypted (if they aren't already; they don't seem to be in my area), will that affect my Roku player in any way?
Again, since the Roku deals with Internet TV (IPTV), I don't think it will; after all, as I understand it, the Roku players have absolutely nothing to do with the cable or RF signals. The only reason Roku users must have at least a Starter TV account with TW/Spectrum is so the Spectrum app will receive local TV channels. In my case the cable is connected to my VCR, but I do not ordinarily use it, unless the video streams through my Roku player freeze or are otherwise unavailable.
Jeff (jhs190, formerly jhs19060)