Question re: Digital TV switch in Feb. and cable

[DawnM]

I have read several places that if you have a cable box and have an older TV you are fine.

What about those TVs plugged directly into the cable wall outlet without a box? Do I need a digital cable box for those?

Thanks.

Dawn

 

[JoiseyMom]

I have read several places that if you have a cable box and have an older TV you are fine.

What about those TVs plugged directly into the cable wall outlet without a box? Do I need a digital cable box for those?

Thanks.

Dawn

Yes, you have to have a converter box. We had 3 tv's just connected to the cable wire...and of course got limited cable channels. Fios sent us as many boxes (free!!) that we needed. Once hooked up, you will get the same channels you were able to get just attached to the cable wire. If you don't have a converter box, you will not get any channels.

 

[DawnM]

Ok, thanks. Darn. I have no free convert box coupons.

Dawn

Yes, you have to have a converter box. We had 3 tv's just connected to the cable wire...and of course got limited cable channels. Fios sent us as many boxes (free!!) that we needed. Once hooked up, you will get the same channels you were able to get just attached to the cable wire. If you don't have a converter box, you will not get any channels.

 

[MickeyNicki]

Live in Naples FL and have Comcast through a cable line in the condo...no boxes

Comcast said we will NOT need boxes

 

[DawnM]

Really?

I guess maybe I will just call the cable company then. We have TWC.

Dawn

Live in Naples FL and have Comcast through a cable line in the condo...no boxes

Comcast said we will NOT need boxes

 

[DawnM]

At midnight on February 17, 2009, federal law will require all full-power television stations to stop broadcasting in analog and switch over to all-digital transmissions. How will this affect you? If your TVs are connected to cable or satellite service, you will continue to receive programming after the Digital Transition (DTV). But if you receive your broadcast signal from rabbit ears or an antenna, you will no longer receive any programming unless your TV was recently purchased and is digital-ready.

Three ways to keep watching.
To ensure you can continue to enjoy your favorite channels and shows, you can do one of the following:

Option 1 – Sign up for cable service with Time Warner Cable. With cable service, your existing television set will not be affected by the Digital Transition (DTV). You will be able to enjoy all your favorite channels and shows just like you do now.
Option 2 – Buy a new TV. If your current TV was purchased before 1998, it likely doesn’t have a digital tuner. Check the manual for your TV to make sure. If it doesn’t have a digital tuner, you can buy a new TV that does.
Option 3 – Buy a digital-to-analog converter box. A third option is to keep your current TV but purchase a special digital-to-analog converter box from a major electronics retailer like Best Buy or Circuit City. With this box, you can continue to enjoy your favorite channels and shows on your existing TV set. To offset the cost of the digital-to-analog converter box, the U.S. government will provide two coupons to you worth $40 each toward the purchase of two digital-to-analog converter boxes (in case you have two TV sets in your home). The total cost of one digital-to-analog converter box is estimated at $55 to $75.
Still Have Questions?
You may find an answer in our list of frequently asked questions:

We'll do our best to keep you informed during the Digital Transition (DTV). If you have additional questions, or to get connected, enter your ZIP code here to go to your local Time Warner Cable page.

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

We have TWC, and we actually switched to digital in August (ours was a test city). We have two TVs in the house without a box - we didn't need anything extra for them. The whole switch was as easy as it could be.

You should only need a converter box if you have a TV without a digital tuner AND you do not have cable.

Hope this helps!

 

[StitchandPooh'sMom]

Yes, you have to have a converter box. We had 3 tv's just connected to the cable wire...and of course got limited cable channels. Fios sent us as many boxes (free!!) that we needed. Once hooked up, you will get the same channels you were able to get just attached to the cable wire. If you don't have a converter box, you will not get any channels.

Our city has already made the switch to digital. We did not need converter boxes for our TVs that do not have cable boxes. If you are connected to cable, you will continue to receive your cable channels.

 

[WeLuvTink!]

Looks like you're a cable subscriber. If so, you do NOT need a box and will experience no change in service becuase of the national change on Feb 17th. The only ones affected by the DTV transition are those who watch TV using antennas (rabbit ears, etc.). Cable subscribers aren't affected by the 2/17/09 change.

 

[DawnM]

Wonderful. Thanks.

Dawn

 

[seashoreCM]

Depends on your cable system.

1. Over the months, not necessarily all in February 2009, different cable channels may suddenly appear to be scrambled as they are changed to a different digital format.

2. Your TV may have a "smart card" aka "cable card" that you might need to exchange with your cable company to get back more of the channels that turned scrambled.

3. Note: The digital to analog converter box you buy for over the air digital broadcasts does not assist in receiving or improving cable channels. Neither does the regular ATSC digital tuner in modern TV sets.

Wait and see what happens, then decide.

 

[Nie0214]

You'll be fine. The Digital switch is only something Rabbit-ears / antenna users have to worry about (like myself, but I have a digital antenna & digital TV, so I'll be okay).

 

[mom2princessj]

We have comcast (cable/internet combo) and they say no boxes. I have direct tv though in my main rooms and ofcourse with the box we have there is no change. As far as I had read it was only people without cable or satellite tv that had a problem.

 

[RobinFabulous]

I have read several places that if you have a cable box and have an older TV you are fine.

What about those TVs plugged directly into the cable wall outlet without a box? Do I need a digital cable box for those?

Thanks.

Dawn

SO installs cable for Knology and said that MOST companies will NOT need a box per tv, that the plug in outlet will be fine. We have Dish and we won't need anything extra (we do have a box per 2 tvs)