DTV Conversion

[MoPHo]

Ok so these converter boxes that are coming out for the February transition are a one time cost box. What I'm wondering is if these boxes will have an HD output? I guess the question really comes down to: do these boxes have the ability to put out an HD signal for free or does the cable company have to provide you with the HD signal for channels that aren't "basic cable" such as FX, Discovery Channel, etc?

I'm not asking out of necessity, I have HD cable right now through Time Warner but it's expensive and if I could downgrade to this box but still get HD channels beyond CBS, NBC, etc. I'd save a lot of money. I've transferred an HD cable box from one house to another in my area, and I got all the same channels so I feel like the signals going to all houses are the same, the only difference being the HD cable box reading the signal and being able to give HD channels.

If I'm not being clear, will this cable layout work:

Basic Cable service > Telephone pole > My house > DTV Converter box > My TV > HDTV (FX, Discovery, Etc.) > Profit!

 

[3chordcharlie]

If you have cable, the analog shutoff doesn't affect you.

Also, you may be able to buy an HD box from some source or another, if you want to stop renting.

 

[MoPHo]

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
If you have cable, the analog shutoff doesn't affect you.

Which is why I said I'm not doing this out of necessity, I'm doing it for cost.

 

[ChaoZ]

No. I think the DTV boxes only work for OTA.

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: MoPHo

Originally posted by: 3chordcharlie
If you have cable, the analog shutoff doesn't affect you.

Which is why I said I'm not doing this out of necessity, I'm doing it for cost.

yeah but this has nothing to do with cable. These converter boxes are ATSC tuners. You need QAM tuner for cable HD.