On Nov 20, 2:52 am, (Dave Martindale) wrote:
"DonC" writes:
You won't need a converter for cable if you just want the analog
channels.
Which won't exist after 2/17/2009. So you may "want the analog channels"
but there won't be any.

Which analog channels are you referring to? There won't be any
over-the-air analog channels, but there may still be analog channels on
cable. The cable system already receives those broadcasts and
translates them to a different frequency for retransmission on cable.
All they have to do to continue distributing those channels in analog is
receive them with a digital receiver, then feed it to an analog TV
modulator for distribution.

If they don't do this, all their customers using analog tuners (no
digital box) to receive cable will scream.

Dave


Yes, that's what will happen. The cable companies aren't going to
alienate their customer base and if you receive NTSC via cable today,
you will continue to be able to do so. There might be an exception
somewhere and you could check with your own cable company.

The level of misinformation out there on this is incredible. In
addition to claiming that cable customers will be affected, in this
thread we have a post claiming the NTSC over the air broadcasting turn
off is just a rumor. It's a plan that has been determined by
Congress and in place for years. Now the date may get pushed out
again, but that is far different from claiming it's a rumor.

As far as the OP buying a new TV, any new TV manufactured today is
required to have an ATSC tuner in it.