do i need a cable service provider if a have a digital converter box?

Question

i am trying to figure out if i buy a digital converter box will i need to get a cable service provider or will i be able to get a few free TV stations. i currently cant afford to pay for cable so im trying to find a way for free TV (i know i know very pitiful lol) or if you have any advice as to getting free TV would be welcome

Answer 1

You don't need to get cable service unless you want cable television. TV is still the same it was in the 80s. Only now, unless you have a tv built after 2005, you have to use a digi converter to "translate" a digital signal to an analog signal to be seen on your TV screen.Which means if you don't have cable or satellite in the US you'll get ONLY standard channels w/ your digi converter box (as always) The only bits of advice I can give you is to:

1. Watch only the standard channels using your TV and digi converter box.

2. Getting a cable or satellite provider.

3. If you have internet at home, almost every western TV channel has a website you can watch your favorite programs from. I use this and hook it up from my PC to my old CRT TV-its almost like free TV.

Answer 2

The digital converter has no application at all on cable. It's used solely with an over-the-air (OTA) antenna, and only for converting the new digital channels so that they can be watched on an old analog TV. If you have a modern TV purchased in the U.S. in the past couple of years, it has the digital tuner already, so no converter is necessary.



If you opt for digital OTA instead of cable or satellite, be aware that you need a very good antenna, the best you can manage, for satisfactory reception. The new digital signals are very unforgiving of weak signals--they won't be watchable at all.



Check the references for the digital stations in your area that you should be able to receive, and what antenna is recommended.

Answer 3

If you have cable service right now you do not need a converter box to watch basic channels. You do have to have a digital box if you want to subscribe to HD channels, HBO, Showtime etc... But, most cable companies will require you to rent the box from them. If their system is setup on a S.A. system you would need and S.A. box or motorola would need a motorola box and so on. An HD box is several hundred bucks and if it goes out you would have to spend several more hundred to get another so renting is your best option even if you could buy one. Those boxes are controlled by their head end so you probably have to get one from them. Contact your cable provider and ask if you have questions because they are the only ones that will know their system. Hope that helps ya.