Cable and satellite tv questions?

Question

I know that after the United States switches to all digital, cable and satellite subscribers will still have local channels wheither they have high def or not.

If I plug a cable tv coax cable into a digital converter box, would it pick anything up? I'm asking about one of those boxes that you can help pay for with a coupon, not a digital cable set top box.

Do Directv and Dish truly have both the analog and digital signals from each local station that they carry?

After the Feb 2009 transition, will they expand local channel service into more markets? In other words, will they add local channels that they do not currently carry?

Answer 1

Hi space dreamer:There are about 8800 licensed TV stations in the USA. About 1800 of these are full service & are required to convert over the air TV from analog to digital. The remaining , about 7200 are analog & low power &are not required to convert to digital. If you have an antenna for over the air TV, the Converter box will change the digital channels to analog so you can still use your analog TV. If you buy a box make sure it has RF/Analog bypass features,such as PhilcoTB100HH9. exbelltel