Do I still have to pay cable bills when dtv launches in 2009?

Question

I m not sure if I need dtv when I can cancel cable provider and channels and receive complimentary channels with dtv.

Answer 1

Dtv is already in most areas! Really. Check the TV section of Yahoo and find out what's in your local area.

What happens in Feb 2009 is that most of the old analog broadcasts will be shut down.

The free digital broadcast programs you  typically get consist of the same ones you get with analog TV hooked up to an antenna plus a few more similar programs added. They are just in better quality.

In North America analog and digital broadcasts use the same antennas. Most people can just keep using their old TV antenna. If you have a newer TV with a digital tuner, you just have it scan for digital channels. If you have an old analog only TV you just buy a converter box and install it between your TV antenna and your TV.

From the peculiar wording of your question I'm guessing that you think there is going to be some sort of "free" digital cable service. No way. The free dtv broadcast channels just replace the old free analog ones. And you still need an antenna to pick them up.

Answer 2

Yes.

If you want to continue getting the channels you're getting now, the only way to do it is through your cable provider.  DTV will not provide any "complimentary" channels...in fact, it won't provide anything for you at all (please note that this means digital television, it's not the satellite provider DirecTV).  It's just a different method of transmitting what is already being transmitted...it's simply digital instead of analog.

You will definitely need digital television...there will no longer be any analog signals being broadcast.