Is it possible to connect Basic Cable on a DTV converter box and make it viewable?

Question

1) I have [Comcast] basic cable (the one you don't need a cable box for, and have 60+ channels on it). But I want to connect my cable coaxial line into my DTV converter Box. "I know I don't need that box seeing that I already have cable" [and its digital], BUT for other reasons I need to connect my cable to that box.

Anyone know if I decide to get one of these dtv converter boxes and plug in my cable into it, will it work? Will I have cable while viewing it in my TV.

2) ALSO, I know February 2009 is the deadline for the old analog signals to be done with on certain TV stations, BUT has the transition already started, Are some stations already broadcasting the new signals or do they tart till February 2009 to?

Answer 1

cable through the converter will work.

most stations are already broadcasting digital. Feb '09 they will STOP broadcasting analog.

Answer 2

Digital cable is simply analog cable ran through a Digital processor... for now... , so yes You can connect it to a DTV converter without a problem.   Now for the 02/09 question, the cable companies are getting ready for this HUGE influx on the actual Digital networks,  So everyone is working hard on the transition from Analog to digital.  That's all i have been doing this past month is making sure all of the DNCS will be ready when that massive cutover occurs.  

We are already advising customers that when it happens your service might go offline for a few hours while the kinks are worked out.  that is the one night i know for my schedule for next year that entire night we have to be patrolling the plants for breakdowns.

So right now networks are broadcasting on both digital and analog feeds, so they can work out any problems before the 02/09 deadline. But as of 12:00:00 AM on 02/13/09 the signal will cut over to a full digital spread.

Hope this helps.