Question about cable tv service, converter boxes, and my analog tv.?

Question

Question about cable tv service, converter boxes, and my analog tv. I had my cable tv turned off, but kept my cable internet. I discovered today that after buying 2 converter boxes, and using a makeshift antenna for weeks, that I do still get some basic cable channels through my coaxial cable from the cable co. I noticed that through the antenna, converter box, red, white, and yellow wires to my analog tv, I received digital PBS in a very clear picture that I have never seen before on a analog tv. Now, that I have some cable channels, I tried to hook up my coaxial cable to the antenna in on the back of the converter box. I tried it both with out to tv with a coaxial cable, and the red, white, yellow wires. It will not work! I want to picture quality I had with the antenna and converter box, with the cable and converter box, or whatever box I need to get this quality. Help please. If I need a different type of set top box let me know what kind

Answer 1

Coupon type converter boxes only work with over the air TV signals. They use ATSC tuners. They were specifically designed so they can't be used with any major cable system.

Digital cable systems almost never use ATSC. Typically they use QAM tuners.

If you were to connect a newer DTV or recorder with a QAM tuner to the cable, you might pick up some non-encrypted digital channels. But more likely you would find them blocked since you canceled your cable TV.

Answer 2

With Cable Modem service you get basic cable UNLESS the cable company puts on the correct traps to prevent reception.

Cable modem service comes in on a standard basic cable TV channel. Seems in your case they forgot the traps.

Your converter box and make shift antenna are receiving the digital broadcasts of the PBS Station.  A TV station can broadcast 4 stations in the same space used by one analog channel and with a clearer picture.  (One reason for the switch to digital).  You should also be able to get the rest of the broadcast TV network station(s) in digital with the converter box. The output of the digital converter box is an analog signal but is MUCH better than standard TV. The yellow wire is the video output of the converter box (red/white audio) they are going to the video/audio input of the TV set.

To receive the cable channels that are available why not put that cable wire into the antenna input of the TV. That way to watch from your digital box you watch TV with the TV set to Video and when you want  to watch  cable TV  put the TV in the TV cable mode.

This way you get the best of both worlds.

EDIT>>> added information you provoded.

A converter box will NOT work on the cable channels.  The cable channels you are receiving are analog basic cable. They are not digital. Digital cable is available but you must subscribe to receive it.  You can't get digital cable for FREE.

Digital Cable is QAM, digital over-the-air is ATSC an over-the-air conver box will NOT work for cable TV.

Answer 3

Right now mostly all stations are broadcasting in both analog and digital. With the converter box you're getting the digital signal. Cable and satellite is also sending both to your tv. That will also change in 2012. Thats when cable and satellite will switch to digital only.