Will I need a DTV converter box?

Question

I have basic cable, when I say basic I mean cable runs directly into the back my TV. Will I need to get one of those converter boxes to access the cable channels, and my local stations? There are no really good answers out there. I understand that if you have a cable box you do not need a converter box. But I do not have a cable box but have cable television.

Answer 1

You have basic cable so you are depending on the feed by your cable company, and when its basic, they are feeding you analog channels and can be tuned by your analog receiver TV from Ch2 to Ch100?

If you subscribe or upgade to Digital cable, your cable company will provide you with a Digital Set-Top Box or cable box. That box will decode digital signal from the cable and pass on to your TV and you can select channels by controlling the set-top/cable box.

You don't have the cable box since you are only subscribing to Basic.

As for the DTV Converter Box, you will only need it if you want to receive digital stations/channels over the air. That means you also need an antenna just like the old days. You don't need it if you are a cable or satellite TV subscriber.

The function of the DTV converter box is to convert digital reception into analog and pass it to your analog tuner TV. Its similar to the cable box, but you are not getting signal from the cable, but from the "On Air"  Digital broadcast...

Answer 2

The question shouldn't be if you have a cable box but if you have cable.  The FCC requirements don't pertain to cable or satellite TV because they aren't transmitted over the air.  Only signals over the air are under FCC jurisdiction.  If there is any issue with your cable or satellite service they should tell you that you need a box or provide you with the equipment you need.