This is Cable

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Digital Cable

FAQ 

 
What’s “digital” got to do with it?
The new revolution in home entertainment revolves around digital television – the transforming of TV pictures and sound into the same type of language that’s used by computers. Once video content has been “digitized,” you can do more things with it. For instance, cable companies can now slim down the size of TV signals so they can fit more of them through their delivery networks. That’s one reason why Digital Cable offers so many more channels than traditional cable service. Also, encoding pictures and sounds in digital language allows other devices to reproduce those same pictures and sounds perfectly – resulting in better picture and sound quality.
Digital encoding also lets engineers manipulate television in entirely new ways. The new generations of Digital Video Recorders (DVRs), for instance, allow users to pause or rewind “live” television. And new On Demand television services from Digital Cable allow customers to select movies and TV shows from a large library of programs, and to start, stop, pause, rewind and fast-forward their shows using only a remote control. That wasn’t possible before Digital Cable.
Do I need a new TV set?
No. Digital Cable works over your existing television sets. You may need a new digital receiver (or “set-top box”) that your cable company provides.
But I keep hearing someday we’ll all need “digital TVs” just to get television. Is that true?
Not if you’re a cable customer. Here’s the story. The U.S. government has mandated that the entire TV broadcasting system transition to digital transmission by February, 2009. By then, you will need a way to receive digital signals and display them on your TV sets. You can certainly buy a new set of digital-ready TVs for your home, if you want. But if you’re a cable customer, you won’t have to. With cable, even your “old” TV sets will continue to work as long as you have them connected to your cable service. That’s because your cable company does all the work required to convert the new digital signals for you.
Is Digital Cable the same as high-definition TV (HDTV)?
No. Digital Cable and digital HDTV both rely on the same basic technology, but they’re not the same thing. “Digital Cable” refers to a new platform for delivering hundreds of channels of television, music, On Demand service and more over existing cable lines. HDTV is an add-on service that uses the Digital Cable platform – and requires a special high-resolution TV set and special signal.
What’s on TV that wasn’t before?
Because it delivers so many channels, Digital Cable expands both the amount and range of choice available to TV viewers. For instance, hundreds of new, 24-hour TV channels have been spawned by the new digital age. On Digital Cable, there are channels devoted to everything from hip-hop music to home decorating. Sports games and teams previously unavailable to you may now be a click away.
But Digital Cable also has expanded the range of what’s available from existing channels. Customers who enjoy premium television networks such as HBO, for instance, now have multiple HBO channels available over Digital Cable, each featuring different programs and movies. Also, Digital Cable features commercial-free music channels and a new type of onscreen TV listings menu that makes it easy to discover something to enjoy
Finally, Digital Cable is the foundation for a new range of television services, such as On-Demand television, DVRs and HDTV.
What kind of equipment do I need?
Cable companies provide special receiving boxes, or “set-top boxes,” about the size of a DVD player, that take digital television signals and “decode” them so that your TV sets can display them. A companion remote control is used to select channels and programs.
What are parental controls?
Parental controls are settings you can create and adjust to prevent certain types of programs or channels from appearing on your television set without your authorization. They’re part of the onscreen guide or menu that comes with Digital Cable.
Can I listen to music from Digital Cable on my stereo?
Yes. Many customers enjoy commercial-free, digital music channels from Digital Cable on their stereo systems. You can use the auxiliary input on your stereo to receive the signals from your Digital Cable receiver. Or, ask your cable company to connect your stereo for you. You can enjoy digital music whether your TV set is on or off; and you’ll also enjoy enhanced, theater-like sound while you’re watching TV programs.
How does Digital Cable compare with satellite TV service?
Satellite TV signals are beamed to receiving dishes that bolt to the side of a home, while Digital Cable service runs over existing coaxial cables to the home. Digital Cable service is rapidly expanding to include add-on interactive features such as On Demand television, which satellite TV can’t provide. Generally, cable companies provide digital receivers to customers without requiring customers to pay for them. That may not be the case with satellite TV.