said by Interceptor :

While I understand this, it is certainly presumptive to assume that cable systems won't take advantage around this time to upgrade all their channels to digital. Although I highly doubt any of the major companies will, don't think for a minute they aren't considering how many more channels they will be able to carry when they eventually get rid of their analog channels. I think the OP has a valid question.

Some light reading: »www.usatoday.com/money/industrie···le_N.htm

said by Interceptor :

Well, I think it DOES have something to do with the digital transition, because the cable companies will HAVE to take some action. As quoted in the link above:

quote:

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Cable companies have two options for dealing with their analog customers when broadcasters turn off their non-digital signals.

They can either convert the digital broadcast signal to analog at the transmission source, referred to as the "head end"; or they can make their systems all-digital and supply customers with a set-top box that will convert the signal back to analog for viewing on older TVs.

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So, the cable companies will either have to convert back to analog, or tell their customers they are going entirely digital at that time. Luckily, it appears that Charter will do the conversion for the time being.

But, I do agree with you for the most part, BF69, about how many uninformed people there are. The thing that really irritates me is that many of the retail outlets making the claim that the transition to digital means people have to buy a HD TV. I saw an HH Gregg commercial today stating that the transition was coming, and to come by and talk to their salesmen, who are the "best trained in the field of HD."