[TomGuy]

We take the most basic of basic tv cable that uses no cable box (roughly 65 channels)

Look for that to change.

I used to be able to screw the coaxial into the wall and connect to the TV. Cox cable screwed that up. A couple of months ago, they started converting all channels to digital -- encryped. Thus, every TV or instrument (DVR, etc.) now requires a mini-box. Older DVRs won't work it the mini-boxes. Currently, only the 'local' broadcast network channels are still coming in unencrypted, but I think that changes in mid-January. The first mini-box is free for the first year and $2/month thereafter.

[grania]

I have Cox. I still have Cox for the cheapest computer hookup. But cable TV? Around here, they completed the switch to requiring those boxes, even for local stations, about two months ago. I did not want the complexity of more equipment and financial responsibility for it. I dropped cable TV completely and now only watch what I get by antenna.

Some of those stations showing old movies and TV shows that are on antenna TV are enjoyable. I like the money I'm saving more than I liked any of the small number of shows I no longer watch.

[biff]

Our provider has kept the “basic” offering for low income people and they went 100% digital earlier this year. Our TV’s have to have a digital tuner but if a customer has an old analog TV the cable company provides a converter free of charge. We do not receive any encrypted channels.

The other cable provider here in town does not have that option, all TV’s have to have a box. We get non-HD on every channel except 5 or 6 locals that are HD. Sudden Link gets all us old cranks that do not want 250 channels and a box with new controller to keep up with on every TV in the house.