I am trying to figure out the cheapest way to get cable. I currently have an older TV that isn't digital ready so I only get a few channels that I am assuming are analog

My roommate upstairs, I noticed, gets WAY more channels including cartoon network. He is using the same method I am (tv plugged directly to cable. No vcr or anything). I assume that his TV is digital ready.

What is the best and most affordable way for me to receive digital cable?

Is it possible to buy one of those tristar universal boxes and use that with comcast so I don't have to rent a box from them? I assume you can call them to tell them you bought your own but is it compatible.

Thanks

Tough question:

There used to be switches for HRC cable and NTSC. Without the HRC set, you would not get good reception from, I think, channel 7 to 13 VHF. All the high numbered UHF stations would also be missing. If you switched to the HRC mode, then you would receive NTSC unscrambled cable channels.

Now things are harder. A TV needs to include a QAM tuner to receive HD cable channels over the cable network. Still some would be missing such as scrambled ones. Not all TV's include such a tuner.

QAM tuner - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner)

ATSC tuners allow one to receive digital off the air stations.

Remember that your TV may have been needed to be re-scanned after the cable company made any changes.

Now, that really leaves a few options:
1.rent a cable box. Usually it can convert the digital stuff to analog.

2. purchase a new TV with a QAM tuner. (find out what TV your roommate has and post the link of the manual.

3. Purchase a QAM tuner.

4. Find a box.

5.Purchase a PC TV tuner card. Use the outputs or view directly on the PC or laptop.

DTV converter boxes from the government won't work for cable.

You could have issues with the TV distribution to your outlet.

Your turn