Cable has one disadvantage that satellite has. Cable bundles channels available free OTA, and subscribers have paid for it, whether they want it or not. I refuse to PAY for anything I am getting for FREE, and especially when OTA is better quality than cable or satellite retransmitted signal.
Cable's transition to digital will be painful on Feb. 17, 2009. Current satellite boxes, both Dish Network and DirecTV will require no conversion costs, since the ASTC signal CAN be converted on the headend to MPeg2 and sent directly to current boxes.
In order to free up the current analog spewctrum going over cable, every nstc set WILL require a set top box or a cable card.
ASTC to NSTC ota boxes will be available for $50. It's not a bad investment, since it will pay for itself in less than a year, if one is currently getting locals for more than $5 a month.