This holds true even if your cable box is purchased as a non-addressable non-detectable, and "bullet proof" unit. 2. Are all cable converters alike? No. Prices can range from $15 to $400 depending on the quality and amount of features included in the equipment. Some companies offer to sell you a description of how you can build (implied), with only 7 parts from radio shack, a converter. Some sell old converters that are barely in date and likely to be replaced by the cable companies by higher technological grades of equipment Some cable box sellers provide systems that hardly provide any benefit to the purchaser where the quality of reception is poor, without recourse. State-of-the-art cable box companies will provide the most recent technology in a variety of packages tailored to fit the customer’s budget.

They should provide two-piece systems, refurbished RAN baseband boxes in conjunction with the latest tech versions. Of course, you get what you pay for. But there are reasonable values out there. 3. Do you need a cable converter if you have the cable company box, VCR or a cable-ready TV?Yes you do. In order to establish a non- addressable system, it is essential to have a cable converter. A cable ready TV, VCR and a Cable Company box do not provide for this feature and in not doing so, cannot replace a cable converter. You must have a converter to use a descrambler. This is especially true if you desire a converter / descrambler that cannot be altered or addressed by your cable company.

4. Which cable converter is best for me? You have two choices when purchasing your cable equipment, a single-unit (one-piece) system or a system containing two units (two-piece). Combination box advantages: The one-piece system is based on a combination of cable converter and a descrambler, installed in a single box. This unit is referred to as a combination unit. The pluses: Easy to hook up, Available in both generic or name brand , similar to systems used by cable companies. Separate component advantages: The two-piece systems is based on two separate units, A cable converter and a descrambler, that are connected together and function as one-piece system. The pluses: lower cost, components can be individually upgraded, and interchangeable components.