I currently have analog cable. Cox is running a big promo for digital cable. Many more channels, claimed better picture and sound. Is it really worth it and is it that much better than anaolg cable? Also, is anyone famliar with the Philips sat systems? How do they compare with Hughes, Sony, etc?

Digital cable is better. More channels, less interference and artifacts.

The satellite systems are something you should test in the store. The user interface is the biggest difference on the different brands, the Sony is easiest on the eyes, the Hughes is clearly fastest changing channels and the Philips (RCA) seems to fit between the other two. If you want the best sound just get one with the Dolby Digital. I choose the DTC-100 because it can receive HDTV channels with an antenna & satellite both.

Jeff

Cox digital cable is over priced!
Sat. gives you more channel choice for less!
I had digital cable, and it was over $52 just for the small package. And most were foringen language.
Cable Pay Per View is $3.50 Sat. is only $2.99
I now have Direct TV and love it! It's much better than digital cable. And cheaper!

I live in Las Vegas and we have Cox digital cable also. I switched to the RCA 5451 DSS because I felt as though I was getting ripped off by Cox for what channels they offered. I now just have lifeline analog cable to get the local channels for 10.99 a month. I pay 59 dollars for the dish and I get almost every channel that has ever been created. So instead of having just 60 channels of crap I now have over 100 channels of crap. Happy shopping.

Oops! I made a mistake by calling the Phillips an RCA. I must of been thinking of Thompson. Sorry.

Jeff

I like my digital cable (Time Warner) with one MAJOR exception. I used to be able to set the timer on my VCR and have it remotely control the cable box and record programs while I was gone. My VCR (Mitsubishi HS-U580), and I've seen where other's are having this problem to, can't control my new cable box (General Instruments), so I can't use my VCR to timeshift record anything. THIS IS A MAJOR MINUS! BEWARE!!!

If this is the DCT-2000, there is a switch in the:
Setup/DigitalTerminal menu called RF Bypass - if you set it to 'ON' and turn the cable box off - you can use your VCR to record from regular cable (assuming you set equipment up this way) - but not digital or scrambled channels - at least you can use VCR to tape multiple programs --

based on all I have heard/read/people talked to this box resists all other controls other than their remote --
if anyone knows differently please let us know!!