Cable

Where an original analogue cable set-top box is previously required this has to be replaced to receive digital cable. From a user's point of vision the main advantage appears to be simply better picture quality and more channel availability, however (depending on the choices operators make regarding set top box hardware and middleware software) many other features become possible with the transfer away from analogue. Often a TV guide (7 day schedules) with extended information can be viewed, reminders to watch programmes can be situate and advanced parental censorship on channel content can be exercised. Operators also enjoy better CA (conditional access) on Digitally transmitted streams as they can be sent 'encrypted' with schemes such as DES encryption to help prevent unauthorised access and protect revenues.

Operators wishing to enlarge the carrying capacity of their original networks have to replace all analogue set top boxes with digital replacements earlier than turning off the analogue feeds, this is not a trivial or low cost solution as literally millions of set top boxes require replacement.

Some of the more advanced wire networks even have the use of a return path (a 2 way data communications path to allow DTV set top boxes to return information back to the operators head-end). This allows them to expand services offered to include interactive web style content viewing, gaming, voting and other 'on demand' services such as control of Video On Demand films.