Cable tv question.

[Bonhomme Richard]

I have charter cable and I only have the most basic package they offer. That is 23 channels.
The question. Why is it that when I scan the channels on the TV (42" LCD) it only shows the 23 channels I get as analog. I do get 17 digital channels, I don't know why, at the high end of the scan but for the most part the signal isn't very good so most of them are unwatchable. Thse digital channels I get are not through the air.
What's the deal? Is charter taking a digital signal and converting it back to analog? I thought that I was going to get digital channels....I'm not talking about HI-Def.
Thanks

[Towlie]

1. I'll bet you ARE receiving those digital channels over the air.

It's common to receive over-the-air signals through your cable because of bad shielding by the cable company. Their network of cables is acting like a huge antenna. You'll probably receive those digital signals much better, on exactly the same channel settings, if you disconnect your cable and hook up a pair of rabbit ears.