A revolution in the making

Of course, the cable industry didn't undertake the digital revolution solely to enrich the lives of couch potatoes. Since the early 1980s, the industry has been in pursuit of a way to deliver more signals and higher quality video and audio over its wires. Digital technology has increased the number of cable channels available from a typical cable company from 60 or so to several hundred, ushered in crystal-clear signals and CD quality sound, allowed for the creation of on demand and interactive programming - and paved the way for HDTV, the highest-quality video signal ever available.

It's easy to understand the appeal of these new entertainment options, especially when it comes to on demand programming. On demand, quite simply, makes every viewer a programmer. With digital cable's on-demand features, you can access hundreds of movies and programs whenever you want - no waiting for a start time to roll around. You order your choice from an on demand menu using your remote control and start the show at your convenience. You can pause, fast-forward or rewind, even view your on demand selection as often as you like within a set period. On demand movies are available for a 24-hour period for a flat fee, but you'll also find other on demand programming offered free of charge.

Digital television has another benefit, one that has much the same potential to alter the way you interact with your TV set as the ability to order up a movie whenever you want. It's known as the digital video recorder or DVR. DVRs record and store your favorite programs at the push of a button. Plus, they can pause and rewind live TV (convenient if you have to take a call during your favorite show, but indispensable when it comes to resolving those "What did he say?" discussions during prime time). The DVRs offered by cable companies are built into your equipment, so you won't need a separate device to enjoy DVR features.

DVRs are programmable, so you can tap in your viewing preferences - by title, genre, subject matter, even actor's names - and never miss a Three Stooges marathon, a Derby qualifying race or episode of Masterpiece Theatre again.

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