Thoughts on HD and Cable TV

I believe that all television stations are broadcasting their signals in digital format now. At least that was the understanding I had from the new law that went into effect last year. So, here's my question... if all television stations are broadcasting a digital signal, why is my cable provider still sending me an analog signal? Shouldn't I be receiving a digital signal on basic cable without having to pay extra for it? Do they receive the digital signal from the stations and then downgrade them? I know I can pay more to receive digital and HD channels, but even when I do pay more for the "Upper" tier that's supposedly a digital signal, I only get 20-25 channels in digital, and even those aren't that much better than an analog signal. I also get about 35 HD channels that are extremely beautiful to watch.

Seems to me that with the amount of money cable companies are charging that they could pass along a digital signal at around the same cost as an analog one. I realize they probably need to upgrade equipment to send a digital signal... but I can get packages that have 3 different signals (supposedly). The package I'm receiving right now, I get the crappy looking analog signal, a supposedly digital signal (which doesn't look any different than the analog to me) and an HD signal. So they obviously can send a really good signal with the equipment they have.

I find myself watching very few shows on the "normal" channels anymore, because the HD channels look so superior on my 46" HDTV.

If you have an HDTV and cable with HD channels, you probably understand what I'm talking about. The HD picture is SO MUCH better than the regular channels that it's like driving a Porsche, then getting onto a moped.

Maybe I'll do some research into this to find out why cable companies downgrade the output to analog. If I find anything out, I'll let you know.

'Til next time...