It allows you to receive all basic channels if your TV is not the cable ready type. When you add a descrambler to your converter, it allows you to view all premium channels. A Descrambler is a device that restores the picture and sound of a scrambled channel. This unit contains a converter and a descrambler, enclosed in a common box. This is also the most common type of equipment supplied by the cable company to subscribing customers.
Customers usually pay a specified monthly rental fee for such equipment.
An addressable unit allows the cable company to access your cable box to change the descrambling configuration or program. This function provides the cable company the ability to add or delete descrambling on the channels that come in through your cable line. A non-addressable unit does not provide the cable company access to the cable box program. The program remains stationary and is unchangeable. Both cable box designs have the potential of receiving all channels, none or somewhere in between dependent on the box program.