Once the compression sequence is completed, the bits are organized into a transmission format. The digital signal may also be pre-distorted to compensate for any known problems in the transmission path. The signal is then digitally modulated and upconverted to a carrier frequency. From this point it can be either sent out over microwave, as in an MDS, or wireless cable system, or sent out over the coaxial cable system. It is important to remember that any cabling problem can and will affect the signal, but not to the point where you will see any signal degradation.
Digital signals are much different than analog.
You may see some sparkles in the picture, but typically when a digital signal goes bad, the signal may freeze or disappear. This is called the digital cliff effect. Once the signal is received at the customer home, the set-top converter or digital receiver does the exact opposite to the digital signal and processes the different layers of the digital signal. The set-top receiver is capable of concealing transmission problems due to the fact that it provides distortion compensation through an adaptive equalizer circuit. The signal quality may be much better at the output of the digital set-top than at the input to the box.