But despite this, set-top manufacturers are just getting started modifying their boxes. The analog and advanced analog set-top boxes that cable companies use to deliver their signals are not equipped to handle digital signals. Unless you convert the signals, it may be hard for these signals to reach digital sets. It's a matter that needs to be worked out between the set-top manufacturers and the television manufacturers.
Modulation is a way of taking a digital signal and encoding it on a radio frequency.
Since the methods of transmission are so different, getting digital broadcast signals to homes is a work in progress. However, a standard is still way off. FireWire, known as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' IEEE 1394 standard, is an interface that connects digital devices. Most digital set-top boxes and cable modems are equipped with this interface that enables communication between digital devices. Although HDTVs can receive digital broadcasts via terrestrial means, they won't be able to receive HDTV signals via cable because of a lack of connectivity.