OK..can you please explain..in easy talk..what is this exactly?

is it only that my regular tv wont receive any local channels, unless i have one of those HDTV boxes? but can i see my cable programming still, or forcebly i have to buy the box in order to see both.....

Eveb after reading all off the 'comments' on these pages, iam still, angry that the Govt. is imposing this ridiculous crap about HDTV, and 'punishing" those who do not comply...sorry to even think about this move as the first step to communism?..i could understand goverment's laws as something as "seat belts" or the smoking ban, BUT, to take our right to choose the way we "watch" TV, AND FORCES us to go and buy a pricey TV, a lot of people can even afford them, now thats going to far, into our private lives and freedom to buy a product,,,whats next? an enforced "4cyl" auto or a Hybryd...ONCE THEY START, they wint stop.....PEOPLE!!! WAKE-UP TO HE FACTS..."RED FLAG".....AND WHY are we, the American people, taking it to quietly ??????