Yes it is a Scientific Atlanta, model Explorer 4200.

According to Cablevision's website, "All digital channels are transmitted in, at a minimum, stereo and Dolby Digital, but they vary in format from Dolby ProLogic all the way up to Dolby Digital Version 3 ("5.1")."

So I guess this exempts the analog channels. I checked it out and with a few exceptions (HBO, Fox Sports, MSG and YES), all of the channels below 100 don't pass a digital signal out of the cable box. So the cable company can send the digital audio with the analog stations if it cares to, but it doesn't for most of the channels.

I just had a nice conversation with a friendly but useless customer service rep. They don't have Pace Micro boxes. My other choice is the HDTV box, if I had a HDTV.

I'm planning on getting an HDTV that can use the cablecard, and has digital optical out. Does anyone have expericence with either the cablecard or the HDTV box and their abilities to pass a digital audio signal to the 950?