"By January 2016, they are finally dropping the analog TV signal and encrypting the digital TV signal, so a mini-box or regular box are mandatory. Not more watching via a direct cable outlet-to-TV. I knew this day would come when they started pushing HD and digital about a decade ago."
Whoa. Where did you get this info?
That analog comment is a separate issue and has nothing to do with this.
You seem to be saying that cable companies ( who? ) are going a step further and encrypting the entire bandwidth including basic cable and free channels. There is a whole world of TV manufacturers that would be negatively affected by this. They would in effect be changed into display/monitor manufacturers overnight. And they would be the ones hearing from customers and getting TVs returned.
The cable companies themselves are being attacked already from both sides ( customers and channel conglomerates ) and get blamed for everything, and already see an exodus of people to other delivery systems. They would be positively suicidal to make a move like you suggest.
cable companies ( who? ) are going a step further and encrypting the entire bandwidth including basic cable and free channels.
My cable co still has analog signal, so my comment about analog does appy.
I have Cox Cable and have been getting bits and pieces of info via emails and snailmails.
From what I understand, all Cox cable TV will require a box (mini or big). They seem to be saying: Analog TV signal will be dead -- no longer offered. Digital TV signal will require either a mini-box or big box. You CANNOT connect a direct line from the outlet to the TV, because the signal (ALL CHANNELS) will be encrypted and will need a box.
The mini-box unencrypts signals through the basic and first major tier only. The big box will be needed to get premium channels, sports and movie tiers, etc.
One mailing said that the conversion would be at some October date, but another notification said encryption would start in early January 2016.
Link for Cox Cable information:
It's Time to Go All Digital
Scroll down at that link to the MINIBOX Alternative to compare the mini-box and big box channels.