I was told in Rochester, a cable box is required. Doesn't seem so, what's the deal?

The area just went digital so you will no longer be able to use your television's tuner. The boxes are free of charge at your local office.

Get a Roku, you don't need a box

Basic cable still doesn't need a box, but you do not get a cable guide channel.

You can get basic cable without a box, but a cable modem is required for internet access and full cable. We're still on coaxial wire in most of Rochester, no FiOS in most areas, so you'll need a box to interpret the digital signals.

You need a box to. Get cable. Now