Off-Premises converters are being developed to solve problems that are better solved by subscriber ownership of cable television terminal equipment. Cable systems should move toward less equipment, located in the harsh external environment, being owned by the cable system, rather than more. The principal barrier to subscriber ownership is the lack of low cost "fool-proof" video/audio coding technology. This technology is in prospect and should be encouraged as a necessary basis for subscriber ownership of terminal equipment. Subscribers will benefit from a competitive market in terminal equipment, as in telephone equipment.