Yes it will work just fine with basic cable service and "standard definition" programming.

When displaying standard definition programming on your new HDTV you have two options:

1. display it in its normal 4:3 aspect ratio. You will then see a "black bar" on both sides of the picture (and sometimes even a black bar on the top and bottom of the screen if the broadcasting station is displaying 16:9 programming within a standard 4:3 aspect ratio frame)

2. use one of the picture "stretch" modes provided by this TV, so that your entire display is filled with a picture with no "black bars". Some horizontal distortion of the picture will result when displaying 4:3 aspect ratio source programming in the 16:9 aspect ratio of your new TV - but most people don't find that too bothersome.