How do cable stations broadcast non-hd movies into high definition?

[TheWalkingDead]

Movies that are only on DVD or not available on any HD source (for consumers) are broadcasted in HD on cable stations and look great. Do they just upscale a DVD? Do they have a actual print of all the films and "make" it into HD? If so, how? Is it just upscaled?

I'm asking because I want to know if I can get some DVDs to at least a halfway decent 720p.

[Bates_Motel]

Originally Posted by TheWalkingDead

Movies that are only on DVD or not available on any HD source (for consumers) are broadcasted in HD on cable stations and look great. Do they just upscale a DVD? Do they have a actual print of all the films and "make" it into HD? If so, how? Is it just upscaled?

No, it's probably HD. Which is why they "look great."

Just because an HD source doesn't exist on blu-ray, or for consumers, doesn't mean one doesn't exist.

And no, every cable station doesn't have prints of every movie ever made. Their masters are supplied by the studios.