Can I buy a box instead of renting one from Cox (SE Kansas)

huskerfan711

Hello all!

I will be needing to get a HD cable box to go with my new Panasonic Plasma (TH-46pz85u). My question is, I was wondering if I could buy a cable box instead of paying the ridiculous $15 bucks a month. If possible, I would like the box to have DVR capabilities, but it's not a huge deal.

Anyone know what I could buy and from where?

Thanks

deadhead68

Cable boxes are not available for sale to the general public, legally anyway. The only box you would be able to buy is one of the Tivo HD boxes. Those are expensive and they come with a monthly charge of like $12.95. And the Tivos would only work if Cox offers Cable Cards.

De

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Sony BDP-S360
Denon SYS-76HT Speaker System
Harmony 650

HiDefRev

Oh, yes, you can indeed buy a cable box. There are MANY for sale on ebay. However, NO cable company that I know of will authorize the box for use. As the above poster stated, no company will sell the boxes to anyone except a legitimate cable company. Therefore, any box you find for sale was stolen, and as such, illegal. Don't waste your money. The box will not be authorized, and will not work.

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glennb1

You still have to pay the cable company to rent the Cable cards for the HD TiVo so it's pretty much a wash anyways when you consider you'll be paying TiVo $12.95/month or whatever it is now just to use the TiVo DVR and whatever you have to pay the cable company to rent the cable cards.

I'm really surprised TiVo hasn't gone bankrupt yet.

deadhead68

Exactly, which is why I don't have a Tivo anymore. I had one built into my SD Directv receiver and paid $3.99 a month for the Tivo service. Now I have Comcast's DVR which does what I need it to.

As you know from being a member of this forum, there are those who swear by Tivo. To them no other dvr comes close and will pay out the #ss for Tivo.

DeadHead68

__________________
Panasonic TC-P46X3
HR24-500
Sony STR-DG810 Receiver
Sony BDP-S360
Denon SYS-76HT Speaker System
Harmony 650

epoche

I currently use Cox Scientific Atlanta HD DVR in my great room and a TIVO in my guest bedroom. I paid for a lifetime membership for the TIVO and pay COX a monthly rental charge for their HD DVR. I would REALLY like to purchase a lifetime membership for a TIVO HD DVR instead of the LIFETIME monthly charge to COX. Several hundred a year to COX over a ten year period= $2000!!! I'd rather buy a DVR than pay COX forever. Is it not possible to install a TIVO HD DVR in the Tucson area? How much does Cox charge for the 2 cards?

Sykotic

Google MOXI, if your MSO supports it, and you have $$ to burn.

deadhead68

I don't see why it wouldn't be possible. You will have to contact Cox for the cost, but here in Chicago Comcast has no charge for the first cable card and $1.99/month for the second.

DeadHead68

__________________
Panasonic TC-P46X3
HR24-500
Sony STR-DG810 Receiver
Sony BDP-S360
Denon SYS-76HT Speaker System
Harmony 650

ajwees41

you only need one multistream cable card for tivoHD the S3 needs two. I'd rather pay monthly than a large sum upfront since who knows what will come from tivo or cox down the road.

Sykotic

Good luck with the cable card. Its great, when it actually works. Also you do know that the cards are only 1 way, this means no On Demand, guide or any other interactivity that a cbale box offers.

ajwees41

that's false all cards are twoway it's the device that you plug it in has to be two way and the motorola and SA boxes are the only ones that currently are.

Sykotic

You absolutly correct. Its the host device that actually does the "communication" But since there is no standard for 2 way communication with any 3rd party vendors, dont expect do see any soon. Its an on going battle between cable companies and 3rd party makers, (Television makers are 1 of such group). The fcc mandates strict guidelines for the cable cards. How many TVs do you see being produced with cable card technology? Its getting less and less. Why do you think this is so. Dont get my wrong, the idea is good, will be better in 10 years.

Sykotic

And a lifetime membership to TIVO is only good on that exact serial number box, meaning when your TIVO breaks down, thats also the end of your lifetime membership. Give me the 10year/100,000hour warranty please... Should I point out that Direct Tv you just pay a DVR fee of $9/month and then you just pay the same box fee of $5.99/month for each DVR you have. TIVO had a contract with Direct tv up until several years ago. They are currently in talks for another contract. This should re-unite Tivo die-hards with Direct Tv. Oh yea, Satelitte is exempt from the rule of cable cards.

ajwees41

I wonder if tru2way will help or not make a difference?

Sykotic

In like what 10 years from now?