feverfive
join:2005-06-16
Omaha, NE
| [NE] Digital Cable Confusion
So yesterday, I finally crawled out of my hole & upgraded to digital from analog cable service. I got the digital cable box home & connected it to my LCD TV & old Yamaha receiver (from box to Yammy via composite cable). The box is relatively old (originally issued in Sept '05), & has limited connection options. So I called support & asked if I could get a newer box w/ HDMI output so I could hook that up directly to my TV (& hopefully hook the box to my Yammy via optical cable for audio).
Rep told me I have 2 options if I want to connect via HDMI:
1. Hi-Def DVR box ($10/month more); or
2. Hi-Def only box ($14/month more--but they won't have more of these for another 2 weeks)
I'm wondering, since I don't want/need DVR, if I get the Hi-Def only box, would that mean I'd have to buy some sort of new HD programming package as well?
Also, the only things I really watch on TV is sports. For example, ESPN Sunday Night baseball is broadcast in HD. Per the rep, the only way I can watch any Hi-Def content is on channels in the 700 & 800 ranges. So, that means if I want to watch Sunday Night Baseball on the regular ESPN channel (31 here in Omaha), I won't get the game in HD? I would seriously have to pay extra for HD on stations that are braodcasting in HD?
Sorry, I'd call in again to ask these questions, but I've been on the phone w/ Cox so much the past 36 hours, I'd rather receive more impersonal advice!! |
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AZwldcats
Ummm That's Right
join:2001-02-20
Tucson, AZ
clubs:
| yes, to get any HD you will either need a Box or if your TV has a QAM tuner built in you can get the locals in HD thru it.
But to get ESPn or any other cable network a Box or Cable Card is the only way.
As for if they charge for the HD programming?? I don't know. They don;t in AZ, They just charge for the box. You should call and ask that... |
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AZwldcats
Ummm That's Right
join:2001-02-20
Tucson, AZ
clubs: | reply to feverfive
According to this:
»www.cox.com/omaha/digitalcable/h···ault.asp
HD is free, You would only pay whatever the box rate is |
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ajwees41
join:2002-05-10
Omaha, NE | reply to feverfive
They person you spoke to was incorrect. »www.cox.com/omaha/digitalcable/pricing.asp
As AZ said hd is free with box or cablecard rental. |
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feverfive
join:2005-06-16
Omaha, NE
| O.K. Thanks a lot for clarifying... BTW, I "misspoke" about the price of the Hi-Def only box: I incorrectly stated "$14" more/month...it is actually only $1 more/month; simple typing error.
Guess I'll call & request to get a Hi-Def only box. Thanks again... |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to AZwldcats
said by AZwldcats  :As for if they charge for the HD programming?? I don't know. They don;t in AZ, They just charge for the box. Actually the HD "fees" are just stuffed into the box rental so they can tout the hd as being "free".
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee |
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jamesb478
join:2005-12-29
Foster, RI
 ·Cox HSI
edit:
May 7th, @09:31PM
| reply to feverfive
said by feverfive :So yesterday, I finally crawled out of my hole & upgraded to digital from analog cable service. I got the digital cable box home & connected it to my LCD TV & old Yamaha receiver (from box to Yammy via composite cable). The box is relatively old (originally issued in Sept '05), & has limited connection options. So I called support & asked if I could get a newer box w/ HDMI output so I could hook that up directly to my TV (& hopefully hook the box to my Yammy via optical cable for audio). Rep told me I have 2 options if I want to connect via HDMI: 1. Hi-Def DVR box ($10/month more); or 2. Hi-Def only box ($14/month more--but they won't have more of these for another 2 weeks) I'm wondering, since I don't want/need DVR, if I get the Hi-Def only box, would that mean I'd have to buy some sort of new HD programming package as well? Also, the only things I really watch on TV is sports. For example, ESPN Sunday Night baseball is broadcast in HD. Per the rep, the only way I can watch any Hi-Def content is on channels in the 700 & 800 ranges. So, that means if I want to watch Sunday Night Baseball on the regular ESPN channel (31 here in Omaha), I won't get the game in HD? I would seriously have to pay extra for HD on stations that are braodcasting in HD? Sorry, I'd call in again to ask these questions, but I've been on the phone w/ Cox so much the past 36 hours, I'd rather receive more impersonal advice!! All of the cable providers have had a shortage on HD Only Boxes from Motorola, you can have them give you a DVR Box (3416) and have them turn off the DVR Service if you don't want DVR. Thats what we have been doing in New England so far since there is no HD Only Boxes yet from Motorola.
According to Omaha pricing, a HD Receiver is 5.75 plus the cost of programming. |
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feverfive
join:2005-06-16
Omaha, NE
| Thanks again everyone for the replies... Any chance someone could provide an educated guess as to make & model of the "High-Def only" (non-DVR) settop box I'd be getting? Again, per local Cox, they're currently out of stock, but expect a shipment of new boxes w/in 2 weeks or so... I'd like to research a bit, but I'm flying blind as to exactly what model it would be. I tried calling local Cox CS, but the gal didn't seem very educated on the topic... |
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ajwees41
join:2002-05-10
Omaha, NE
·Cox HSI
| it would be the Motorola DCH 3200
»www.motorola.com/business/v/inde···b00aRCRD |
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hdfan
@cox.net | reply to dvd536
dvd536 is incorrect - at least for Cox in Oklahoma. Cox does not charge for HD programming. The STB rental fee is the same whether you have a standard def STB or a HD STB. |
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needforspeed59
Cruise Ship Just Passing Through
join:2001-05-02
Glendale, AZ | reply to feverfive
DVD is also incorrect for AZ. There is no HD programming fees. I know he has his theories on box rental, but there is no line item charge for HD programming on my bill.
--
Great success! High five! |
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The Beer
I Love It When A Plan Comes Together
Premium
join:2001-07-24
Omaha, NE
clubs:
 ·ViaTalk
| reply to feverfive
I'm not sure where the price is, if it's in the HD Receiver but this is how mine works.
I have a HD Tivo and 2 cable cards, no other packages.
I pay the $6.95 digital gateway fee then $1.99/mo for each of my 2 cable cards. (One of which has never worked)
So I am pretty sure you will get hit with the $6.95 digital gateway fee + Box rental of $5.75. |
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maxpower
join:2006-10-09
Providence, RI
edit:
May 9th, @03:04PM
| reply to needforspeed59
quote:
DVD is also incorrect for AZ. There is no HD programming fees. I know he has his theories on box rental, but there is no line item charge for HD programming on my bill.
Same here in RI. I guess they "stuff" the HD charge into what I pay for basic and expanded.  |
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ajwees41
join:2002-05-10
Omaha, NE
·Cox HSI
edit:
May 9th, @03:21PM
| reply to The Beer
said by The Beer :I'm not sure where the price is, if it's in the HD Receiver but this is how mine works. I have a HD Tivo and 2 cable cards, no other packages. I pay the $6.95 digital gateway fee then $1.99/mo for each of my 2 cable cards. (One of which has never worked) So I am pretty sure you will get hit with the $6.95 digital gateway fee + Box rental of $5.75.
you don't pay the gateway fee if you subscribe to digital cable in Omaha at least. Also Cox use two different cable box manufactures. Cisco(SA) and Motorola prices will never be the same for box rental unless the areas you are talking about use the same equipment. |
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feverfive
join:2005-06-16
Omaha, NE
| reply to ajwees41
Thank you very much!! Now I can take a look at the owners manual to ensure it has the connectivity I want! |
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ajwees41
join:2002-05-10
Omaha, NE | what are you looking for in connectivity? |
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feverfive
join:2005-06-16
Omaha, NE
| said by ajwees41 :what are you looking for in connectivity? Well, I want to try HDMI.. My "AVR" is so old that it doesn't have HDMI, so I'll have to connect to my LCD TV (Sharp Aquos) from box to TV via HDMI, and then via digital coax or optical cable to AVR for audio. If HDMI doesn't work for some reason, I'll want the option to use component (again, video direct to TV since my AVR does not have component in). My whole reason for requesting a new settop box is so I can get at least some things in HD... |
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ajwees41
join:2002-05-10
Omaha, NE | it should have HDMI |
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dvd536
as Mr. Pink as they come
Premium
join:2001-04-27
Phoenix, AZ
| reply to ajwees41
said by ajwees41 :said by The Beer :I'm not sure where the price is, if it's in the HD Receiver but this is how mine works. I have a HD Tivo and 2 cable cards, no other packages. I pay the $6.95 digital gateway fee then $1.99/mo for each of my 2 cable cards. (One of which has never worked) So I am pretty sure you will get hit with the $6.95 digital gateway fee + Box rental of $5.75. you don't pay the gateway fee if you subscribe to digital cable in Omaha at least. Also Cox use two different cable box manufactures. Cisco(SA) and Motorola prices will never be the same for box rental unless the areas you are talking about use the same equipment. Seems like the SA areas get gouged more than the moto areas do.
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When I gez aju zavateh na nalechoo more new yonooz tonigh molinigh - Ken Lee |
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ajwees41
join:2002-05-10
Omaha, NE | dvd doesn't the SA area's offer non hd dvr's? Motorola doesn't offer one yet. |
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