Reviews:
 ·AT&T U-Verse
 ·RoadRunner Cable
| Question about CableCard. I really want basic cable. No digital box or HD box. If I wanted to order basic cable, it would cost me $67 a month :0. However, If I order basic digital cable with CableCard it would cost me $32 a month. Can I order CableCard and not use it? I currently have Roadrunner Turbo plan and monthly price for both services would be $72 a month. |
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 Elyria
join:2011-10-12
Elyria, OH | said by dragonman300:-- I really want basic cable
-- If I order basic digital cable with CableCard it would cost me $32 a month.
--Can I order CableCard and not use it? That's not confusing at all.....  Are you employed by the Gov't ??
So you wanna buy a new pair of shoes, and keepum in the closet ? |
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Reviews:
 ·T-Mobile US
| reply to dragonman300
Yes, you can order Digital Cable and choose to not use the cable card. The same as many subscribers order the Triple Play to save money or get a special feature, and do not utilize the phone service.
You do pay extra for the box, but will have access to several more channels, on demand features, etc. If you've reviewed the line up and are certain you don't care about those additional channels, the cable card option is probably the best. |
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Elyria
join:2011-10-12
Elyria, OH | said by Night0wl: The same as many subscribers order the Triple Play to save money or get a special feature, and do not utilize the phone service.
I think that kinda sorta explained where he's [your explanation] thinking. I've got a couple tivos with cards and never realized the cost difference was actually that wide. Still having a hard time figuring if he's really gonna pay for the card, why not just purchase a device that utilizes it. Those are fairly inexpensive |
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Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse
·RoadRunner Cable
| @nightOwl- great! thanks! Will order basic digital with CableCard. Will other tvs will get "free hookup" too?
@Elyria- Hmm, I never have DVR service before and I really dont need to have fancy features what Tivo offer. But I know TWC offer free HD so is that mean I have to get HD- capable tuner in order to watch HD or my two HDTV can? |
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| That depends on your area. (free hook ups). Sometimes a one-time outlet activation fee applies. You will have to ask the sales department when you place your order. |
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| reply to dragonman300
How did you get $32 a month? Is that a promotional price good for a year? It looks like all the promos for TW cable tv now require a box rental. If so, there is no point in renting a cablecard. If not one of the promos, are you talking about the Broadcast + Espanol Tier? |
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Reviews:
·T-Mobile US
| The promo's state a digital cable box is necessary to receive all channels and features, such as On Demand. Many customers chose the cable card instead. They may have a TIVO or in this case OP states he doesn't want the additional channels. $32 might the amount with bundling his current RR Turbo with Cable, since he states the total is $72 a month.
"CableCARD can access one-way digital cable services. For specific information on CableCARD compatability, please Contact Us." per website |
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| Well I am using cablecard without a box, so I know what it is. My point is that in Socal (where it seems like the OP is from), they seem to be requiring a box on all their promos unless the term "must purchase at checkout" is meaningless.
-Cheapest triple play:
Triple Pack Select w/HD DVR Digital TV, Road Runner® Turbo, and Digital Home Phone
$89.99 a month
Digital Cable TV
Access to over 200 channels, including HD and commercial free music channels
Single Room HD - DVR service (No box included, must purchase at checkout)
Variety Tier
-Cheapest Double Play:
$79.99
Digital TV with HD
Variety Tier
Road Runner® Broadband -
Speeds up to10 Mbps
No box included, must purchase at checkout.
-Single Play tv
$29.99 a month for 12 months
Control time. Restart a show in progress with Start Over®.
Watch primetime shows that aired up to 3 days ago with Look Back®.
All of your local broadcast channels, plus popular news, music, family and
shopping channels.
No box included, must purchase at checkout |
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Reviews:
·T-Mobile US
2 edits | checking site now...
DIGITAL CABLE: To receive all services, remote and monthly lease of digital receiver, HD or HD DVR set-top box required. HDTV set required for HD service. HD Tier is an optional service available for an incremental charge. Premium HD channels available w/ subscription to respective premium channel. Some services are not available to Cable Card customers. Movies On Demand services are priced individually and subject to charge listed at time of purchase. On Demand programming subject to change without notice. A digital programming fee will apply to the second and each additional TV with a digital receiver.
It still doesn't look like a box is definitely required, because of the new FCC regulations regarding Cable Card.
On another page: Bring Your Own Box Discount
If you already have a Time Warner Cable-provided CableCARD installed in your device and subscribe to our double or triple-play bundle that includes a digital set-top box that you are not using, you may be eligible for a "Bring Your Own Box (BYOB)" discount. Apply now |
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| I doubt if there are any new regulations saying no box is required because you could always use a cablecard instead of a box.
Anyhow I tried ordering without a box, so it looks like it is possible. So TW's on their webpage wording is misleading.
The $29.99 plan is called Digital Basic, but it is not the regular digital cable plan. That is promo priced higher at $39.99. TW is not clear what you actually get for $29.99. Is it only Broadcast + Basic Cable only, or is it something else?
Anyway for the OP: if you are going to rent a cablecard anyway, buy a Tivo and use it without a subscription. That way if you can watch whatever HD channels TW gives you. Of course, you cannot do any recording if you do not pay Tivo. Otherwise if you use a modern HDTV without a box, the channels will mostly look like crap. |
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Reviews:
·AT&T U-Verse
·RoadRunner Cable
| Yes you are correct about $29.99 digital basic plan with CableCard for $2 more. Im willing to bundle with Roadrunner Turbo plan which it total up to $72 a month
Oh really? I can use Tivo HD box without subscription? Do you think getting TiVo Premiere box is the best option for me? |
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| reply to dragonman300
Just how exactly do you intend to view these digital channels without using the CableCARD?
You realize the only digital channels Time Warner Cable does not encrypt are the locals right? |
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| I dont need to watch digital channel. Like I said, I want basic cable. No digital box or HD box. I just plug the cable in the TV and Im all set. |
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| Now that I think about it, the $29.99 promo is for Digital Essentials. You get a lower price but TW removes many of the analog basic channels and instead gives you less-expensive digital channels.
The channel lineup is probably something like this:
Broadcast + Basic Cable - Group 1 + Group 2
»www.timewarnercable.com/socal/su···clu.ashx
Group 1
CSPAN
National Geographic
ESPN
ESPN 2
Fox Sports West
Prime Ticket
Fox News
CNBC
MSNBC
Weather Channel
TNT
Oxygen
Food Network
E!
Sci-Fi
Comedy Central
ABC Family
truTV
TV Land
Spike
Golf Channel
Group 2
Animal Planet
Biography
Boomerang
Centric
Cooking Channel
ESPNews
G4
Great American Country
Game Show Network
Gospel Music
Hallmark Channel
I-Life (Halogen)
Inspiration
Military Channel
Nick Jr.
TV One
Teen Nick
Without a box or cablecard, you can only see programs that are available in your package AND on channel 78 and below. Maybe there are some in-the-clear QAM channels but don't expect much. If you just want to plug in a cable to your tv, then you might be better off with the $39 for 1 year promo as I think that package gives you everything channel 78 and below. |
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| I forgot about the channels below 78 that are marked with a *. Those are digital channels that require a box or cablecard. Not much left is there if you want the $29 plan without a box or cablecard?  |
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