digital cable box

[alfani]

anyone here knows what digital cable box is compatible with TimeWarner cable? I want to get a second box for our bedroom TV, would any Scientific model works?

 

[ZANYMASTER]

Scientific Atlanta is the one they use.The explorer series.

 

[alfani]

Scientific Atlanta is the one they use.The explorer series.

yes, i have the Explorer 4250HDC that comes with it but don't know if other models would work. so wondering if anyone knows if I just buy a digital box would it work or have to use the one they give

 

[ZANYMASTER]

I guess it's worth a try.

 

[Keith P]

Don't you also need the cable card for the box to work?

 

[alfani]

no we don't need the card

 

[Keith P]

Hmm, I thought you need CableCards to decode the signal?

I am looking at a TiVO-HD. I read they need 2 cable cards to record 2 channels at once.
The FCC requires that the cards carry only a nominal monthly fee. I think cable vision charges like $3/month each.

I'm still researching this..

 

[Davidl919]

Hmm, I thought you need CableCards to decode the signal?

I am looking at a TiVO-HD. I read they need 2 cable cards to record 2 channels at once.
The FCC requires that the cards carry only a nominal monthly fee. I think cable vision charges like $3/month each.

I'm still researching this..

It's best to get 2 cable cards with the Tivo Hd but it will work with just one. With 2 cards you get to watch one pogram while recording another or record 2 channels at the same time without two cards you lose those features.

yes, i have the Explorer 4250HDC that comes with it but don't know if other models would work. so wondering if anyone knows if I just buy a digital box would it work or have to use the one they give

Mostly all scientific explorer series boxes work and the Samsung Smt-h3050. But buying a cable box isn't that simple. The Box needs to be synced with the company it is being used. Then it needs to be at least in the general area where it is authorized to work.
Unless your buying one from someone who states it will work regardless and can guarantee that I would not buy a cable box The encryption they use on These new boxes has yet to be broken. They have fooled with it but there is no counteraction to the encryption. You can still buy one and have the cable company authorize it for you and you have that right under the new federal laws the easiest is to buy a box or a tv that is cable card compatible like the 4250 hdc The C at the end is the Cable card acronym.

 

[alfani]

It's best to get 2 cable cards with the Tivo Hd but it will work with just one. With 2 cards you get to watch one pogram while recording another or record 2 channels at the same time without two cards you lose those features.



Mostly all scientific explorer series boxes work and the Samsung Smt-h3050. But buying a cable box isn't that simple. The Box needs to be synced with the company it is being used. Then it needs to be at least in the general area where it is authorized to work.
Unless your buying one from someone who states it will work regardless and can guarantee that I would not buy a cable box The encryption they use on These new boxes has yet to be broken. They have fooled with it but there is no counteraction to the encryption. You can still buy one and have the cable company authorize it for you and you have that right under the new federal laws the easiest is to buy a box or a tv that is cable card compatible like the 4250 hdc The C at the end is the Cable card acronym.

ic..thank. the TV on our bedroom is not digital ready so i guess we need to get the converter or install another box to work comes February 2009

 

[TimberTDI]

FTA :shhh:

 

[Josh]

You need a cable card or one of the boxes they provide in order to decode the signal. The cards and boxes contain an encryption key needed to watch any channel.

I think the Scientific Atlanta (Cisco) boxes are about $7 per month to rent. You can also get the SA Explorer 8x00 which has a pretty decent DVR.

 

[reefman]

thanks for the info guys. i was wondering about all that encryption crap too. does that mean by feb 2009, all those "tweaked boxes" are useless?

 

[Josh]

thanks for the info guys. i was wondering about all that encryption crap too. does that mean by feb 2009, all those "tweaked boxes" are useless?

No. February is just when all broadcasts must be digital, it has no bearing on cable encryption.

The February date will effectively shut down over the air broadcasts and require everything to be in digital format, which in general forces you to use a wired TV solution instead of antennas. In fact, you can get one of those digital converters for your TV and get basic television by connecting it to your cable line, as those channels will remain unencrypted. NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, PBS, WNET, and other non-subscriber channels.

 

[Davidl919]

thanks for the info guys. i was wondering about all that encryption crap too. does that mean by feb 2009, all those "tweaked boxes" are useless?

The feb 2009 Deadline is for Over the air signals and it does not apply to any cable companies.
Eventually though most of the tweaked boxes which are mostly all analog will be useless, as the cable companies get rid of their analog transmissions which take 8 times the space of a Digital channel through conventional transmission and about 16 times the space through a newer technology called switched video.

Didn't see that Josh already answered.

 

[TimberTDI]

The February date will effectively shut down over the air broadcasts and require everything to be in digital format, which in general forces you to use a wired TV solution instead of antennas. In fact, you can get one of those digital converters for your TV and get basic television by connecting it to your cable line, as those channels will remain unencrypted. NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, PBS, WNET, and other non-subscriber channels.

This is not true at all. You will still be able to get to get your local channels over the air. You do not need a to have a wired connection. You do have to have a HD Antenna and you will need a digital converter box.

http://www.crutchfield.com/Learn/learningcenter/home/dtv.html