TV cable boxes
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TV cable boxes I've got Time Warner cable in 3 of the rooms in the house, including 1 box. Each box is $7 per month. I wanted to get another box, but don't really want to spend $7 more per month. I was thinking about purchasing a box and not having to worry about paying $7 a month for each box. Basically, its like you're leasing it and will never own it. The box I have now is a Scientific Atlantic 3250HD. I seen some on Ebay, if I bought one or two, is it simple as plugging it in, hooking up the cables, and turning it on? Seems too simple/good to be true. If I had to guess, I would think the box would need some type of programming. Anyhow, how does this work?
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So what are my options here? I don't mind spending a little money on a box if that prevents me from having to lease a box for $7 a month which I'll never own. In a year's time, I'd spend $84 which could probably buy me the box. I don't see why I wouldn't be able to use a box I bought rather than one that is provided to me even if its the same exact box.
my gf has the DVR box, I'll bring it over to my place and try it out. I know that you're limited to what filters that you have outside. I'll try it out and let you know
I used to work for Scientific Atlanta.
The entire cable system is computer controlled. Each box contains a unique ID, and the programming is set up in the head end computer for each box. If the box ID isn't on the system, it won't get downloaded / activated. This even goes back to the old analog 8610/8611 days. The digital systems are much more advanced, yet completely configurable by the head end controller.
Anything more advanced than a standard analog tuner (like a cable ready TV or VCR) won't work without being included in the head end computer. It's easy to kill unauthorized boxes.
Filters are only for analog channels. That's way old school. A properly set up cable system won't need them.
The entire cable system is computer controlled. Each box contains a unique ID, and the programming is set up in the head end computer for each box. If the box ID isn't on the system, it won't get downloaded / activated. This even goes back to the old analog 8610/8611 days. The digital systems are much more advanced, yet completely configurable by the head end controller.
Anything more advanced than a standard analog tuner (like a cable ready TV or VCR) won't work without being included in the head end computer. It's easy to kill unauthorized boxes.
Filters are only for analog channels. That's way old school. A properly set up cable system won't need them.
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I don't even know if that's possible because I have a friend who works for Time Warner and he said that they keep inventory on all the boxes. So if one came up missing, then he would be in for it or out of the money.
The only way to get an 'unauthorized' digital cable box in the system would be to have an employee on the inside actually add the unique ID of that box to the head end computer system, and then add the tier (channel) information to the configuration of that box so that it could commnicate with the head end. Would someone be willing to lose their job so you could add a box to the cable system? I doubt it.
Analog cable was always a cat and mouse game with pirate descramblers. There was a guy that worked near me - his job was to buy pirate boxes and figure them out, and then get with the scrambler group and figure out a way to defeat them (make their descrambling 'not work' or 'annoying enough to be unwatchable').
With digital cable, you get all the advantages of computers - encryption, keys, fast 2-way communication, etc. I have not even looked, but I'd bet it'd be VERY difficult to pirate a digital cable signal.
Just pay the 7 bucks a month.
Analog cable was always a cat and mouse game with pirate descramblers. There was a guy that worked near me - his job was to buy pirate boxes and figure them out, and then get with the scrambler group and figure out a way to defeat them (make their descrambling 'not work' or 'annoying enough to be unwatchable').
With digital cable, you get all the advantages of computers - encryption, keys, fast 2-way communication, etc. I have not even looked, but I'd bet it'd be VERY difficult to pirate a digital cable signal.
Just pay the 7 bucks a month.
Originally Posted by Dragaholic
I'm tired of bringing down the box to the living room to watch Pinks or a paid program (Boxing, UFC, etc.)
agree just pay tha 7 dollars but i hear direct tv is cheaper and TW doesnt have the nfl network and time warner has alot of problems take it from a person who has time warner
i'd say go with DirecTV and ditch cable altogether, as long as you live somewhere where you don't have any restrictions about mounting a dish. then just get you some used boxes online, get a new access card from DirecTV, and you're good to go
and i'd highly recommend getting at least one model with a Tivo-branded DVR in it (not DirecTV's own shitty DVR...they suck), so you can record your shows. if you do this, it will have 2 tuners, and you can watch 1 channel while recording another, or record 2 channels while watching your already recorded shows. and you can even upgrade the Tivo-branded DVR receivers with a larger hard drive to store more on it...mine is upgraded to a 500GB hard drive (about 439 hours worth of recording).
just don't try to get the Tivo-branded receivers directly from DirecTV, they don't sell them anymore....they are now pushing their own crappy DVR that crashes a lot, and just generally doesn't work as good.
if you wanna look at Tivo-branded receivers that have already had their capacity upgraded, take a look at Weaknees.
and i'd highly recommend getting at least one model with a Tivo-branded DVR in it (not DirecTV's own shitty DVR...they suck), so you can record your shows. if you do this, it will have 2 tuners, and you can watch 1 channel while recording another, or record 2 channels while watching your already recorded shows. and you can even upgrade the Tivo-branded DVR receivers with a larger hard drive to store more on it...mine is upgraded to a 500GB hard drive (about 439 hours worth of recording).
just don't try to get the Tivo-branded receivers directly from DirecTV, they don't sell them anymore....they are now pushing their own crappy DVR that crashes a lot, and just generally doesn't work as good.
if you wanna look at Tivo-branded receivers that have already had their capacity upgraded, take a look at Weaknees.