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DanTheMan's avatar
DanTheMan
New Contributor
4 months ago
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Need Wi-Fi for Cabled TV?

A relative had a very simple Cox setup: one cabled TV plus a basic modem for internet and phone.  We wanted to add a TV cable box in another room.  Got one from the Cox store and followed the basic plug-and-play setup instruction: coax to box, HDMI from box to (brand new) TV.  It said it couldn't get a signal.

After multiple trips to the store and extended phone calls to resolve this, finally needed a Cox rep to come out and set up panoramic Wi-Fi to make the new cabled box work.  Huh?  I wasn't there to get the explanation why this is so, but wish I had.  Maybe someone here can explain:

  • Why is a Wi-Fi connection needed for a cabled TV box?  (All the phone agents could say was "these devices all talk to each other.  One store visit was supposed to 'hard wire' the box for cable.)
  • If this is needed, why don’t the cable box setup instructions state this?
  • If this is needed, how was the original cable box operating without it?

Note: The original cable box and modem were of some vintage.

  • DanTheMan's avatar
    DanTheMan
    4 months ago

    Thanks for the replies.  Using the help email address provided (where is this on the Cox site?), Cox reps explained that "some" boxes require Panoramic Wi-Fi so as to support MoCA and IPTV capabilities.  These basically turn your coax connections into an ethernet, albeit with an adapter. 

    So you need Wi-Fi to control your cabled connections.  Crazy.

    That said, I didn't need one of "those" boxes - just a basic one with a coax signal in and HDMI out to a TV.   Apparently the other box in the house was one such, but Cox just couldn't find another one even the box was "hard wired" for cable.

    Geez.

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  • Darkatt's avatar
    Darkatt
    Valued Contributor III
    4 months ago

    If the box has a Cable Wire connected, AND the cable wire has a signal on it, then a pano modem shouldn't be necessary. If the box is a WiFi box, then it's necessary. 

  • ColleenD's avatar
    ColleenD
    Moderator
    4 months ago

    Hi, DanTheMan 

    Darkatt is correct in that if the new box is wired, a Panoramic Wifi Modem is not necessary, but the outlet would need to have signal. Also, if the new box is a Contour box and the old box isn't, they wouldn't be compatible. I tried to look up your account with the ID you sign into forums with but wasn't able to locate your cable account. I'd be happy to look into this for you and explain. Please email cox.help@cox.com with your full name, complete street address, description of what's going on and a link to this post.

  • WiderMouthOpen's avatar
    WiderMouthOpen
    Esteemed Contributor
    4 months ago

    How do you have the coaxial split between the different outlets? How many splitters and what kind? Any amps?

  • DanTheMan's avatar
    DanTheMan
    New Contributor
    4 months ago

    Thanks for the replies.  Using the help email address provided (where is this on the Cox site?), Cox reps explained that "some" boxes require Panoramic Wi-Fi so as to support MoCA and IPTV capabilities.  These basically turn your coax connections into an ethernet, albeit with an adapter. 

    So you need Wi-Fi to control your cabled connections.  Crazy.

    That said, I didn't need one of "those" boxes - just a basic one with a coax signal in and HDMI out to a TV.   Apparently the other box in the house was one such, but Cox just couldn't find another one even the box was "hard wired" for cable.

    Geez.