I'd have to agree with what Trikein said. Basic cable doesn't require a box and therefore a box would just be an added cost. Maybe if we understood what you're trying to do we could come up with a more constructive solution.
I'd have to agree with what Trikein said. Basic cable doesn't require a box and therefore a box would just be an added cost. Maybe if we understood what you're trying to do we could come up with a more constructive solution.
What you and Triken have failed to take into consideration are "basic" channels that have switched to digital only and are now delivered as SDV. Their availability on QAM tuning TVs can be hit or miss, and their channel location (on the TV) will change. In my area, C-SPAN is one such channel. Frequent channel scans will find it unavailable, or at a different location than on a previous scan. Use of a cable STB eliminates these problems.
You mean I failed to understand something when the OP was 9 words long? Heaven to-betsy! I need to work on my ESP.
Ok, then to answer the question, yes. I know of no technical limitation that keeps a cable box from having basic cable only. There is probably service prerequisites that would increase the price, but technically it should be no issue.
You also have the option of renting a cable card with a tuning adapter instead, but that is prone to it's own problems. If you do want to explore that option though, look into HDHomerun Prime. 200$ but its atleast cheaper then a Tivo. I would only suggest that if your going to be using it for the long haul.
Trikein
Contributor III
•
806 Messages
12 years ago
Why would you want to? You don't need a cable box to watch basic cable. Just a CATV ready TV. Whats the context of the question?
0
0
ChrisL
Former Moderator
•
7.1K Messages
12 years ago
I'd have to agree with what Trikein said. Basic cable doesn't require a box and therefore a box would just be an added cost. Maybe if we understood what you're trying to do we could come up with a more constructive solution.
0
0
Domino
Valued Contributor III
•
2.8K Messages
12 years ago
What you and Triken have failed to take into consideration are "basic" channels that have switched to digital only and are now delivered as SDV. Their availability on QAM tuning TVs can be hit or miss, and their channel location (on the TV) will change. In my area, C-SPAN is one such channel. Frequent channel scans will find it unavailable, or at a different location than on a previous scan. Use of a cable STB eliminates these problems.
0
0
Trikein
Contributor III
•
806 Messages
12 years ago
You mean I failed to understand something when the OP was 9 words long? Heaven to-betsy! I need to work on my ESP.
Ok, then to answer the question, yes. I know of no technical limitation that keeps a cable box from having basic cable only. There is probably service prerequisites that would increase the price, but technically it should be no issue.
You also have the option of renting a cable card with a tuning adapter instead, but that is prone to it's own problems. If you do want to explore that option though, look into HDHomerun Prime. 200$ but its atleast cheaper then a Tivo. I would only suggest that if your going to be using it for the long haul.
0
0