Can I use my DVR box at my neighbors house who also has DVR service, so I can watch my recordings on their TV?

I don't think that's possible. Those boxes need a cable signal and they're also tied into Cox's system to allow them to function. Pretty sure the box will get stuck on the loading screen or give you an error message if you try using it away from your home.

-A

You would be able to watch your recorded shows on your dvr list because those are stored on the hard drive, and will forever be there until cox erases them when you return the box. However, live tv will not work becasue the box is assigned to your address so you may get a few channels but not many.

 

 

Based on my past experiences with local and Cox cable power outages,  when you unplug or lose power to the DVR you will not be able to play recorded programs until you have successfully rebooted and authenticated the DVR with Cox.  You can watch recorded programs if Cox loses power but the DVR does not lose power.

Something that may work but I have never tried:

The steps below are probably a violation of the Cox terms of service and I do not recommend that anyone try them. 

You and the owner of the TV should understand that there are risks of equipment damage to the DVR and/or TV when following the below steps.  Decide before starting who will pay for repair/replacement of the TV if it is damaged.

*  Moving the DVR while powered on or recording carries the risk of a hard drive crash that may result in the loss of all recordings and require replacement of the DVR.  I am not recommending it. 

* Plugging in an HDMI cable with equipment powered on may damage either or both the DVR and TV.  Static electric discharge thru an HDMI cable can also damage equipment even if it is turned off.  I am not recommending it.

1) Plug the DVR into a charged battery backup then unplug the battery backup from the wall outlet.  Turn on the DVR and let it boot and authenticate. Turn off the DVR. Disconnect only the Cox cable from the DVR.

2) The DVR may try to authenticate with Cox at each power on.  Turn on the DVR, if you can view recorded programs then turn off the DVR and go to step 4.

3) If you are doing this step then the DVR authenticates during each power on.  Reconnect the cable and power on the DVR. Let it reboot and authenticate with Cox.  When booted leave the DVR turned on and disconnect the cable from the DVR.

4) Disconnect all DVR connectors except power.  Very gently, carry the DVR and battery to your neighbor's home. Be careful when  picking up or putting down the DVR if it is powered on. If the DVR is turned on it will be recording and be very sensitive to bumps. Turn off TV. Connect battery backup to wall outlet and DVR to the TV.  Do NOT connect neighbor's Cox cable to your DVR. 

5) Power off both TV and DVR and disconnect the DVR when finished watching recorded programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

cashmn21,

Revised and expanded my post.  Please read.