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SCHUNE

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Cox Mini-Box

For those planning to use these "lower cost" devices, be aware that if you pay for Movie Pak, Sports & Information Pak, Variety Pak or the Bonus Pak, you will not receive the channels associated with these added cost packages. No matter how complete your TV package is, all the Mini-Box will allow are channels in Starter and Essential services. Time to consider Direct TV again !!!!!

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chris_c21

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The mini-box was never meant to replace a standard STB or DVR, it's only meant to provide the same programming that one would receive if their TV was hooked direct to the wall, I.E. no box at all.

What made you think otherwise, Schune?

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SCHUNE

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The extra $2.99 per month for services (except all HD) that were already included in TV lineup. For those that are having trouble understanding this, Cox is wanting to charge an extra $2.99 for each TV connected directly to the cable, to allow us to continue receiving channels that we are currently receiving and paying for.

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DerrickW

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Hello Schune, 

Do you currently have TVs in the home that are connected directly to the wall outlet without a cable box?  Those would be the only reason you would need to have the minibox.  

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Tecknowhelp

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DerrickW said:
 Those would be the only reason you would need to have the minibox.

Only reason to NEED the box, but since the mini box is cheaper, some people are trying to use them instead of advanced receivers. They were never intended for this. They are cheaper for a reason.

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DerrickW

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I understand your point Tecknowhelp. :) 

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mrsdriver5

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DerrickW said:
Hello Schune, 

Do you currently have TVs in the home that are connected directly to the wall outlet without a cable box?  Those would be the only reason you would need to have the minibox.
Now I'm completely confused. I understand that since we get cable through a wall plug, we need mini boxes for each TV, but if we add on the Variety Pack, will we be able to view those channels after hooking up the minis? We currently have the Starter Pack since we don't watch much TV, but since so much football has gone to ESPN, I'm thinking about adding it. Is ESPN included in the Variety Pack and would it work once we get the minis?

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AllenP

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First, the minibox will not receive the Variety pak but the Variety pak doesn't include ESPN.  You must subscribe to Essential level or higher to get ESPN, it's not part of an add-on pak.  The good thing is if you subscribe to a level including ESPN, the minibox will receive it.

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mrsdriver5

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AllenP said:

First, the minibox will not receive the Variety pak but the Variety pak doesn't include ESPN.  You must subscribe to Essential level or higher to get ESPN, it's not part of an add-on pak.  The good thing is if you subscribe to a level including ESPN, the minibox will receive it.

Thank you. That's exactly what I wanted to know! In the info. for the Variety pack it gives a few examples of added channels, then says something about "many others". That's not really much help.

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Becky

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Hi Mrsdriver5,

AllenP is correct. If you decide to subscribe to Cox TV Essential so you can watch ESPN, you will be able to watch all of the channels in that tier on the mini box.

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mrsdriver5

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Becky said:
Hi Mrsdriver5,

AllenP is correct. If you decide to subscribe to Cox TV Essential so you can watch ESPN, you will be able to watch all of the channels in that tier on the mini box.

I appreciate the helpful answers you've both given, but I'm too dumb to figure this all out. We still have the Starter level and picked up four of the minis. However, after installing one, that TV could no longer get CBS, PBS, and a couple of others. Basically we got NBC, ABC, and ***. I know there are a ton of locked threads about Cox and CBS. I just want to know if we're doing something wrong in setting up the mini and not receiving CBS, which we've previously gotten with no problem, or if we can't get it with the mini because it's not HD. We took the mini off and have it boxed up to return, but we're just trying to figure out some answers to make sure we do the right thing. IF we get the TV Essential plan, then we would need a big-box receiver, plus three minis for the additional TVs, right? Then would we get CBS on all four TVs. Sorry...I'm just really confuzzled.

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AllenP

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Mrsdriver5, I answered two of your specific questions ... 1. Will the minibox receive the Varity Pak and 2. Is ESPN included in the Varity Pak.

The over the air stations (CBS, etc) are included in all levels of service and viewable using a minibox.  Yes, CBS was blacked out in some areas due to contract negotiations but that is behind us.  Regardless of service level, you should be able to receive the OTA networks with your minibox, if you are still having problems it's another issue.  Reconnect the minibox, make sure all connections are hand tight & do a channel scan.  If you are still missing channels look here to see if it's included in your service.  If it is, post back here with the details or call tech support.

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Becky

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Hi Mrsdriver,

Are you still missing network channels on the mini box? Please let us know so we can help!

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mrsdriver5

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Yes, I had thanked you for answering my questions, which led to me to pick up four of the minis and forget about ESPN, at least for now. I was just surprised to find out I could no longer watch CBS at all. Without the minibox we could watch it, but not in the HD channels (1008, but it is fine on non-HD 8). We boxed the mini back up and plan on returning it. When Cox goes completely digital in April, I guess we'll be non-TV watchers. We'll try hooking it up again on Monday, do another channel scan and see what happens. I'd move up to the Essentials, but I don't want to get hooked into a 2-year contract and find out I still can't watch the only channel we enjoy. Thanks for your replies~

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Cox_scam

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cox is just getting greedy again by forcing people to pay more for something that has no value. all my tv's work fine from the cable in the wall. going all digital is BS. cox is just scrambling their signal to force you to get a mini box to unscramble the signal. iits a scam.i already pay too much for service and not they want more. 

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Cox_scam

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NO THIS IS A LIE. COX IS SCRAMBLING THE SIGNAL COMING INTO THE WALL SO YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY MORE TO UNSCRAMBLE THE SIGNAL WITH THEIR RIP OFF MINI BOX. SHAME ON COX CABLE AND THEIR GREED.

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