New Contributor
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3 Messages
It is time to cut the cable
The new mandatory mini box that Cox is making us purchase is the final insult. We are being told we have no choice but to pay $3 per month, forever, to receive exactly the same programing we are already paying for. Many other posts on this forum have expressed the displeasure and technical difficulties that the mini box plague has visited upon us.
The real solution to this insult is to join the ever increasing numbers that cut off cable TV entirely. I plan to do this as soon as I can learn a bit more about alternative options - and offer, and seek input on this post. The first step is to install an antenna just like the olden days before cable. All of the major networks broadcast their signal in full 1080 HD, free of charge. With Cox you get the dumbed down 780 p standard def for most channels unless you pay up from basic. There are many antenna options. I installed a great one, I think the best from Antennas Direct, it is $100 and mounts in an attic or on a pole
www.antennasdirect.com/store/ClearStream_2V_UHF_VHF_Indoor_Outdoor_DTV_Antenna_With_Mount.html
I have a neighbor that uses a $20 one you stick on a window and he gets good results. What is important is to know where your stations are broadcasting from and what their strength is etc. You can get this info for your zip code here,
http://www.tvfool.com/?option=com_wrapper&Itemid=29&q=id%3df1f01e58531048
Get the chart first, then choose an appropriate antenna. I have a Cox DVR on my primary TV because I want to record programs. However I have the other two TVs in the house hooked directly to the antenna. I get great reception, a true high def picture and pay nothing for the signals. So my antenna is saving me $72 per year by not getting scammed on the mini boxes.
I also have Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. Netflix is what, $7 per month? Hay, my antenna on two TV just saved me that much each month, so Netflix is basically free.
So I would still need a DVR of some sort, any suggestions? Has anyone got experience with Apple TV? It looks like the most popular programs like Big Bang Theory don't wind up on Hulu, what is the non cable source for them?
chris_c21
Contributor III
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625 Messages
10 years ago
I've been using Netflix and Hulu as my only television service for 3-4 years now, any shows not on those services can simply be torrented.
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bryaninphx
Valued Contributor
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914 Messages
10 years ago
Don't let the door hit you...
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David_Chenoweth
New Contributor
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7 Messages
10 years ago
Cox Communications took the opportunity today to victimize me with the "Cox Communications Mini Box Scam". Although I have never used more than 23% of the storage in the COX HD-DVR I was renting, the hard drive failed anyway. So, I thought I would save everyone sometime and drive to the Cox "Solutions Store" and swap the bad HD-DVR for a working HD-DVR. The 'Solutions Store' CSR flatly declared that the Mini Box was required if I wanted to watch one singleTV. He stated this three times in patterned responses to my objections over having to use both a Mini Box and a HD-DVR to watch TV on our one single TV. He then refused to exchange the HD-DVR unless I also accepted possession of a new all digital Mini Box. He then attempted to refuse to do business with me at all. I would not allow the CSR to close the business disagreement by refusing to do business and allowed him to finish the scenario of his sales presentation. He sweetened the bait and switch by silently exchanging the HD-DVR with a Cox Record 6 HD-DVR therefore silently increasing my monthly bill by $8.00. I will not debate the facts of this true story. You are welcome to draw your own conclusions, (no pun intended).
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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2.8K Messages
10 years ago
I actually found this thread to be useful. I don't have cable because until until now we didn't have any reason to watch TV. Recently got a small kitchen LCD so looking for options. Not going to pay for cable and a mini box just for a small SD TV. I like the antenna in your OP. I was thinking of mounting mine on pole mount that was being used for a ugly analog antenna on the roof. Is a simple ground block enough or do I need a filter?
It would be a independent loops from my HSI coaxial. Do all I need is antenna, coaxial, and ground? Or would a amp help? Using the site, even if I used a outdoor 25foot antenna, I would only get 10 our of the 25 or so.
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golferbob
New Contributor
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4 Messages
10 years ago
After installing the mini box a few days ago and noticing that I lost some channels, I contacted COX both on the web and by phone and never got the same story about why. It seems the box only gets the channels on the starter and essential packages, which for some like me drops many of the stations.
I am not sure of the COX demographics, but I am sure this will negatively impact a significant portion of their customer base. Hiding behind the guise of complying with the federal mandate to improve TV quality by raising costs and lowering what you get for that money. Hopefully COX will expand the channels accessible by the mini box and make this a better customer experience.
The presence of Netflix and Amazon video make other more enjoyable and cost effect alternatives to cable. Maybe COX should pay attention to their new and expanding pogramming and reasonable monthly costs.
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ChrisL
Former Moderator
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7.1K Messages
10 years ago
Yes you are correct that the mini-box only works with subscriptions to the TV Starter and TV Essential packages. TV Economy however is a special case, because it does not include all of the TV Essential channels it is only available on the TV with the digital receiver.
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golferbob
New Contributor
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4 Messages
10 years ago
Isn't the reason for the mini box that it is a digital receiver? I'm sure I am not the only person who is on TV Economy, and the few channels dropped for example, USA, weather channel and TNT shouldn't be too big a deal to be included.
How can we elevate this issue?
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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2.8K Messages
10 years ago
You are looking to elevate the issue to try to get the 3rd biggest provider to change their channel lineup for the entire country? Do you feel that is realistic? Do you feel it goes against some law or regulation? It is clearly allowed in the ToS so I am not sure what your case would be.
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