Mini Box Woes

If you connect the coax out of the minibox to the DVR and set the DVR tuner to channel 3 or 4, depending on the switch setting on the back of the minibox, you should be able to record in SD.  You won't be able to control the channel with the DVR as that's set by the minibox & the DVR doesn't have an IR output for a remote STB.  In summary, this DVR is severely limited by the all digital conversion.

As for options, in addition to renting a DVR from Cox, you can purchase a 3rd party DVR that accepts a cable card like the TiVo.Roamio.  You can get a 4 tuner referb Roamio with lifetime service as low as about $300 direct from TiVo.  Then trade your minibox for a cable card at the same monthly fee.  Cox list price is $20.49/mo for a 2 tuner DVR rental and DVR service.  There are options but all involve spending more $$$$.

Thanks Allen for your quick reply.  

So if I understand you correctly, I can record only the channel the Minibox is set to.  There's no possibility of making multiple recordings at different times, AND different Channels, unless I'm here to change the channel on the Minibox before the recording starts. 

You are correct, Jim.  The minibox selects the channel, not the TV or DVR.  The "different channels" is the key.  The only products I know of which will control the Evolution minibox is the Cox remote or Harmony products.  I use my Harmony 650 with a minibox.

Thanks again Allen,

Forgive what might be a stupid question, but are you saying that the Harmony 650 can be programmed to change channels on the Minibox, without the user being present, thereby enabling the recording of different channels over a period of time?

Jim

No, Jim, the Harmony can change channels on the minibox but you have to push the buttons.  It doesn't have a timer.  Maybe one of the other Harmony devices does have a timer and can be programmed ... don't know ... the 650 is the only one I have used.