Providing my own DVR

Just Basic (the Locals only) or Essential channels also, CNN, MSNBC, USA, TNT, MTV, etc.

You may need to subscribe to Advanced TV to use a Retail CableCARD with your free service, I have no idea what that fee would be in your situation.

The Samsung GX-SM530CF is only a tuner not a DVR, so just LiveTV

The TiVo is a DVR. (TiVo service is additional, $14.99/mo or $149.99/yr or $499.99 Lifetime)

With a CableCARD and Tuning Adapter you do not pay the $11.99/month for DVR service just $2/mo for the CableCARD.

If you have a Windows 7 PC, the cheapest way is to get a SiliconDust HD HomeRun Prime, and use it with Windows Media Center, you would also need a WMC Extender to view on a TV.

Only Windows Media Center supports Copy Protected content, which most Cox markets use. Windows 8.1 can be upgraded to include WMC, but it is not included in the regular version.

SiliconDust will also be releasing their own DVR software this fall, which should make life easier for those without Windows Media Center.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1275320038/hdhomerun-dvr-the-dvr-re-imagined

A used TiVo Premiere with Lifetime service can be purchased on Craigslist or ebay for $200 to $400 depending on the model, HDD size and 2 or 4 tuners.

Just make sure it already has lifetime service before purchasing a used TiVo, you can ask for the TSN (TiVo Serial Number) and call TiVo and ask if it has lifetime.

Thanks for the info Bryan.  I misunderstood from a response you made in a previous post.  I thought you were saying the Samsung was a DVR.  So is TiVo the only DVR option?  And, are you required to get the TiVo service for it to operate or is that just an upgrade?  Is it the TiVo Roamio?

I believe they called the package we have 'Economy' but it may have been 'Essential'.  But we don't really need more channels.  How do you know if they will require you to get the Advanced TV package?  

The only Standalone Retail DVR that uses a CableCARD and is still supported by the manufacture is a TiVo Premiere or TiVo Roamio.

All TiVos require Service to be usable, (they are a doorstop w/o service)
> $14.99/mo w/ a 1 Year commitment or Month to Month on a used one
> $149.99/Year paid up front
> $499.99 Lifetime Service (or $399.99 if you know someone with a TiVo, the Promo Code PLSR may still work for $399.99, but there was a posting saying that was no longer valid. TiVo just had a sale where Lifetime was $349.99, but the sale is over.)

TiVo Models still supported w/ SW updates and eligible for Cox OnDemand if/when it becomes available

• TCD746320 TiVo Premiere Series4 - 2 Tuner 320GB stock HDD
• TCD746500 TiVo Premiere Series4 - 2 Tuner 500GB stock HDD
• TCD748000 TiVo Premiere XL Series4 - 2 Tuner 1TB stock HDD
• TCD750500 TiVo Premiere 4 Series4 - 4 Tuner 500 stock HDD
• TCD758250 TiVo Premiere XL4 Series4 - 4 Tuner 2TB stock HDD
• TCD846500 TiVo Roamio Series5 - 4 Tuner 500GB stock HDD
• TCD848000 TiVo Roamio Plus Series5 - 6 Tuner 1TB stock HDD
• TCD840300 TiVo Roamio Pro Series5 - 6 Tuner 3TB stock HDD

All TiVos can easily be upgraded with a larger HDD, the Roamio Series5 is the easiest, just install a new HDD and it installs the SW and your ready to go.

Many sellers on ebay sell "Upgraded Lifetime Service used TiVos"  As long as it has Lifetime a HDD replacement is easy and keeps the Lifetime service, so does a power supply replacement.

If purchasing a new TiVo I recommend using Amazon or Price Match at BestBuy, or wait for another TiVo sale, or watch Woot.com for a TiVo Factory refurbished Roamio.

TiVo also has special pricing on TiVo Factory refurbished Roamios, but they are not always a great deal.
https://www.tivo.com/shop/promo/zero-down-factory-renewed-roamio

The Economy Pak is CableCARD compatible, Cox will charge you $2/mo, again I do not know if there will be other charges to set-up your own account, If they charge an AdvancedTV charge it is about another $3-5/mo, You will need to call Cox and inquire as to the cost to add a CableCARD to your free service.

Does Cox currently provide you with a Free Cable Box?

Or what are you currently using as a Tuner?

adding on you will most like atleast a basic digital subscription in order to get the cable card.  not sure if this still is the case with cox going all digital.