New Contributor
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2 Messages
When Do I Really Need a Mini Box?
I am sure this question has been asked and answered already, but I browsed some and couldn't find it, so my apologies in advance.
I have a mix of TVs in the house, all plugged in directly to the coax cable.
I know I need a mini box for the analog TVs - I have been assuming the mini box is a digital-to-analog signal converter, so I will still be able to see stuff on my analog TVs.
I have 3 TVs in the house that are plugged directly into the coax that I can switch to a Digital TV mode, and see all sorts of channels above 99. I currently have them set for TV stations 800 and above, including 1005 - 1011 (possibly more available).
Do I need a mini box for these TVs? I would have assumed "No", but the brochures that were mailed out state pretty clearly that "any TV plugged in directly to the cable coming from the wall requires a mini box". Just wanted to confirm...
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Domino
Valued Contributor III
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2.8K Messages
Yes. Every TV - analog or digital - will need a mini-box, regular STB, or CableCARD device. The reason is ENCRYPTION.
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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2.8K Messages
If you get contour, you would need 1 host DVR (big one) and 1 client (small box) for every TV. EVERY TV would need some kind of box.
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Tecknowhelp
Valued Contributor II
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2.8K Messages
Should be a stickie on the encryption transition.
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John_Loo
New Contributor
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2 Messages
Thanks! That makes sense.
STB = Set Top Box?
If I get Contour, is a mini box required if all I want to do on a TV is watch shows recorded on the DVR? I understand that I would need the mini box to watch regular TV from the cable.
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chris_c21
Contributor III
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625 Messages
Yes, STB means set top box.
If you get the Contour Whole Home DVR for your main TV, then you would need a Contour Advanced Receiver for every other TV you want to be able to watch recorded programs from. Miniboxes can't connect to watch whole-home DVR. They are very basic boxes with extremely limited features.
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