Why Mini Box?

Cox will claim that this is being done to free up needed frequency spectrum to offer more programming as well as increased high speed Internet access. This is partially true, but there is another part to this claim that they will not tell you. All channels that are not premium channels will also be Encrypted so that you MUST have a mini box or Cox set top box attached to Every TV in your household. Cable Ready TV no means nothing in this environment unless your TV supports a CableCARD (additional monthly rental charge). There is no longer a Clear-QAM range of programming on Cox. You will now pay a TV Unit tax at a rate of $2.99/month per unit.

This "All Digital" fiasco only serves to supply Cox with an additional revenue stream that is now required on a per TV basis.

Then Colleen, just go all digital and don't make us add a box.  What is the actual price?  I first heard 2.99, Now on a chat with Cox support they said 1.99.

::edit:: Wrong thread.

Colleen, please let's stop the spin.  The facts......

1. You don't need a STB, minibox or cable card to receive digital programming. We have been doing it for years, receiving clear-QAM channels with the digital tuner build into todays sets.  Yes, you free up bandwidth going digital but that doesn't require a box/cable card on each set.

2. The real need for a STB is to stop theft of services.  Once again, the honest consumer is paying to help thwart the dishonest ones.  I understand Cox's reason but that still doesn't make me happy with encryption and the need to have a box on every set.  As an additional benefit, Cox will be able to turn on/off all TV services remotely, reducing the number of truck rolls.

For this, at the current published rates, we pay $1.99 per TV per month.  Not the $2.99 you quote, Oscar.  Given all the limitations with the current minibox, not a good deal:

1. The minibox remote doesn't work with all models of TVs.
2. If the minibox remote works with your TV, it doesn't do all functions.  It controls on/off and volume only.  For functions like sleep timers you still need your TV remote.
3. Direct off cable clear-QAM HD channels were in DD 5.1, the minibox only outputs stereo 2.0.

That's just to name  a few issues, others can probably add to the list.

zappy246 said:

Then Colleen, just go all digital and don't make us add a box.  What is the actual price?  I first heard 2.99, Now on a chat with Cox support they said 1.99.

zappy, I'm currently paying $1.99 and that's what I was quoted when I ordered the minibox 4 months ago.

AllenP said:

For this, at the current published rates, we pay $1.99 per TV per month.  Not the $2.99 you quote, Oscar.  Given all the limitations with the current minibox, not a good deal:

I called my local Cox office and was told the letters stating $2.99 / month were sent out "in error."

Reading the fine print of the letter stating $1.99 / month, the offer expires on 9/26/2015. The $2.99 letter does not have an offer expiration date stated in the fine print. I will bet money that around October 1st, you will see the mini boxes monthly fee increase to $2.99 / month. Mark your calender - the paperwork is already printed. No company makes a mistake like this in a pamphlet sent out to this many customers, which will increase their revenue by this many millions of dollars per year.

so you would like free cox tv it costs cox money to get the content the local also now are requesting money for cox to carruy the signal

wees41 said:

so you would like free cox tv it costs cox money to get the content the local also now are requesting money for cox to carruy the signal

That is what the subscription costs for the selected subscription tier covers.

It costs Cox nothing to allow you to have a splitter on your line to watch Clear-QAM broadcasts on additional TVs. It does cost a heck of a lot more for Cox to encrypt channels and add copy-content-once to the broadcast at the head end, but they recoup that cost by forcing the average household to pay rental fees for several set top boxes to decrypt every single channel in the Cox lineup. The mini boxes are purchased in bulk at about $25 per unit. After a year at $1.99... pure profit for the next 15 years.

AllenP said:
2. The real need for a STB is to stop theft of services. 

I disagree. I don't think cable theft is a big enough problem to warrant the kind of investment Cox is making in the transition. The more likly cause is to force all customers to have a box so to allow for easier upsell and upgrade of service. It also takes away alot of the need for all day technician to run around disco and recon taps at the pole. 

Update on mini box pricing:

The following web page have been updated to reflect the shift away from the $1.99 most of us were first quoted.

http://www.cox.com/aboutus/policies/alldigital.cox

"A Cox-provided CableCARD together with a certified compatible CableCARD retail device may be used in lieu of a mini box. Depending on customer current service level, up to two mini boxes or CableCARDs will be provided at no charge for up to two years. Regular rates apply thereafter. Additional units may be ordered at the regular monthly rate (currently $1.99/mo or $2.99/mo). Taxes extra. HD channel availability may vary between mini box and Advanced TV receiver or CableCARD device. An HDTV set with an HDMI connection is required for HD quality video. Older HDTV sets without HDMI connections will experience improved video quality, but not HD. RF video connection may be required for secondary audio access. Other restrictions may apply."

Health Edge said:

AllenP said:
2. The real need for a STB is to stop theft of services. 

 It also takes away alot of the need for all day technician to run around disco and recon taps at the pole. 

That statement is the same as the last sentence in the paragraph you quoted so no disagreement here.  I do think theft of services is more of an issue than you make out.  Without encryption, anyone subscribing to internet only can connect a splitter and a digital TV and enjoy basic cable without paying.  If it were not an issue, Cox wouldn't roll trucks to install "taps on the pole" to prevent it.  Now they can disable TV with a flip of a digital switch right from the CSR's console.  My only point is we are paying to keep honest (and some dishonest) people honest.

OscarTheGrouch said:

Additional units may be ordered at the regular monthly rate (currently $1.99/mo or $2.99/mo). Taxes extra.

Cox doesn't make it easy, Oscar.  We converted in March here in CT and the price it still 1.99.  No guaranty it will stay there.  Maybe a Cox mod will comment but I'm sure they won't ... this is a technical forum, not for billing questions.

So forget about the cost for a minute and lets get back to the technical question. What is different about this "Digital TV" vs the Digital TV that we all switched too a few years ago? Why will our existing Digital TV's not work?