Is this cable box any good?

Steve

Lifer
May 2, 2004
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www.chicagopipeband.com
A friend has a used (or unused?) HDTV cable box that's been sitting around for about a year. Would it be worthwhile to buy it from her (for Comcast)? What would be a fair price for it? What is it capable of? Sorry, I'm only just starting (now) to learn about this stuff.
 

CTweak

Senior member
Jun 6, 2000
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Motorola has pretty complete info on their boxes os their website. Full manuals, etc. I'm not sure about the logistics involved with using a foreign box on Comcast, they would have to authorize the box for use (to enable the digital channels, etc). I have a Motorola cable box (Insight HD+dual tuner DVR) and it's OK. The software is actually written by MS. It's not nearly as nice a a TIVO, but it gets the job done and so far no major glitches. Could be more resposive though (slow to respone to remote keypresses, changing chs, etc)
 

hookinitup

Member
Jan 26, 2005
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for u to be able to use that equip w/comcast srvcs it has to be registered in their inventory. if it was originally not a comcast box then it wont work with their system. the only way to find out is by calling them and providing them with the serial number. depending on which region of comcast u r in they may be able to to a search for u.

if all goes well and it will work w/ comcast then ask if there is monthly srvc chrg for having srvcs piped through the box b/c in my region (midwest) that is the case. if there is a mnthly chrg i would offer ur friend $15. if u get one from comcas they only chrg $32 for it plus the mnthly srvc chrgs.
 

five40

Golden Member
Oct 4, 2004
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Originally posted by: sm8000
It is a Comcast box, says right on the front of it.


Anybody own this box and can speak for it? Any idea of how much it's worth?

Probably nothing since it's relatively useless. Maybe the HD inside is worth something. In order for it to work comcast or any other cable company would have to enable it on their system. No company will do that for you. I'd like to know how he even was able to get the box. I had a good friend who had a cable box (comcast accidentally left it at his house when they disconnected) and when he moved he tried to use it. When he called comcast they said...we see you are using a cable box registered to 123 Main St (replace with his real address).
 

hookinitup

Member
Jan 26, 2005
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Originally posted by: sm8000
It is a Comcast box, says right on the front of it.


Anybody own this box and can speak for it? Any idea of how much it's worth?

read my edited post above.
 

hookinitup

Member
Jan 26, 2005
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0
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tell the sister to return it. cuz if she got it w/ her srvc and she doesnt return it comcast is gonna hit her with a $500 bill.