Question about ATT Cable TV...

[boyRacer]

We are currently subscribed to ATT digital cable and broadband... there's a cable line going into my room but we are only renting two receivers, one in the kitchen and one in the living room. I would like to purchase my own receiver instead of paying an extra $5/month for it... it looks exactly like the ones we have and has the same model number... would i need to call ATT to activate it or can i just plug it in and it would work? Would ATT even activate a box that they're not renting out?

 

[olds]

My understanding is that you can purchase your own box but still have to pay a fee for the service. If you just use a box, which will work, you may eventually get caught. nik will be here soon to speak to you.

 

[boyRacer]

Well we are paying for the service ... but i was just wondering if i could just buy my own receiver... sorta like buying your own cable modem so you don't have to rent one and pay a monthly fee. I was going to PM Nik but didn't know if he only dealt with broadband queries...

 

[Praetor]

I know Cox is currently debating on whether or not to allow customers to buy their own boxes, but as of right now, it's not something that they support. I'd imagine AT&T would be in the same position right now as well.

Why not just call up their customer service and ask someone?

 

[bmacd]

It's fully legal for what you plan to do. You may or may not have to let your cable company know about this.

-=bmacd=-

Edit: Unless it's digital (digital may or may not work), it will work right out of the box. It decodes a signal (hopefully specific to your system). I planned on getting a black box when i was 13 or so (about 7 years ago), so i called up timewarner to find out the scrambling method. I think you need to know that, but i'm not sure.

Nik (ffmcobalt) is definitely one of the better/more definitive sources to hear it from, though.

-=bmacd=-

 

[boyRacer]

Yep it's a digital signal... hmmm... i'll go pm Nik then... thanks guys.