[roger55]

Question:


I have Suddenlink cable in San Angelo, TX with a DVR converter box that I have been using for about a year on a Mitusbishi 73". I am paying for their HDTV tier.


I have just purchased my second HDTV (a new Toshiba 52") for the recreation room at my house.

I would like to be able to get all the HD channels I am paying for on the new TV but don't need another DVR in there.

I called Suddenlink and talked to a couple of people there that don't seem to know much.

They said I needed a non-DVR converter box for the second TV and it would cost me an additional $11 per month.

However, they told me I could buy my own converter box from a Best Buy or similar store that will work (they think, but were not sure).

Is this true? I would rather buy a box than have to pay monthly.

If it is true, can someone point me to a link of a box that will work?


If this is not accurate and I have to pay $11 more dollars a month, I will have to consider switching to satellite.

I am planning on another HDTV purchase for the guest bedroom down the road.

 

[Ken H]



Quote:
Originally Posted by roger55 /forum/post/15407927


Question:


I have Suddenlink cable in San Angelo, TX with a DVR converter box that I have been using for about a year on a Mitusbishi 73". I am paying for their HDTV tier.


I have just purchased my second HDTV (a new Toshiba 52") for the recreation room at my house.

I would like to be able to get all the HD channels I am paying for on the new TV but don't need another DVR in there.

I called Suddenlink and talked to a couple of people there that don't seem to know much.

They said I needed a non-DVR converter box for the second TV and it would cost me an additional $11 per month.

However, they told me I could buy my own converter box from a Best Buy or similar store that will work (they think, but were not sure).

Is this true? I would rather buy a box than have to pay monthly.

If it is true, can someone point me to a link of a box that will work?


If this is not accurate and I have to pay $11 more dollars a month, I will have to consider switching to satellite.

I am planning on another HDTV purchase for the guest bedroom down the road.

If all you want on the new HDTV are local HD channels, you can connect the cable directly to the set and use the QAM tuner.


If you want all the same HD channels as from the DVR, you have two options. One is to rent another STB, which should, but may not, cost less than the HD DVR you already have. $11 per month seems a bit steep for a non-HD DVR, but one never knows.


Second, is to buy an HD TiVo. They go for $200-$300 (new or refurb), require a CableCARD from Suddenlink (there is also a rental fee for that), and the TiVo requires a subscription for it to work properly.


Cableco's do not activate Digital Cable boxes that you can find on ebay, and you can not simply buy one at retail.


I'd say you got an uninformed CSR. Call back and get a supervisor on the phone, or you may have to call a few times to actually get someone who knows what they are talking about.


Also, I would strongly suggest checking with others in your area, found here in the HDTV Locals Forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241


...and in the main Suddenlink topic, here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1060445

 

[roger55]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H /forum/post/15408128


If all you want on the new HDTV are local HD channels, you can connect the cable directly to the set and use the QAM tuner.


If you want all the same HD channels as from the DVR, you have two options. One is to rent another STB, which should, but may not, cost less than the HD DVR you already have. $11 per month seems a bit steep for a non-HD DVR, but one never knows.


Second, is to buy an HD TiVo. They go for $200-$300 (new or refurb), require a CableCARD from Suddenlink (there is also a rental fee for that), and the TiVo requires a subscription for it to work properly.


Cableco's do not activate Digital Cable boxes that you can find on ebay, and you can not simply buy one at retail.


I'd say you got an uninformed CSR. Call back and get a supervisor on the phone, or you may have to call a few times to actually get someone who knows what they are talking about.


Also, I would strongly suggest checking with others in your area, found here in the HDTV Locals Forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241


...and in the main Suddenlink topic, here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1060445

Thanks for the info. I figured that you couldn't get a box like they said. It's funny that I new the first person I talked to didn't know much, so she transferred me to a "tech" guy and he didn't know any better.

I will try to call and get an informed CSR. Eleven bucks does sound high compared to satellite where each extra TV is only $4.99.


Since I don't need a DVR, I don't think I want to go the TiVo route.

I did some researching on Dish and DTV but neither has Fox Sports in HD and Suddenlink does. That's a big deal for me.