Cox Cable Cards

jcaudle · 09-12-2006, 10:08 AM

Just talked to cox cable here in fairfax, Va. The cable cards cost 8.95 per month each because they charge a digital gateway charge just like they do for each set....so its like getting 2 set top boxes. No system 3 for me. I will stay with D* and get the HR20

Dan203 · 09-12-2006, 10:11 AM

In most cases the first CableCARD is included in the plan as long as you forego the cable box. So really it's only an extra $8.95. Although that is still pretty high. Maybe what you should do is wait a few months until your cable company starts getting multi-stream CableCARDs. The TiVo only requires one of those, so you'd be able to get dual tuners without any extra charge.

Dan

cap · 09-12-2006, 10:17 AM

Really?
Cox here in Omaha only charges $1.99 per card.

Why would cox be different in different areas?

Dan203 · 09-12-2006, 10:19 AM

From what I've seen reported Comcast is all over the map on pricing too.

Charter charges a flat $1.50 per card with no outlet fee. The only hitch is they charge a $32 installation fee, but that's a one time fee so if you get one CableCARD or four it's the same charge.

Dan

DrDravenStone · 09-12-2006, 10:28 AM

Just called Cox in Phoenix...
2.00 per card (multi streams not available yet he says).
Must roll truck for install 49.95 for one card, 64.95 for two cards, one device.

(Don't have 1000 bucks to drop on an S3 though.)

dt_dc · 09-12-2006, 10:35 AM

Cox Fairfax charges $1.99 per card ...

However, their "Digital Gateway" is "required" for each CableCard ... that's $6.95 for the first outlet and $5.95 for each additional one. The "Digital Gateway" is also required for HBO and other encrypted digital programming too so ... ... it depends on how you look at things (whether that additional fee is part of the "card" or part of the "programming").

Oxford · 09-12-2006, 10:37 AM

Just talked to TWC in suburban Cleveland, OH who has taken over Adelphia's customers. First CableCARD is $1.75 and second one is $4.75. Seems odd to me. Install is $25.00 for one or both at same time. Lead time for appointment they said about one week. I didn't ask about multi-stream since I didn't know what they were. I will call back and find out.

dt_dc · 09-12-2006, 10:39 AM

Oh ... and yes ... they (Cox Fairfax) consider each CableCard as an "outlet" even though they're plugged into the same box.

dkroboth · 09-12-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dt_dc

Oh ... and yes ... they (Cox Fairfax) consider each CableCard as an "outlet" even though they're plugged into the same box.

Ouch. That's my "cable" company, too. I'm glad I'm moving to LA in October. Unfortunately, since it's sounds like a major PITA to get cable card, it looks like I'm going to wait until we move to get a Series 3. Since we are buying a house out in LA, I think I might have to evaluate my home purchase decision on the supportability of the Series 3 by the local cable company. It's that crazy? You betch.

dt_dc · 09-12-2006, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcaudle

I will stay with D* and get the HR20

Then again ... Cox Fairfax doesn't charge for an "HD Package" like D*. You get the HD versions of channels without an extra charge.

All MVPDs have their own ways to stick "fine print" pricing in there ... as always ... figure out the complete cost for various providers / packages and make your comparison from there. Don't ever make a comparison based on the cost of one part of the package ...

dt_dc · 09-12-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkroboth

Ouch. That's my "cable" company, too.

Well ... I put "required" in quotes for a reason. Technically, you could probably challange some parts of Cox's pricing structures ... and ... at the very least get them to give you a pretty good discount to shut up (worked for me on another "Digital Gateway" / DVR / HD pricing / tiering / hardware issue). Know who to write to and how to write it and ... I found Cox's pricing surprisingly "flexible".

But I'm switching to FiOS TV tommorrow so ... I'll have to leave the Cox battles for someone else (it's also a PITA to deal with).

JPinAZ · 09-12-2006, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDravenStone

Just called Cox in Phoenix...
2.00 per card (multi streams not available yet he says).
Must roll truck for install 49.95 for one card, 64.95 for two cards, one device.

I called last week & was told there was no additional charges for installing more than one card.

aztivo · 09-12-2006, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrDravenStone

Just called Cox in Phoenix...
2.00 per card (multi streams not available yet he says).
Must roll truck for install 49.95 for one card, 64.95 for two cards, one device.

(Don't have 1000 bucks to drop on an S3 though.)

I just scheduled my install for thursday evening here in PHX and the truck roll is only 34.95. The 2.00 is corect though
I just hope to have my box I ordered it this morning at 5am AZ time

ah30k · 09-12-2006, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aztivo

I just scheduled my install for thursday evening here in PHX and the truck roll is only 34.95. The 2.00 is corect though

My TiVo CSR said the units wouldn't be shipping until Thu so overnight wouldn't be delivered until Fri. Maybe if you go with BB or CC you can pick it up by Thu afternoon.

aztivo · 09-12-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah30k

My TiVo CSR said the units wouldn't be shipping until Thu so overnight wouldn't be delivered until Fri. Maybe if you go with BB or CC you can pick it up by Thu afternoon.

well this would suck, but i am hoping that this is just some csr mis-information as my order says it is being fulfilled by High Definiton entertainmetn

DrDravenStone · 09-12-2006, 12:31 PM

So it appears even the PHX market is all over the map. $35 is (almost) reasonable for sticking two cards in a slot and making a phone call to rattle off some serial numbers... Particularly if the traffic is bad on the way to your house.

I'm almost glad I can't afford one of these yet so I don't have to be annoyed by Cox for something new. Almost.

boywaja · 09-12-2006, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jcaudle

Just talked to cox cable here in fairfax, Va. The cable cards cost 8.95 per month each because they charge a digital gateway charge just like they do for each set....so its like getting 2 set top boxes.

ugh, I wish i'd known that this morning.

Cox has implies there is only the nominal cable card fee around $2 plus the onerous truck-roll fee.

ehardman · 09-13-2006, 11:59 AM

Any more Cox experiences?

timmetro69 · 09-14-2006, 01:04 AM

I called and scheduled a cable card install through Cox Las Vegas on Tuesday right after I ordered my S3. The rep was a little confused at first when I requested two, and she actually started to say that she'd only put one on the order but the tech "should" have two with him. I said I'd be much more comfortable if the order specifically stated two cards, which she eventually did without much issue.

The cost per card is $1.99/month, and the install/truck roll charge is $30/card. In the end, I actually save about six dollars a month after you take away the $10/month for my current 8300HD DVR (which sucks).

My install is scheduled for Saturday afternoon. Hopefully my S3 arrives on Friday as expected.

Blackbag · 09-14-2006, 10:54 AM

Quote:

The cost per card is $1.99/month, and the install/truck roll charge is $30/card. In the end, I actually save about six dollars a month after you take away the $10/month for my current 8300HD DVR (which sucks).

timmetro69, Do you have any idea who you talked to? I live in Vegas too, and I called on Wednesday. They had no idea what I was talking about, and insisted that the cable cards wouldn't work in a tivo. They transferred be back and forth between Sales and Tech. They finally just said when you get the tivo, come in and we'll give you the cards to install yourself.

This morning I went in to the office on Rancho and lady was just as confused. She eventually set up an install on Tuesday from 3-5, but said it would cost $60 to install and $7.50/month for each card. I think they just make these prices up on the spot. I'm seriously considering canceling my install and waiting until they figure out what the hell they are doing.

timmetro69 · 09-14-2006, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blackbag

timmetro69, Do you have any idea who you talked to? I live in Vegas too, and I called on Wednesday. They had no idea what I was talking about, and insisted that the cable cards wouldn't work in a tivo. They transferred be back and forth between Sales and Tech. They finally just said when you get the tivo, come in and we'll give you the cards to install yourself.

This morning I went in to the office on Rancho and lady was just as confused. She eventually set up an install on Tuesday from 3-5, but said it would cost $60 to install and $7.50/month for each card. I think they just make these prices up on the spot. I'm seriously considering canceling my install and waiting until they figure out what the hell they are doing.

Sorry, not sure who I spoke with. When I called in, I think I got some sort of dispatcher who sent me over to the cable card group. The person I eventually spoke with was helpful, but confused about the whole thing. I made sure to tell her that it had just come out and that it wasn't a TV, but I got the feeling she was clueless and just put the order in as I asked just so we could move on. The pricing they quoted you is definitely higher than they gave me. Not sure what's going on there.

You may want to check out TivoPony's message in this thread: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb...d.php?t=315837

He basically said that if you get any grief when ordering cablecards that you should call Tivo support and ask for the HD team. They'll stay on the phone with you while you call Cox and help you with the process.

Good luck. I'll let you know how my install goes on Saturday.

Blackbag · 09-14-2006, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmetro69

Sorry, not sure who I spoke with. When I called in, I think I got some sort of dispatcher who sent me over to the cable card group. The person I eventually spoke with was helpful, but confused about the whole thing. I made sure to tell her that it had just come out and that it wasn't a TV, but I got the feeling she was clueless and just put the order in as I asked just so we could move on. The pricing they quoted you is definitely higher than they gave me. Not sure what's going on there.

So I just called again, and talked to Peggy in the Sales Dept. After talking to her for a while, She confirmed that the cards are $2.00 each, and that they were charging me $5 for the digital gateway. She then said that if I was turning my current cable box in, they wouldn't need to charge me the digital gateway fee. She also said that I should only be charged for one install since both cards are going in the same device, reducing my install fee from $60 to $30.

At the end of the call, she wanted to verify this with her manager, so she puts me on hold for a minute. When she comes back she says she needs to verify with the tech, so she'll call me back. Unfortunately, she said she set up a Series 3 install yesterday that she may have set up wrong, so I hope I didn't screw anything up for you.

jodell · 09-14-2006, 01:19 PM

I called Cox Orange County a couple days ago to schedule my install. The CSR drone told me that it would cost $39.95 per card for the truck roll. After trying to explain that it was a single piece of equipment, etc I was getting no where. I asked for a supervisor who politely listened to me gripe about their charges but didn't offer to do anything.

I finally asked her what she could do to make this install charge more palatable. She put me on hold for a minute and came back with a $40 programming credit to offset the second install charge. She claims that she can't discount install fees.

I frankly was so PO'd about the install charge that I don't even remember how much I am being charged per card. I think it is something like $2 each.

My appointment is Tuesday. I will follow up with any horror stories about clueless techs then. :')

Jeff

jhonaker · 09-14-2006, 01:57 PM

I'm in Fairfax county, VA. I called Tuesday to schedule a cablecard install (which will be Monday if my TiVo arrives before then). The guy scheduling the appt asked if the cards were for 1 tv or 2, and I told him 1. I didn't try to explain that they were for a TiVo versus any other device.

The charges listed on their website for Fairfax are:

Cox Digital Cable customers may lease the devices for $1.99 per card per month. Only Cox field technicians may install, activate and initialize the Cox CableCARDtm Service devices, for which we’ll charge a $29.99 installation fee.

AZrob · 09-14-2006, 02:24 PM

I just called Cox in Phoenix today and got two answers, neither of which quite jibes with what I'm seeing here. The first guy said it would be $2.00 per card per month PLUS $2.00 per card per month for the service, making it $8.00 per month total for 2 cards and the service.

The second guy said it was $2.00 for the first card per month, period. But if you wanted a 2nd card it was $4.00 more, consisting of $2.00 for the 2nd card plus a "2nd TV charge", so the total was going to be $6.00 total per month. And it was $49.95 for the install for both, not $30.

Go figure.

AZTivo I am more interested ultimately in how it all looks when it finally is installed, whatever the cost, so please keep reporting....

Thanks,

Rob from Scottsdale

boomvader · 09-14-2006, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmayer99

I just called Cox in Phoenix today and got two answers, neither of which quite jibes with what I'm seeing here. The first guy said it would be $2.00 per card per month PLUS $2.00 per card per month for the service, making it $8.00 per month total for 2 cards and the service.

The second guy said it was $2.00 for the first card per month, period. But if you wanted a 2nd card it was $4.00 more, consisting of $2.00 for the 2nd card plus a "2nd TV charge", so the total was going to be $6.00 total per month. And it was $49.95 for the install for both, not $30.

Go figure.

AZTivo I am more interested ultimately in how it all looks when it finally is installed, whatever the cost, so please keep reporting....

Thanks,

Rob from Scottsdale

I am in PHX. COX quoted me 64.95 for the installation of 2 cards. $2/month each.

-boom

aztivo · 09-14-2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmayer99

I just called Cox in Phoenix today and got two answers, neither of which quite jibes with what I'm seeing here. The first guy said it would be $2.00 per card per month PLUS $2.00 per card per month for the service, making it $8.00 per month total for 2 cards and the service.

The second guy said it was $2.00 for the first card per month, period. But if you wanted a 2nd card it was $4.00 more, consisting of $2.00 for the 2nd card plus a "2nd TV charge", so the total was going to be $6.00 total per month. And it was $49.95 for the install for both, not $30.

Go figure.

AZTivo I am more interested ultimately in how it all looks when it finally is installed, whatever the cost, so please keep reporting....

Thanks,

Rob from Scottsdale

I will keep you posted they should be here tomorrow between 2-5. With my HDTV in the bedroom that has a cable card it woks just as well as the HD non DVR box i have set up downstairs.

gwsat · 09-14-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rmayer99

I just called Cox in Phoenix today and got two answers, neither of which quite jibes with what I'm seeing here. The first guy said it would be $2.00 per card per month PLUS $2.00 per card per month for the service, making it $8.00 per month total for 2 cards and the service.

The second guy said it was $2.00 for the first card per month, period. But if you wanted a 2nd card it was $4.00 more, consisting of $2.00 for the 2nd card plus a "2nd TV charge", so the total was going to be $6.00 total per month. And it was $49.95 for the install for both, not $30.
Rob from Scottsdale

Cox OKC gave me a similar answer. Two CableCARDs would be ~ $8 a month and I would have to pay two installation charges, although both cards were to be installed in the same device. But while the installation charge for the first card would be $30, for the second, or more, it would drop to $15 each.

By the way, it's a pleasure to be back here. I first joined in 2001 but my original enrolment somehow slipped through the cracks, so I had to signup anew. I bought and used an S1 from 2000 until 2003, when Cox OKC finally started to offer HD DVRs. I have been waiting for a TiVo HD box for cable ever since.

MickeS · 09-14-2006, 03:53 PM

I'm guessing cable companies so far haven't exactly been inundated with calls about CableCARDS, since nobody seems to know anything.

PDT816 · 09-14-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gwsat

Cox OKC gave me a similar answer. Two CableCARDs would be ~ $8 a month and I would have to pay two installation charges, although both cards were to be installed in the same device. But while the installation charge for the first card would be $30, for the second, or more, it would drop to $15 each.

By the way, it's a pleasure to be back here. I first joined in 2001 but my original enrolment somehow slipped through the cracks, so I had to signup anew. I bought and used an S1 from 2000 until 2003, when Cox OKC finally started to offer HD DVRs. I have been waiting for a TiVo HD box for cable ever since.

Cox OKC told me that it would be a flat $1.99 per card/mo and I could pick them up at any location when it was convenient for a self install.