Any updates on Cox HDTV?!

[Yang1815]

I just bought an HDTV... Been talking/e-mailing to Cox Cable rep and a friend of mine that works at Cox. The only thing I know is the Motorola receiver at Best Buy is the only one that works and it's 5 bills. If you have HBO/Showtime already, then you'll get those in HD... ESPN-HD and Discovery-HD on the other hand are 4.95 a piece and together is 8.95 for 2... No plans for leasing yet but I have heard this rumor from the guy that sold me the HDTV at Best Buy saying that Cox Cable will have the Motorola box for lease for 10 dollars a month on October 1st... I'm waiting for that day to come then I'll decide if I need to buy the receiver or not... Also, I'm waiting for the Motorola 6200 to come out... It will work with Cox and it should be a better receiver with more features than the currently available 5100. Any other updates?

[Milquetoast]

Well, I can't comment on the leasing situation, but here in SD the box is rented, with a 60 dollar install charge..

If you do it, I'd recommend the Discovery Channel.. I know it's extra.. If you want to show off HDTV it's the channel Cox supplies with the most consistent "WOW" factor.. I have HBO and Showtime, and movies in HD are very nice, but now having experience film vs. things taped in HD, I understand the discussions people have been having..

Film looks VERY good in HD in that the clarity is just about perfect.. There's no static or artifacting as you usually get from regular cable.. It's basically as close to theater in home as I think you can get (moreso when they broadcast in DD5.1)..

HD, on the other hand seems to take it a step further.. I thought I was crazy til my wife got home the day I got it installed, and commented about a nature show I had on, "Uh, honey, the reality doesn't even look that good."

To be more specific.. Stuff shot in HD seems to be incredibly sharp, whereas film has a much softer look to it.. The other thing that I haven't seen commented on is that color really seems to be somehow more vibrant. I'm not one for nature shows, normally, but I've been sitting around the last 2 days watching shows about bugs and birds and plants like it was some sort of religious experience.. The WOW factor is that big..

Ok, I got kinda off subject.. The point I was trying to make, was this.. HD is really incredible, BUT... For the number of channels you get (and the number of shows they actually broadcast), there is no way in hell I would actually shell out for my own box, which may or may not work if I ever had to switch services..

The lease fees are definitely worth it though.. So if I were you, I'd wait..

I talked to the tech who installed my box (Scientific Atlanta 3100HD out here), and he seemed really shocked that Cox in other places was forcing people to buy the STB's.. So at a guess I'd say leasing is probably the way they're eventually going to go..

Hope that helps.. If you have any questions.. I'll be here, feeding my latest addiction..

(I swear if they broadcast Teletubbies in HDTV, I'm going to OD... Oh, the colors!!!)

j/k

Milquetoast

[DoubleDAZ]

Cox in Phoenix just announced they will no longer sell boxes as of Oct 28. On that date, they will rent them for $10/mo. I would assume the other 4 Cox markets currently selling boxes will begin renting also, though specifics dates for the switchover could differ in each market. They will still let BB, etc., sell boxes for those of us who prefer to buy as long as they are from the same manufacturer, that is S-A here in Phoenix and Moto there in Omaha.

FWIW, they also announced DVR coming Oct 23. The box (SA8000, not HD) here will cost $10/mo and another $5/mo for the service. Unfortunately, this is quite a bit more than DirecTV-Tivo @ $5/mo for the box and a single $5/mo fee regardless of the number of boxes.

[skipfreely]

I'm in VAbeach and my friend that works in the Cox warehouse just called to let me know their HD boxes have arrived. He asked around and they are waiting on marketing for HD release. Hurry up I say!

[Yang1815]

WOO HOO!!! Cox in Omaha is finally leasing out the boxes for $9.95 a month. But before I knew, I bought the Motorola 5100 already, and got one year free of ESPN HD and Discovery HD. Now I just returned the box at Best Buy, but I get to keep'em channels :D Also, they're gonna have the 6200 model instead of the 5100. YAY!!! Can't wait~

[Dracula]

I have just bought a Mitsubishi 55813 and got the STB 3270HD from Cox for $7.95 a month. I will have it all installed next week after I perform some carpentry on the spot where I had my 60" Mitsubishi for more than 10 years.

I am looking forward to watching shows in HD but I want to watch out of town NFL football games in HD. Is my only choice DirectTV?

I also have TiVo now and hope soon to buy the HD TiVo.

It looks like I might have to spring for DirectTV for football and HD TiVo while using cable for better pictures and Internet access.

Any ideas?