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Is there any way around having a box?

I have FIOS TV, and am building a new house. I decided to put a flat screen in my kitchen to watch while cooking. It will be mounted on a wall that doesn't have anywhere to put a box. I did have power and "cable" mounted up high behind it.....The set is a brand new model, are there alternatives?

Also, I wanted to put tv in the guest room, but a monthly box charge seems a lot for a room that will hardly ever be occupied......

Message Edited by BigRedHarley on 07-19-2009 03:48 PM

Comments

KenAF

Most TVs still don't have the technology necessary to decode and display encrypted digital cable channels. Currently, the only unencrypted channels available to your TV will be the local and music channels. If you want more than that, you'll need to look into some sort of whole home A/V distribution system.

I'd suggest that you look into some form of centralized video system, such as Bocs.

CapnTrips

@BigRedHarley wrote:
I have FIOS TV, and am building a new house. I decided to put a flat screen in my kitchen to watch while cooking. It will be mounted on a wall that doesn't have anywhere to put a box. I did have power and "cable" mounted up high behind it.....The set is a brand new model, are there alternatives?
Also, I wanted to put tv in the guest room, but a monthly box charge seems a lot for a room that will hardly ever be occupied......
Message Edited by BigRedHarley on 07-19-2009 03:48 PM

Bottom line is "yes", but ...

You must have a compatible television that decodes Clear QAM formatted signals. This should allow you to view the few unencrypted channels Verizon provides via FIOS (locals, shopping, etc.).

If you want encrypted channels (even basic cable, like ESPN, USA, CNN, etc.), it can STILL be done, but now your TV must have not only a Clear QAM tuner, but also a CableCard slot. Verizon can then provide you CableCard (for $3.99/mo) and you can tune all of the channles to whtih you are subscibed directly using the TV tuner. You will of course not get VOD, widgtes, and all of that other peripheral stuff that a box offers.

I don't think there are too many TV's out there that are CableCard compatible YET, but they are coming. If you already HAVE the TVs, and they are NOT equipped with a Clear QAM tuner and/or a CableCard slot, you're out of luck and will require a box for each TV. There is a basic, bare-bones box (DCT-700 I believe?) available for $3.99/mo that will decode the channels to which you are subscribed but will not offer any other features.

Message Edited by CapnTrips on 07-20-2009 08:22 AM

Keyboards

@CapnTrips wrote:
There is a basic, bare-bones box (DCT-700 I believe?) available for $3.99/mo that will decode the channels to which you are subscribed but will not offer any other features.

Also keep in mind the the DCT-700 is SD only so the only HD chnnels you would get (if your set has a QAM tuner) are the local broadcast HD stations with the cable hooked up directly to your tuner input (you could use the composite video for the DCT-700 to the set but that is cabling you indicated that you did not provide for with your wall mounting).

spacedebris

One other option that may work... its a little round about but I know it works. You can get a Box and install it in a remote location and use a RF universal remote to control the stb.

I just helped my neighbor set one up. I had never thought of it before but she purchased everything and asked me to help set it up. works great! We put the STB in the pantry and the flip down tv under the cupboard. and then ran the cables through the cupbords just drilling little holes in the back of them to run the cable through.

smugglz

What I find **bleep** is the fact that verizon claims that the signal cant be decoded, but thats because they have a lame encryption on it. They are just money hungry....

Look at comcast, you buy it, you get HD, you have a HD tv, you watch all your favorite HD channles, with no **bleep**. Then you have Verizon, got a HD TV, TOO BAD, 9.99/m. And its funny because if it wasn't for the encryption, then there wouldn't be a problem. ITS BAD ENOUGH that you need the ONT in the basement to decode the optical signal, but an encryption too? HELLO, WHO can make their own OPTICAL decoder? IF they already have the service, then Verizon needs to allow HD ready tv's to watch television. YES, the little wireless box controls things such as VOD and internet, but WHY. ITS NOT NEEDED. Verizon really needs to stop being money hungry and be "the people's company". Although I enjoy the quailty and speed of verizon, I find it difficult when the need for TV comes in play and I cant watch it. Someone is on the big screen in the living room, I'm **bleep**. And I cant afford 9.99 for my own TV, and my parents ARE NOT going to pay for my tv habbits.

The Economy is in the **bleep** can, and verizon still makes people pay 3.99/5.99/9.99/12.99 per box per month. GET WITH THE PROGRAM.

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