Quote:
Originally Posted by M_Six
I'm not clear on the cable card thing. I've read it's so the Tivo can unscramble the channels you pay for, but my channels are already unscrambled. These cheapo tuner units pick them up fine. Do I still need a cable card if I buy a Tivo? And can you use a Tivo without getting their monthly service?
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Correct, cable cards are used for encrypted cable systems. If the system you are on is not encrypted yet, be prepared. You did not state where you live. If it's a bigger cable company I am surprised it's still in the clear, all the ones I have dealt with aren't. TiVo would need a cable card for sure if encrypted, not sure if in clear. Cable card rentals are usually $2-3/month and capable of up to 8 (newly built cards, 6 on older) decodes at a time, limit of records will be Tivo.
Depending on where you live an antenna is the way to go. Those boxes you got will work for that too. Why pay cable company for something that is free already? Use that savings to donate to local PBS and get the Passport app.
Be Leary of the cheap units. Storage is usually limited and reliability is questionable. Even the cable company cheap boxes are junk, we keep 3-4 spare on hand at work and are constantly having to swap them out.