How can I set up my cable box?

Can I use any set top box with local cable service?

• I am located at Bangalore, India. The local cable guy is quoting Rs.1000 for the set top which used to be like Rs.650 around earlier. Can I buy a set top box from market and get it working with the cable service? Will it work that way? What is the approximate price of a set top box here in Bangalore? Will I need to do some software upgrade/programming to make it work with the local cable service? Thanks, Jemshad

• Answer:

  Well generally the set top boxes comes precoded with the service provider to prevent them to be used with other service providers unlike a Television set which works seamlessly regardless of the service provide you chose. They have a common logic to work with. But these operators lock the boxes so that they cant be used with other providers. If you plan to purchase one from the market it may come around the same price 650 Rs or similar and you'll probably end up paying the same amount to get it decoded and work with the service provider unless your a geek yourself and tune the set top box up yourself. Plus everytime theres a issue with the service the cable operators will say, sir this is due to your set top box not our service. I have experience similar cases many time. So my advise would be to prevent the trouble and rather go with the service providers box. Some may not agree and rather go with taking all the trouble to save up a few bucks, well honestly at the end of the days you rather end up paying more than savings + the trouble. So the choice is yours. No offence here just a thought. Cheers