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If i buy a comcast from ebay will it work?

Can i buy a Comcast digital cable box from ebay and have it work in a 2nd room.?

  • I live in SoCal, cable co. was Comcast but now it's TimeWarner. I have the original Comcast cable box in my livingroom but want to add another box in my bedroom. i saw on ebay the same box i have now for sale. if i buy it will it work? or does something special need to be turned on or so?

  • Answer:

    A box purchased off of eBay will not work on your cable with Comcast. Each box that is in Comcast's network, has specific encryption codes loaded in their headend computer. These encryption codes are generated by the set top manufacturer and loaded only on the headend computer that the box is going to be used on. Cable companies will not request new encryption codes from the manufactures for a box that was purchased out of market. Secondly, Comcast might not have an OS code in their headend computer that matches the build and rev of your box. Without that code or encryption keys, the box that you purchase off of eBay only makes a good doorstop or boat anchor. In the near future, you are going to be able to purchase set top boxes from retail stores that will work on any cable plant. These new boxes will have separable security that you will have to rent from the cable company. The separable security will be a cable a cable card that you insert into your purchased box. Here is some lite reading on Cable Cards. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_card

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the box available on ebay will most likely not gonna work. The cable company have to allow connection to that unit which is not very likely, and I was told by cable company to ask for serial number from the seller starting with gixxxxxx(x's being numbers and letter.) before buying. Box model number like DCT2224 are helpful info for both party too. Use the serial code and/or other info you gather to check with your cable provider if they will accept it. with that number, they can determine if the box was stolen or if it belong to another cable provider. You can also ask your company if you can buy one yourself from a legit source like a store . there could be another dilemma even if you get another box, chances are after few months to years, they might update there system to only accept newer boxes approved by them.

hoi1ma

most boxes for sell on EBAY are stollen boxes you go to put it on an account with the serial number and if it has been flagged as stolen they will confiscate it from you...I would suggest going with a box from the cable company. Plus Comcast and Time Warner use diffrent boxes....Comcast uses Motorolas for the boxes and TW uses Scientific Atlantic and Pace...so the boxes themselves arent compatible with the system. Like I said your best bet is to just get the box from the cable company

Andrew W

I don't know about your area, but I DOUBT its any different, but comcast is RENTING you the box. When you cancel (or default) service you have to give the box back so I have no idea why one would even be on ebay. Technically, that makes it stolen property.

sandy81676

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