Can I use a TIVO box with "free" Cable?

From what I understand...the TiVo box is a regular DVR, but what makes (or at least, used to make) it special is the programming information, i.e. the "digital TV guide" that it came with. You know, that lets you surf around and figure out what's going to be on when, and even select shows based on program listings to record in the future, whether it be just one show or a whole slew of shows. Funny thing is, most cable companies today provide digital DVR's that eliminate any consumer need for TiVo...the only thing I'd be worried about is even if the TiVo box works in the first place, I'd imagine there's some sort of "authentication" process on it that might lock out any use of its DVR functions while you don't have a TiVo subscription...but if it works fine, you can just plug it into your cable connection and record. Mind you...TiVo is not about getting free cable. It's about recording your already existing cable signal. So if you're getting free cable...well, that's as much as you'll get when you plug your TiVo box in. You'll just have an additional method of recording your free ABC signal, and then playing it back to you later. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TiVo

Yes, you can use a TiVo with analog tuners. That would most likely be a Series 2 DT. You can get a TiVo HD, and likely subscribe to digital cable eventually. Either can connect with phone or a broadband internet connection, but you need one of them.