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What's wrong with my DVR for Comcast?

Can I get a cheap DVR and set it up to my existing comcast?

  • I found SEVERAL DVR systems, including TiVo and some from DirectTV, and the local goodwill. I know TiVo is subscription based and direct tv ones probably wont work, but here's my question: If I find a standard DVR system (maybe even one from comcast), can I hook it up and use it with my existing comcast service? I don't want to lease one from comcast But I would like to be able to record shows and what not. This is what I was planning on doing. Have a coax cable coming from the wall to the existing comcast set top box (Motorola for HiDef tv's). Have a coax cable from the set-top box to the DVR and from the DVR to the TV. Then have the RCA cables going accordingly. Would this *in theory* work? Would I need other equipment? DETAILS PLEASE! I would follow the instructions from this site: http://www.ehow.com/how_2075835_hook-up-dvr.html Any help is appreciated! Thank you!

  • Answer:

    >If I find a standard DVR system There is no such thing as a "standard DVR". They all have their limitations. It is very unlikely that any DVR at Goodwill will do what you want. DirectTV - no way Concast DVR - no way, has to be activated by comcast Tivo - except for a few very early models, they require a Tivo service contract which is not cheap! >existing comcast set top box (Motorola for HiDef tv's). Have a coax cable from the set-top box to the DVR and from the DVR to the TV. Then have the RCA cables going accordingly >I would follow the instructions from this site: http://www.ehow.co At best, you would manually have to change the channel on the set top box to record stuff in SD quality. Do you want DVR to record in HD quality, or is SD quality OK? If you want to record in HD quality, just rent a cable company DVR, nothing else will be as cheap. If recording in SD quality is OK, there are several cheap ways: 1. Get a old series 2 Tivo with "lifetime" service, these go for about $100 on ebay. Use an IR blaster to control a DTA adapter (or your HD cable box if it includes an analog output). 2. If you only want to record "open cable" channels (probably your local stations only) you can get a DVR from Walmart for about $200 that you can connect directly to the cable line. 3. If you only want to record "open cable" channels (probably your local stations only) and you have a fast enough computer sitting around, you can add a TV tuner to your computer and connect it directly to your cable line.

Corey G at Yahoo! Answers Visit the source

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It won't work. That is becasue the box needs activated by the provider, and Comcast (and many other providers), will not activate boxes other than directly provided by them. If Comcast did sell boxes, or the situation was that box manufacturers sold directly to the end users, rather than to the providers, who only rent them to their customers, then the situation would be slightly different. The would still need activated, but the providers would be more open to it.

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