Cox HDTV set-tops: low supply + high demand = you wait
By Steven Kim 
posted Feb 7th 2008 3:08PM
posted Feb 7th 2008 3:08PM
Looks like Verizon isn't the only one experiencing a shortage of HD supplies their customers are craving. In at least three Cox markets the demand for HD set-tops and DVRs has outstripped the supply, meaning that customers are looking at a wait of "one- to two-weeks" (in Kansas/Arkansas) or a more ominous "weeks" (in New England). It seems that HD subscriptions did better than expected in these areas (buoyed by holiday purchases and the Superbowl, no doubt), and Cox is dependent on Motorola as the sole supplier of the necessary hardware. To those affected by this shortage, a tip of the Engadget HD hat to you -- you've stepped up your HD game over and above what the bean-counters at Cox thought you would. Also, our sympathies on your wait; that last mile (or in this case, feet) is a real chore, right?
It would help if Cox would get STBs that have updated capabilities. I swear its been the same lay-out for the past 4 years or so. Plus its DVI out, not HDMI.
Try using the EPG while watching HD. It is so slooooooooooow.
You are definitely correct, it's painfully slow. But there's a simple workaround that works very well. Hit pause. Then hit Guide.
The problem is the processing to scale down the image to that upper right hand corner. If that image is static (paused), or SD-sourced, it's far less painful than if it's an HD image.
So if everyone is out of the same boxes maybe an article should be written about the Motorala shortage. Why not use those press credentials & go to the source.
Why would Cox make an stb with HDMI or DVI. The current HD & DVR receivers have HDMI & component. DVI is pretty much dead tech. There is no shortage of STB's
Right, I said the Moto boxes are DVI vid output, *not* HDMI.
I would much rather have a HDMI output. As it is now, I have to have an adapter to go from DVI->HDMI and then a seperate cable for my sound.
You would think Cox/Moto would embrace HDMI for HDCP reasons...
I have their service and they have ,in my area at least scientific atlantic 8300's and they have been updated with a simi-new layout adding my email and weather, news and a few others in there too. And it has HDMI out no DVI though. I just want more channels and a lower price!
Maybe if Cox Arkansas would add the channels the rest of them have been getting and I'd give a shit...
They told me it is a wait of about a month here in new Orleans, but the did conveniently have DVR boxes (which do have HDMI out)that were avialable now for only $10 a month and a $150 deposit. It seems almost like a scam to me.
Cox Oklahoma was also out in January and probably still is. Took them 2 weeks to get me a HD STB. They had plenty of HD DVRs and continually tried to push them instead of just the standalone device.
Wasn't there a law passed so people could go out and buy their own cable boxes, instead of "leasing" them?
Well, there are two problems with that.
The only consumer cable boxes you can buy right now are either CableCARD-ready Windows Vista Media Center PCs or TiVo HD units.
And then of course, you have to deal with CableCARD, which is a whole other can of worms.
I was in my local Cox office in Warwick, RI a couple weeks ago returning my two STBs (I just switched to DirecTV) and they had stacks and stacks of what looked to be Moto 6416s. They were all in plastic bags and looked to be ready for distribution.
I have been on the waiting list in the Hampton Roads area for over a month. First they told me Jan then Feb and this week they said it would be another two or three weeks.
At least they are telling you something, They won't tell me shit..6 weeks and still waiting.
Here in Meriden, CT I have Cox HD DVR STB, MOTOROLA 641?. It has HDMI and Component out.
But the weird thing is, 15 miles away in Rocky Hill, CT at my job, Cox gave us the Scientific Atlantic HD DVR STB.
HURRY UP Cox and get us SciFi HD in CT!!!
I have cox here in las vegas and my mom is considering buying an hdtv with her tax refund. Does anyone know if I can get hd without the box.