I've added a second ReplayTV to my setup, so I'm looking for a cable box that can accept my A/B cable, combine the two lineups, and output to RCA jacks. Of course, AT&T is happy to rent such a box to me, but I just can't see spending $5 a month to rent a box that I can probably buy used for $25.

So I did a web search, and I can only find companies selling cable boxes that illegally descramble channels I'm supposed to be paying for. (If you have such a box, don't think I'm criticizing you... I just personally don't want to take even the infinitesmal chance of getting caught.)

So... does anyone know where can I find a remote controlled analog A/B cable box?

Thanks,
Dale

A VCR will work with an IR controllable A/B switch

yeah, isn't a VCR such a box? I HAVE actually seen a cable system in the L.A. area, now replaced by another one, where the channels that came up on a VCR were not on the same numbers as the ones that came up through the cable company's box, but they were all there.

But now for a nasty moral detail: Why are you opposed to buying boxes that will illegally descramble channels when you are trying to avoid the legally mandated $5 per month charge for a second box? Either rent the second box or buy the illegal one! You can assuage your conscience by going the middle road: don't ever tune in an illegally descrambled channel.

Well, I could be wrong on this one, but I'm pretty certain that it's not illegal to buy your own cable box, as long as you're paying for the cable service. I say this because in my previous setup, my TV had A/B coax inputs, and my cable installer and a customer service rep I spoke with on the phone both knew I was using the TV as a second site for the cable, and nobody voiced any issues with it. In fact, the cable installer hooked it up for me.

As for the morality issue... It's actually not a morality issue. It's a "I have a wife and twin 15-month old babies, so I'm going to be a responsible dad and avoid breaking any laws I'm aware of" issue.

Lastly, the VCR won't work, because the ReplayTV won't change the channels on a VCR--it will only change channels on a cable box.

So... any other ideas on where to purchase cable boxes?

Thanks,
Dale

I see your point about the legality of owning a cable box. I made the assumption that since the cable company charges you for every cable box you have in your house, then there necessarily should be a payment to the cable company for every box in the house. This does not follow -- it results from that assumption of mine.

But -- <>

How is it not a moral issue to decide that you are going to avoid breaking laws that you are aware of? Are you saying this is just a legal issue, that what you choose says nothing about your morals, and that what you choose will have no effect on those beautiful little babies -- except legal ones, with no consequences as to how they conceive of right and wrong?

Ernie:

I'm not quite sure what you're getting at here, but I'll try to respond based on my best guess.

In trying to buy a cable box to use with my ReplayTV, I've decided that since it's legal to buy instead of rent, I'd rather make that choice because it will save me money in the long run.

In my younger, bachelor, and childless days, I might have been open to the possibility of buying a cable box that would let me descramble channels. But now I've decided that some "free" programming isn't worth the risk to my family that breaking the law entails. I bothered to mention this in my first post because I didn't want anyone who is currently in the moral position of my younger days to assume that I was criticizing them for their choices. Rather, my current viewpoint isn't based so much on the idea that stealing cable programming is "bad," but rather that as a husband and father, I have priorities now that mean much more to me than some "free" programming.

And, as you noted, I'd rather not set an example for my children that stealing is okay. As they grow up, they're going to make their own decisions about a great many things, regardless of my point of view. But, I'd rather not start them off by sending them down a path that could eventually lead to trouble.

So... to sum it up: There was a time when I might have chosen the cable box that descrambles, but now I'd rather be an honest consumer and, in doing so, free myself from any legal risks while simultaneously setting a good example for my kids.

Sorry if I misinterpreted your message and went off in a totally wrong direction. I tried my best to address your question as I understood it.

Thanks,
Dale

It's perfectly legal to not have a box. You pay for the service, you don't have to pay for the box, and the thing the cable companies don't tell you is that you ONLY need a box to get scrambled programming such as premium channels, pay per view, or digital cable. If you only have analog channels and have no need for a box, give it back to your cable company and avoid the extra fees. Most cable companies sell their boxes too, they're usually not cheap, are worthless without the service, and you can't trade it in for the newest model whenever you want...but you can still buy it if you want. Also, illegal descramblers start with legal cable boxes, RadioShack used to sell such a box. Try to find an unconverted box.