HDTV Forum

AT&T just installed an approx. 5'x4' (switching?) box, 20 feet from my apt.

I'm waiting until after the Jan. '08 CES show to purchase my 1st HDTV set (probably a 1080p LCD)--But am curious if I can consider that nearby unattractive piece of infrastructure actually being a *Plus* in my viewing of LCD HD programs (?)

Only with regard to a possible extra choice in who provides your television service. That box 'could' be a fiber cabinet for AT&T to provide U-Verse service in your neighborhood. Because you are in an apartment I'm going to assume that you can't have satellite service, so today your only options are cable TV or perhaps a community antenna for the building. You'll just have to wait it out and see if U-Verse becomes available and if your building owner will allow new wiring to be added.

sootie -

The on-going sales of every possible make / type / size will be hard-to-beat !
eli whitney

Thanks, bobby, but not what I was hoping for. U-Verse is lowest of my desires.

I'm happy with years of great personal service I've gotten from my small local ISP, and prefer dial-up on my old 'classic' mac laptop. I live life in the slow lane--am an untechie senior who gave up on constant expensive upgrading long ago. However, I do want HDTV, to experience movies in larger, clearer resolution from my comfy armchair. (Guess I can forget Blu-ray, tho.)

Because I use (& want) COX --any chance THEY can take advantage of that (!) AT&T box, and have it be a benefit to antennaless me?

Hi sootie -

We are ...very much Seniors plus have also enjoyed COX HD for some time now.

It seems that a lot of their / our 'success' has to do with their Scientific Atlanta
8300HD Recorder/Receiver - varies Market-by-market.

But, no, the nearby At & T Box will have absolutely nothing to do with your service, antenna-less, COX HD or any other aspect.

Although not so in the beginning some 16 months ago, now - literally this week - COX HD has over 24 HD channels plus all thier other channels from 02...to...178 are all standard digital as well ! We've not had any "outage problems" & since that S.A. 8300HD is a dual tuner, hard drive unit, it does do an excellent task of recording our local HD channels, too - something we could not do with our outside HD OTA, naturally.

So, even tho we do have an antenna , it isn't as necessary as it use to be. You might inquire about that S.A. Box in your area?
eli whitney

Thanx much. I probably should have originally contacted COX with my question--But am glad I learned that there's helpful, knowledgeable, guys in this forum who care to take their time to assist in an overwhelming technical (engineering) world. (Maybe I can get ivy to grow over that useless AT&T box.)
I have another question (re LED), but will post it separately later.

Because each day brings another, newer, development--will wait til after Jan. CES show and call Cox re their latest--and query them on their 'SA 8300HD Recorder/Receiver' capabilities in SoCal.