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Cisco STA1520 SDV tuning adapter impressions

Cisco STA1520 SDV tuning adapter
Cox grabbed some early SDV headlines by promising to supply its Phoenix-area TiVo customers with free tuning adapters, but it only recently made good on the deal in our central Phoenix location. Since the initial announcement, other cable markets -- both Cox and other providers -- have already delivered tuning adapters to users. Based on our poll, it seems the Tuning Adapter rollout is still in the early stages even though we feel like we've been waiting for a long time. Better late than never, though -- last week we got a letter indicating that our Tuning Adapter was ready for pickup at the local Cox office, thankfully still gratis. For our troubles, we got a Cisco (Scientific Atlanta) STA1520 that the Cox representative made abundantly clear was free only as long as we stayed a customer. Follow us past the fold to see how the rest of our Tuning Adapter experience shaped up.

Cox prepping a multi-room DVR for sometime this year

Cox logoCox Communications will be bringing its own multiroom option to its DVR lineup, but it's keeping quiet about some significant details -- namely, the debut market and timing. Aside from our inability to get excited about a feature that may not be coming to our service area for an undetermined price, Cox is at least hitting some key points for the new multiroom option, including support for HD, larger hard drive capacity and sharing content around your home using MoCA technology. Tru2way was not mentioned specifically for the "next generation guide" software also promised for the DVR, but we wouldn't be surprised to see that make the cut. So yeah, Cox is ticking off some checkboxes, and we'll keep hoping for a really good cable company DVR; but as most folks who have compared a TiVo with the cable co DVR will tell you, usability isn't necessarily spelled out in the feature list.

Cox planning to roll out tru2way STBs this summer

Cox tru2way
Although it flew beneath the radar at this year's CES, tru2way looks to be spooling up the PR machine in advance of The Cable Show in April. Leading the charge, Cox Communications has announced its agreement to use NDS tru2way software starting this summer; and since the field of tru2way-equipped TVs is slim pickings, you know the delivery mechanism -- set top boxes. Grousing aside, technology has to move forward, so Cox is going to start introducing Cisco (Scientific-Atlanta) and Motorola manufactured boxes with NDS software, with plans to do a market-by-market rollout later this year and continuing in 2010. We're all for more media-rich experiences on the TV, but not nearly as enthusiastic as we were about getting rid of STBs altogether. Absent TV manufacturers hopping onboard the tru2way en masse, this situation is taking on some CableCard overtones.

Cox follows Comcast down the data discrimination road


It's a sad day for Cox internet subscribers, 'cause if the FCC or some other almighty agency doesn't step in soon, your traffic could be slowed. The carrier has just announced a rather significant update to its data management policies, as it lays out plans to test a system next month that will "give priority to Internet traffic it judges to be time-sensitive, like web pages, streaming video and online games." We're also told that "file downloads, software updates and other non-time sensitive data may be slowed if there is congestion on the local network." Thankfully, "streaming video" was listed in the category that'll supposedly get first dibs on available bandwidth, but one always has to wonder what kind of juju is going on behind closed doors when a plan such as this is announced. If all goes well in the Kansas / Arkansas test markets, the system could be rolled out to all Cox internet customers (business users notwithstanding) by the year's end. Lovely.

[Via HotHardware]

Cox Communications talks up new On Demand platform


We've yet to see this for ourselves, but tipster Adam has informed us that Cox Communications is talking up a new On Demand platform via commercials. In fact, the spots have also led us to believe that a new software update will soon be available for the carrier's set-top-boxes, presumably one based on the Aptiv platform. Pictured above is a quick snap of what the future VOD system will look like, though we're sadly unaware of whether this rollout will be hitting everyone or just a select few. Couldn't hurt to ping your local office and ask, though.

[Thanks, Adam]

Cox gifts Kansas subscribers with three more HD channels

Good news, Kansas -- not only has Cox gone live with the two high-def stations it promised it would, but it's apparently bringing along three others. According to a local, FOX News HD (605), AMC HD (639) and Cartoon Network HD (640) have all emerged on the EPG, and we reckon we speak for everyone in saying that there's hardly anything more awesome than new HD channels that you weren't expecting.

[Thanks, Kevin]

Cox dumps 14 new high-def stations on Pensacola, Florida


We know it's the season for giving and all, but this is pretty extreme. Cox Communications has sent out a flier to its Pensacola, Florida customers informing them that a staggering 14 new high-definition channels are on the way. Seems about right, though, especially given that the last major HD update in the area came back in early June. We won't bother listing all 14 in this space; instead, we'll direct you to the read link to soak it all in. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Thanks, Scott]

Cox rolls a dozen HD channels to Phoenix area

It's been half a year since Cox gave its Phoenix, Arizona-based customers any extra reasons to stick around, but it's making amends in a big way this week. The carrier has just announced a fresh dozen for the region, with Casa Grande and North Scottsdale getting 'em first. We're told that the rest of the Valley will see them come online during the next few months, but 'til then, here's what you can look forward to: AMC HD (743), Travel HD (748), Spike HD (767), Bravo HD (760), NFL HD (766), MTV HD (717), SciFi HD (750), HGTV HD (741), CNN HD (736), Planet Green HD (764), TLC HD (742) and Versus HD (769). For a look at the full release (and the list of new SD networks), head on past the break.

Cox to bestow new HD channels upon Northern Virginia

Aw, c'mon NoVa -- you should know that Cox Communications wouldn't leave you hangin'. After blessing the Hampton Roads area with 13 new HD channels a week ago, the carrier is now slated to bring quite a helping to residents of Northern Virginia. Starting tomorrow, locals should receive Hallmark Movie Channel HD (743), Planet Green HD (749), Weather Channel HD (752), AMC HD (753), WGN HD (754), FOX News HD (756), SPEED HD (757) and FX HD (758). Better still, another wave should be coming between now and February, and on it will ride FOX Business HD (755), Cartoon Network HD (759), WE HD (760), IFC HD (761), Comedy HD (762) and BET HD (763). Our tipster Ryan says the information came straight from the channel guide on 742, so you know it's the real deal.

[Thanks, Ryan]

Cox bringing 5 new HD stations to San Diego, California


Cox may have upset some San Diego residents by acting all proud of those 19 new HD VOD slots, but it's backing things up with five linear stations that are sure to juice up that holiday spirit. Starting on December 29th (far off, we know), subscribers in the region will find FOX News HD (737), FX HD (743), SPEED HD (756), Cartoon Network HD (750) and E! HD (749) in the program guide. If, for whatever reason, you're simply unsatisfied with those additions, Cox is promising that "more HD channels will be added soon." Good luck deciphering its definition of "soon."

[Thanks, Gary]

Cox subscribers in Northern Virginia now receiving tuning adapters


Cox Communications was one of the first cable carriers to openly admit that it would be handing out tuning adapters to those negatively affected by switched digital video implementations (read: CableCARD users) sans a fee. Now, it seems like the floodgates are officially open across the industry. On the same day that TWC users in Austin, Texas began scooping up tuning adapters of their own, we're seeing multiple reports from Northern Virginia that consumers are finally able to claim one from their local office. It doesn't seem as if installation is totally a breeze for everyone, but Cox has evidently trained its CSR staff to handle quirks quickly judging by positive vibes felt on the TiVoCommunity boards. Moral of the story? Your carrier just might have a TA with your name on it, but you may never find out without giving 'em a ring.

[Thanks, Phillip]

Cox bringing Oklahoma a few new high-def channels


We have all ideas that the Sooner fanatics in Oklahoma are entirely too focused on making plans to attend the BCS National Championship game to bother with a few new HD channels from Cox, but we suppose this news will be relevant eventually. Based on a revamped high-definition lineup on the carrier's site, a number of new stations are on the horizon. A dedicated Versus HD (716) and AMC HD (795) will arrive today, while SPEED HD (728), FX HD (753), Cartoon Network HD (774) and FOX News HD (789) will land on December 31st; finally, Comedy Central HD is destined to "come soon." Go on, enjoy that well deserve spot against Florida -- but don't forget to check out your refreshed EPG while you're at it.

[Thanks, Doc]

Cox dishes 13 new high-def channels to Hampton Roads, Virginia

After gifting Hampton Roads, Virginia with a few fresh high-definition channels in early November, the carrier has came bearing real gifts in December. Starting this week, users in the region will find 13 newcomers in beautiful HD, bringing the total to 47. The high-def additions are: Lifetime Network, Lifetime Movie Network, Hallmark Movie Channel, USA, MTV, CNBC, Nickelodeon, CMT, Sci-Fi, Spike, Bravo, VH1 and Planet Green. For whatever reason, Cox also threw in the SD version of Chiller, even though the HD version is more than accessible. At any rate, the company is also planning to serve up MLB Network beginning in the New Year, not to mention an undisclosed amount of new HD channels in 2009.

Cox adding slew of HD channels in Kansas / Arkansas


Cox is shuffling around the lineups down in Arkansas and Kansas, but relocation isn't the only process going down. A plethora of new high-definition channels are headed to both locales on November 18th, and here's a look at what's to come: SciFi HD, Bravo HD, Nickelodeon HD, Hallmark Movie Channel HD, Lifetime Movie Network HD, Planet Green HD, CMT HD, VH1 HD, MTV HD and Spike HD. For the full spill of what stations are moving, what stations are vanishing and what stations are being added to what slots, hit the read link and put those sleuthing skills to good use.

Cox bringing flurry of HD channels to Fredericksburg, VA


Cox has been beefing up the HD lineup in Eastern Virginia for some time now, but for whatever reason, residents of Fredericksburg have been casually overlooked -- until now, that is. According to a tipster, the aforementioned area will be gifted with not one, not two, but fourteen new high-definition channels "by mid-April." When all's said and done, the newcomers will bump the total HD options in the area up to 34, and if you're eager to know exactly which networks are on the way, head on the past the jump.

[Thanks, Terrance N.]




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