How cable TV boxes are activated (connect, Comcast, Time Warner, signal)

[robertpasa]

When a box is activated - is there a chip inside which remembers whether or not the box is activated? Is that how it is done?

[thecoalman]

Every device has a MAC address. If you look on the back of larger items like modem or cable box there will be sticker which is usually silver that will list it.



MAC address - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[texdav]

The tech at; least with time warner; calls and activates the boxes when installing service.

[robertpasa]

I knew that already. What I meant was, how does the box consistently know it is activated, after it has been activated?

If you move the box to somebody else's house, how does the box know if shouldn't work any more?

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by robertpasa

I knew that already. What I meant was, how does the box consistently know it is activated, after it has been activated?

If you move the box to somebody else's house, how does the box know if shouldn't work any more?

Because it calls home regularly.

[jaypee]

Originally Posted by robertpasa

I knew that already. What I meant was, how does the box consistently know it is activated, after it has been activated?

If you move the box to somebody else's house, how does the box know if shouldn't work any more?

Do this experiment: take your cable box to someone's house who is serviced by the same cable company as yours and hook it up and see if it'll work.
I'm betting it will work. I don't think the cable company knows the location of the cable box.

[NHDave]

Originally Posted by jaypee

I don't think the cable company knows the location of the cable box.

Yes it does, at least Comcast does, can't speak about others.

[texdav]

Time Warner also knows exactly what service that address has.

[jaypee]

I supposed it would depend on how far away you've moved the box -- i.e. out of the original node the cable box was "assigned" to. I bet it would work fine within a few block radius.

[d4g4m]

Please explain how Comcast, Time Warner or any other cable company knows at what location their box is being used. The 'box' is activated when the installer tech climbs the pole in your back yard and connects the cable from your house to the cable company service box on the pole [and you give him a check]. If everyone on your street, in your neighborhood is using the same cable company, the box provided to you will work in any of those houses. You will receive the signals of that address that the resident has subscribed. If your neighbor is paying only for basic, that's all your box will receive.