Buying Cable Equipment to reduce monthly costs (rentals, vs.)

[peabodyn]

I've already bought a cable modem to save the $10.00 per month that Optimum charges to rent it.


Does anyone know if Optimum will sell cable boxes to save the monthly rental cost?


The Customer (lack of) Service department was unable to tell me if they do sell the boxes or what they cost if they do sell them, or even give me the phone # to one of their stores!


I've already reached out to FIOS but they could not match Optimum's pricing for compatible service.


I'm not trying to spark a Fios vs. Optimum debate, just trying to see if I can buy Optimum's cable boxes and what they cost.


Thanks

[VA Yankee]

Look on EBay...

[BBCjunkie]

I would be interested in the answer to this also.

Of course the Optimum rep would probably trot out the line of "if something goes wrong with your modem or cable box you are on your own" as far as replacing it.

My current modem from them is an Arris TM822 and the cable box is the Optimum-branded Samsung C-5320. The only non-Optimum source for either one (used) would be ebay, or Amazon (for the modem.)

[deeken]

You can get these Optimum compatible modems from Bestbuy as well. The Optimum rep told me that over the phone. They were in the $150 range. If it were me I'd try to find a used one in good shape on ebay to save some money.

[SeventhHell]

I think the cheapest you can do is rent a cablecard for a generic dvr

https://www.optimum.net/pricing-packages

[deeken]

Originally Posted by deeken

You can get these Optimum compatible modems from Bestbuy as well. The Optimum rep told me that over the phone. They were in the $150 range. If it were me I'd try to find a used one in good shape on ebay to save some money.

I'm quoting myself here as I didn't read your post thuroughly regarding the purchase of a cable box OP, not the modem. But the answer is no. You can't buy one and use it to save money. They won't allow it. Neither does FiOS. That's how those effers make money off you.

[thebobs]

Originally Posted by deeken

I'm quoting myself here as I didn't read your post thuroughly regarding the purchase of a cable box OP, not the modem. But the answer is no. You can't buy one and use it to save money. They won't allow it. Neither does FiOS. That's how those effers make money off you.

Well technically you could. Nothing stopping you. However, should you have any technical issues, they will not help you until you buy their equipment. They will always always always blame the manufacturer of the third party you bought, even if you have video proof of the cable guy cutting your cable wire outside.

[monstermagnet]

Originally Posted by deeken

I'm quoting myself here as I didn't read your post thuroughly regarding the purchase of a cable box OP, not the modem. But the answer is no. You can't buy one and use it to save money. They won't allow it. Neither does FiOS. That's how those effers make money off you.

This is the opposite of what I was told by both. You can buy a modem as long as it's compatible (they gave me the min specs and a few product choices, mostly Arris modems and Asus routers) but as another said, they will not fix it and both may charge you for a tech visit if it turns out to be your equipment not working.

[theSteevo]

Buy a Tivo Bolt with lifetime activation (about 400). Add Tivo minis to your other tv's(125 ea.). Eventually, you will save money. You will no longer be paying for DVR service, the DVR box, and any other boxes you currently rent.
You will pay 2? dollars a month for a multistream cable card. The Tivo Bolt will have 4 or more tuners, the tivo minis borrow a tuner when you use them.
The downside is you own the equipment so when it breaks it's your problem. Also, no access to on-demand services or PPV if you use them.
Most people are probably spending 50+ a month in box rentals with DVR service.

[deeken]

Originally Posted by monstermagnet

This is the opposite of what I was told by both. You can buy a modem as long as it's compatible (they gave me the min specs and a few product choices, mostly Arris modems and Asus routers) but as another said, they will not fix it and both may charge you for a tech visit if it turns out to be your equipment not working.

The OP was inquiring about buying your own cable box and using it, not the modem. I've tried firesticks and Roku sticks but they're not the same as the box.