This morning, I just took our Motorola DCT6412 (gdgt.com/motorola/dct6412/) into a local Comcast center to get it exchanged. It's been nothing but trouble since we received it a few months ago. Audio drop outs, pixelated video, frozen frames, and all sorts of other things that make playing back recorded shows nearly impossible to enjoy.
This brings up a question though -- why are set top boxes so universally horrible? Have you found a set top box from our cable provider that you actually like? Or do you just purchase something like a Tivo and not worry about it?
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Why are cable set top boxes so bad?
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Set top boxes are not designed to work as fast as the computer you just bought. They are designed to not fail catastrophically because it's good business. Think about a computer that's a bit slow, but still does the job year after year and doesn't crash. It's frustrating to you, but usually not so much that you are going to buy a $200 TiVo box with your own cash to use the same cable service. Now think about a computer that's really fast, but you just got it so you don't know how to use it. Which is worse for the customer? Likely the latter because knowing how to use a shitty device is better for most people than having a very high quality device that you have no idea how to use. This way the cable companies make lots o ca$h too!
Most people in the discussion string are correct, cable companies do have oligopolies, so they don't have to provide a service better than what they already do. However, people complain a lot when things don't work, not so much when things are just generally bad. Most cable boxes are generally bad, but they still work. I, like many people would love to not have a tv service at all, but the alternative options are still not serviceable for live tv nor have all the popular networks on board.
Sony signed a deal with the NFL and Direct TV to get Sunday Ticket on PS3, but had so much trouble on the first weekend that as far as I know, no one was able to use the service. That's exactly what the cable companies are good at preventing: catastrophic failures. Imagine the people who paid $340 for the regular season, invited people over, made food, iced brews, put on their jerseys and came to the couch to see that the service simply wasn't working. I know I would be pissed!
Most people in the discussion string are correct, cable companies do have oligopolies, so they don't have to provide a service better than what they already do. However, people complain a lot when things don't work, not so much when things are just generally bad. Most cable boxes are generally bad, but they still work. I, like many people would love to not have a tv service at all, but the alternative options are still not serviceable for live tv nor have all the popular networks on board.
Sony signed a deal with the NFL and Direct TV to get Sunday Ticket on PS3, but had so much trouble on the first weekend that as far as I know, no one was able to use the service. That's exactly what the cable companies are good at preventing: catastrophic failures. Imagine the people who paid $340 for the regular season, invited people over, made food, iced brews, put on their jerseys and came to the couch to see that the service simply wasn't working. I know I would be pissed!
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Cable companies are a monopoly and have little incentive to provide a great experience. Plus, providing a great combination of hardware and software is outside their core competency. They buy the hardware and software from outside vendors and their greatest concern is that it works well with their backend network.
Things that matter to end users are probably rarely considered. Since cable companies have a monopoly they don't have to worry about their customers switching to another provider.
Things that matter to end users are probably rarely considered. Since cable companies have a monopoly they don't have to worry about their customers switching to another provider.
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Most cable companies will refurbish cable boxes that have been returned by customers into working condition then reissued back out to subscribers. While I do not know exactly why certain people seem to have bad experiences with the cable boxes, there is always the option to get it replaced if the quality issues persist. It almost seems like a luck of the draw kind of ordeal though.
If it makes any difference, I actually have this same DCT6412 for about a year now, and haven't had any issues.
If it makes any difference, I actually have this same DCT6412 for about a year now, and haven't had any issues.
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I have had a DVR through Dish for a couple of years and it works just fine. It does not have the nice Tivo interface, but then again, the box was free and I only have to pay $5 a month extra for the DVR functionality. Claiming set top boxes are "universally horrible" might have been a little strong. However, I do feel for you having to deal with issues regarding your DVR and good luck!
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The DirecTV HR series is actually a really awesome set top box. It's one of the things I miss the most about DTV. I read somewhere that they licensed the software from TiVO for their guide and DVR which is pretty obvious in the design. Add on that it was actually a HD guide (which comcast is just rolling out and FIOS still doesn't have) with a lot of easy options for customizing.
The other STB I've had that has been actually useful is the one provided by Verizon for their Fios service which is actually a Motorolla box. The guide isn't in HD yet but based on the pictures I've seen it's going to really put the thing over the top. widgetsinfo.info/uploadfiles/widgetsdollinfo-12987...
The 8300HD I had from Comcast wasn't bad when I had it for a DVR and the most recent Cisco box I had wasn't that bad either. I think I've been lucky to not be burden with one of the problematic boxes.
The other STB I've had that has been actually useful is the one provided by Verizon for their Fios service which is actually a Motorolla box. The guide isn't in HD yet but based on the pictures I've seen it's going to really put the thing over the top. widgetsinfo.info/uploadfiles/widgetsdollinfo-12987...
The 8300HD I had from Comcast wasn't bad when I had it for a DVR and the most recent Cisco box I had wasn't that bad either. I think I've been lucky to not be burden with one of the problematic boxes.
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When was the last time you chose a cable/satellite company based on the quality of their set-top box? My guess is never, the cable companies are making the same guess.
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The makers of the boxes have no incentive to make good ones, because the people who buy them are not the same people who use them. Solution? Consumers could buy their own boxes--maybe subsidized, like cell phones.
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Because you didn't have a (good) alternative. ;-)
Actually my belief is because the boxes you get are designed more for control and not function. No links to prove this though. :-)
Actually my belief is because the boxes you get are designed more for control and not function. No links to prove this though. :-)
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I have a TiVo HD that I use to manage over the air HD signals and internet content, since I don't have cable. I don't have much of a point of comparison, but I can speak as to the quality of the TiVo interface. Yes, it is user friendly, but some of the features are really outdated, especially Netfilx support. I guess I should update with a newer box, but they won't transfer my lifetime membership if I do so. So until it is completely obsolete, I'm sticking with it.
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i went Tivo with cable card and life time on the subscription.
but here are somethings to consider.
but here are somethings to consider.
- no pay per view
- no on demand
- they charge me the same for the cable card as they did the box
- they required the cable card be installed the 1st time i couldn't just pick it up
- you are paying an additional subscription for the guide (if you get a TiVo)
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We switched to Dish Network a year ago, primarily to get away from Charter. The Dish DVR is acceptable in that it works reliably, but the user interface leaves a lot to be desired. It would also be nice if the search function actually worked. Of all the DVRs we've had, Moxie has been the best (aside from the first one nearly going up in flames and both looking like they fell off the back of a truck - thanks, Charter).
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