Click here to view Digital Video Recorder FAQs
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Definition FAQs
What is DVR?
Cox Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is a
revolutionary new product that lets Digital Cable
customers take unprecedented control of their
television viewing.
With DVR, customers will have the freedom to
pause and rewind live TV at the touch of a button,
even creating their own instant replays.
DVR lets customers conveniently store up to 50
hours of programming - versus just six hours through
a traditional VCR - while watching specific shows
whenever they want.
Digital Cable customers can conveniently rent
their DVR receiver from Cox at a cost of just $5.25
per month. There is also a $11.99 monthly charge for
the DVR service. For more information on this and
other digital cable pricing, please check the Pricing section.
What is the difference between a DVR and a
traditional VCR?
There are several differences between a DVR and
VCR: DVRs store television content in a compressed
digital format onto a hard disk drive (like a
computer). VCRs use VHS or Beta tapes to store
recorded information in analog format.
Because DVRs store information onto a hard disk
drive in a compressed format, the storage
limitations of tape are avoided. For example,
videotapes can only capture approximately six hours
of programming, while DVRs can store up to 50 hours.
DVRs allow more sophisticated recording options.
For example, a DVR can record an entire season's
worth of your favorite show, or every movie starring
your favorite actor.
The DVR receiver replaces your existing digital
receiver.
I am interested in buying a DVR receiver from my
local retail store. Can I use this DVR player with my
existing Cox Digital Cable service?
Yes. Existing DVRs are compatible with your Cox
Digital Cable service.
However, setting up a DVR system from another
vendor with your Cox Cable receiver may be confusing
to some users.
If you have Cox Digital Cable, you will likely
end up with two separate program guides - the Cox
guide and the DVR guide. This will likely be
confusing and/or cumbersome.
Will I need to purchase or rent any special
equipment to use Cox DVR?
You will be able to conveniently rent a
DVR-enabled receiver from Cox for just $11.99 a
month. This receiver will replace your existing
receiver which you are currently renting for $5.25.
Besides a television set, there is no additional
equipment needed to enjoy Cox Digital Video
Recorder.
When will Cox DVR be available in my neighborhood?
DVR from Cox Communications is available to all
Cox Digital Cable customers now. Customers must
subscribe to Cox Digital Cable in order to enjoy DVR
service.
How much will Cox DVR cost?
Current Cox Digital Cable customers wishing to
subscribe to Cox DVR Service must rent a special
receiver from Cox at a price of $11.99 per month,
which replaces their existing digital receiver.
In addition, there is a $5.25 charge for the DVR
service.
Installation of Cox DVR will be $53.95 for
professional installation, or do it yourself and
self install for FREE!
I am a Basic/Standard Cable customer. Will Cox DVR
service be available to me? If not, why?
Customers currently subscribed to either Cox
Basic Cable or Cox Standard Cable must upgrade to
Cox Digital Cable in order to enjoy Cox DVR service.
Because the technology is so advanced, DVR
functionality is only available with a digital
receiver.
Do my Program Guide Parental Controls carry over
to DVR recordings?
Yes, if you block programs by channel or rating
in General Settings, those settings are carried over
to DVR recordings.
For example, if you decide to block all R-rated
programs in General Settings, the R-rated programs
will still be recorded, but you cannot play them
back until you enter the correct PIN.
Because this is a new receiver to your home, you
will need to reset the parental controls you placed
on the former receiver.
I am a Cox HDTV customer. Is your new DVR product
compatible with my existing HDTV service?
Customers with Cox HDTV can now sign up for Cox
High-Definition DVR Service.
Can Pay Per View (PPV) or On Demand (OD) programs
be recorded?
PPV programs may be recorded after they have been
purchased. Once a PPV program has been recorded, you
can use VCR-like controls similar to viewing an EOD
program. Currently, On Demand programs cannot be
recorded on your DVR.
How do I know when my DVR’s hard disk drive is
getting full?
The Cox DVR Service will alert you when your
DVR's hard disk drive is nearly full. The option to
automatically erase the oldest programs when disk
space is needed to record new programs is available
in your DVR's setup options, so you don’t need to
worry about making space for new programs.
How do I prevent my DVR from automatically erasing
programs when it needs more space?
To make sure a specific program is not
automatically erased when more space is needed, use
the recording options in the Saved Shows screen and
set the program to “save until manually erased.”
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What is HDTV?
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What equipment will I need in order
to view HD programming?
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Do I need a new television to view
an HD signal?
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Will Cox High Definition Cable
support plasma TVs?
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Is digital cable the same thing as
HDTV (High Definition Television)?
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How is a high-definition television
receiver different from my current digital receiver?
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What is the difference between
“HD-ready" and "HD-capable" TVS?
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Which channels will Cox High
Definition Cable offer?
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What is the difference between DTV,
HDTV, and SDTV?
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Why is Cox High Definition Cable
better than satellite?
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I keep hearing about 720p and
1081i or 720p signal formats. What is Cox going to
support?
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4:3, 16:9, widescreen, sidebars,
letterbox, stretch, pan and scan --- what does it
all mean?
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Will I be able to view tapes with
my VCR/DVD on my HDTV?
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How will high-definition
programming look on my regular analog television
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What is the difference between the
terms HDTV Ready, HDTV Capable and HDTV Integrated?
1) What is HDTV?
High-definition television (HDTV) is a
high-resolution digital TV format. A high-definition
TV signal has up to two times the color resolution
and a picture that is up to six times sharper than
that provided by a traditional regular TV set. HDTV
also provides enhanced audio, such as Dolby Digital®.
2) What equipment will I need to view
HD programming?
An HDTV set and a special HDTV receiver are
required. To work with our initial HDTV offering,
your HDTV set must have a YPbPr component input and
must support 720p or 1081i format. Most new HDTV
sets support the 1081i format. Please refer to your
owner's manual or the manufacturer's website to
determine if your HDTV supports 720p or 1081i.
3) Do I need a new television to view
an HD signal?
You must have an HDTV-capable TV to view any of
our high-definition programming in high-definition
format.
4) Will Cox High Definition Cable
support plasma TVs?
Most plasma TVs will have a YPbPr component input
and be capable of supporting HDTV in 1081i format.
Please consult your owner's manual or the
manufacturer's website to verify HD capability of
your plasma set.
5) Is digital cable the same thing as
HDTV? (High Definition Television)
Cox High Definition Cable refers to a type of
digital cable that is at a higher-resolution than
Cox Digital Cable. In order to receive Cox High
Definition Cable, an “HDTV-capable” television set
and a special HD receiver will be required.
6) How is
a high-definition television receiver different from my
current digital receiver?
The HD receiver will be much the
same as your current digital receiver. The special
HD receiver has the component inputs and outputs
that will allow us to pass HD signals to your HDTV
set.
7) What is the difference between
“HD-ready" and "HD-capable" TVs?
Today's HDTV sets come in two forms: HD-ready and
HD-capable. HD-ready sets have an HDTV
receiver/decoder built-in, while HD-capable sets
simply act as a monitor and require the addition of
an external receiver/decoder to receive
high-definition signals. Since most HD-ready sets
only include receivers for off-air broadcasts (i.e.,
signals that are received using an antenna), you
will still need a separate HDTV receiver to view
HDTV programs with Cox High Definition Cable.
8) Which channels will Cox High
Definition Cable offer?
Cox HDTV Programming
9) What is the difference between DTV,
HDTV, and SDTV?
"DTV" is a general reference to digital
television, as compared to "regular" television.
HDTV is "high-definition" television, the highest
resolution digital TV format. SDTV is "standard
definition" television, like Cox Digital Cable.
10) Why is Cox High Definition Cable
better than satellite?
Cox High Definition Cable is easier to subscribe
to and install, and with the inclusion of local
channels, we offer more programming than satellite.
In addition to HBO HD and Showtime HD, which are
available with your paid digital subscription to HBO
and/or Showtime, Cox will deliver the local versions
of NBC HD, CBS HD and ABC HD, and national PBS HD
programming. Satellite TV may never be able to
offer local hi-def channels due to bandwidth
limitations.
11) I keep hearing about 720p and
1081i signal formats. What is Cox going to support?
Cox High Definition Cable will only work with
high definition televisions capable of receiving the
1081i format.
12) 4:3, 16:9, Widescreen, Sidebars,
Letterbox, Stretch, Pan and Scan --- what does it all
mean?
4:3 (width: height) is the standard
television shape. HDTVs have been manufactured in
both 4:3 and 16:9 aspect ratios.
16:9 (width: height) is the traditional
shape of an HDTV, although some HDTVs have been
designed with a 4:3 aspect ratio.
Wide screen is a term used for the 16:9
aspect ratio. Most HDTV sets are easy to identify
because of their wide screens. These screens, which
are usually a lot wider than they are tall, closely
resemble their movie theater counterparts.
Sidebars present the entire picture in the
middle of the screen and display black bands on each
side of the picture. Sidebars are used when non-HD
content is displayed on HDTVs with aspect ratios of
16:9.
Stretch is a tool that can be used on some HDTVs to
stretch a 4:3 image to a 16:9 screen (vs. sidebars).
Letterbox presents the entire picture in
the middle of the screen and displays black bands
above and below the picture. Letterboxes are used to
show HD content on a 4:3 aspect ratio TV. However,
with a 16:9 aspect ratio HDTV, you will be able to
view movies in their original wide screen theatrical
format.
Pan and Scan are tools that can be
used to present 16:9 content onto a 4:3 television
(vs. letterboxes).
13) Will I be able to view tapes with
my VCR/DVD on my HDTV?
Yes, HDTVs will allow for VCR & DVD connections.
Please consult your VCR/DVD owner's manual or
manufacturer's website to determine if your
equipment is capable of HD playback.
14) How will high-definition
programming look on my regular analog television?
Regular analog TV sets are not capable of
displaying high definition programming.
15) What is the difference between
the terms HDTV Ready, HDTV Capable and HDTV Integrated?
HDTV Ready or HDTV Capable (the terms are used
interchangeably) means that the HDTV set is capable
of delivering the HDTV signal, but requires the
addition of an external receiver/tuner or HD cable
receiver to pick up the HD signals.
An HDTV Integrated set, a significantly more
expensive option, is one with an HD tuner built in.
While this type of HD set will allow consumers to
pick up unencrypted HD broadcast signals without an
external receiver/tuner or receiver, most of these
integrated sets still require the external
receiver/HD receiver to get the full array of HD
channels. With Cox, those channels include
Universal HD, ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, HBO HD,
Showtime HD & Starz HD.
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