After all these years out, I made a service call today. Apparently you can never quit...LOL

Client is scared to touch the system. Called me and said the cable box just locked up, couldn't change channels or anything, so he knew to reboot it, and when he did, there was now nothing at all.

I went the and did some troubleshooting, and as I suspected, the cable box was done.

Swapped HDMI cables from BluRay and cable box, to narrow it down, called the cable company and they send a tech with a new box, and all is well now.

Second time in 5 years this has happened.


As an aside, the cable company is pushing a Amazon Firestick solution, and the client says his neighbor has it, and that the remote controls the TV and the Firestick, and it also allows cloud storage of 72 hours of recorded programs.

Supposedly a self install and set up system. They just send the client the pieces and instructions...

Anyone else heard of this being offered by the cable companies?

The Firestick can play online services using its Apps, but not the cable channels. Since the Firestick will be using Internet data, it may be possible that data limits will be exceeded. It’s also possible that a cable channel is not available as an online service.

Spectrum has a streaming box that they're pushing- they all want to eliminate their hardware because it costs a lot to buy, handle and maintain, to whatever extent they do that. They sell AppleTVs, their Xumo streamer and recommend using their app. This wouldn't be so bad if the price were to drop, but I have customers whose Spectrum bill was more than $275 before I told them how to have it reduced.

Comcast is doing the same, Xumo boxes that talk to nothing because they use a Bluetooth remote, and control systems are locked out. Most of my customers are just using an Apple TV or Roku and no cable box at all. I have yet to integrate a cable box this year.

Yep, here in Canada majority of the providers are moving to an app based system. They still offer their STBs but are wanting you to move to a streaming player and their app.

My providers app is only available for Apple or Firestick and have a basic (I think it's) 10gb of cloud storage but can be upgraded to 200gb with 1 year of storage.

I was told that his bill would be reduced by 20 a month even though he would get two Firesticks as opposed to the one cable box.

And yes, it IS a Firestick.

As it stands, his 20 year old 50' Panny PDP is still looking decent, so he told me when it dies, or his wife make him buy a larger TV, he'll call me to install the new set (on a Down n Out mount).

First service call in probably 7 years, so it was kind of fun...

Here in Central Coast California, Xfinity is pushing their network boxes- yes bluetooth remote, BUT they do integrate with URC TC, pretty well too.
I'm fine with apps, with the exception that ATV, ROKU, FireStick, et all have no number keys so navigation is a pain. They all want Voice control to select channels but it's spotty.

That's one of my concerns, but he claims to have seen his neighbors system and thinks it's great.

I have a old Firestick out in the shop (storage building) with a 32" Toshiba and a MX900, with the Firestick remote, and KNOW it's a PIA. But, I just leave it on a music channel while working on projects.

Optimum/Altice is pushing streaming boxes here on LI. Sagecom boxes with BT remote but I did find some IR controls for them- its pretty basic Apple TV-like controls. Fios is doing it too. Seems the traditional STB is going away...