Archive for the 'Cox Communications' Tag
October 23rd, 2009, 3:11 am by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
 Update, 1:11 p.m.: Added a few more details about Cox’s upcoming service.
Cox Communications has confirmed that the elusive multi-room DVR is on target for an end-of-the-year launch. That’s right, in two months, Cox cable TV subscribers should have the option of a DVR that can be accessed from other rooms in your house.
“At this time we can’t talk about specifics yet, but our plans are still on target,” said Lana Ong, the local Cox spokeswoman who told me about the DVR’s 2009 launch.
I first heard about this device from Cox in March 2007 during a visit to its Rancho Santa Margarita headquarters. At the time, Cox officials were just exploring new cable TV technologies. See my earlier story, “New TV tricks from your cable company.”
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Now, 2.5 years later, Cox could be the first Orange County cable company to offer the multi-room DVR. (Sorry, Time Warner customers — no updates are available on when we will get ours although the company had said it plans to have one this year.) Nationwide, Cox did announce earlier this year that it will offer a multi-room DVR, but no updates have been offered. The news today is specifically for customers in Orange County. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: Video & TV • Cox • Cox Cable • Cox Communications • DVR • multi-room DVR • Rancho Santa Margarita • TiVo | 19 Comments »
September 25th, 2009, 5:05 pm by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
Cox Cable in Orange County will start offering free access to ESPN360.com beginning Sept. 30.
The site launched in August with cable provider Comcast Corp. It provides live coverage of several types of sporting events, from college football and NBA basketball games, the FIFA World Cup and golf’s U.S. Open. The site says it offers more than 3,500 live global sports a year.
But ESPN360 may be overlooking the fans who appreciate sports the most: HDTV viewers. Access is limited to Cox Internet subscribers — business and residential customers included.
So, don’t expect big-screen TV action here unless you have a large computer monitor. Users must sit in front of their PC to watch games. At least widescreen and standard options are available. Users will also be able to pause, fast forward and rewind the video.
ESPN360 can deliver 15 simultaneous live events and viewers can toggle between games in a main viewing window. Besides the live games, there are also archived events.
Cox users will be able to access the site on Sept. 30. The notice about the new feature is available HERE (thanks Jim!).
Recent stories about sports and TV service:
Posted in: Video & TV • broadband • Cox • Cox Cable • Cox Communications • espn • espn360 • Internet TV • Rancho Santa Margarita • sports • Web TV | 5 Comments »
September 25th, 2009, 12:02 pm by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
 The local Cox Communication delayed plans this week to be the first company wide to roll out the first Motorola- TiVo adapters. Cox was busy unveiling new software for its video-on-demand service. Cox now hopes to offer the TiVo device in Orange County before the end of the year.
That leaves some TiVo users without access to on-demand movies and shows, plus any channel that has been turned into an on-demand channel.
Because of a change in technology, TiVo users who rely on CableCARDs are unable to request on-demand shows without this adapter. This change doesn’t affect TiVo users who have a set-top box from the cable provider.
Cable companies are moving to the new switched digital video technology in order to use the pipe to a customer’s home more efficiently. By reducing the number of nominal channels streamed 24/7, a cable company can add new high-definition channels to the stream. The other channels are still there, but only broadcast when requested by the subscriber. To watch those, a TiVo user with a CableCARD will need this new adapter.
“We’ve maxed out on bandwidth,” said Lana Ong, spokeswoman for the Rancho Santa Margarita cable provider.
Earlier stories on TiVo and switched digital technology:
Posted in: Video & TV • CableCARD • Cox • Cox Cable • Cox Communications • DVR • Rancho Santa Margarita • switched digital • switched digital video • switched video • TiVo | 16 Comments »
September 24th, 2009, 7:02 am by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
Cox cable customers should soon notice that watching TV shows or movies on demand looks a bit different. It’s “easier to navigate and control,” says the company.
The Rancho Santa Margarita cable provider began rolling out a software upgrade called “ShowRunner” this week. The upgrade updates only Cox’s video-on-demand offering.
The noticeable feature updates to the On Demand service include:
- Instant replay button to rewind 10 seconds.
- Movies and shows now organized by categories and accessed using the remote control’s arrow keys.
- An “Info” button to see more details about free previews or the show itself.
ShowRunner is part of the existing “Passport” software used by Cox to power the on-screen TV guide. It was developed by Rovi Corp., previously known as Macrovision. Interestingly, the company has also revamped its guide technology with “Liquid,” which comes out next year. It looks really cool offering a 3D-ish look at what’s on TV.
But Cox has “no plans right now to roll out the (Liquid) Rovi guide,” according to spokeswoman Lana Ong.
Cox, however, is bracing itself right now in case customers have trouble with the new ShowRunner system. I haven’t received any complaints about it, unlike when Time Warner Cable introduced new software in July. Cox says that if any customer is having issues to please call 949-240-1212.
Cox offers a ShowRunner video tutorial online at this link. More tutorials on the new system are available on Cox Oklahoma site, at this link.
Recent Cox cable news:
Posted in: Video & TV • Cox • Cox Communications • Cox HD • Macrovision • PassPort • Rancho Santa Margarita • Rovi • set top box • set-top-box software • ShowRunner • VOD | 27 Comments »
September 17th, 2009, 2:28 pm by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
 Cox Communications is offering its Orange County customers a free preview of Versus, the sports channel known for broadcasting bull riding, hockey and college football. Versus is the channel that caused a big hubbub last month when DirecTV customers stopped carrying it. (Whoops, I didn’t mean customers.)
Versus, on channel 334 and channel 717 765 for HD, is free to all Cox digital customers until Nov. 30. (Corrected 9/21/09)
The channel, previously called the Outdoor Life Network, changed its name to Versus in 2006. Cox picked up the HD channel in 2007, and it’s now is part of Cox’s Sports and Info digital tier. That tier starts at $62.49 and includes standard digital cable TV service.
Versus is also part of Time Warner Cable’s lineup (channel 267 and 469), Verizon FiOS (Channel 90 and 590), AT&T U-verse (channel 640 and 1640) and Dish Network (151).
Dish is also offering its customers free access to the channel until Dec. 2.
More TV news:
Posted in: Video & TV • Cox • Cox Cable • Cox Communications • Cox free preview • deals • free preview • HD channels • sports • Versus | 7 Comments »
September 17th, 2009, 9:31 am by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
In this wacky world of telecom service, the highest ranked telephone service in the West isn’t a telephone company, according to the 2009 J.D. Power report on Residential Telephone Customer Satisfaction.
Cable TV provider Cox Communications took the lead in the West and East regions of the United States for having the most satisfied telephone customers. (The North and South regions also had TV companies offering phone service ranked at top.) It was the third year that traditional cable TV companies were at the top. (Click image below to enlarge)
This may sound like a coup, but don’t forget, last year’s TV service winners were the traditional phone companies, AT&T and Verizon. (Read earlier story: “What TV service has most satisfied customers? (Hint: Not cable)“)
Consumers are looking for alternatives to their long time TV or telephone provider. And in Orange County in the last few years, we’ve been getting that as Time Warner and Cox add phone service, and AT&T and Verizon add TV service. What the JD Power reports really show is that competition is improving service. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in: service • Cox • cox award • Cox Cable • Cox Communications • customer service • JD Power • landlines • telephone service | 12 Comments »
August 18th, 2009, 11:20 am by Tamara Chuang, a.k.a. The Gadgetress
 As mentioned earlier, Cox Communications, Orange County’s main TV provider in the south, has $17,500 to give away to charity. Now, it’s time for the public to chime in on which organization is most worthy.
The Cox Cares program narrowed down a record 114 applications to 10 finalists. Last year, the program received 42 applications so obviously, non-profits are seeking out new funding. Cox has grants of $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000 available.
The 2009 finalists include: the American Diabetes Association, Art & Creativity for Healing, the Assistance League of Capistrano Valley, the Blind Children’s Learning Center, Family Assistance Ministries, Fristers, Human Options, the Illumination Foundation, My HERO Project and Shanti Orange County.
While Cox does rely on a group of associates and local leaders to judge a charity’s impact on youth, seniors and education, this year it wants input from the community (that’s you, dear reader).
Vote at www.cox-cares.org/grants/finalists before Sept. 4. A detailed summary of each finalist’s purpose is posted on Cox’s site. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in mid-September.
Much of the money, says Cox, was donated by its 1,000 employees in Rancho Santa Margarita. The local office has donated $600,000 over the years to 95 local nonprofit organizations.
Recent Cox Cable news:
Check out the Gadgetress Guide to local TV services
Posted in: Video & TV • charity • Cox • Cox Communications • Rancho Santa Margarita | 3 Comments »
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Tamara 'the Gadgetress' Chuang
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