opening a cable box?

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:20 am

when I moved into my house the cable box was open so i was able to run my coax from my satelite into the "cable box" wich routed to whicher outlet I wanted. Unfortunately The house I am in now the box is locked with a special key. I think its retarded that I cant access a junction without having some cable co think they own every outlet in the house. This is common even in new construction in Canada.

/end rant

Duzmor · Post by **Duzmor** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:26 am

Randy What satelite Do you have -I am Looking into a System For TV

Duz

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:33 am

its canadian you cant get it legally in the us, However I believe Direct tv is prolly the best american sat. I actually prefer cable but my cable co cut me off after they gave me a "free month" promotion but did not inform acounting which had noticed i did not pay my bill for 6 weeks but was actually only 2 weeks late

digital cable is more reliable in snowy or windy weather conditions

nightowl · Post by **nightowl** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:23 am

Randy wrote:its canadian you cant get it legally in the us, However I believe Direct tv is prolly the best american sat. I actually prefer cable but my cable co cut me off after they gave me a "free month" promotion but did not inform acounting which had noticed i did not pay my bill for 6 weeks but was actually only 2 weeks late

digital cable is more reliable in snowy or windy weather conditions

I have bell expressVu and have had no problems, it only cuts out if there is a bad thunderstorm.

ace · Post by **ace** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 5:47 am

Can you put up a picture of this cable box?

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 11:44 am

ace wrote:Can you put up a picture of this cable box?

ace · Post by **ace** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:03 pm

That doesnt even look like its locked. If so I have never seen a lock like that.

Chris · Post by **Chris** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:19 pm

Nope, not locked to me either

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:37 pm

Chris wrote:Nope, not locked to me either

yeah doesnt look locked will go out and try later when neighbopurs arent out lol I think i just have to slide the 2 peices at the back

Kyle · Post by **Kyle** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 1:54 pm

If you're not hooking up the cable company's incoming line (just using the existing cables in your home) then I don't think it would be considered illegal, would it?

ace · Post by **ace** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 2:42 pm

Kyle wrote:If you're not hooking up the cable company's incoming line (just using the existing cables in your home) then I don't think it would be considered illegal, would it?

No it wouldnt be illegal. We have house boxes here but we dont lock them so customers can add lines if they want to. Usually though they screw it up and we come back to fix it because they use the cheapest cable and splitters they can find. Then they wonder why there internet isnt working when they thought they bought the best splitters because the guy at radio shack tells them gold is the best.lmao!!!

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 4:10 pm

Randy wrote:its canadian you cant get it legally in the us, However I believe Direct tv is prolly the best american sat. I actually prefer cable but my cable co cut me off after they gave me a "free month" promotion but did not inform acounting which had noticed i did not pay my bill for 6 weeks but was actually only 2 weeks late

digital cable is more reliable in snowy or windy weather conditions

thats true,but sat is cheaper and with good receiver you can unlock all PPV/unsubscribed channels

...talking about FTA receivers,unfortunatelly they are not HDTV (the next generation will be) but they works on both cable and sat.
I looose signal once every 4 months for 5 seconds ...not big deal

Skyline_R34 · Post by **Skyline_R34** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 10:53 pm

Hey I have the same cable box as the picture but it has that stupid lock on it that just spins and spins. I was told I could us a bic pen but how. If you need a pic let me know and I will post 1

mountainman · Post by **mountainman** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:22 am

If you aren't using their service, it's your damn box.

Rivas · Post by **Rivas** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:43 am

so did you open it ?

Leatherneck · Post by **Leatherneck** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 7:10 pm

Is this box on a multiple dwelling or single home? Big difference where I am. Leave one open in an apartment setting and thieves will come out like rats!

RoundEye · Post by **RoundEye** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 8:16 pm

Skyline_R34 wrote:Hey I have the same cable box as the picture but it has that stupid lock on it that just spins and spins. I was told I could us a bic pen but how. If you need a pic let me know and I will post 1

More than likely this is the tool you need. Hard to find, but it's the easiest way to open it. Just keep in mind that it is against the law in some places to open the box. Legally it is property of the cable company on your house or not.

Skyline_R34 · Post by **Skyline_R34** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:16 pm

The box is on my house. I herd you can use a bic pen to open it apparently.

morbidpete · Post by **morbidpete** » Wed Mar 21, 2007 9:24 pm

yea, melt the tip and shove it in let cool then turn while pressing in. the crystal bic, havnt tried the other bic

Joint Chiefs of Staff · Wed Mar 21, 2007 10:57 pm

RoundEye wrote:More than likely this is the tool you need. Hard to find, but it's the easiest way to open it. Just keep in mind that it is against the law in some places to open the box. Legally it is property of the cable company on your house or not.

Like Tobey stated it is the property of the Cable Co. If they do QC's or are just out and about in the neighborhood doing installation/services they will disco your line. I've done it myself do to signaling issues from multiple tenants.

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:58 am

the thing that pisses me off is that most homes cable outlets go to this box which seems to exclusive for the "cable co". If ever i build another house I will put in another box right beside the cable box and put my own lock on it.

anything they hookup will go thru about 6 inches of coax before it hits my box containing a switchboard for coax and cat5

Joint Chiefs of Staff · Thu Mar 22, 2007 11:58 am

Randy wrote:the thing that pisses me off is that most homes cable outlets go to this box which seems to exclusive for the "cable co". If ever i build another house I will put in another box right beside the cable box and put my own lock on it.

anything they hookup will go thru about 6 inches of coax before it hits my box containing a switchboard for coax and cat5

The reason for the lock boxes is basically for two reasons.

1. So the average Joe Smoe doesn't screw something up which will warrant a call to tech support for a I&R tech to respond.

2. To keep the installation and repair crews employed

Think · Post by **Think** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 12:29 pm

I have the same box but I also have the tool to open it. Basically, the tool creates pressure within the metal, round chamber - clasping it and allow you to turn it counter clockwise. If you were a neighbor, I'd do it for you.

Randy · Post by **Randy** » Thu Mar 22, 2007 4:34 pm

Think wrote:I have the same box but I also have the tool to open it. Basically, the tool creates pressure within the metal, round chamber - clasping it and allow you to turn it counter clockwise. If you were a neighbor, I'd do it for you.

maybe you are my neighbour wher abouts in acanada are ya?

Pickford · Post by **Pickford** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:03 pm

Skyline_R34 wrote:Hey I have the same cable box as the picture but it has that stupid lock on it that just spins and spins. I was told I could us a bic pen but how. If you need a pic let me know and I will post 1

My cable box had a Gilbert locking terminator on it (the one that keeps spinning) and after much effort, I finally got it open. I squeezed some super glue into the sleeve of the terminator and then inserted a hex key all the way to the back...let it dry for 20 minutes or so and then turned it easily to remove the lock.

PS - don't use too much super glue or it won't dry properly.

Worked like a charm for me, hope it works for anyone who reads this.

Ciao!

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opening a cable box?

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