Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Other Diversions › Computers and HTPC › Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?

post #1 of 8
7/5/07 at 11:57am
Thread Starter 
I moved recently and noticed that one of my cable STBs has an ethernet port on the back. Anybody know what that's there for? No chance I could do away with my cable modem, is there?
Reply
post #2 of 8
7/5/07 at 11:59am

Re: Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?

no chance of using it as a modem. its likely its there for a possible future firmware update that could utilize it. But I wouldn't hold my breath it will happen
Reply
post #3 of 8
7/5/07 at 1:20pm

Re: Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?

nah, that would be too simple. I downloaded a manual for a generic cable box with a 100BaseT port, and came across this bit
Quote:

Do not attempt to connect data devices without contacting your service
provider. Advanced data features require the proper application and
network infrastructure to operate.
Data Features
In addition to high quality audio and video, the DCT* has the capability to
deliver high-speed data services such as Internet access, e-mail, IP
Telephony, E-Commerce, and home banking.
Your DCT* may be equipped with the interface connections illustrated,
but their functionality depends on the services offered by your service
provider.

You could try plugging it into a network, and seeing if it has an interesting web interface.
Reply
post #4 of 8
7/5/07 at 3:13pm

Re: Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?

I am pretty sure that this is for Internet use too. Some of the new TV's have them, and someday they will enable us to download movies, but don't hold your breath.

Glenn
Reply
post #5 of 8
7/5/07 at 8:05pm

Re: Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?

On most they are disabled.
Reply
post #6 of 8
7/6/07 at 6:58am
Thread Starter 

Re: Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?

I figured life couldn't be that simple. Thanks, all!
Reply
post #7 of 8
7/6/07 at 9:36am

Re: Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?

When Big Brother takes over and all TVs have two-way monitoring, this is how they will hook it up.
Reply
post #8 of 8
11/11/11 at 8:28pm
i have just tried earlier to hook my xbox up to the back of my cable box but it said unable to connect to xbox live. the only reason why i did this is because i figured that since my computer has a low jack cable going into it and a ethernet cable going to my wirles router i thought the cable box would act the same. frown.gif so basically i now cant platy online i wish i had looked on this earlier furious.gif
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Computers and HTPC
Home Theater Forum › Home Theater Forum › Other Diversions › Computers and HTPC › Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for?