Cable box has ethernet port on back: what for? (2 Viewers)

[RobertCharlotte]

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?

 

[Jean D]

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

 

[JeremyErwin]

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

You could try plugging it into a network, and seeing if it has an interesting web interface.

 

[Glenn Overholt]

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

 

[Chris]

On most they are disabled.

 

[RobertCharlotte]

I figured life couldn't be that simple. Thanks, all!

 

[Paul McElligott]

When Big Brother takes over and all TVs have two-way monitoring, this is how they will hook it up.

 

[jose050559]

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. so basically i now cant platy online i wish i had looked on this earlier :f