A cable box is an easy way to get more channels, record your favorite shows, and cut down your cable cost. You will be able to watch your favorite content without having to miss out on anything. However, finding the right cable box when there are so many might be a difficult choice. Here are the best cable boxes that you can consider before you buy one:
1.Samsung GX-SM530CF CableBox
This cable box comes with a built-in slot to enter any cable card that you want. Besides that, it is also in touch with real-time technology giving you access to smart applications such as Netflix, Amazon Instant Video, and many more.
The Samsung Cable Box also comes with a remote control that lets you control every feature without having to move so you can watch your favorite shows comfortably. Not only that, but you will also have access to features such as gaming, music, and even social media. Besides that, it also comes with built-in WiFi so you can stay connected with the world and match the pace.
The Samsung GX-SM530CF Cable Box also lets you share content from other devices to your TV including photos and videos. This offers you a wider set of activities that will help you share your favorite moments with friends and family. With the help of HDMI, you can enhance your experience as it will help you get HD audio as well as video.
Most customers who purchased this cable box are satisfied with the quality and performance as it helped them improve their experience. It might be a bit overpriced but the quality and features are worth the price.
Pros
- It comes with built-in WiFi and card slot.
- It has an AllShare cast.
- It gives you access to smart applications.
Cons
- Anynet feature is still a bit tacky.
- It is expensive.
2.SiliconDust Cable Box
The SiliconDust Cable Box will give you access to HD content with the help of an antenna and your home Wifi or ethernet connection. You will have access to many different channels and TV shows so you can watch your favorites from anywhere in the house.
This cable box also has features that let you rewind, pause, and record your favorite shows so you never miss them. Plus, the SiliconDust Cable Box will help you cut the cost of cable and still have access to Live TV. Another great thing about this cable box is that it offers 2 tuners so you can connect two devices at one time.
There are also some prime cable channels that you have access to with the help of the cable cord. You can also get the same with a cable card as well. With the help of HDHomeRun Devices, you can also increase the number of tuners to connect more than two devices on the cable box.
The SiliconDust Cable Box has also been highly appreciated by many people and some customers claim to have it for years because it helped them cut down on cost and access more features.
Pros
- You will cut down cable costs.
- You can connect with the help of an antenna and WiFi.
- You can connect more than two devices with the help of HDHomeRun.
- It is affordable.
Cons
- Some people had trouble finding tuners.
3.TiVo Raomio OTAVOX Cable Box
The TiVo OTA VOX is a cable box that will help you connect with Live TV and stream content that you want to see. You will also be able to watch DVD recordings with the help of this cable box. The best thing about this device is that you can record four different shows at the same time.
The Raomio OTA VOX is compatible with HDTV antennas, unlike most other similar devices. Another great thing is that you will be able to connect with the latest applications including HBOGO, Netflix, Pandora, VUDU, and many others without having to switch any devices or remotes.
With the help of the remote, you can record what you want to see instead of having to tackle with buttons. As long as you have a broadband connection you will be able to access entertainment completely. It also has a recording capacity of 1 terabyte which is 150 hours of HD TV. You will also be able to connect various devices such as your laptop, phone, and tablets with this cable box. It has four tuners which means you can connect 4 devices at once. Something that many people will love is the fact that you can also skip commercials while you are watching your favorite content.
Pros
- It has 1TB of recording capacity.
- It has four tuners.
- It has access to many applications.
- It has a voice recording remote.
Cons
- It is a bit overpriced.
4.IVIEW 3200STB Cable Box
The IVIEW 3200STB comes with built-in OTA and QAM which will give you access to more content. However, it is also only compatible with antennas. If you want to convert digital broadcasts to analog TV then this is a simple cable box that you can use. It also offers many other helpful features. You can watch videos on different resolutions including 1080p, 1080i, 576p and 72p. You can connect an HDMI cable in order to convert your content into HD quality. It has slots to connect a flash device or HDD drives so you also have the liberty to play your own movies and music.
The IVIEW 3200STB offers features such as parental lock, signal quality indicator, and EPG which let you control your content. It also comes with a remote control so you can manage your features without having to leave your seat.
The cable box has an auto-tuning option that will help you find more channels. It is also free to use once you have purchased it as there is no monthly fee. You can pause and play the show when you want to receive a call, make a cup of tea, or engage in some other activity. It is a digital video converter box that offers you convenience.
Pros
- It has built-in OTA and QAM.
- It offers different resolutions.
- There are special features like parental lock and EPG.
Cons
- It is only compatible with an antenna.
5.Motorola DX3400 Cable Box
The Motorola Cable Box comes with a pre-installed cable card which gives you access to several prime cable channels. It also offers digital video recording that allows you to watch even as you are recording the show. This device provides high-quality video and audio to improve your entertainment experience every day.
This Motorola model features a 320GB hard drive so that you can record shows without having to worry about the capacity. Plus, it plays videos at standard definition, high definition, and enhanced definition. It also has a panel front from where you can control all the features.
Most customers who bought this item are satisfied with the performance. However, there are some people who found it difficult to set up.
This Motorola device also has a dual-tuner DVR set up to make things easier for you. Overall, the Motorola DX3400 is a decent cable box that has limited features but it will help you cut down the cost of cable and access many channels. It might be a bit overpriced but in the long run, you will save money.
Pros
- It has a pre-installed cable card.
- It has a capacity of 320 GB.
- It plays at different definitions.
Cons
- It is overpriced.
- It may be difficult to set up.
6.Mediasonic Cable Box
The Mediasonic Cable Box lets you make a list of your favorite channels. It also offers auto-tuning so you can sit back and let the cable box find the channels. Besides that, you can convert over-the-air digital broadcast to your analog TV without worrying.
This device also has a feature for real-time recording so you can watch your TV shows whenever you want to. However, in order to record you will have to use your own USB or hard drive. You will also be able to use this cable box to convert digital broadcasts to your PC besides TV. In addition, with the Mediasonic Cable Box, you can also play your own music, videos, and movies.
There are many other additional features offered by this cable box. Some of them include parental lock, closed caption, and EPG. You can also schedule a recording if you use the Mediasonic Cable Box. This device is more compatible with HDTV antennas.
Despite the fact that it is a useful converter box, you might struggle a little with the user interface. If you seem to have a problem you might have to reboot it. But it is an affordable solution if you want to capture your favorite games and shows.
Pros
- You can make a list of favorite channels.
- You can schedule your downloads.
- You get special features.
Cons
- It does not have a good user interface.
7.eXuby Cable Box
With the help of the eXuby Cable Box, you can stream digital channels on different devices like LED, LCD, and projectors. If you have a strong antenna then you will get more channels as well. You will also be able to watch content in 1080p besides having the option to switch to different resolutions.
In order to record your shows and broadcasts, you will need to use your own devices whether it is a hard drive or USB. With the help of EPG, you will be able to get a complete schedule of what is playing when 7 days in advance.
If you have an HD antenna and want to improve your experience while having more control then this is a nice option. You can also create a customized list of your favorite channels as well so that you can always browse through your favorite content easily. It also offers auto-tuning so the quality is always the best you can get.
The device also gives you parental control so you can control what your children see. It is an affordable cable box that will help you watch your favorite games and shows without having to pay. It will also cut down the cost you have to pay for monthly prime channels and conventional cable boxes.
Pros
- It will work on different devices.
- It will let you make a list of favorite channels.
- It has a parental lock.
- It is affordable.
Cons
- It records on external devices only.
8.AVerMedia Cable Box
The AVerMedia Cable Box will help you record broadcasts and even schedule your favorites so you never have to worry. With the help of HDMI connected devices, you can capture videos in different resolutions. In order to download and capture, you will need to connect a USB drive with the capacity for your broadcasts.
An interesting feature about this cable box is that you can also take screenshots or record parts of shows that you really love without having to record the whole show. You can also edit and trim videos with a built-in feature without having to use any external devices.
Most of the customers who have used AVerMedia are happy with their purchase because it offers so many unique features that are not available in other similar products. It has also enhanced their experience with entertainment which is another reason to pick this as an option.
The device comes with a remote control so you can also control everything with the help of a switch or two. This is an affordable and high-quality device that will benefit every household. Whether you want to record your favorite football game, cooking show or documentary, with the help of this box you can do just that and much more.
Pros
- It helps you record specific moments.
- Comes with unique features.
- You can trim and edit content.
Cons
- It might be a bit pricey.
In short, there are different cable box converters that you can use to enhance your overall experience. By using a converter you can also cut down on the cost of a cable or cable card. However, cable cards also offer many channels that you might not find otherwise. Besides these obvious differences, every cable box has some features that are unique so your purchase depends on what you are looking for specifically.