Where do you put the cable box for the TV in the kitchen?

15 years ago

We have wired for a tv to sit on the counter in the corner. Was thinking of getting the 19 inch Sharp aquos, but a little stumped what to do with the cable box. I know some tv's can use a cable card, but I can't seem to find a small one for the counter. Don't really want the cable boc to show. Has anyone put the box in a cabinet and used an Rf extender with it? I think it's like a little eye that can get the signal from the box.

If not what did you use?

Thanks!!

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Comments (7)

User
15 years ago
I have the TV on the counter and run the cable to a connection in the wall. I recently had a
on the counter, for digital TV, and am returning it. It's too big and was in the way. I couldn't put the TV on it, it hit the bottom of the upper cabinets, so it just sat and got in the way. I have a digital DVR in the family room, and I've decided one is enough. I don't need a box to get plenty of cable channels on the kitchen TV.
weissman
15 years ago
I have an old small TV with a built-in antenna in my kitchen. Just bought a digital converter box and it's small and just sits on top of the TV - but you probably couldn't do that with a newer flat screen TV.

If you can live without the premium channels in your kitchen, you MIGHT be able to feed the cable directly into your TV without the cable box and use the tuner on the TV to select channels. But that would really depend on both the particular cable company and your TV - these days not all cable companies still provide an analog feed and newer TVs don't have an analog tuner.
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growlery
15 years ago
I used to do that, route my cable through my vcr or tivo. Until I got digital. Now I don't think it's an option.

Some cable companies have started using small cable boxes. They don't tell you they're available, but if you go into one of the shopfronts and ask if they're available, they may let you trade in one of your boxes.

Cablecards are also worth a shot. But, given my Tivo experience, with Cox anyway, I don't know if a lot of technicians know how to use them. They acted like they didn't, and acted as though every card were "their last one".
Cheryl
15 years ago
I have a (small) wall mounted flat screen on my backsplash area. DH attached the cable box under the top cupboard next to the tv using some plastic brackets. It is visible, but it has to be to work with the remote control. I'm happy it is off the counter.
ziggysun
15 years ago
We ran the cable in the wall and through a cabinet when we were renovating and the box is in the corner cabinet on the bottom shelf which has a glass door and luckily the remote works through it. The TV is in the corner right under that cabinet.
tklahr
15 years ago
We have a flat planel TV mounted to the wall, and all cables go into the wall behind the TV and come back out above the adjacent cabinet. A Directv box and DVD/VHS player sit on top of the cabinet. They don't seem to be too much of an eyesore, probably because we have a number of decorative items on top of the other wall cabinets. The wall with the TV is not as prominant as the other 3 kitchen walls.
rebeccainchicago
15 years ago
Almost like ziggysun, I'm planning on having the contractor run the cable in the wall and through a cabinet. The only difference is, my cabinet will be lattice fronted. I'm hoping I'll be able to line up the "eye" on the cable box with one of the lattice holes, allowing me to use the remote without opening the door. If this doesn't work, I'll go low tech and open the door when changing channels! At least I won't have ugly cable box hogging precious counter space.

Where do you put the cable box for the TV in the kitchen?

Comments (7)

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weissman

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