I don't know about a "Comcast" box you can buy, hook up and never pay Comcast a fee. There are digital converter boxes (as low as $20) that you can hook up to your TV and receive digital over the air broadcasts and convert the signal so it can be viewed on an analog TV (older TVs). Some of those boxes even have recording capabilities. But they only deal with over the air broadcasts (think local channels like CBS, NBC, ABC, PBS etc). If you can provide the name of the box the neighbor provided, I could look it up....but it's not likely a box that can pick up any subscription broadcasts.

If he has Time Warner for cable (tv), does he also have internet with them? If so, dropping Time Warner and going to just a cell phone would also remove any internet he uses at home.

He has no computer or internet, and probably never will. I thought it might be something like the converter box. When we bought ours a few years ago for the conversion, we also put an antenna on the exterior, in case we ever decided to drop the satellite service (which we didn't have until the digital conversion).

If someone is using the Comcast signal, with whatever means, they should be paying for it. It's no different than climbing a power pole and running a wire to steal electricity without paying for it.

It didn't sound quite right to me either, but my father thinks it sounds legitimate because they sell the boxes at Walmart (he was told).

It's possible, but would that mean he would receive only local stations? He said the man told him he could get over one hundred stations, including movie and sports.

So, my father called earlier from his new cell phone, although he said he didn't really know how to use it. He'd had a friend take to him pick it up today. Maybe he's more hip than I thought. :)

I don't know if it's a SmartPhone, but if it is, then maybe it's the Chromecast streaming media player he wants. Would that give him access to TV channels without paying a monthly bill? And since SmartPhones have internet access will that be included in his phone bill package?

Chromecast streaming media player

Or, it could be these items: Chromecast antenna bundle, which has this description: Tired of paying a monthly premium for cable programming you don't even
watch? Cut the cable and save! With so much great TV available over the
air or streaming online, getting rid of cable can be an easy way to save
money. You'll curate your own TV schedule and get more of just the
programs you love for less.

Chromecast is a device you plug into your TV that allows you to basically "beam" a video from your tablet or cellphone onto the TV.

He could pull up YouTube videos and beam them, or Netflix if he has a subscription, but it won't give access to hundreds of TV channels.

I have heard discussions about a law that would require cable companies to allow customers to purchase a set-top box to receive cable channels as opposed to leasing the cable box from the cable company. The customer would still need to pay the monthly fee to the cable company for the service, it would merely be a way to avoid the additional fee they charge every month for you to lease their set-top box. I was under the impression the law hasn't yet been passed and the cable companies were (unsurprisingly) vociferously opposing the proposed law.

It is possible that some in localities the cable company already allows this as an option, and that it what the neighbor is describing. However I think that it is more likely to be an antenna/digital signal conversion box like several others here have surmised.

Reading your most recent message makes it seem likely that it is the Chromecast device. With the bundle he would be able to receive local channels plus with a high-speed (or at least a high-enough-speed) internet connection he could access and stream various other programming, some of which (for instance NetFilx) would require a separate subscription.

The neighbor said he'd had it for a couple of years, so I'm pretty sure it's the Chromecast streamer--the exact name just got garbled in the retelling.

The thing is, my father is nearly 80, had a stroke two and a half years ago, and does not keep his bills organized. He blames the utility companies, hates hearing a recording on the phone, and resents any tech support person with a foreign accent. He's currently in a disagreement with the cable provider and thinks he's going to bypass the company to get service with the inexpensive device. He doesn't know the logistics of watching TV for several hours each evening with just a smartphone, and no WiFi.

That is, if he purchased a smartphone. He'd mentioned getting one of the bigger cell phones, because he thinks a bigger phone means bigger numbers to push when he dials. I haven't seen the phone yet, so maybe I'm jumping the gun.

He's an intelligent man, just very old school. He built one successful business, sold it to one of my brothers, and started another business, which he still manages--without a computer, another reason I don't think this is going to work the way he expects.

Thank you all for your time and suggestions. My son-in-law is tech savvy, so I'll have him talk to my father. And maybe I can talk my father into having the cable/phone bills sent to my address.

ETA, bob, I can guarantee he doesn't know about the separate Netflix subscription. The neighbor is probably a younger man, and has no idea my father doesn't have a computer, internet, Netflix, etc.

Ah, of course, Chromecast. That's completely different and of course not a box. But without internet access and a handheld something to use it with in the house, that's not a viable alternative for him.

If he can afford cable service, that's the best approach. He has to decide to drop his gripe with the provider and move on, to continue watching TV. Or, find a different TV provider. Or, he can find new pastimes that doesn't involve his television. Those are really his choices.

If your talking over 100 channels, it has to be the Chromecast device. However it does require an internet connection. I've read you can download an app & use the smartphone to stream off Chromecast but make SURE he checks what data is allowed on his cellphone plan as the overages can add up.

Have seen ads for some kinda gizmo that hooks to your TV and will allow you to get all kinds of channels?? Seems likely to be a "infomercial" type product. Maybe ad says sold at places like Walmart. Would BET it won't get channels your Dad wants... or Comcast would be BEGGING people to be/stay customers. One of those "but WAIT" things... sounds/looks too good to be true?!?

All kinds of people are selling Android boxes here, that are loaded with Kodi, and live streaming sports. It's hooked up via internet and you can watch any tv show or movie and sports.

Your father could avoid the frustrating conversations. Does he type?

If he had a computer, he could engage in 'live chat' with a company rep. This has been a sanity-saver for a friend of mine. Her DH is brilliant, but hard of hearing, and he has a short temper. She was having to get on a second phone line and translate (as well as *mediate*) every time her DH called a provider.

After her DH stormed off following one *two hour* event, the young rep at the provider asked her if she was Mr. X's caregiver. She said, no, she was his wife. "God bless you," he replied.

Live chat is annoying with all the 'filler' providers require a rep to spew, but at least there is no accent barrier.

Dad dropped by today--I wasn't home so I didn't see his phone. My DD was here, but I don't know if he showed her the phone, or asked for help. (She and my new grandson, who is 2 1/2 weeks old, have been napping since I returned. :) SIL worked late last night, so I briefly mentioned the set-up to him this morning, and asked him to check it out. Due to the similarity in the names, I think it's the Chromecast device.

My father is also hard of hearing, but will not consider wearing a hearing aide, so I'm sure that adds to his frustration with phone conversations. He doesn't type, and did not answer the cell phone when I called--it's going to be a learning experience for him.

(Just as I was typing the words above, he called back. He couldn't figure out how to answer the phone or call me back, so he went to a restaurant and asked the waitperson to dial the phone for him. I hope he leaves a good tip.)

I suggested he come by my house tomorrow--I'll show him the equipment on the Walmart site, and explain all of the extra charges and actions involved. To the best of my ability.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.

Even though I don't like Walmart that much, I do not believe they're selling illegal cable descramblers. I'm guessing its a digital converter, Chromecast or something like that. And the ads on TV for antennas are exaggerated.

The big question is what channels does he WATCH? I don't necessarily agree that broadcast won't have it. I don't have cable or satellite and I'm more than happy. When I've been places with cable, I've missed some of the channels. People have become so brainwashed by cable and satellite they don't even look at the benefits of broadcast. I think it's crazy to pay cable/satellite fees for what you are really getting these days unless you're a big fan of infomercials. People assume that broadcast is only a few network affiliates which isn't really true in most places. I get several channels that I watch often and they're not available on at least some cable systems. (End of rant.)

If he's in a metro area he probably has quite a few options on broadcast these days with all the subchannels.