Xi6 Flex box live tv question

[abeasom]

I currently have the XG1V4 4k DVR. I went to my Xfinity store yesterday to inquire about adding non-DVR 4k companion boxes to my other TVs.  They showed me the xi6 flexbox and said it works just like your other companion cable boxes, except it connects via wifi instead of RG6 coax cable and you can install a bunch of apps and view 4k material on demand.  This sounded great, but the more I read about these flexboxes it seems that you can not watch live TV on them.  I can't turn the channel to 804 to watch my local ABC-HD or 850 for ESPN HD.  

Can someone clarify if I can watch my cable channels on these flex boxes, or is there another companion box I can ask for to watch live TV that supports 4K output?

Thanks!

[BruceW]

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@abeasom wrote: ... it seems that you can not watch live TV on them ...

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Correct. See https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/xfinity-flex-faqs:

Can I watch live TV?
No, broadcast and cable channels like NBC, ABC, TNT and CNN are not available on Xfinity Flex.

[lesmikesell]

I think you are confusing services.  Flex is for people with only internet service - they can get a free X1 box that runs internet apps.  If you have an xg1v4 you must have TV service and thus any other X1 box would have access to the same services and DVR recordings.   The only restrictions on the Xi6 would be that you need to have a rented xfinity cablemodem/router and be within wifi range.

[gwiz313]

Not sure what route you ended up going but for future folks that find this on their google searches, I would like to state that the “flex” xi6 is indeed also another cable box to watch all of your channels and dvr content.

I just had (11/1) a new install of xfinity internet and tv services in my home. I was previously on Directv and all but my primary box with that service were also “wireless” boxes. So when Xfinity came out to do my install the installer decided it would just be easier for him to just install my primary DVR by the primary TV, the XFI modem/router in my centrally located network closet and wireless Xi6 boxes on the other 3 TVs. All services working great so far.

[BruceW]

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@gwiz313 wrote: ... the “flex” xi6 is indeed also another cable box to watch all of your channels and dvr content. ...

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Then either they gave you X1 TV service instead of Flex, or Comcast's Flex support article contains several gross errors. Besides the "no live TV" restriction already mentioned, https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/xfinity-flex-faqs also says:

Can I use a DVR?
No, DVR service isn't available with Xfinity Flex.

[lesmikesell]

Yes, that sounds like it is an Xi6 box used in a 'double-play' service, not internet-only.