Cox Communications customers or potential customers wanting to purchase a DVR device will have to wait it out, at least for now. There is a national shortage of DVRs, including an estimated two-week wait in Topeka.

That leaves some people wondering about the February 2009 conversion from analog to digital, and if a shortage could eventually end up having an impact on that. The short answer: it will not. That should only impact people with over-the-air or bunny ears television.

DVRs are not needed for the conversion, and new customers do not need to get a DVR when they get new service. It is a service, one that is optional.

Here is a statement from Cox Communications:

We regret that our customers are experiencing an unusual wait time. This blip in our customer experience speaks to the wild popularity of high definition and DVR services in the marketplace and our successful penetration therein. We are working very closely with Motorola to correct this shortage in inventory which crosses cable and telco video distributors – many of whom saw better than expected uptake of digital services associated with the holidays.