Cutting the Cable Guide

[Huntn]

Yesterday I noticed my internet is out. On my Arris Surfboard SBG7400AC2 Cable Modem/Router the middle blue “online” light is out. I own, instead of rent my modem.

• So I try to reset it myself. Unplug, replug. No help
• Check The Suddenlink account for outages- no outages listed.
• Call the 800 number and think I end up talking to someone in Eastern Europe. They walk me though a reset again.
• I ask them if they can communicate with my cable modem, they say no.
• I ask them if there is an outage, they so no. Note, I’m signed up for text alerts when there is an outage, no alert. Also note that feature has never worked.

So I say **** as they make an an appointment for a techie to stop by the house on Saturday! So now I am wondering, is my privately owned cable modem screwed up and should I order a replacement I can get tomorrow from Amazon that includes a free return to eliminate the issue of a bad modem? The issue with this is you have to call the cable company and register the modem for it to work.

While I’m pondering this, I go back to Suddenlink (on my phone) and there it is, an outage effecting my area. &$#@!!! Bastards! So I have to call Suddenlink and cancel my appointment. Here in the Houston suburbs with Suddenlink it’s not that unusual to lose service, where in Minnesota, we hardly ever lost service. At least I don’t have to wait till Sat to maybe get my service back.

Then I walk outside and the 811 people are marking my front yard for buried utilities. ”What’s up guys?” I ask. They are marking the entire street for a new fiber optic line to go in, buried in our front lawn by a new company, some name I don’t recognize or can remember, “Teshie“ “Techue” something like that*. I wonder when they sink a line in, they must include a junction on front of each house for future hookups?

* Looked it up:

Anyone heard of them?​

I have no clue how long before this cable/internet line can accept customers, but there is a very good chance it will be adios Suddenlink, if the price is reasonable. And as a new service trying to steal customers, my guess is that prices will be good. :unsure:

 

[willmtaylor]

Yesterday I noticed my internet is out. On my Arris Surfboard SBG7400AC2 Cable Modem/Router the middle blue “online” light is out. I own, instead of rent my modem.

• So I try to reset it myself. Unplug, replug. No help
• Check The Suddenlink account for outages- no outages listed.
• Call the 800 number and think I end up talking to someone in Eastern Europe. They walk me though a reset again.
• I ask them if they can communicate with my cable modem, they say no.
• I ask them if there is an outage, they so no. Note, I’m signed up for text alerts when there is an outage, no alert. Also note that feature has never worked.

So I say **** as they make an an appointment for a techie to stop by the house on Saturday! So now I am wondering, is my privately owned cable modem screwed up and should I order a replacement I can get tomorrow from Amazon that includes a free return to eliminate the issue of a bad modem? The issue with this is you have to call the cable company and register the modem for it to work.

While I’m pondering this, I go back to Suddenlink (on my phone) and there it is, an outage effecting my area. &$#@!!! Bastards! So I have to call Suddenlink and cancel my appointment. Here in the Houston suburbs with Suddenlink it’s not that unusual to lose service, where in Minnesota, we hardly ever lost service. At least I don’t have to wait till Sat to maybe get my service back.

Then I walk outside and the 811 people are marking my front yard for buried utilities. ”What’s up guys?” I ask. They are marking the entire street for a new fiber optic line to go in, buried in our front lawn by a new company, some name I don’t recognize or can remember, “Teshie“ “Techue” something like that*. I wonder when they sink a line in, they must include a junction on front of each house for future hookups?

* Looked it up:

View attachment 1859259
Anyone heard of them?​

I have no clue how long before this cable/internet line can accept customers, but there is a very good chance it will be adios Suddenlink, if the price is reasonable. And as a new service trying to steal customers, my guess is that prices will be good. :unsure:

Check out their VERY limited BBB rating before doing so.

Not much there, but none of it is good.

 

[Huntn]

Check out their VERY limited BBB rating before doing so.

Not much there, but none of it is good.

Someone is spending $$$ to run fiber optics through multiple neighborhoods, but I will look at this. Thanks!

 

[Huntn]

Fiber Optics just got run through our neighborhood, the company is TACHUS, their pricing is:

• 100 MBPs- $65/month, symmetrical speeds.
• 500 MBPs- $80/month, symmetrical speeds.
• 1000 MBPs- $90/month, symmetrical speeds.

Update: Anyone familiar with TACHUS? I’m fed up with my cable company Sudden link that has been providing haphazard internet for the last 10 years.

I’m currently paying $65/month for 400 MBPS, but, this is with about a 50MBPS upload, so this switch would be a significant upgrade for online backups. Competitive?

Thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[44267547]

We have an appointment for our fiber optic package to be installed in January, and last year was the actual line install direct in our backyard. We were supposed to have the package actually installed in October, but there were some type of ordinance related issues, where now they’re backlogged and trying to fulfill appointments to customers.

We scored a promo package, where we put $25 down, and then guarantees us $30 a month for 100 Mbps. [It locks is in permanently.] If we didn’t put a $25 down, we be paying somewhere around $49.99 a month.

I Personally will be welcoming the new package, being my Xbox Series X and PS5 require direct Internet connection, and this will definitely make it a smoother transition. (Specifically for the likes of Microsoft flight simulator, which is a heavy data consumer for real time weather affects, live airport traffic, ect..)

The only thing we use our cable company for, is just Wi-Fi. But given that they have ridiculous surcharge fees, there’s a reason they’re losing customers on a rapid basis.

 

[Huntn]

After spending the weekend watching virtually everything on a 77” 4K, arrived home to watch some Game of Thrones and was alarmed that I was watching an image on HBOMax that seemed less than HD, but then it seemed to recover. I realize there are different factors that may effect image quality.

So I am wondering, I have 2 streaming boxes 4K capable Roku and Apple TV and internet service that rated at 400Mib. Should I expect 4K for a viewing of GoT? Part of me is suspecting my cable service of manipulating or unable to control its internet speeds based on a variety of factors.

In addition I noticed on Roku Disney+ a Marvel movie was listed as HD but the same movie on AppleTV Disney+ was listed as Dolby Vision. Is this because… Apple TV offers a higher quality product?

I’m thinking that I should give the new 500MiB fiber optic service a shot and see how it does. ?

 

[Juicy Box]

I have 2 streaming boxes 4K capable Roku and Apple TV and internet service that rated at 400Mib.

I’m thinking that I should give the new 500MiB fiber optic service a shot and see how it does. ?

Before spending more for an internet tier that you may not need, I would check the speed of your network.

400Mbps is way overkill for any of the streaming services.

Netflix for example, will never go above 18Mbps for their 4K HDR content. Some of the other services have higher bitrates, but even still, I think the highest you will see is ATV+ content, which is somewhere in the 40Mbps area.

I would test the wired and wireless speeds on your network and see what you are actually getting. You could get great wired speed, but your wireless speed could be horrible, depending on many different factors.

You can download the Speedtest app on the tvOS App Store and test your internet speed directly from the Apple TV.

Anything with a web browser, you can use Fast.com, which is operated by Netflix. It uses Netflix servers in Atlanta, but I think it is capped on 200Mbps, even if your bandwidth is higher.

If your wired speed is a lot less than what you are currently paying for, than I would complain to your ISP. If your wired speed is fine, but your wireless speed is the problem, then paying for a higher tier would be a waste of money, imo, as you should get the wireless equipment checked out or replaced.

 

[max2]

After spending the weekend watching virtually everything on a 77” 4K, arrived home to watch some Game of Thrones and was alarmed that I was watching an image on HBOMax that seemed less than HD, but then it seemed to recover. I realize there are different factors that may effect image quality.

So I am wondering, I have 2 streaming boxes 4K capable Roku and Apple TV and internet service that rated at 400Mib. Should I expect 4K for a viewing of GoT? Part of me is suspecting my cable service of manipulating or unable to control its internet speeds based on a variety of factors.

In addition I noticed on Roku Disney+ a Marvel movie was listed as HD but the same movie on AppleTV Disney+ was listed as Dolby Vision. Is this because… Apple TV offers a higher quality product?

I’m thinking that I should give the new 500MiB fiber optic service a shot and see how it does. ?

Cool.

500 Mbps download and upload would do well for you in my opinion. How many people in your family?

I stream 70 GB files when away from home and the 1 Gbps upload speed on my fiber helps a lot for this so I don't slow anyone down at home when it is happening.

 

[Huntn]

Before spending more for an internet tier that you may not need, I would check the speed of your network.

400Mbps is way overkill for any of the streaming services.

Netflix for example, will never go above 18Mbps for their 4K HDR content. Some of the other services have higher bitrates, but even still, I think the highest you will see is ATV+ content, which is somewhere in the 40Mbps area.

I would test the wired and wireless speeds on your network and see what you are actually getting. You could get great wired speed, but your wireless speed could be horrible, depending on many different factors.

You can download the Speedtest app on the tvOS App Store and test your internet speed directly from the Apple TV.

Anything with a web browser, you can use Fast.com, which is operated by Netflix. It uses Netflix servers in Atlanta, but I think it is capped on 200Mbps, even if your bandwidth is higher.

If your wired speed is a lot less than what you are currently paying for, than I would complain to your ISP. If your wired speed is fine, but your wireless speed is the problem, then paying for a higher tier would be a waste of money, imo, as you should get the wireless equipment checked out or replaced.

Thanks for the info! This is good to know from a perspective standpoint. Last time I tested I was 400Mbps down and about 40 MBPs up. I am primarily on this tier because my current internet provider requires this tier to avoid data caps. The new fiber service offers 100mbps for $60/month. My primary gripe about my current Internet and cable provider (Suddenlink) is service outages which seem to happen all of the time to varying degrees. I realize that the speed of a connection may just not be an issue with my provider, but a issue across the net.

 

[max2]

Thanks for the info! This is good to know from a perspective standpoint. Last time I tested I was 400Mbps down and about 40 MBPs up. I am primarily on this tier because my current internet provider requires this tier to avoid data caps. The new fiber service offers 100mbps for $60/month. My primary gripe about my current Internet and cable provider (Suddenlink) is service outages which seem to happen all of the time to varying degrees. I realize that the speed of a connection may just not be an issue with my provider, but a issue across the net.

I get 110 to 120 MB/sec saturated connection easily on the net.

Not everything of course.

 

[Huntn]

I get 110 to 120 MB/sec saturated connection easily on the net.

Not everything of course.

Are you saying you need greater than 100 MB download?

 

[max2]

Are you say you need greater than 100 MB download?

Yes for downloading local content faster. Like games.

 

[jkcerda]

amazon prime video. plenty of stuff there.

 

[Huntn]

After some more thought, and concurrence with the wife, I have scheduled 29 Dec as the install date for Tachus 100% fiber internet. I spoke with them today and I can switch from 100MB to 500MB with no fees, no service call at the house, so I am going to start with the 100 service @$65 to see if I can live with it.

This tier will double my upload speed and I’ll get a chance to evaluate just how good 100MB service with Fiber as a comparison to what I had with Suddenlink coaxial listed as 400 down, 40 up.

Most significantly we are cutting Suddenlink cable and internet completely, but will be keeping their security service. But if they jack the prices on that which is currently $17 a month for monitored with cellular backup, I’ll be open to reconsider that too.

Quite frequently with Suddenlink, we are streaming a show, and we get a freeze, along with a spinning circle for a minute or two. Either this is a mini-outage, or the network is bogged down. Fingers crossed, this service is better.

 

[Juicy Box]

I spoke with them today and I can switch from 100MB to 500MB with no fees, no service call at the house, so I am going to start with the 100 service @$65 to see if I can live with it.

It totally depend on the user, but my family could get by with only the 100Mbps tier, easy.

I have 6 people in the family, and we stream heavily, but we used to have 100Mbps fiber with Verizon FiOS.

At my old home, I had a choice between FiOS and Comcast for ISPs, and would often switch back and forth between them to get the new customer rate. I generally would try to stay $40 or less a month for my internet, often getting it for only $30 a month.

A few years back, FiOS started a new deal, basically where their rates never increased, so I stopped switching. Not only did they not increase rates anymore, but I was upgraded from the 100Mbps, to the 200Mbps plan. This was over provisioned, and I would actually get 310Mbps download, and 350Mbps upload. Overkill for most of my uses. It was only $35 a month, too.

I purchased a new home last summer, and no longer have a choice of ISP. I am stuck with Comcast. Not only that, but a few years back I started a Plex media server, which needs a lot of upload bandwidth for remote viewing, so the only way to get decent upload speeds with Comcast is to get the expensive plan.

I am currently paying $70 a month for Gigabit service, which is about 900Mbps download, and only 42Mbps upload.

So, twice as much, but a tiny fraction of the upload speed. Man, I miss FiOS.

 

[Huntn]

We got fiber internet today and so far so good. I could swear the image we are getting on our TV is better, noticeably better! I’m starting out with the 100Mbit service and see how it goes. What I have is $65 per month.

Of possible interest, fiber cable can’t be spliced, it comes in premade sections. So they figured how much they needed and chose the appropriate length, which to run outside up the wall, inside our attic from one side to the other, was 100’. I assume this was more than needed, but the next shortest length was not long enough. The fiber which is a tiny cable, the quarter the size of coaxial, below the junction box outside is in a rigid pvc conduit as well as the fiber in the ground which is in a flexible conduit, that could withstand a hit with a shovel, but maybe not standing on the shovel.

 

[Huntn]

So officially my cable is cut once again. Had it disconnected yesterday.

For local channels, is anyone using Air TV, a device with a HD antenna that looks like it fits on a window? Just curious. My wife said she does not care about NFL Football, but I don’t know if I can trust her.

Stream Local TV in HD | AirTV

Watch the local channels you love, like ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS and more without a monthly bill. Stream your local channels to your mobile device with AirTV.

airtv.net

 

[Huntn]

A question for anyone who is tech savvy, I have a LinkSys AX3200 dual band router (2.4 and 5Ghz) that I purchased for use with my new fiber optic service.

My question, does it reduce load on the router to split the load of devices between the 2.4 and 5 Ghz bands or can they all be on 5 With no difference in load? What I noticed with this new router is that the 5Ghz band carries much farther than my previous cable modem/router, so my inclination would be to put everything on 5 if it makes no difference.

 

[satcomer]

Once you're on Fiber then don't for go traditional cable TV and go wither antenna of your choice and steaming box of your choice! Don't fret if you love DVR because if you still want to DVR then look at TABLO DVR for your antenna broadcast shows! Don't worry you'll get better picture over antenna with broadcast sports!

 

[Huntn]

HBO is running a special 30% off their subscription for 12 month, but you are not obligated to keep it for the year. Although I am subscribed for the wife, I have to think about it If anything is going to show up that would make it worth keeping?

• Age of the Dragon does not show up for 2+ months.
• West World, I became disenchanted with it last season.
• Watched one episode of Station Eleven and that is a go to continue even though it only lasted for one season.
• Succession watched 3.5 episodes of this before deciding it was not for me, virtually zero characters that I liked. How is that possible?
• What else? Throw me some possibilities!

 

[JBGoode]

HBO is running a special 30% off their subscription for 12 month, but you are not obligated to keep it for the year. Although I am subscribed for the wife, I have to think about it If anything is going to show up that would make it worth keeping?

• Age of the Dragon does not show up for 2+ months.
• West World, I became disenchanted with it last season.
• Watched one episode of Station Eleven and that is a go to continue even though it only lasted for one season.
• Succession watched 3.5 episodes of this before deciding it was not for me, virtually zero characters that I liked. How is that possible?
• What else? Throw me some possibilities!

Station Eleven is based on one rather short book so I'm actually glad that it's only one season. I just finished the series and have had the book on my Kindle for ages so I'm reading it now. I really enjoyed the show but some may find it slow. I hope you like it.

 

[maflynn]

Whelp, here I am back to cutting the cord.

I just saw my latest comcast bill and it went up from 168 to 205 dollars. That's just too much of a jump. I guess I was living with a discount/incentive for the past couple of years and boom, I suddenly get it hit with a huge bill.

A work a buddy of mine just went to youtube tv, and he's loving it. It appears I can get my local stations and most (but not all) of my regular channels that I watch for 65 dollars a month. So basically for about 165 (internet + Youtube TV), I'll have nearly the same set up.

I'm so frustrated with comcast, but I'll not move on cancelling until monday because I don't want to make an emotional decision.

I called them and my frustrations only continue, there does not seem a way to talk to a human easily. You need to go through a process where they eventually text you a link and you answer some questions and you'll eventually get a call back.

After jumping through the hoops and waiting 30 minutes I did a get a call back. The first person while nice was not helpful, he sent me over to retentions and they were able to "offer" to take 10 dollars off my bill, yikes. They also offered me a deal of only internet for a 100 dollars a month internet which is what is on their website, so no deal really. There website is horrible, I've been trying to see the plans and/or deals and I get this:

I did back into finding the plan prices through google, but there's no way as an account holder for me to see it or change it.

Edit:
Let me just say when I do talk to those folks, I try to be polite, and just state my issue without demands, i.e., not being a Karen. They're just working slobs just like me, and they only have certain abilities.

Sorry for the rant, its just frustrating that in this day of streaming where comcast really needs to be competitive they're doing so much not drive people away. Sadly, they have a sweetheart deal with my town, so I can only contract with them for "cable" and internet, no fios or anything else.

 

[AJK13K]

My experience with cable and content providers is bewildering. There are a million “deals” and more combos than on a Chinese menu. Heaven forbid you want to talk to someone. My experience usually starts with not understanding the helpful telephone operator. I long for “Received English”. Most of the experts I talk to are in Mumbai or have moved to the East Indian enclave in the Philippine. I still can’t figure out what they are saying. My best solution is to run all my diagnostics on my wan and then get in my car and cruse around my area looking for a cable repair truck and ask about the outage.

As for content wait for the Series etc to end then watch it for free on Utube. I did this with NYPD Blue and binged.

You now know I am a cheap curmudgeon but free complete NYPD Blue binge was great.

 

[Huntn]

My experience with cable and content providers is bewildering. There are a million “deals” and more combos than on a Chinese menu. Heaven forbid you want to talk to someone. My experience usually starts with not understanding the helpful telephone operator. I long for “Received English”. Most of the experts I talk to are in Mumbai or have moved to the East Indian enclave in the Philippine. I still can’t figure out what they are saying. My best solution is to run all my diagnostics on my wan and then get in my car and cruse around my area looking for a cable repair truck and ask about the outage.

As for content wait for the Series etc to end then watch it for free on Utube. I did this with NYPD Blue and binged.

You now know I am a cheap curmudgeon but free complete NYPD Blue binge was great.

One of my largest condemnations of Capitalism is the exportation of millions of jobs out of country for $$.

 

[MBAir2010]

Whelp, here I am back to cutting the cord.

I just saw my latest comcast bill and it went up from 168 to 205 dollars.

Sorry to hear you went through all that time and being nice towards those crooks today.
Not like you had other things to do.....

I'm contemplating cancelling my $15 HBO since i own more movies, GOOD movies than they do.
and HBO does not play nice with Mojave safari

very soon these streaming series will be out of control like these cable companies.