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After reading TV/Internet threads...I think I need more help than I thought...Arghhhh

Posted on 5/21/19 at 4:21 pm
Posted by TOSOV
Member since Jan 2016
8922 posts
Posted on 5/21/19 at 4:21 pm
Ok, so I was looking for a thread to ask a few simple questions, but after reading them, I think I'm totally hosing myself with what I have. Thanks in advance for the help y'all.

I have ATT UVerse, not Fiber, but I am getting advertisements for it to be an option. I will look into if the board conscious is it.

I just ran the speed on my MacBook using both: ATT.net version and Ookla's Speedtest website. Got the following, roughly the same, which is what I'm really concerned about paying way to much.

via ATT.net (Tested on 5/21/2019, 3:25:48 PM)

Download Speed: 28.1 Mbps (3512.5 KB/sec transfer rate)
Upload Speed: 5.37 Mbps (671.3 KB/sec transfer rate)
Latency: 51 ms

via Ookla Speedtest

PING - ms: 22
DOWNLOAD - Mbps: 28.86
UPLOAD - Mbps: 4.55

Questions/Comments:

1. Could my low speeds be due to old wiring? Hasn't been updated in ages, so possible...I guess
2. If so, whats the best way to do this, and what kind of wiring should I be asking about?
3. I live alone, so speeds didn't seem bad to me, but I don't want to be paying more for less
4. My options seem to be regular UVerse, Fiber UVerse, and Spectrum
- I've had my current set-up for over 10 yrs now
- I have 3 boxes, including the main box
- I have the ATT provided router, so not sure if I'm able to switch that out and/or if it will help at all...what should I get if so?
- How is Spectrum compared to UVerse when it comes to TV? I.e. the guide (I hate my parents DirectTV guide), channels, DVIR (which I use a lot), remote, etc
- Is there a different speed on my computer vs the what is going to the TV, and that is what is advertised?

How much I pay:

Uverse TV/Video - $148 (~total including taxes, etc)
- U300 includes HBO/Starz/Showtime
- $119 for the service itself
- Includes $10 for the HD Tech Fee, which drives me nuts that I'm paying for this still
- Includes $20 for the 2 extra boxes

Internet: $42 (~total including taxes, etc)

~Total: $190/month for both TV/Internet

Anything I should/could do here?

Not sure if I'm missing anything that would help, but let me know. Thanks.

Posted by LSUtigerME
Walker, LA
Member since Oct 2012
3798 posts
Posted on 5/21/19 at 4:29 pm to
No issues with your wiring. You’re not at speeds where wiring will really matter all that much. If wiring were an issue, you could simply go wireless without much issue.

Your internet price is fine.

Your TV price is pretty high. Since you’ve been with them for so long, you’re not getting the best rates or any promotions. I’d definitely call them and talk about your options and explore the fact that you’re looking elsewhere.

I have ATT because there are no other options. I can’t convince Charter/Spectrum to quote us to bring service to our area. If they would, I’d switch in a second. But that’s primarily based on price and speed available. I’m maxed out at 10/1 with ATT. And only TV available is Satellite.
Posted by FuzzyBearE
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2016
451 posts
Posted on 5/21/19 at 4:41 pm to
I had a similar setup.

U-Verse at 28 MB is about the best you're going to get unless fiber is available.

Drop the TV package and the "Tech Fee" and extra boxes.
Subscribe to Playstation Vue.
I Have the "Elite" package which is $60.

I still have 1 main box because the bundle discount with TV\Internet\phone is cheaper than without basic TV service. I think I pay $10 for the Basic U-Verse TV. Send the other boxes back and use a streaming box like an AppleTV or Roku.

If you have these already, great - if not, you will have to put one on each TV - but at least it's just the one time cost, not a monthly rental fee for the box.

There is a list of compatible devices on their website.
PS Vue

That will save you almost $100 a month.

This post was edited on 5/21/19 at 4:42 pm
Posted by Doldil
The Ham
Member since Jan 2010
6214 posts
Posted on 5/21/19 at 4:41 pm to
what speeds to you pay for? With UVerse, which is still DSL I think, isn't it? the further you are away from the main node the slower your speeds max out. You could be paying for 100 Mbps and only able to get 30 because you're too far out.

Your modem could be too old and slowing things down, check and see if it's at least a DOCSIS 3.0 2.0 I think tops out at 28 or 30 Mbps.

There's a lot of different things that could be going on but Uverse is typically shite for internet service (imo). I actually like Spectrum, but I'm in Birmingham and have never had any issues with them.
Posted by t00f
Not where you think I am
Member since Jul 2016
90055 posts
Posted on 5/21/19 at 4:59 pm to
I think the bandwidth speed is probably right for uverse..
Posted by notsince98
KC, MO
Member since Oct 2012
18005 posts
Posted on 5/21/19 at 8:37 pm to
I have internet with DirecTV and ATT only charges me $41/month. DirecTV tends to be noticeably cheaper than their uverse offering and the HD quality is much better on DirecTV.
Posted by Bard
Definitely NOT an admin
Member since Oct 2008
51690 posts
Posted on 5/22/19 at 2:29 pm to
What's the speed package for your internet? Are you contracted for a certain speed (ie: 25Mb) or is it that you could get "up to xxMb"?
Posted by TOSOV
Member since Jan 2016
8922 posts
Posted on 5/22/19 at 5:11 pm to
Thanks to all for their responses. It really did help make sure I was looking at things properly, and some things to look into.


quote:

No issues with your wiring. You’re not at speeds where wiring will really matter all that much. If wiring were an issue, you could simply go wireless without much issue.

Your internet price is fine.

Your TV price is pretty high. Since you’ve been with them for so long, you’re not getting the best rates or any promotions. I’d definitely call them and talk about your options and explore the fact that you’re looking elsewhere.

I have ATT because there are no other options. I can’t convince Charter/Spectrum to quote us to bring service to our area. If they would, I’d switch in a second. But that’s primarily based on price and speed available. I’m maxed out at 10/1 with ATT. And only TV available is Satellite.


Thanks for the info on the wiring. I swung by the ATT store last night, and they actually told me that 24mbs is the latest in my area, so not the wiring. But if I were to look at changing the internet to Spectrum or say UVerse Fiber, would wiring be a concern at the levels they are suppose to be pushing out? Just making sure, so I don't change for that to be an issue. Maybe I can get them to rewire as a part of moving over if I do.

Not sure if I'm misunderstanding your "go wireless" part if the wiring is bad, but I was talking about the home wiring that feeds the ATT wireless router. As I'm attached to it wirelessly on all my devices.

Yeah sucks I have to call them to discuss the pricing, and not able to do it at the store.
Posted by TOSOV
Member since Jan 2016
8922 posts
Posted on 5/22/19 at 5:25 pm to
quote:

Your modem could be too old and slowing things down, check and see if it's at least a DOCSIS 3.0 2.0 I think tops out at 28 or 30 Mbps.


No clue about the modem types, but this is the kind that ATT says is the current one:

ARRIS NVG599

quote:

here's a lot of different things that could be going on but Uverse is typically shite for internet service (imo). I actually like Spectrum, but I'm in Birmingham and have never had any issues with them.


Yeah I'm not the best to know what is good or bad. I kind of just confirm if I see something different than at the office, and I really don't. But I do get stuck in past times because I don't do things that I need it to be sure fast like gaming, uploading, etc. BUT I also don't want to be paying for more than worse.

I'm going to speak to Spectrum to see what they have, but goes to my other post about if the wiring can handle it.
Posted by TOSOV
Member since Jan 2016
8922 posts
Posted on 5/22/19 at 5:36 pm to
quote:

I had a similar setup.

U-Verse at 28 MB is about the best you're going to get unless fiber is available.

Drop the TV package and the "Tech Fee" and extra boxes.
Subscribe to Playstation Vue.
I Have the "Elite" package which is $60.

I still have 1 main box because the bundle discount with TV\Internet\phone is cheaper than without basic TV service. I think I pay $10 for the Basic U-Verse TV. Send the other boxes back and use a streaming box like an AppleTV or Roku.

If you have these already, great - if not, you will have to put one on each TV - but at least it's just the one time cost, not a monthly rental fee for the box.

There is a list of compatible devices on their website.
PS Vue

That will save you almost $100 a month.


huh...that is quite a nice chunk. I have a google chrome dongle on my main TV. Would that work for what you described or no? I'm thinking about replacing my main tv with a "Smart TV" when I get around to it, and moving that TV into my office. I have a Macbook, iPad, so will an AppleTV be the best route? Just one work on all 3 TVs via regular USB or would I need one for all? So ~$300 for them.

Ultimately, I just want to make sure I can watch all the SEC/college games I want in the fall without hassles, like I can now with ESPN/SECN and all their Alt channels. I'm a great candidate for the whole "cable cutting" movement, but I don't like change without really knowing what I'm getting into. So needing to make sure I'm doing it right.
Posted by FuzzyBearE
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2016
451 posts
Posted on 5/23/19 at 8:44 am to
Looks like your Chromecast Dongle will work.

You will need some kind of device on each TV - unless you have a Smart TV that can add the PS Vue app.

I'm on AT&T - my Max speed is 28MB and running wireless works well 99% of the time. Even cable sometimes had glitchy signal/pixelation/feezing occasionally. I defy you to look at the picture of the stream and see any difference between it and cable.

I just picked up a 55" TCL from Costco for $329 that has the Roku system built in...so that my be an option. I already had an AppleTV to put on it - so I haven't tried to add PS Vue to it - I may check it out.

PS Vue Supported Devices

The AppleTV boxes allow you to "AirPlay" so you can push videos from your phone or computer to the AppleTV for viewing. It's nice - but not a deal breaker if you don't have it. I don't know about the other systems - it's just been easier for me to stay in the Apple universe as it all works together and it's easier for the wife if she doesn't have to figure out different systems.

It takes a little adjustment to your viewing habits - but it's definitely easy enough to pick up.

I typically watch Sports on the ESPN app - everything is available to watch live or replay when convenient (Usually available to replay about 30 minutes after completion).

PS Vue has a DVR system - so you can tag shows to record and then watch later. It works great except for sports, because they don't differentiate enough on the teams. If you ask it to record an LSU football game - it records all "College Football" games - so it's more difficult to get back to it at a later date. I haven't found a way to stop that.

I've converted a couple of neighbors and they are all happy with the system.
Posted by Bard
Definitely NOT an admin
Member since Oct 2008
51690 posts
Posted on 5/23/19 at 11:00 am to
quote:

But if I were to look at changing the internet to Spectrum or say UVerse Fiber, would wiring be a concern at the levels they are suppose to be pushing out?


No. They'll know if they can provide service to your address or not and at what speeds. Call their CS to see what you qualify for.

If you decide to change, make sure you have some overlap time between starting the new service and cutting off the old service just in case the new service is crap or their records were wrong (ie: you aren't eligible for service at that location).
Posted by FuzzyBearE
Baton Rouge
Member since Jul 2016
451 posts
Posted on 5/24/19 at 8:00 am to
quote:

I just picked up a 55" TCL from Costco for $329 that has the Roku system built in...so that my be an option. I already had an AppleTV to put on it - so I haven't tried to add PS Vue to it - I may check it out.


FOLLOWUP:

Added the PS Vue app to the TCL Roku system last night. Works well and easy to use - you can set it so the TV defaults to that app when you turn it on.
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