U-verse survey hints at new set-top-box, bolstered HD lineup
Given that AT&T still hasn't rolled its Total Home DVR software out to each of its markets yet, we're having a tough time believing a new set-top-box is just around the bend. Skeptical though we may be, a couple of subscribers have confirmed receipt of an interesting new survey that asked if they would subscribe to "a new STB" that supported the aforementioned TH DVR service, included IR capability and could handle digital programming including HDTV and Dolby 5.1. In addition to that, it asked if the respondent would be willing to cough up an extra $4 for the U400 package or an extra $10 for a total of 90 high-def channels. Call us crazy, but we're thinking that "90" figure is going to be stuck in your head as you wish, hope and pray for your HD lineup to bloom. Good luck with that whole "patience" thing.[Thanks, Anthony]
Filed under: DVRs, Set-top boxes, Fiber
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
RJ @ Oct 1st 2008 11:03AM
I work for UVerse and we are suppose to be getting Cisco boxes for awhile now but I don't where they are. Texas is where UVerse started and they tried out many STB's (Motorola, Scientic Atlanta, few others) before they chose the Motorola which all the techs hate. The CIsco will fix the coax volume issues that the Motorola has. CT Total Home DVR scheduled for Oct 11th rollout btw.
Koolkid1935 @ Oct 1st 2008 11:33AM
Both Cisco and Motorola have the RF STB that the survey hints at.
CL @ Oct 1st 2008 11:48AM
@RJ
Hey RJ, I am also in TX , and having issues with the volume dropping out. Uverse support stated to reset the box when it happens , but it gets kinda annoying after a while.
What to you recommend I do?
Thanks
drphil7 @ Oct 1st 2008 11:56AM
Im here in Miami,FL and the volume thing happened to me once and was fixed with a reset. Just some peace of mind to know its not you.
JeremyB @ Oct 1st 2008 12:03PM
I live in Houston as well, and now have TH DVR (as of Sept 26th), I have the Motorola STB's and the sound issue is caused by an issue with the HDMI port. There are no sound issues with the componant connections.
virgilatmit @ Oct 1st 2008 4:00PM
There are two volume issues. One is the volume dropout via HDMI, as alluded to here by previous users. The second (the one that affects me) is the volume dropout via optical audio. This issue affects HD programs broadcasting 5.1 audio. I've noticed it since moving to Uverse last December; and Uverse tech support recognize this as a known, unresolved issue. I'm hoping the new STB will fix this, as the only work around I have is to use RCA audio (e.g. two channel audio), since my amplifier doesn't have HDMI inputs.
drphil7 @ Oct 1st 2008 12:56PM
My STB's are Cisco, i got the service here in Miami,FL about 2 months ago. The sound issue I had was while connected with component so im not sure the problem is tied to HDMI.
Blake @ Oct 1st 2008 3:05PM
If they could just figure out how to get more than two HD streams per household, they'd probably be doing better. I still don't understand how people can be happy with that limitation. With any more than one person in the house, it boggles the mind to think that 2 HD streams is adequate for anyone these days.
Andy @ Oct 1st 2008 3:41PM
It all depends ont he number of HDTVs. Most households only have 1, so its not as big an issue as it seems.
Blake @ Oct 1st 2008 4:06PM
Well when they join us in the 21st century, they'll be sadly mistaken to think that they can have more than 2 HD streams recording.
And even if they only have one HD and the DVRs can record four shows at once (haven't you seen those shiny new commercials AT&T is running), you'll be limited there to just 2 HD streams even though they say you can record four channels at once...
RJ @ Oct 2nd 2008 3:44PM
OK, CL yours could be a few things. The HDMI chipset in the Motorola STB has had a known issue for a long time, the were suppose to release a firmware update to fix the issue but it never did. I don't recommend the HDMI for most customers cuz it usually causes more problems and not everyone can troubleshoot it on their own. Easy fix is the components but its not everyones favorite. Otherwise yur stuck power cycling it. Or your box is bad, we fix alot of audio issues by swapping boxes out. I think Motorolas are POS.
Koolkid The Motorola VIP 1200 and 1216 aren't RF compatible (direct quote from motorola like 1 1/2 yrs ago "Those models don't support RF" we had a bunch of RF remotes and antennas in our garage that just sat around. I'm sure they will release a new model that does support it. Don't know about the Cisco's cuz we haven't got em yet.
drphil7 Unless your using optical for sound it def sounds like you have a bad box.
3 HD streams are coming the beginning of next year but the are going to compress the signal to 5mb and i believe 7 sd only streams. They are going to start something called pair bonding (not sure when). What this does is it gives you basically another line of signal so it while double yur streams, 4hd streams. Not sure if they are going to double up the modems or release a new model that takes 2 inputs. We don't really know either. But soon the intelligent NIDs will come. Basically a modem of the side of yur house. Can support 1 wireless box as of now. And paired with fiber to the prem (in prolly 5yrs or so) they are saying you will get 1gb of bandwith......but ill believe it when i see it personally.
Rebecca @ Oct 3rd 2008 11:27PM
I'm so very confused! I've got a LCD HD TV in Aug. My cable company has been out 1-2
x p wk. I can't get a steady signal if any signal on the free HD channels almost all the time! I have a LG 47" w/QAM tuner & I'm sure (the cable co. techs too) that it isn't my unit. I don't need STB or other equipment. I don't need to purchase upgraded services. My cable co.
advertises that these channels are free w/o fees or equipment! They have scanned inside,
outside and up a couple of poles... I just don't know what to expect or ask for. Should I consider switching to a dish system? I've heard it looses reception in cloudy and rainy
weather. I'm disabled and must spend most of my time flat on my back in bed so TV is
kind of important to me. Any thoughts anyone?
Thanks...