Features and How To

[#1]

Hey everyone I'm Justin and I thinking about making the switch. I was hoping some current U-verse customer could guide me in my decision. First of all I'd like to say I really like the idea of this forum and have already seen how helpful ATT staffers are.

Currently we have DirecTV with HD and a single DVR STB. Our DirecTV STB is a HR21-700 which features a 320GB internal HDD. I was told by an ATT online chat representative that I can expect to receive a Moto VIP1216 STB which only has a160GB of internal storage.

1.) Do I need a residential gateway for U-verse TV service only?

2.) How many hours of HD content can be stored on a VIP1216 160GD HDD?

3.) Can I purchase a VIP1216 privately OR are the units on eBay actually property of ATT?

4.) Can I upgrade a VIP1216 internal hard drive? If so, could you provide a link. TIA.

I already have HSI service from Comcast so I will not need service from ATT. Will not purchasing his from ATT effect my U-verse experience in any way? Our neighborhood is in the process of having Hotwire Communications install a fiber network with GPON FTTH. Unfortunately Hotwire says it won't be ready for at least another two months not including wiring up each home. They will be providing 20MBps HSI service to every home included in our quarterly dues and for $20 additional will provide a 100MBps tier!

5.) Does having a different HSI provider effect the U-verse experience?

Since FTTH is incoming, what is the preferred way to have U-verse TV service installed? We've currently got the original COAX being used by Comcast HSI. We've got nothing going over the copper phone lines but however it terminates in strange spots in each room. We had DirecTV installed with fresh COAX as Comcast TV service is/was included in our dues and we wanted flaxability.

6.) What is the preferred way to have only U-verse TV service installed?

7.) Will ATT upgrade OR install network cable (Cat6) / coax (RG6) / and or copper phone lines IW in our home?

I'm really excited about IPTV from ATT, so I look forward to hearing from you all.

[#2]

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2JZFAN wrote:

Hey everyone I'm Justin and I thinking about making the switch. I was hoping some current U-verse customer could guide me in my decision. First of all I'd like to say I really like the idea of this forum and have already seen how helpful ATT staffers are.

Currently we have DirecTV with HD and a single DVR STB. Our DirecTV STB is a HR21-700 which features a 320GB internal HDD. I was told by an ATT online chat representative that I can expect to receive a Moto VIP1216 STB which only has a160GB of internal storage.

1.) Do I need a residential gateway for U-verse TV service only?

2.) How many hours of HD content can be stored on a VIP1216 160GD HDD?

3.) Can I purchase a VIP1216 privately OR are the units on eBay actually property of ATT?

4.) Can I upgrade a VIP1216 internal hard drive? If so, could you provide a link. TIA.

I already have HSI service from Comcast so I will not need service from ATT. Will not purchasing his from ATT effect my U-verse experience in any way? Our neighborhood is in the process of having Hotwire Communications install a fiber network with GPON FTTH. Unfortunately Hotwire says it won't be ready for at least another two months not including wiring up each home. They will be providing 20MBps HSI service to every home included in our quarterly dues and for $20 additional will provide a 100MBps tier!

5.) Does having a different HSI provider effect the U-verse experience?

Since FTTH is incoming, what is the preferred way to have U-verse TV service installed? We've currently got the original COAX being used by Comcast HSI. We've got nothing going over the copper phone lines but however it terminates in strange spots in each room. We had DirecTV installed with fresh COAX as Comcast TV service is/was included in our dues and we wanted flaxability.

6.) What is the preferred way to have only U-verse TV service installed?

7.) Will ATT upgrade OR install network cable (Cat6) / coax (RG6) / and or copper phone lines IW in our home?

I'm really excited about IPTV from ATT, so I look forward to hearing from you all.

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In some markets(mine included) you can only get 2 HD streams . That means if you have three hd sets and three different persons want to watch three different hd shows, someone is out of luck. Already happened to me , Recordings in hd count towards the streams also. This is probably why I'm going to have to dump U-verse. They are also thin on sports prgramming. NO MLB Net or NBA TV.

[#3]

I have Internet and Digital Phone from Comcast, UVerse TV  from AT&T.

Since I ordered the HD package my service included the larger DVR, a CISCO 4320 with 320 gig HD. My understanding is that all new HD customers would recieve the larger hard drive so you may want to recheck with the sales department.

The Residential Gateway is required and serves as the distribution point for all UVerse services.

If you order TV and Internet at the same time install is free, if you decide to add internet later AT&T will hit you with a $149 installation fee even though the Residential Gateway is already in place.

Having a different HSI provider will not affect the UVerse experience.

[#4]

Unfortunately you cannot edit posts on this forum.. But we've already gotten some great answers, thanks for taking the time to read through my wall of text and offer your experiences & advice. 

A.) Can I purchase a U-verse STB privately OR are the units on eBay actually still property of ATT?

B.) Can I upgrade a U-verse STB internal hard drive? I understand TOS, just speaking hypothetically.

C.) What is the preferred way to have only U-verse TV service installed? (network cable (Cat6) / coax (RG6) / and or POTS)

D.) Will ATT upgrade OR install network cable (Cat6) / coax (RG6) / and or POTS IW in our home?

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larry11 wrote:

In some markets(mine included) you can only get 2 HD streams . That means if you have three hd sets and three different persons want to watch three different hd shows, someone is out of luck. Already happened to me , Recordings in hd count towards the streams also. This is probably why I'm going to have to dump U-verse. They are also thin on sports prgramming. NO MLB Net or NBA TV.

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I was wondering about how all that worked.. We only have one DirecTV STB and utilized DIRECTV2PC to stream to our HTPC. We can record two HD broadcasts AND watch an HD show on the main DVR simultaneously. Will we still be able to do this? Will we be able to record two HD streams AND watch one in the living room previously recorded? I became confused when I began watching the U-verse videos on YouTube. Thanks for the quick reply btw.

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Don_H_1 wrote:

I have Internet and Digital Phone from Comcast, UVerse TV  from AT&T.

Since I ordered the HD package my service included the larger DVR, a CISCO 4320 with 320 gig HD. My understanding is that all new HD customers would recieve the larger hard drive so you may want to recheck with the sales department.

The Residential Gateway is required and serves as the distribution point for all UVerse services.

If you order TV and Internet at the same time install is free, if you decide to add internet later AT&T will hit you with a $149 installation fee even though the Residential Gateway is already in place.

Having a different HSI provider will not affect the UVerse experience.

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 Thanks for the heads up! I actually continued looking into the STB and eventually stumbled onto the Cisco/Scientific Atlanta IPN-4320. I'll be asking for it by name in the comment section when placing our order . Thanks for the comments on the RG and in reference to the HSI, you've been a big help.

[#5 · Accepted solution]

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2JZFAN wrote:

1.) Do I need a residential gateway for U-verse TV service only?

2.) How many hours of HD content can be stored on a VIP1216 160GD HDD?

3.) Can I purchase a VIP1216 privately OR are the units on eBay actually property of ATT?

4.) Can I upgrade a VIP1216 internal hard drive? If so, could you provide a link. TIA.

5.) Does having a different HSI provider effect the U-verse experience?

6.) What is the preferred way to have only U-verse TV service installed?

7.) Will ATT upgrade OR install network cable (Cat6) / coax (RG6) / and or copper phone lines IW in our home?

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1. Yes, residential gateway is required for any U-Verse service.  The residential gateway is a combination unit that consists of: VDSL modem, 100 Mbps Ethernet switch (4 ports), router, firewall, 802.11g wireless access point, HPNA/coax terminal, VOIP terminal adapter.

2. There are 3 possibilities for your DVR:

Motorola VIP1216 or Cisco/SA IPN430: 160GB HD, 37 hrs HD or 133 hrs SD

Motorola VIP1225: 250GB HD, 65 hrs HD or 233 hrs SD

Cisco/SA IPN4320: 320GB HD, 87 hrs HD or 311 hrs SD

3. All units available through some other channel than AT&T are officially considered stolen property.  All units are supposed to be returned to AT&T when a customer discontinues service.  AT&T will not activate these units.

4. It is against AT&T terms of service to tamper with the units, however people have done it.  It requires a hard drive with firmware specific for DVR units such as the Seagate Pipeline or SV35 series, must be parallel ATA, and must be 320GB or less (500GB+ drives will not format in the unit).  Finding a hard drive that meets these requirements is exceedingly difficult.

5. Without AT&T HSI, you cannot use the U-Verse Web Remote Access tool to manage the DVR remoteley to schedule recordings, and you cannot use the U-Verse Online video streaming site.

6. U-Verse can run over coax cabling (RG-6) or Ethernet wiring (Cat5e).  Both work identically when properly installed, but Ethernet wiring is less prone to installation errors.

7. AT&T premises technicians will use whatever cabling is available in your home to install the service.  Generally, this means using the existing coax cabling, although they will typically replace all end connectors, wall plates, and splitters.  If in-home wiring does not exist, they will install compatible wiring at no charge, but will not fish the wire through walls.  It will be installed on the outside of the house or inside along baseboards/under carpet.  If in-home wiring exists but cannot be used (e.g. you're going to use it for Comcast HSI), then they will install compatible wiring but there will be a charge.

Be aware that you may not be able to get a Cisco/SA IPN4320.  In each U-Verse market, the premises technicians carry either all Motorola equipment, or all Cisco/SA equipment, not both.  If you are in an area that carries Motorola equipment, then the largest unit you will be able to get is the Motorola VIP1225.

[#6]

Thanks for taking the time to answer my questions, I wish I could have given you Kudos.

[#7]

if I were you, i wouldn't switch. with uverse, you get limited HD by streams, you get barely any ondemand.  its not really worth it.  I have uverse now so I"m sticking with it, but I'm debating going to directv.

[#8]

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robl45 wrote:

if I were you, i wouldn't switch. with uverse, you get limited HD by streams, you get barely any ondemand.  its not really worth it.  I have uverse now so I"m sticking with it, but I'm debating going to directv.

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The majority of customer are on the 32/5 profile which provides at least 3 HD streams, and this is being updated to 4 HD streams.  The 4 HD stream profile has already been released in a number of markets.

Also, not everyone is looking for On Demand content.

[#9]

yea, neigher was I until I read about it on directvs site and tried it.  talk about awesome, you don't waste your dvr because the stuff is already there.  oh yea, on other providers except uverse.

and most people want 3 streams of HD right? so they can't watch other TVs.    just keeping it real.  Uverse has major major limitations.

[#10]

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robl45 wrote:

yea, neigher was I until I read about it on directvs site and tried it.  talk about awesome, you don't waste your dvr because the stuff is already there.  oh yea, on other providers except uverse.

and most people want 3 streams of HD right? so they can't watch other TVs.    just keeping it real.  Uverse has major major limitations.

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What profile are you on 32/5, 25/2 or 19/2?  How many HD streams do you currently have?

By the way, I don't care if someone wants Directv or U-verse.  I just don't want incorrect information being distributed.

[#11]

I think you have to give U-verse some credit here. It is a relatively new player in the game and it is only in just under 3 million homes, but their approach to providing a 3 tiered bundle with multiple HD streams on the TV tier really shook up the complacent satellite providers. It's only because of U-verse that DirecTV has put together its excellent Whole Home DVR package.

There is no one tv provider that offers all things to all people, but I applaud U-verse for being the terrier in the pack, and continuing to snap at the ankles of the big players as it grows.

As customers, we all benefit from U-verse continuing to invest and grow in the market. Has it matured? I think the honest answer is "Some" but it has a way to go.

[#12]

I have 25/2,  and i'm pretty close to the vrad.  I got 3 streams when i finally called and requested it.  still 3 streams or even 4 streams pales compared to unlimited on directv.

[#13]

are we talking about the compay that keeps upselling their internet service when they know that you won't get full use if it if you are watching tv?  they hard sold me upgraded internet from 6megs to 12 megs, then told me I wouldn't see it all if I'm watching tv.  and people want more streams?  for what, so it can suck up the rest of the bandwidth?

[#14]

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robl45 wrote:

yea, neigher was I until I read about it on directvs site and tried it.  talk about awesome, you don't waste your dvr because the stuff is already there.  oh yea, on other providers except uverse.

and most people want 3 streams of HD right? so they can't watch other TVs.    just keeping it real.  Uverse has major major limitations.

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On Direct TV, it downloads to your DVR and it's not a quick download. I switch from DTV last year to UVerse,  with Uverse, you select play and it starts right up.  I've also seen the content more than double for On Demand as well for UVerse as well as have more channels added in the past year than DTV has.

[#15]

you are right, it does start right up, but there isn't much of it. 

[#16]

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robl45 wrote:

I have 25/2,  and i'm pretty close to the vrad.  I got 3 streams when i finally called and requested it.  still 3 streams or even 4 streams pales compared to unlimited on directv.

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Directv streams are only "unlimited" if you are willing to pay for additional DVR's.  With U-verse, you get 4 streams even with a single box.

No single TV service is for everyone.  You determine your needs, and then you chose the service that best meets those needs.

[#17]

As an update I got my install moved up 5 days to the 20th. The only thing that worries me is they cannot tell me how far from the VRAD I am.. I think it's more of a policy sort of thing then anything else from what I read. I'm going to go for a drive and try to find it.

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robl45 wrote:

I have 25/2,  and i'm pretty close to the vrad.  I got 3 streams when i finally called and requested it.  still 3 streams or even 4 streams pales compared to unlimited on directv.

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In my opinion it isn't really worth it.. I mean each DVR you're paying a fee for the box, monthly dues, AND you don't even own it. One of the reasons I'm changing is that I'm out of contract and DirecTV won't do anything to retain me in regards to getting a newer faster HR-24. I refuse to pay $200 for a new box that actually works and doesn't lock up with quick inputs, agree to the 2YR agreement, and end up having to return the box when I'm down. DirecTV is running a scam, I can't believe I fell for it in the first place.

[#18]

so you going to a company instead that has limited streams.  you do realize that assuming you get 3 streams of HD, if you have 4 tvs, one tv can't watch HD, nevermind if you are recording.  so yea, I know the hardware outlay sucks, but you also know that if you switch somwhere else, most likely you get a postcard in a month begging you to come back with lower fees.  eitherway, unlimited is unlimited and better than limited streams.  I like my channel selection now on uverse, but I can use up the streams very easily recording 3 channels.

[#19]

There are plenty of similar threads.  If you are only interested in a few TV's (not a family with a bunch) and don't try and record and watch several at a time and only care about limited DVR functions then U-verse is fine.  If you really want a full and flexible tv/dvr experience then Directv is a significantly better product today.  U-verse may be new in the market but you want things today and not if and when they catch up.  It all depends what kind of experience you want.

[#20]

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robl45 wrote:

so you going to a company instead that has limited streams.  you do realize that assuming you get 3 streams of HD, if you have 4 tvs, one tv can't watch HD, nevermind if you are recording.  so yea, I know the hardware outlay sucks, but you also know that if you switch somwhere else, most likely you get a postcard in a month begging you to come back with lower fees.  eitherway, unlimited is unlimited and better than limited streams.  I like my channel selection now on uverse, but I can use up the streams very easily recording 3 channels.

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Please go back and re-read the OP's message.  You may have missed this comment:

Currently we have DirecTV with HD and a single DVR STB. Our DirecTV STB is a HR21-700 which features a 320GB internal HDD.

Apparently, the OP is not concerned with having "unlimited" streams.  Every customer has different needs and all customers do not want the same thing.

[#21]

With respect to adding services post-install...

I dropped my U-Verse TV (but kept internet & phone) after the promotion period because I was loyal to DirecTV.  A month later I finally bought my first HDTV and DirecTV said my giant trees were blocking their HD satellite(s).  So... today I am getting U-Verse HD installed (and must say goodbye to DirecTV).

ATT is not charging me an installation fee for bringing STBs back to my house and firing up TV again.  Seems odd they would charge to add other services?  They also threw in some discounts for having the triple bundle again.

[#22]

Let me see so far no Hallmark channel and we could loose HGTV, Food channel Cooking channel DYI networks, no CW channel in most areas.

 I would wait until U-Verse hires a qualifyed negotiator

[#23]

Most of those actually are on U-Verse.  Most, not all are in HD.  Unless you meant HD only; might want to look again.

[#24]

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shoe7400 wrote:

Let me see so far no Hallmark channel and we could loose HGTV, Food channel Cooking channel DYI networks, no CW channel in most areas.

 I would wait until U-Verse hires a qualifyed negotiator

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Other than the 2 Hallmark channels, what other channels have been removed from the lineup during your time as a TV customer due to failure to negotiate a new carriage agreement with the content provider?

[#25]

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shoe7400 wrote:

Let me see so far no Hallmark channel and we could loose HGTV, Food channel Cooking channel DYI networks, no CW channel in most areas.

 I would wait until U-Verse hires a qualifyed negotiator

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And Dish doen't have FSN, Nat Geo and could be losing the national Fox broadcast 1 November.  When I had Direct TV they had their fair share of contract disputes as well, Versus was dark for several months while a new contract was hammered out. It's not just UVerse that has contract negotiations.

[#26]

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oufanindallas wrote:

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shoe7400 wrote:

Let me see so far no Hallmark channel and we could loose HGTV, Food channel Cooking channel DYI networks, no CW channel in most areas.

 I would wait until U-Verse hires a qualifyed negotiator

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And Dish doen't have FSN, Nat Geo and could be losing the national Fox broadcast 1 November.  When I had Direct TV they had their fair share of contract disputes as well, Versus was dark for several months while a new contract was hammered out. It's not just UVerse that has contract negotiations. 

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Perhaps there is just a lack of available qualified negotiators in the industry.

[#27]

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texasguy37 wrote:

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oufanindallas wrote:

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shoe7400 wrote:

Let me see so far no Hallmark channel and we could loose HGTV, Food channel Cooking channel DYI networks, no CW channel in most areas.

 I would wait until U-Verse hires a qualifyed negotiator

---

And Dish doen't have FSN, Nat Geo and could be losing the national Fox broadcast 1 November.  When I had Direct TV they had their fair share of contract disputes as well, Versus was dark for several months while a new contract was hammered out. It's not just UVerse that has contract negotiations. 

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Perhaps there is just a lack of available qualified negotiators in the industry.

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Or too many greedy broadcast companies.  Vs. was one of the few channels that has been pulled from DTV that I missed as I tended to watch hockey on Vs. and it was during hockey season that the contract ran out.  I'd be really upset if FSN was pulled in my area as OU plays a majority of their games on FSS and the Rangers play all but Friday night games on FSS.

[#28]

how many billions did directv pay for exclusive rights to sunday ticket?

i guess if youre a big NFL fan then vote with your wallet

directv's sports line up is awesome but personally ill go strictly OTA before i subsidize the stinkin NFL

[#29]

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2JZFAN wrote:

In my opinion it isn't really worth it.. I mean each DVR you're paying a fee for the box, monthly dues, AND you don't even own it. One of the reasons I'm changing is that I'm out of contract and DirecTV won't do anything to retain me in regards to getting a newer faster HR-24. I refuse to pay $200 for a new box that actually works and doesn't lock up with quick inputs, agree to the 2YR agreement, and end up having to return the box when I'm down.

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The you weren't talking to the right people. The current charge for an HR24 DVR for customers out of contract is $99 and retention waives that all the time. In fact, we were offered three HR24 DVRs for a total of $50 last month when we called to discuss our options. We had DirecTV Tivos (6 simultaneous recording sessions) and loved them. We wanted On Demand and Multiroom viewing though and that meant we had to "upgrade" all of our DVRs to the HD boxes with a decidedly inferior UI.  Having held out for the new DirecTV Tivo receivers for as long as possible, we decided that we wanted to try something else. 

Overall, we're pretty satisified with the AT&T UI; it's not as good as TiVo but much better than the DirecTV boxes.   We're adjusting to most of the differences and learning to live with the minor deficiencies.   Right now, the biggest frustration is the unbuffered viewing -- i.e. no pause or backup -- on the client boxes but I think there is an update in the works that will address that.    Our current plan is to use AT&T for six months then re-evaluate (we suspended DirecTV service).  At that point, the DirecTV TiVo boxes may be out and we can take another look at DirecTV.

[#30]

I'm about to suspend my DirecTV account.  U-verse has won me over on everything but the PQ on 1080i sources,  720p is comparable and SD is better on u-verse.

However, what ticks me off is most HD channels are 1080i.

Is DTV specifically giving out HR24s now?  They were never able to guarantee model numbers before but the previous generations were so slow.  If they gave me 3 HR24s and BBCA in HD I'd probably stay with DTV.