6 BOXES but can't watch at the same time.

[bgoofy1]

We just had ATT Uverse installed last Saturday …previously, we had DirecTV. I had six boxes installed (1 living room and 5 bedrooms). However, we cannot watch all at the same time even if we’re watching the same channel. 3 boxes watches the same international channel which is not HD but one has to interrupt a TV (disconnecting it) to be able to watch it in their own room. We have 1 DVR that’s suppose to be able to record channels from different rooms but we cannot all watch at the same time. We were told we have 4 HD Streams but I don’t understand why they said we can have up to 6 boxes.

[texasguy37]

With U-verse, you have 4 live streams which are used to watch and/or record live TV.  Depending on your profile, either 3 or 4 of those streams will be HD streams.  If one or more TV's is watching the same live channel, that counts as the use of a single stream.

[aviewer]

bgoofy1 - As TG says when multiple TVs watch the same channel it should count as only one stream. If you are getting an error when trying to watch the same channel you may want to call for service.

Based on what you say - 3 boxes watch the same SD channel - You could use a splitter to feed three TVs from the same STB via COAX. This would save you the monthly cost of two STBs & have the added benefit of eliminating the error message.

[bugmenot121 · Accepted solution]

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@bgoofy1 wrote:

We just had ATT Uverse installed last Saturday …previously, we had DirecTV. I had six boxes installed (1 living room and 5 bedrooms). However, we cannot watch all at the same time even if we’re watching the same channel. 3 boxes watches the same international channel which is not HD but one has to interrupt a TV (disconnecting it) to be able to watch it in their own room. We have 1 DVR that’s suppose to be able to record channels from different rooms but we cannot all watch at the same time. We were told we have 4 HD Streams but I don’t understand why they said we can have up to 6 boxes.

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Yes, you can have beyond 6 boxes.

If you are watching something live, that counts as either 1 HD or 1 SD channel (HD streams also can view SD channels. SD streams cannot view HD streams.) However, previously-recorded programming watched OFF the DVR and ONTO another TV use another set of streams.

If you record programming off premium channels such as Starz or HBO, you may want to look into recording during the overnight hours, when your streams may not be as busy.

Be sure that when your TV is turned off that your STB or DVR is also turned off. If the oval-shaped green light is on, then your STB or DVR is also turned on and is receiving a stream. If your DVR is recording something, then you're using at least one stream.

[bgoofy1]

If we record an HD show at the same time we're watching our TV does that count as another Stream?

[aviewer]

yes - any episode coming into the house counts.

[texasguy37]

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@bgoofy1 wrote:

If we record an HD show at the same time we're watching our TV does that count as another Stream?

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The 4 stream limit applies to watching or recording live TV.  If you use1 stream to record a program, you have 3 streams available.

[skeeterintexas]

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@bgoofy1 wrote:
If we record an HD show at the same time we're watching our TV does that count as another Stream?

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If you are watching and recording the SAME show, it counts as one stream. 

As someone said, EACH live program counts as one stream.

[dez3221]

Isn't it sweet that they don't tell you this when you elect to pay them for service???? Think of each stream as a TV or an internet you tube video or a uverse recorded show. You can have up to 4 of any combination. So if someone is watching youtube...you lose a tv. So if someone is recording a show, you lose another tv. BUT YOU KEEP RIGHT ON PAYING FOR 6, 7. OR 8 BOXES FOR SERVICE THEY CAN'T DELIVER AND NEGLECT TO TELL YOU. And they justify this blatant misrepresentation by telling you that they since all those boxes work, you are getting what you are paying for. It's just that the public isn't smart enough, soon enough, to realize THEY DON'T ALL WORK AT THE SAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[aviewer]

dez3221 - It should be made clear up front. It is very complicated. Usually, recordings are the culprit because the DVR could be recording all four. Try to record late nite showings when possible. Then work out a schedule that everyone can live with.

Then you can watch recordings that do not count against the four streams. I think three.

Watching a show on multiple STBs counts only once. Watching u-tube is on the internet & does not count as a stream.

The limits of the technology are not friendly to high usage installs. Many are looking forward to more streams. Maybe seven.