Comcast?

Bowhemian

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Nov 10, 2015
5,701
Bow, NH
While we're talking about Comcast..

We upgraded our DVRs awhile back and while they extra space is nice and they seem to work great I HATE the new remotes.
The old ones had a back 30 second button that was awesome. The new one seems to go back 5 minutes. Which is useless.
Also, when I'm in the menu there is no button to go forward a day so I have to go hour by hour until I get to whatever day I was looking for. Who came up with that idea?

Are there any work arounds for these things? Or will those old gray remotes still work? I'd happily buy a couple if I can find them around.

I think these are the remotes we have:

The button just above the play/pause buttons-that's not the 30 second rewind button? Because I have that remote, and that is what that button does.
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,372
Chicago
thanks...just returned Comcast's call and spoke to someone else...going to my local service center to pick up X1 and kit...glad I didn't get duped by the sales guy yesterday to charge me $9.99 for shipping...:mad:
 

foulkehampshire

hillbilly suburbanite
SoSH Member
Feb 25, 2007
5,099
Wesport, MA
Splitters do go bad every so often, telecoms don't like to admit it. Antronix is commonly used for network grade coax splitters. I'd avoid the construction-grade stuff. Always order spare splitters, there's a possibility one could be DOA. Oh, and you should cap unused splitter ports...they will leak RF marginally if left open.

Typical RF cable frequencies are pretty resistant to leakage and being split.

The run to a router should always have the least amount of DB loss, preferably before any daisy chaining. Whether or not there's any noticeable difference might be debatable depending on what the internet speed is.

It's a ripoff having to "rent" routers. With some ISPs you have no choice (Verizon Fios), as the network gateways are specifically designed for that platform. Most ISPs that use a more traditional architecture which allow the consumer the capability use their own router. Highly recommended to purchase your own, because you really do want that 802.11AC standard and dual-band capability. Most of the routers ISP's rent out are garbage anyways. It'll pay for itself within a year or two.

The modems are typically all the same standard Motorola DOCSIS 3.0...they're not that expensive and most ISPs give that out free-of-charge.
 

timlinin8th

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 6, 2009
1,521
While we're talking about Comcast..

We upgraded our DVRs awhile back and while they extra space is nice and they seem to work great I HATE the new remotes.
The old ones had a back 30 second button that was awesome. The new one seems to go back 5 minutes. Which is useless.
Also, when I'm in the menu there is no button to go forward a day so I have to go hour by hour until I get to whatever day I was looking for. Who came up with that idea?

Are there any work arounds for these things? Or will those old gray remotes still work? I'd happily buy a couple if I can find them around.

I think these are the remotes we have:

Here ya go:

https://www.cnet.com/how-to/how-to-program-a-30-second-skip-button-for-xfinity-x1/
 

Bowhemian

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 10, 2015
5,701
Bow, NH
No, one of them is search and one is mute
Well that's a bummer, I use that 30 second rewind button quite often. I wonder if that feature is hidden in one of the other buttons. It's been on their remotes for years, I wonder why they would make it go away.
You could always upgrade to the voice remote, should be a free upgrade with X1, and that has the button.
 

The Napkin

wise ass al kaprielian
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Jul 13, 2002
28,535
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I think I have a different remote than that one though so not sure it would work? The link mentions the same rewind button that Bowhemian mentioned that I don't have.

Well that's a bummer, I use that 30 second rewind button quite often. I wonder if that feature is hidden in one of the other buttons. It's been on their remotes for years, I wonder why they would make it go away.
You could always upgrade to the voice remote, should be a free upgrade with X1, and that has the button.
These are the boxes I have:

Cable Box
  • Make & Model: MOTOROLA MORN200NR
  • Make & Model: MOTOROLA MOR200BNR

IF the voice remote can do the 30 second thing I'm totally willing to swap out because yeah, it's surprising how much I miss that.

Any thoughts on the "next/previous day" thing?
 

SumnerH

Malt Liquor Picker
Dope
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Jul 18, 2005
31,893
Alexandria, VA
It's a ripoff having to "rent" routers. With some ISPs you have no choice (Verizon Fios), as the network gateways are specifically designed for that platform.
IIRC, the MoCA routers are only used for coax connections; if you get super high-speed you'll get an Ethernet drop from Verizon and can use whatever router.

That said, there's no way I'd go with FIOS if I had any other option available; their stability has been awful in my experience, dropping connectivity multiple times a week. Comcast/Xfinity and Cox are no delight to deal with but their internet offerings seem much more stable.
 

Red Sox Physicist

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Jul 15, 2005
296
Natick, MA
IIRC, the MoCA routers are only used for coax connections; if you get super high-speed you'll get an Ethernet drop from Verizon and can use whatever router.
Yep, you can request to use Ethernet instead of MoCA for WAN as well, and they'll change it. Their cable boxes communicate over a MoCA LAN channel for guide data. You can buy your own MoCA adapter for that instead of using their crappy router.
 

foulkehampshire

hillbilly suburbanite
SoSH Member
Feb 25, 2007
5,099
Wesport, MA
IIRC, the MoCA routers are only used for coax connections; if you get super high-speed you'll get an Ethernet drop from Verizon and can use whatever router.

That said, there's no way I'd go with FIOS if I had any other option available; their stability has been awful in my experience, dropping connectivity multiple times a week. Comcast/Xfinity and Cox are no delight to deal with but their internet offerings seem much more stable.
All the VZ quantum gateways have coax and Ethernet ports. Whether or not internet is carried to the router via Ethernet or coax (from the ONT) depends on selection preference, available infrastructure, or if you get the aforementioned super-high speed, which is beyond the capability limits of coax. Though kinda/maybe/theoretically possible, STB interaction on a non-Verizon provided MoCA bridge is tricky and unsupported. Totally doable when you get just the internet package, which preferably would be done via Ethernet from the ONT to your router. I *think* you could do it via coax as well but would require MoCA filter. Not worth the effort and a waste of time. Straight run from the ONT->Router...super easy. You might have to call VZ to break the lease (depending on how the terminal was configured) and reset the ONT for that type of usage but its allowed.

Apropos of nothing, you're not likely going to get top notch upload bandwidth outside of FIOS or perhaps some localized fiber ISP's in cities. Especially in the Northeast. Comcast or Cox probably max out around 10mbps, where I think the minimum now is 50 with VZ.
 

Bowhemian

Member
SoSH Member
Nov 10, 2015
5,701
Bow, NH
I think I have a different remote than that one though so not sure it would work? The link mentions the same rewind button that Bowhemian mentioned that I don't have.



These are the boxes I have:

Cable Box
  • Make & Model: MOTOROLA MORN200NR
  • Make & Model: MOTOROLA MOR200BNR
IF the voice remote can do the 30 second thing I'm totally willing to swap out because yeah, it's surprising how much I miss that.

Any thoughts on the "next/previous day" thing?
I honestly don't know the answer here. All I know is that I can't survive without the -30 second button. i use it frequently when I have to pause programs when the wife wants to speak to me, not during commercials but during the actual show I am watching.
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,372
Chicago
Splitters do go bad every so often, telecoms don't like to admit it. Antronix is commonly used for network grade coax splitters. I'd avoid the construction-grade stuff. Always order spare splitters, there's a possibility one could be DOA. Oh, and you should cap unused splitter ports...they will leak RF marginally if left open.

Typical RF cable frequencies are pretty resistant to leakage and being split.

The run to a router should always have the least amount of DB loss, preferably before any daisy chaining. Whether or not there's any noticeable difference might be debatable depending on what the internet speed is.

It's a ripoff having to "rent" routers. With some ISPs you have no choice (Verizon Fios), as the network gateways are specifically designed for that platform. Most ISPs that use a more traditional architecture which allow the consumer the capability use their own router. Highly recommended to purchase your own, because you really do want that 802.11AC standard and dual-band capability. Most of the routers ISP's rent out are garbage anyways. It'll pay for itself within a year or two.

The modems are typically all the same standard Motorola DOCSIS 3.0...they're not that expensive and most ISPs give that out free-of-charge.
maybe that is what I am seeing attached to the unused wall outlet
 

timlinin8th

Member
SoSH Member
Jun 6, 2009
1,521
I think I have a different remote than that one though so not sure it would work? The link mentions the same rewind button that Bowhemian mentioned that I don't have.



These are the boxes I have:

Cable Box
  • Make & Model: MOTOROLA MORN200NR
  • Make & Model: MOTOROLA MOR200BNR
IF the voice remote can do the 30 second thing I'm totally willing to swap out because yeah, it's surprising how much I miss that.

Any thoughts on the "next/previous day" thing?
I saw the remote and assumed X1, both the older boxes and X1 can use those ones. Unfortunately I don't think there's a way to change it on the legacy boxes.
 

The Napkin

wise ass al kaprielian
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Jul 13, 2002
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Wait, are those old boxes, is that what you mean by legacy? We just updated like a month ago. Maybe it just wasn't updated on the online account?
 

timlinin8th

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SoSH Member
Jun 6, 2009
1,521
Wait, are those old boxes, is that what you mean by legacy? We just updated like a month ago. Maybe it just wasn't updated on the online account?
By legacy I mean the original system, not the X1 service. The MORN200 boxes are basically newer boxes still on the old style system.

The link I sent works on X1 but not on the older system.

*edit to add* if you received newer legacy boxes I'm guessing its because you had older DVRs that don't support the newer codecs (aka "the big silver boxes")
 

The Napkin

wise ass al kaprielian
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Jul 13, 2002
28,535
right here
Yeah, we had ancient big silver ones that they told us would stop working and gave us these ones for free.
So if I'm reading right I'm sol? Bummer. I used that feature so much.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2005
19,615
Portsmouth, NH
I updated boxes a couple months ago. That's not what my remote looks like and mine has the 30 second button. When did you update? They're in a cycle of decommissioning hardware. I was told my cable box and modem were both no longer supported and being put out to pasture. Do you have voice search ok it? If not they gave you an old one.
 

The Napkin

wise ass al kaprielian
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Jul 13, 2002
28,535
right here
Maybe 3-4 months ago? No voice search.
Sounds like I have the old one. Hmm. Might be worth a call, I certainly don't have anything I care about on it. I lost 2011 game 7 on this trade in though.
 

Papelbon's Poutine

Homeland Security
SoSH Member
Dec 4, 2005
19,615
Portsmouth, NH
I updated boxes a couple months ago. That's not what my remote looks like and mine has the 30 second button. When did you update? They're in a cycle of decommissioning hardware. I was told my cable box and modem were both no longer supported and being put out to pasture. Do you have voice search ok it? If not they gave you an old one.
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,372
Chicago
One month with X1 box and Comcast internet (slowest tier). My main complaint is that I can't watch Premier League Extra Time without paying for HD. They advertised it as something all X1 customers get, not only HD customers.

I've also experienced annoying hour long internet outages 3 times already.
 

gtmtnbiker

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 15, 2005
1,725
One month with X1 box and Comcast internet (slowest tier). My main complaint is that I can't watch Premier League Extra Time without paying for HD. They advertised it as something all X1 customers get, not only HD customers.
Yeah, that's annoying having to pay for the HD technology fee. I can't remember if FIOS also has that fee. I would like to see Comcast/Verizon offer an option where you can use Roku/Firestick to stream Comcast channels/content and not have to use their set-top box.
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,372
Chicago
any tips on navigating the X1 On Demand menu? I only want to watch On Demand free shows (on SD, no Netflix, HBO or Showtime)
I am navigating through a ton of shows that I find out I can't stream with what we pay for.
 

twibnotes

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
20,232
Admittedly not very techy telecom question (apologize if this isn't a fit for the thread)...

I am moving to Medfield, MA and noticed that the Verizon FIOS bundle is cheaper than that of Comcast. My wife posted on Facebook to ask which service people preferred and 7 of 10 said Comcast.

Am I crazy to go with Verizon, the cheaper option? The internet download speeds are the same apparently...can the Comcast cable interface be that much better?

Also, are there any tricks to saving on this stuff? For instance, can I buy my own wireless router or will they usually jack he price to recoup the lost equip charge?

Thanks for any thoughts/guidance.
 

Koufax

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Jul 15, 2005
5,936
I've had them both. There isn't much difference between the two. Buy on price.
 

Red Sox Physicist

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Jul 15, 2005
296
Natick, MA
Admittedly not very techy telecom question (apologize if this isn't a fit for the thread)...

I am moving to Medfield, MA and noticed that the Verizon FIOS bundle is cheaper than that of Comcast. My wife posted on Facebook to ask which service people preferred and 7 of 10 said Comcast.

Am I crazy to go with Verizon, the cheaper option? The internet download speeds are the same apparently...can the Comcast cable interface be that much better?

Also, are there any tricks to saving on this stuff? For instance, can I buy my own wireless router or will they usually jack he price to recoup the lost equip charge?

Thanks for any thoughts/guidance.
For FIOS, they just announced "Almost Gigabit" internet bundles, you might want to look at one of those:
http://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-launches-fios-gigabit-connection-service-delivering-millions-customers-speeds-they

I currently have FIOS. Comcast and RCN are the other options for me. There really isn't much difference. Every summer, when my deal runs out I call up and ask for a new deal, and switch if another provider has a better one. Verizon has renewed my deal for 3 years in a row now.

For FIOS, using your own equipment is a little tricky because the cable boxes communicate over MoCA, and their router has a built-in MoCA adapter for it. You can bring your own router, and connected your own MoCA adapter into it to talk to the cable boxes. You can also buy their router instead of renting it if you don't want to deal with your own MoCA adapter.

You can also save money on cable boxes by using CableCARDs and a CableCARD tuner like the HDHomerun Prime or a Tivo instead. Verizon charges $5/CableCARD (which has 3 tuners). I believe Tivo has a monthly fee of their own, so it may not save any money. The HDHomerun Prime is more complicated to setup, but SiliconDust is now offering their own DVR service for $60/year to go along with it.
 

charlieoscar

Member
Sep 28, 2014
1,339
I currently have FIOS. Comcast and RCN are the other options for me. Every summer, when my deal runs out I call up and ask for a new deal, and switch if another provider has a better one. Verizon has renewed my deal for 3 years in a row now.
You are fortunate. The only other option I have is the TV antenna atop my high-rise apartment building. I call Comcast and tell them I'm unhappy about the price, so they offer me a better price than I am currently paying and with an expanded package. However, this also comes with a time limit, after which I will be paying the (higher) regular price and if I want to drop out I have to pay a termination fee.

On the other hand, since they know I have no other choice but use their service, they don''t bother making much effort to solve issues like poor picture quality on HD.

to bring the Gettysburg Address up-to-date: ...and that the government of the rich, by the rich, for the rich. shall not perish from the earth.
 

NortheasternPJ

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SoSH Member
Nov 16, 2004
19,272
Slightly off topic of the last few posts, but if you are an X1 customer and had a box for more than 18 months or so, get rid of it. I just traded in my non-DVR box. The old non-DVR box performed terribly, was extremely slow and had connection issues. I just got the 3rd generation box and it's extremely fast and all my issues are gone.

I also had issues with my 2nd generation DVR box and the new one fixed that too.
 

twibnotes

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 16, 2005
20,232
For FIOS, they just announced "Almost Gigabit" internet bundles, you might want to look at one of those:
http://www.verizon.com/about/news/verizon-launches-fios-gigabit-connection-service-delivering-millions-customers-speeds-they

I currently have FIOS. Comcast and RCN are the other options for me. There really isn't much difference. Every summer, when my deal runs out I call up and ask for a new deal, and switch if another provider has a better one. Verizon has renewed my deal for 3 years in a row now.

For FIOS, using your own equipment is a little tricky because the cable boxes communicate over MoCA, and their router has a built-in MoCA adapter for it. You can bring your own router, and connected your own MoCA adapter into it to talk to the cable boxes. You can also buy their router instead of renting it if you don't want to deal with your own MoCA adapter.

You can also save money on cable boxes by using CableCARDs and a CableCARD tuner like the HDHomerun Prime or a Tivo instead. Verizon charges $5/CableCARD (which has 3 tuners). I believe Tivo has a monthly fee of their own, so it may not save any money. The HDHomerun Prime is more complicated to setup, but SiliconDust is now offering their own DVR service for $60/year to go along with it.
This is awesome - many thanks!
 

the1andonly3003

New Member
Jul 15, 2005
4,372
Chicago
thanks

another general question about Xfinity TV Anywhere. If I am traveling to NYC or Miami, can I can watch the Patriots play through the app or online by logging into our account? or will it be blacked out and forced to watch JEts/Fins?
to answer my own question: you can't access CBS Boston or Fox 25 in other cities, unless you have Comcast internet(?)