EXCLUSIVE: AT&T HomeZone First Look

**jhaifley** · 08-01-2006 06:23 PM

When the AT&T rep was out for the install, I asked him about the HD version. I guess they changed their mind and are going to use the 622 receiver with modified software for the HD version and the 2wire for the SD version. He expects availability to be around the beginning of next year. Now, I don't know how true it all is, we will have to wait and see.

**ChetK** · 08-01-2006 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by jhaifley

I guess they changed their mind and are going to use the 622 receiver with modified software for the HD version and the 2wire for the SD version. He expects availability to be around the beginning of next year.

That would be sooooo sweet if this was the 622 upgrade that we should expect to see if Oct. that Scott is talking about.

**jhaifley** · 08-03-2006 11:18 AM

Well, I have been pretty busy at work and haven't tried out too much yet, but here is what I have so far:

Was able to download a movie from Movielink with no issues. Haven't watched it yet, so I am not charged for it. I have 28 days from when I download it to start watching it. Once I press play, I get charged and have 24 hours to watch it. I can't speak about the quality as I haven't watched the movie.

The 30 sec fast forward on the remote is great but I think there is a bug with the regular fast forward button as it takes me right to the end of the program. Mabye that is normal, but if so I will miss the ability to fast forward at different intervals.

Copying my MP3 collection from my computer to the Homezone was easy and playing them even easier. Unfortunately I cannot access it remotely like the literature says you should. On the Yahoo Webremote, I have the TV tab, Movies tab and Pictures tab but no music tab. I am going to call them on this as I was looking forward to listining to my music at work.

I do wish it would allow some more customization. I would like to change some of the colors. Each section (Movies, TV, etc) has its own color scheme and some colors are pretty loud. Also, I would like to turn off the program descriptions in the guide to get more listings on the screen. I could hit the info button if I wanted a description.

I discovered the reason that they require a 2wire gateway and you can get around it. 1) If you are using wireless, the tech is only trained to get the default SSID and encryption key off the back of the router. A dish tech is not a network person and would not know how to handle something different. 2) You need to open port 55080 in and out of your firewall. If you have the 2wire, they do that for you remotely in 48 hours. Mine was ready before that. So, although they won't sell you homezone unless you tell them you have the gateway, if you have good network knowledge, you can get away with not having it.

I will let you know if I find anything else.....

Listening to streaming radio from the internet worked fine.

**GaryPen** · 08-04-2006 02:22 PM

I'm concerned about what that tech said about no HD version of the 2Wire HomeZone, and using a modified 622 instead. I'm familiar with Dish software, and their horrible track record with it. I would prefer the 2Wire software, which has been tested now for about 2 years.

**GaryPen** · 08-06-2006 12:02 PM

jhaifley - How's it going with the unit? Still working ok? Notice any bugs or glitches? (Did you figure out the FF problem? I can't imagine they'd release it that way.) How's the DVR interface? Easy to setup DVR recordings? How are the playback and live play functions? On-sceen program guide and menus?

**RIRWIN1983** · 08-06-2006 05:47 PM

Originally Posted by strrlvr

I understand this is just speculation, but I can't imagine ATT doing this to existing DishNetwork customers. Why would E* allow such a thing to happen? Basically it would be tempting current E* customers to cancel their service and use someone else for 6 months. I know it is a 'ATT' thing, but with an improved product like this, I'd think they would have thought this one through. I understand not allowing a switch when there really isn't a benefit to me leaving DishNetwork and 'starting anew' with ATT DishNetwork, but in this case that would be absurd.

Let me put it his way, if ATT forbids those customers who currently have ATT DSL and DISHNETWORK service on separate bills from attaining Homezone, it would be a collosal failure! In my humble estimation anyways..

Then again it is scary that this seems to be 100% ATT-related up to this point, with no information coming from E*. Maybe ATT is planning on sticking it to us.

its not a matter that att dosent want you now, its an issue of your address being available in the dishnetwork system side for them to submit the order, because in reality dishnetwork is sending the bill for your service to att and then att bills what they chose/agreeded wth dish.

**RIRWIN1983** · 08-06-2006 06:06 PM

Originally Posted by GaryPen

You don't get a choice. HomeZone is being rolled out in areas that won't have U-verse. It was designed just for that purpose - To fill in the non-U-verse areas.

wrong again, do you realy think att would give the whole state of ohio a middle finger on u-verse tv?

homezone is ment to fill in the gap untill u-verse tv is deployed fully. and will remain around to service unfinanciacly practical areas for u-verse tv, such as rual areas.

so your half right saying that its for non-uverse areas, but well thats basically everyone thats not in san antonio, the home of sbc/att. i can attest that in columbus,oh i am seeing the deployment of the lightspeed equiptment moving along, slowly, but moving along. the next time your driving around look for a utility shed sized box painted in a creme color that has orange/black letters&numbers on it, w/ an sbc/ameritech/att,ect.... logo on it. if you see a smaller, same colored box nearby its possable that its lightspeed. if you need pictures i can provide.

**ranger714** · 08-07-2006 01:39 PM

Originally Posted by jhaifley

The 30 sec fast forward on the remote is great but I think there is a bug with the regular fast forward button as it takes me right to the end of the program. Mabye that is normal, but if so I will miss the ability to fast forward at different intervals.

Copying my MP3 collection from my computer to the Homezone was easy and playing them even easier. Unfortunately I cannot access it remotely like the literature says you should. On the Yahoo Webremote, I have the TV tab, Movies tab and Pictures tab but no music tab. I am going to call them on this as I was looking forward to listining to my music at work.

The first double arrow to the right (and left) of the yellow pause is the variable fast forward (or rewind), there's five different speeds available (IIRC). The double arrow with line (next out from the middle) is jump to the end (or beginning).

I also believe that the streaming music feature was removed, as to why, who knows...

**GaryPen** · 08-07-2006 04:56 PM

Originally Posted by RIRWIN1983

wrong again, do you realy think att would give the whole state of ohio a middle finger on u-verse tv?

homezone is ment to fill in the gap untill u-verse tv is deployed fully. and will remain around to service unfinanciacly practical areas for u-verse tv, such as rual areas.

so your half right saying that its for non-uverse areas

I'm wrong. I'm half-right. Make up your mind.

Actually, I'm 100% right. HomeZone is designed for people who cannot get U-verse. I'll bet you a dollar that they will phase out HomeZone availability for addresses that become eligible for U-verse.

**jhaifley** · 08-08-2006 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by ranger714

The first double arrow to the right (and left) of the yellow pause is the variable fast forward (or rewind), there's five different speeds available (IIRC). The double arrow with line (next out from the middle) is jump to the end (or beginning).

I also believe that the streaming music feature was removed, as to why, who knows...

Yup, you are right. The buttons on the ends are for track skipping.