Review: AT&T U-VERSE

**dufunnel** · 02-06-2009 01:30 PM

I see from the pictures that the gateway uses coax and the receivers use coax and Ethernet. If the transmission is over phone lines, where does the conversion to coax happen? I need to wire my house for coax anyway, so I'm going to take this into consideration when I wire it.

I also understand the gateway is almost impossible to configure. How can it be disabled so another router/firewall can be used instead, or has AT&T improved that so it is user configurable?

**LER** · 02-07-2009 08:54 PM

The gateway I have was easily configured to what I wanted.

**wase4711** · 02-09-2009 10:28 AM

the conversion to coax happens at the RG...

**Dr. Teeth** · 02-17-2009 08:35 PM

I've been browsing through this forum for a little while and I'm just overwhelmed with the knowledge you share here.

I'm in the far west suburbs of Chicago and considering changing my existing DirecTV and ATT DSL setup to U-Verse, but I am apprehensive of some of the things I have read. (Please forgive me if my questions have already been answered somewhere in this huge thread, but it looks like things have changed since this thread was originally opend a few years ago...)

It sounds like the DVR can only handle 2 HD recordings at a time, but if you are already watching one HD, you can only record one HD. It's just not totally clear to me. Can someone explain this in a straight forward way?

The other thing that scares me is picture quality. I'm very happy with DTVs HD picture and I don't want to see any degraded qualtiy by switching. Can anyone from Chicagoland comment on this?

Thanks in advance...

**paja** · 02-17-2009 09:54 PM

Originally Posted by Dr. Teeth

I've been browsing through this forum for a little while and I'm just overwhelmed with the knowledge you share here.

I'm in the far west suburbs of Chicago and considering changing my existing DirecTV and ATT DSL setup to U-Verse, but I am apprehensive of some of the things I have read. (Please forgive me if my questions have already been answered somewhere in this huge thread, but it looks like things have changed since this thread was originally opend a few years ago...)

It sounds like the DVR can only handle 2 HD recordings at a time, but if you are already watching one HD, you can only record one HD. It's just not totally clear to me. Can someone explain this in a straight forward way?

The other thing that scares me is picture quality. I'm very happy with DTVs HD picture and I don't want to see any degraded qualtiy by switching. Can anyone from Chicagoland comment on this?

Thanks in advance...

I live in Orland Park and dropped DISH for U-verse. HD pq about the same, but U-verse has many more HD stations. The system can handle two hd streams at present, possibly three in the near future. I didn't have any comparison with Direct HD.

**wase4711** · 02-17-2009 10:01 PM

Yes, the DVR AND the entire system is setup so that you can only get 2 HD streams into your house at any one time...you can have it either live, to your DVR, or a combination thereof, but thats all you can get incoming..
Now, if you have something recorded on your DVR, you can watch it on more than 2 tv's at a time; you just cant get more than 2 "live" hd signals at once..
There is alot of talk about that being expanded shortly, but, its ATT, and they move at THEIR pace..

PQ is MUCH BETTER on SD channels, and the HD viewing will depend on how good the install is. If you get a good install, then the picture is VERY watchable; not quite as strong as satalite, but, usually better than Comcrap.
Plus, the closer to the VRAD that your house is, the better your chances of gettting a terrific signal.
I'm about 500 feet from it, so my signal is nice and strong..plus they ran a new drop to my house, which they will do if needed, and that helps alot.
I have 6 HD TV's in my house, and I've had every satalite/cable provider there is in the last 10 years, so I know of what I speak..
Sadly, the only way you will know for sure is to get it installed. Just don't disconnect your existing services until you are sure you like UVerse, just in case..Install is free, and there is no contract, so you might as well try it...
You'll have to re-adjust your TV once hooked up to UVerse, you'll have to turn the contrast and color way down, but you'll figure it out..

**Dr. Teeth** · 02-18-2009 03:27 AM

Thanks for the quick responses. With free install and no contract, trying it out sounds like the best way to go. I can live with with the 2 live HD feeds, since I can only record 2 shows now with DTV. I only have one TV so its hard to watch more than 1 show at a time, unless I can add a receiver to my PC. I'll figure it out... No way would I disconnect my existing service until I know that I'm happy with the new one. I'll check back here with my install experience after it's all setup. Thanks again -

**jeslevine** · 02-18-2009 10:40 PM

Originally Posted by wase4711

This is your FIRST POST here?

Not trying to defend bad installers, but why did you let them cut your satalite cable before you had the service completely installed?

The DEMAND for Uverse is overwhelming; its not ATT trying to force this on anyone..
My install took 8 hours, and until everything worked, I kept my Dish/Comcast/Cable modem hooked up...

Sorry you had a bad experience, but that is the exception, and not the norm..

I agree, you should not do that, but when I inquired if I could have parallel service, their customer representative said to me no, you need to remove your existing service and have it replaced with UVERSE

http://www.satelliteguys.us/iptv-dis...ml#post1710683

**eagle2352** · 02-27-2009 10:19 AM

I am really glad I found this forum. I have read many of the posts. One of the most interesting aspects is the time line and how the service has changed. The one thing that is common among the threads however, is the length of time an install takes. I am scheduled for an installation in March. We currently have Comcast and I have an excellent picture. I will not accept an install that does not match the current quality. I asked very pointedly during my initial conversation with sales, what was the HD quality and they told me then it was 1080p.. i will check one more time, to insure that is the case as I will not move forward if it is any less.
We are also a good 200 yards from the street, so i am not sure how they will handle it. Comcast had to put in a booster for us to get HD as the signal was to low. We have plenty now on all stations. I have a 6MB DSL from ATT now and I am upgrading to the 18MB service. As I do want to stream HD from the internet.
i am saving only about $20.00 over Comcast but I like the idea of recording on one and playing on any, the additonal HD stations, and the faster internet.

they told me not to disrupt my current service until i was satisfied with the new service, and I will not let them rip anything out .. period.

I will keep the forum up to date on my experince.

thanks to all of you who have added their input.

I hope ATT is reading this.. as it is invaluable interms of what the users are seeing.

Thanks

Scott

**wase4711** · 02-27-2009 10:45 AM

Scott;

First of all, NO ONE provides 1080P content at this point; occasionally, Dish Network, and, I believe Direct Tv now as well, will occasionally do a pay per view movie in 1080P, but NO ONE has a regular schedule of 1080P programming, so drop that off your list of requirements! If someone tells you otherwise, they are either lying, stupid, or have no clue as to what they are talking about..
2 great resources for uverse info is utalk.com, and uverseusers.com

As far as PQ, it all depends on quality of signal, and quality of installation..You need to be as close to the VRAD as possible, and, if you are more than 2400 feet from it, you may not be able to get more than 1 HD stream at a time. you need to find out how far the nearest VRAD is from your house..
You are right on target to NOT disconnect ANY existing service until you are happy with Uverse..Although you may have to shut off your ATT DSL to get upgraded to UVERSE; however, do NOT disconnect your comcast video until you are happy with the Uverse install and PQ..
Its a great service, with continual upgrades and new features, so, if your install is done well, and you are close enough to get a good signal, you should be thrilled with it..Unfortunately, the only way to know is to actually get it installed..