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Anyone have UVerse yet?

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  • #1

    Anyone have UVerse yet?

    We were notified that it is now available here. I am looking at it. My question is how much compression is involved for internet and TV is going over the same line.

    I have a new HDTV and am looking at my options. We have Dish but not the Turbo HD yet... I have an antenna for the local HD channels. Getting spoiled by HD

    Even the local ATT store does not have Uverse. I want to see it first.

    Kelly
    MOL- Welcome to the world of real detailer's

    Tags: None
  • #2
    Re: Anyone have UVerse yet?

    Personally, I'm not sure how sending HD feeds through a phone line would work. We just had AT&T startup cable service in Nashville, so I'll see if anyone around here has tried it yet.
    NOTE: Post count does not reflect actual detailing knowledge.

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    • #3
      Re: Anyone have UVerse yet?

      Oddly enough, your best HD signal will be over the air (from your antenna).

      I've been out of the field for a few years, but it is my understanding that cable (coax) and phone lines (except fiber) can't carry the bandwidth needed for true HD to multiple homes simultaneously. I don't think that the physics have changed. However, most cable companies are using misleading wording to describe digital television (DTV). Not all DTV is High-Def.

      There is:

      SD- Standard definition, 480i & 480p. Basically what we've had for the last 50 years.

      ED- Extended definition, 720i & 720p. A step-up, but still not true HD.

      HD- High definition, 1080i & 1080p (sometimes 720p is called HD too).

      Most cable companies are calling DTV, HDTV and most don't know the difference. They have nothing to compare it too and it can look better than what they had.

      I haven't seen UVerse yet, so I'm unfamiliar with the set-up. I would go with the old standard and trust but verify anything they claim.


      Brock

      ..
      Life isn't about 'weathering the storm', it's about learning to dance in the rain.

      Comment

      • #4
        Re: Anyone have UVerse yet?

        Originally posted by RogueGypsy View Post
        Oddly enough, your best HD signal will be over the air (from your antenna).

        I've been out of the field for a few years, but it is my understanding that cable (coax) and phone lines (except fiber) can't carry the bandwidth needed for true HD to multiple homes simultaneously. I don't think that the physics have changed. However, most cable companies are using misleading wording to describe digital television (DTV). Not all DTV is High-Def.

        There is:

        SD- Standard definition, 480i & 480p. Basically what we've had for the last 50 years.

        ED- Extended definition, 720i & 720p. A step-up, but still not true HD.

        HD- High definition, 1080i & 1080p (sometimes 720p is called HD too).

        Most cable companies are calling DTV, HDTV and most don't know the difference. They have nothing to compare it too and it can look better than what they had.

        I haven't seen UVerse yet, so I'm unfamiliar with the set-up. I would go with the old standard and trust but verify anything they claim.


        Brock

        ..
        That is what I question too! The pamplet I got in the mail states fiber optic but.... is that to the house from the pole????? Or just to the node?
        I see nothing new attached to the house.

        Yes, the old school antenna is back! It gets local HD uncompressed.
        I am less than 10 miles from the towers and have dialed it in.

        Here is a link to find the towers in your area:

        http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/Address.aspx


        This is good also:

        http://www.myfreehdtv.org/index.html


        We may stay this way for awhile. We like Dish but have to pay for a new receiver to get HD from them. Watching the budget.
        When Dish did connect the TV they used coax from the set to the reciever. I used the available S-Video and much better picture!
        Not HD but better.

        Kelly
        MOL- Welcome to the world of real detailer's

        Comment

        • #5
          Re: Anyone have UVerse yet?

          As long as there aren't more than 8(?) sets on the feed, I believe Coax can carry the signal. After that I think they have to make another run of fiber.

          The way Comcast does theirs is fiber to a distributor on the side of the house or at the pole, then coax from there. I'm sure others do it the same. As far as compression goes, it's all the same. They compress everything at the point of origin before sending he signal. So it doesn't matter if the line is carrying phone, internet and Tv or just TV. It is all compressed the same to begin with. However, I don't think Satellite compresses as much as cable. I've seen them side by side (split screen on my 65" HD Mitsubishi) and Directv smoked Comcast. Although that may have been a software or hardware issue more than signal (I was using their equipment to tune the signals, just using the Tv as a monitor).

          FYI: Call Dish and ask for a free HD upgrade. When the Tech says 'NO' ask to speak to a Supervisor. Explain to the Supervisor that if you were to switch services to DirecTv or Qwest, you would get the equipment free as a new customer. Then ask 'Why should I stay with Dish and pay, for what others will give me for free?'

          They will probably require you to sign a 2 year contract, but you'll get your HD upgrade for free (the HD program package is usually $10 more a month for the channels you currently have).

          I've done this with DirecTv for myself and several others, no one wants to loose an existing customer over equipment they charge you for anyway. They just want to get every dollar they can, so you have to push a little to get it.

          Brock



          ..
          Life isn't about 'weathering the storm', it's about learning to dance in the rain.

          Comment

          • #6
            Re: Anyone have UVerse yet?

            Thanks Brock. I'll give them a call. Now if only I could talk her into a Blu Ray.......

            Kelly
            MOL- Welcome to the world of real detailer's

            Comment

            • #7
              Re: Anyone have UVerse yet?

              I would definitely call them for a free upgrade. Awhile back, they tried telling me they would have to charge me for a upgrade. I said bye bye. Switched over to direct. About a week later dish called me back and wanted to know why I dropped them. The person said they should have given me the upgrade for free. They were trying so hard to get me back as a customer, no luck.

              So the bottom line is talk to the supervisor. I am willing to bet they will give you the upgrade.

              Good luck.
              quality creates its own demand

              Comment

              • #8
                Re: Anyone have UVerse yet?

                Originally posted by kellyinkc View Post
                Thanks Brock. I'll give them a call. Now if only I could talk her into a Blu Ray.......

                Kelly
                Talk her into a PS-3 instead, about the same price, plays Blu-Ray discs, more fun and then she'll be the 'cool' aunt/mom?


                Brock



                ..
                Life isn't about 'weathering the storm', it's about learning to dance in the rain.

                Comment

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