Wish me luck..switching to Comcast- Cable Modem Question

[Stangkiller]

Well I've had enough of paying $140 a month for a few channels and internet. I've signed up for a teaser rate with Comcast for $50 a mo, maxing out at $80 a month.

As part of the deal I can supply my own cable modem to avoid $7 a month, assuming I keep service longer than a year, it makes sense to own my own modem. What do ya'll recommend? This is the one I'm considering: Amazon.com: Motorola SB6121 SURFboard DOCSIS 3.0 Cable Modem: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41yzyjatxHL.@@AMEPARAM@@41yzyjatxHL
I figure it'll work with my Linksys 350N with DDWRT, for wireless.

[slant]

the comcast modem works well and is worth it

[Stangkiller]

the comcast modem works well and is worth it

you're saying the $7.00 a month is worth it, over owing my own?

[lspencer534]

I'd love to have Comcast over ATT DSL, but Comcast has a problem in my neighborhood. They either can't or won't fix it.

[slant]

you're saying the $7.00 a month is worth it, over owing my own?

to me , yes
I have the triple play and to me it is worth it.

[Chris Fowler]

I have that Motorola on my 107Mb/s home cable connection.

Seems to max out around 70Mb/s...not sure if that's the modem, cable connection or the cable company.

[Bucwheat]

You will be sorry!:lol:

[Grey Ghost]

I rent mine from them too. Two were zapped by lightening storms. So, they had to replace them.

[theanswriz42]

That's the one I have. You won't be disappointed. And no, don't rent from Comcast.

[Stangkiller]

I have comcrap and am about to get my own cable modem and give them back theirs to save the $7.

Did you check their list of approved DOCSIS 3.0 modems?

Yes and this modem has three out of three stars

[JRD77VET]

Buy, don't rent. I purchased one a few months ago at Radio Shack ( I'll edit the brand /model later ) after mine died. Around $80 iirc. The previous one I purchased in Oct of '03 for around $50.

Rent works great for Comcast Corp, not so much for you.

[MEC5LADY]

My condolences to you. :grouphug:

[Stangkiller]

What speeds are you getting? You don't need to really pay for a DOCSIS 3.0 modem if you don't care about the temporary "turbo" boost to over 20 Mbps.

Amazon.com: Motorola SB5120 Surfboard Cable Modem Docsis 1.1 and 2.0 Certified USB: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Motorola-SB5120-Surfboard-Docsis-Certified/dp/B0009K9FZW/ref=sr_1_6?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1347326946&sr=1-6&keywords=motorola+surfboard)

Save some money. :P

"30mbps" we'll see whati really get.

[theanswriz42]

"30mbps" we'll see whati really get.

I regularly get over 30Mbps on my 30Mbps plan. You'll probably be alright. :cheers:

[Jeff '79]

I rent mine from them too. Two were zapped by lightening storms. So, they had to replace them.

Same here....Lightning eats those up for some reason...They just replace them....

[theanswriz42]

Same here....Lightning eats those up for some reason...They just replace them....

You could just get a UPS. All of the networking gear in my house is on a 1000VA UPS.

[Jeff '79]

You could just get a UPS. All of the networking gear in my house is on a 1000VA UPS.

We have UPS here in our area..... I get lots of deliveries from them.....:seasix:

[Stangkiller]

I regularly get over 30Mbps on my 30Mbps plan. You'll probably be alright. :cheers:

Have you had any problems getting Comcast to recognize your Mac address? How long did initial set up take?

[theanswriz42]

Have you had any problems getting Comcast to recognize your Mac address? How long did initial set up take?

Took 5 minutes. I had everything ready for when the installer came to the house. He grabbed the MAC off the box, called it in, and then it was good to go.

[Stangkiller]

Took 5 minutes. I had everything ready for when the installer came to the house. He grabbed the MAC off the box, called it in, and then it was good to go.

That's certainly not the story one of my it guys was trying to tell.

[theanswriz42]

That's certainly not the story one of my it guys was trying to tell.

Then your IT guy is full of shit, or incompetent.

[Stangkiller]

Then your IT guy is full of shit, or incompetent.

:rofl::rofl::rofl: no comment

[theanswriz42]

Or both. :D

:rofl:

Edit: Damn you and your ninja edit.

[JRD77VET]

Buy, don't rent. I purchased one a few months ago at Radio Shack ( I'll edit the brand /model later ) after mine died. Around $80 iirc. The previous one I purchased in Oct of '03 for around $50.

Rent works great for Comcast Corp, not so much for you.

Motorola SB5101U Surfboard cablemodem

[polarbear]

the comcast modem works well and is worth it

:iagree:

They just upgraded ours because they upgraded the speed. Still part of the monthly fee.

[RED-85-Z51]

I worked for Comcast for 7 months as a tech support guy....you wont like them, at all.

Get the 2.00 a month warranty thing on your account, if anything goes to shit, they send a truck for free, otherwise a truck roll is expensive. Even if you break wires on the home, or **** it all up...they fix it free.

make sure that when they setup your account, that the person on the phone goes in and creates yours specific user id, it will be your @comcast.com email address.

like..."[email protected]". If they leave it blank, your account will still work, but you wont have access to the comcast.net/.com sites and you cant get into xfinitytv.comcast.net

Docsis3 is where you want to be, but make sure you get one that is supported by comcast, we had a shit load of problems setting up the SB6120 when i was there, they refused to authenticate and roll onto the account most of the time. The 6120 is supported, but like i said, we had alot of problems with them.

If you go with phone service, the Arris 602G is a little dated but dead nuts reliable.

[RED-85-Z51]

Took 5 minutes. I had everything ready for when the installer came to the house. He grabbed the MAC off the box, called it in, and then it was good to go.

When the installer calls it in, he is calling the tech support line, I took alot of calls from installers, most of the time, on normal modem installs, we put in the customers phone number, pull up and verfy the account, open up the "grand Slam" program and start the "add mac Id" section, then go to the ACSR (automated customer service representative) program and add the MAC ID there, and choose the modem model from a list, and add the internet service, and all add-ons there. Then go back to grand slam, put them mac ID in there, and it basically sends a message to the modem..the modem resets from flashing send send send send, it cycles down to recieve, then online, reset the router, and computer, and it comes up...most of the time.

If anyone puts any info in wrong, at any point, from the person who made the sale and started the account, to the installer, to the tech support...nothing will work. And even then, some modems, just do not want to activate...we had to rolls them sometimes 4-5 times to make them work, and some...never did anything.

[Stangkiller]

I worked for Comcast for 7 months as a tech support guy....you wont like them, at all.

Get the 2.00 a month warranty thing on your account, if anything goes to shit, they send a truck for free, otherwise a truck roll is expensive. Even if you break wires on the home, or **** it all up...they fix it free.

make sure that when they setup your account, that the person on the phone goes in and creates yours specific user id, it will be your @comcast.com email address.

like..."[email protected]". If they leave it blank, your account will still work, but you wont have access to the comcast.net/.com sites and you cant get into xfinitytv.comcast.net

Docsis3 is where you want to be, but make sure you get one that is supported by comcast, we had a shit load of problems setting up the SB6120 when i was there, they refused to authenticate and roll onto the account most of the time. The 6120 is supported, but like i said, we had alot of problems with them.

If you go with phone service, the Arris 602G is a little dated but dead nuts reliable.

The 6120 has 1 star out of 3 vs. the 6121. I wonder what's changed?

[RED-85-Z51]

Interesting insight Red.

Question for you, how did folks with existing account fare to new accounts when getting a 3rd party modem?

You buy your new modem, call 1800comcast, choose tech support for internet, verify the account, unplug old modem, turn off router and compute,r hook up new modem, let it initialize...give mac address to the tech person, we provision and activate the modem onto the account, it resets itself (gateways reset 3 times), and it comes up and works, turn on routerand computer...and off you go.

This is assuming the modem will provision to the account. Often we had to setup an escalation ticket, and send the info to a higher trained office for repair.

[RED-85-Z51]

also you have free access to the xfinity constant guard security suite, which oncludes norton 360.

Constant Guard - products - constant guard protection suite (http://xfinity.comcast.net/constantguard/Products/CGPS/?cid=NET_33_611)

[Madmikeee]

My condolences to you. :grouphug:

:iagree:

Comcast just plain SUCKS. Sadly they are the ONLY option for many people.

[theanswriz42]

:iagree:

Comcast just plain SUCKS. Sadly they are the ONLY option for many people.
The only good one out there is Verizon FiOS but sadly, it's unavailable in my area.

[RED-85-Z51]

Wait you touting this as a good thing? :funnier:

you'd be surprised how many people have 0 anti-virus protection....its better than nothing.

I use Avast...it works for me, I go to some gnarly sites and it pops up like "holy ****ing shit, get the **** outta here, ill cover you..move move move"

[Stangkiller]

you'd be surprised how many people have 0 anti-virus protection....its better than nothing.

I use Avast...it works for me, I go to some gnarly sites and it pops up like "holy ****ing shit, get the **** outta here, ill cover you..move move move"

I've been using MS Security Essentials Microsoft Security Essentials - Free Antivirus for Windows (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials)

But I also won't use my windows desktop for surfing those type of sites.

[RED-85-Z51]

i went bareback for a year, finally caught something...got Avast and it cleaned my stuff up, and so far...I could dangle my computers dick into the dirtiest of shanghai's whores...and come out clean.

[Stangkiller]

i went bareback for a year, finally caught something...got Avast and it cleaned my stuff up, and so far...I could dangle my computers dick into the dirtiest of shanghai's whores...and come out clean.

So are you admitting when you're jerkin off to your computer...it's a dude with a dick?

[RED-85-Z51]

So are you admitting when you're jerkin off to your computer...it's a dude with a dick?

I never jerk off to the computer, only the images on it.

[Stangkiller]

I never jerk off to the computer, only the images on it.

which is a dude, with a dick. OK, got it. :rofl:

[tjfontaine]

Do it

I bought a sb 6120 a couple yrs ago when docsis 3.0 modems first hit. I have the lowest tier of comcast service and i typically get 30mbs download speeds

[Stangkiller]

Ok, I've got the cable modem here, service gets installed in two weeks. I think I've decided against using my WRT 350n I went back and read some reviews, and it really reminded me of all the problems I've had with it.

What is the fastest/stable wireless router that will work exceptionally well with a mix of iPhones 4-5, iPads 2-3, windows 7 & 8 machines, plus various game & media systems?

Also since my house is hard wired, I'd love to be able to plug in an additional range extender if possible.

[Datawiz]

you're saying the $7.00 a month is worth it, over owing my own?

When it (and it will) dies, Comcast replaces it for free. I'm on my 3rd one. ;)

[theanswriz42]

Ok, I've got the cable modem here, service gets installed in two weeks. I think I've decided against using my WRT 350n I went back and read some reviews, and it really reminded me of all the problems I've had with it.

What is the fastest/stable wireless router that will work exceptionally well with a mix of iPhones 4-5, iPads 2-3, windows 7 & 8 machines, plus various game & media systems?

Also since my house is hard wired, I'd love to be able to plug in an additional range extender if possible.
ASUS RT-AC66U

[theanswriz42]

Doesn't Apple make a wireless router?
So it must be better then, right? :D

[Stangkiller]

When it (and it will) dies, Comcast replaces it for free. I'm on my 3rd one. ;)

As long as I'm not replacing modems out of my pocket more than once a year, I'll break even...if I can last longer than a year on a modem I win!

[Stangkiller]

I wasn't going there. :D

I was thinking more along the lines of all their stuff working seamlessly. :D

Yes I did go there. :leaving:

Apple does a great job of complicating PCs interactions with their stuff....hence how awful iTunes is on the PC. Some of my most greedy users on the network wont even be apple products, ie streaming movies on the PS3

[Stangkiller]

ASUS RT-AC66U

It says ac.....does it still cover abdgn?

[theanswriz42]

It says ac.....does it still cover abdgn?
Yep, and ac

[theanswriz42]

As long as I'm not replacing modems out of my pocket more than once a year, I'll break even...if I can last longer than a year on a modem I win!
Keep it on a UPS and you'll be fine. I just bought another 1500VA one for my network gear.

[Stangkiller]

ASUS RT-AC66U

Keep it on a UPS and you'll be fine. I just bought another 1500VA one for my network gear.

:banghead: you assholes sure are good at spending MY money. :rofl:

Two new UPS's a new router, and finally an air-print HP LaserJet All-in-one are on their way :hurray: I think i'll be ready by time Comcast gets around to installing my new internet. :hurray:

This new Cable company was supposed to SAVE me money. Haha

[C5SilverBullet]

I have had Comcast for 2 years, so I've paid retail twice for my rented modem. Stupid

[theanswriz42]

:iagree:

One thing I found out at my house was I had to get a server grade UPS from APC because of how the SINE wave works in my wiring. Weird stuff.

Yeah, APC or CyberPower are the way to go.

[Stangkiller]

Yeah, APC or CyberPower are the way to go.

I bought two APC550G one for the network stuff, and one for my PC. Hope they work.

[boracayjohnny]

Red you definitely have a gift for story telling. :funnier:

:iagree::funnier::funnier:

[Stangkiller]

Comcast is in route....I'm curious to see how it goes.

[mikeg826]

You will be sorry!:lol:

:iagree:

My condolences to you. :grouphug:

:iagree:

:iagree:

Comcast just plain SUCKS. Sadly they are the ONLY option for many people.

:iagree:

Comcast is in route....I'm curious to see how it goes.


:sadangel::sadangel:


FiOS is where it's at - i couldn't wait for them to come to my neighborhood - I lucked out that they installed their node on the pole across the street from my house, so the first day it was orderable, the techs let me know -

got it installed that day, cut the comcrap cable, called comcrap and told them they have till end of day to remove the cable laying across my front lawn.

:dance::dance:

[Stangkiller]

:iagree:



:iagree:



:iagree:




:sadangel::sadangel:


FiOS is where it's at - i couldn't wait for them to come to my neighborhood - I lucked out that they installed their node on the pole across the street from my house, so the first day it was orderable, the techs let me know -

got it installed that day, cut the comcrap cable, called comcrap and told them they have till end of day to remove the cable laying across my front lawn.

:dance::dance:
I cut my bill into 1/3rd and I have faster internet...not sure why I should care if it's fios or not, if it's faster service.

Well he just left, my basic cable line up is weird...and i suspect i'll be upgrading soon, but I have 4tv's going in my house now, I get fox news BUT i dont' get ESPN...wtf?!

[Y2Kvert4me]

Yeah I'm bumping an old thread, just wondering how that modem worked out for you...


Just got email from TWC that they are raising my modem rental cost, now thinking I'll buy my own.
They have a list of approved/recommended modems for those opting to buy, the Motorola SB6121 and SB6141 are included.

Thanks to Vatorman, I don't need a combo unit with WiFi.

:cheers:

[Stangkiller]

Yeah I'm bumping an old thread, just wondering how that modem worked out for you...


Just got email from TWC that they are raising my modem rental cost, now thinking I'll buy my own.
They have a list of approved/recommended modems for those opting to buy, the Motorola SB6121 and SB6141 are included.

Thanks to Vatorman, I don't need a combo unit with WiFi.

:cheers:

I have the cable modem, router, and 25 port switch all running on an APC, I'm not sure if that's made a difference or not, but I've not had one bit of trouble. I don't think I've ever even had to reset the modem. Set up (calling in the SN to the office) was handled by the service tech, but I was up and running within minutes.

[Y2Kvert4me]

I know the drill of calling in the MAC address to get it online.

I've had my current (Moto surfboard) for a quite a while, 6-7 years easily, never a problem with it.
Don't even know what the current rental fee is from Time Warner, only that they're increasing it to $6/mo...$72/yr to rent a $70 device is stupid.

Thanks!
:cheers:

[Stangkiller]

I know the drill of calling in the MAC address to get it online.

I've had my current (Moto surfboard) for a quite a while, 6-7 years easily, never a problem with it.
Don't even know what the current rental fee is from Time Warner, only that they're increasing it to $6/mo...$72/yr to rent a $70 device is stupid.

Thanks!
:cheers:

Good luck! Hopefully it works as well as it has for me. :yesnod:

[CP]

you're saying the $7.00 a month is worth it, over owing my own?

Yep, because when the rented one croaks (which it will), all you do is return it to the store and install a new one. Plus, when technology gets faster, you can turn in the old one for a new one without questions.

My new Xfinity CM speed was increased to 77+Mbs (Xfinity Blast). Can your modem do that speed without buying another one?

[Y2Kvert4me]

Yep, because when the rented one croaks (which it will), I've had cable internet for 13 years, and on my 2nd modem.
The first one still worked, they upgraded it at some point when I was changing other services.

Given that experience, and using current rental fees...

Rent: $6/mo x 13 yrs = $936
Purchase: 2 modems = $160


Sorry, not seeing the value there.

[onedef92]

I'd love to have Comcast over ATT DSL, but Comcast has a problem in my neighborhood. They either can't or won't fix it.

What sort of problem? A technical matter?

[Bucwheat]

Comcast sux here in Augusta,we had it for about 12 years and I had to call those fools ablut every 4 months for some kind of problem,I switched to Knology 4 years ago and have not had a problem since.

[onedef92]

My younger brother has Comcast and has been satisified with their upload/download speeds. Time-Warner, OTOH, sucks cold, dead, hard, stiff, blue, rigor-mortised, donkey nuts.

Their products and customer service are so bad, they made the news in the local paper and TV stations the first week they came to town.

http://www.thevettebarn.com/forums/off-topic/off-topic/www.whas11.com/news/.../Insight-211049071.html‎

[Stangkiller]

Yep, because when the rented one croaks (which it will), all you do is return it to the store and install a new one. Plus, when technology gets faster, you can turn in the old one for a new one without questions.

My new Xfinity CM speed was increased to 77+Mbs (Xfinity Blast). Can your modem do that speed without buying another one?

To answer your question, yes, my cable modem is capable of speeds up to 130mbps..my wallet on the other hand is unwilling to pay for such things. :rofl:

[Y2Kvert4me]

Good luck! Hopefully it works as well as it has for me. :yesnod:Picked up a SB6141 this morning, 1/2 hr on the phone to get it activated...Up and running on it now. :cool1:

[Stangkiller]

Comcast has been fine, service wise, for me. Just don't like having to pay so much for the access. :nonod:

Time to give them a call and renegotiate or threaten to leave. :leaving:

That's on my list of things to do next week actually. :yesnod: Uverse keeps sending me some much better teaser rates with no required service time length.

[C5SilverBullet]

Comcast is my only option.

[onedef92]

Uverse keeps sending me some much better teaser rates with no required service time length.

We've been milking Uverse fo' free the last couple of months. You have to be a member to access their premium movies and shows, but there's a lot of decent FREE stuff, too.

Home - AT&T U-verse (http://uverseonline.att.net/)

Just hook up a monitor cable from your computer to your TV, input the HDMI or RCA jacks to your reciever and let the good times, roll. Been peepin' Defiance, Under the Dome, Mistresses, Devious Maids and other network/cable shows on the freebie tip! :seasix:

Digital picture and sound plus some HD/surround sound programming too!

[Stangkiller]

"30mbps" we'll see whati really get.

Well over the last few years Comcast has been increasing their speeds, my current plan is apparently 200mbps for $65 a month. The modem I purchased in 2012 through this thread, was still working well, I never had a lick of problem with it. Unfortunately not all Docsis 3.0 is created equal.

I've still been running a 4 channel modem, been getting around 130mbps. Due to all the problems I've had with DIRECTV Now I started poking around and realized Comcast now supports 24channels and had upgraded my plan to 200mbps.

So after 4years the technology effectively rendered my first modem obsolete, new modem will be here today supporting 32channels, so I should have a few years of technology proofing.

[09SilverC6]

the comcast modem works well and is worth it

i also have the comcast modem, have had no issues here!!

[Stangkiller]

Well over the last few years Comcast has been increasing their speeds, my current plan is apparently 200mbps for $65 a month. The modem I purchased in 2012 through this thread, was still working well, I never had a lick of problem with it. Unfortunately not all Docsis 3.0 is created equal.

I've still been running a 4 channel modem, been getting around 130mbps. Due to all the problems I've had with DIRECTV Now I started poking around and realized Comcast now supports 24channels and had upgraded my plan to 200mbps.

So after 4years the technology effectively rendered my first modem obsolete, new modem will be here today supporting 32channels, so I should have a few years of technology proofing.
I guess I should also add, I had been using an Asus Rt-ac66u its dumped the firmware on me a few times, and has trouble reaching my backyard. So with the new modem I'm also moving to an Ubiquiti Router with Uap-AC-PRO access point, starting with one AP in a more central location but I have a secondary location identified if I need a second AP

[Stangkiller]

Did you get the datacap email from Comcrap in Oct/Nov?

Friggin turds. :nutkick:

No im no where near a Tb of data.

Unfortunately the new modem appears to be a bit more picky on the data signals and is unable to connect to the internet.

[Stangkiller]

No im no where near a Tb of data.

Unfortunately the new modem appears to be a bit more picky on the data signals and is unable to connect to the internet.

4 ****ing hours later, I now have home internet again! Speed test is coming in at ~240mbps with a ping of 10ms. :hurray::hurray::hurray:

It only took 3 calls to Comcast, 2 calls to Arris (cable modem manufacturer) and 1 trip to Walmart to purchase a 2nd modem, which confirmed my suspicion that the first modem was bad. :datawiz: