Physical & Digital EST: The Future of Home Video Discussion Thread

[Groot]

Originally Posted by alchav21

I know I keep saying everyone has their priorities, and change is hard. Yes I'm lucky to live in Utah where the State is very progressive, but moving gets easier the more you do it. Making a change in your Community or City is the other option, I have done this too. Like I said, I moved into a Community where all they had was Dial-up, and when I left they had Verizon FiOS. So don't tell me it can't be done, I know it can be. There are more and more Cities that are Deploying their own Open Fiber Networks. So there are many options besides just throwing up your arms and saying it can't be done!

I’m sure it can be done in some communities, I just don’t care.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Groot

I’m sure it can be done in some communities, I just don’t care.

Exactly and I rest my case, most people don't know or care how they get Internet as long as it's Cost Effective and sufficient for what they need. The only problem with this kind of thinking is that is will be too late if they need more. Technology moves fast, even you guys feel what ever you have is sufficient. I keep saying that Wired will give you all the Bandwidth that your Provider gives you, granted you have to make sure that there are no problems. Just be aware that nothing is given to you unless you are willing to make a difference. Complaining will not change anything.....You have to get involved!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Exactly and I rest my case, most people don't know or care how they get Internet as long as it's Cost Effective and sufficient for what they need. The only problem with this kind of thinking is that is will be too late if they need more. Technology moves fast, even you guys feel what ever you have is sufficient. I keep saying that Wired will give you all the Bandwidth that your Provider gives you, granted you have to make sure that there are no problems. Just be aware that nothing is given to you unless you are willing to make a difference. Complaining will not change anything.....You have to get involved!

How I wish you would rest your case.

Complaining is EXACTLY how things get changed, provided it is to the people who can make the desired changes AND they in fact give a damn.

I have told you this before, but you don't get it. I live in a village of 1600 people and a community of that size does not even exist to a huge ISP like AT&T. The big ISPs have no interest in making large infrastructure investments in tiny communities like mine. There is not enough return on investment for them.

Furthermore, I have spoken to a village board member about our internet problems and I was told the board has no time and no interest in this issue. The board has its hands full with upgrading the water lines as mandated by the Illinois EPA. These members are essentially part time volunteers who earn just $60 per month for their efforts. These same part time board members are not going to build and maintain their own local ISP, either. They don't have the money for it or the skills to do it.

I do not need "more" internet. I need stable internet. I am supposed to be getting 80 MBPS download and 10 Mbps upload and that is more than enough to stream videos or to play online games. My ISP offers even higher speeds, but when they can't keep their service running, why pay them any more than necessary? My plan is the lowest one they offer.

The biggest thing of all that you can not fathom, can not grasp, and simply can not comprehend is that people are not going to up and move, leaving their families and their friends, just so they can have better internet. No internet network and no ISP is more important than family.

Utah may be a lot of things, but "progressive" is not one of them. Urban areas in any state will have better ISP options than rural areas and small towns- nothing special about Utah in that regard. Your national parks are awesome, but your internet is nothing special.

Streaming video does not require all of the bandwidth your ISP is capable of delivering. Netflix recommends a mere 25 Mbps download speed to stream 4K content. Any wireless network with a "G", "N", or "AC" rated router can easily provide that speed with ample room to spare. A properly set-up wireless network is reliably stable, provided that the ISP is also. We have been over this before, but it is another fact you just don't get.

[Vilya]

I had my fourth tech visit today and I was told they still do not know the source of the problem in my neighborhood. The latest made-up on the spot theory is that some individual user is causing the network to be inundated with noise and that they are trying to pinpoint exactly where that user is located. The problem is affecting several surrounding blocks and I have been informed that "corporate" is now involved. I was provided with the tech's cell number to call when the next outage strikes so he can hunt for the outage ground zero.

Whatever cockamamie theory they tell me, it changes every time I speak with them, the fact remains that after 16 days these clowns have not only not located the problem, they are also no closer to fixing it. I have had 21 service outages in this time frame. Why on earth would I ever want to be dependent on the internet to watch my purchased content? My discs and home theater have NEVER failed me like my ISP does ROUTINELY.

[Groot]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Exactly and I rest my case, most people don't know or care how they get Internet as long as it's Cost Effective and sufficient for what they need. The only problem with this kind of thinking is that is will be too late if they need more. Technology moves fast, even you guys feel what ever you have is sufficient. I keep saying that Wired will give you all the Bandwidth that your Provider gives you, granted you have to make sure that there are no problems. Just be aware that nothing is given to you unless you are willing to make a difference. Complaining will not change anything.....You have to get involved!

I used to defend digital usage, but your posts are so smug and silly that I just can’t. You don’t get that people don’t need it, can’t fix it, or simply don’t care. People aren’t sitting around putting this as a priority. Get over it.

[stonesfan129]

Originally Posted by Vilya

I had my fourth tech visit today and I was told they still do not know the source of the problem in my neighborhood. The latest made-up on the spot theory is that some individual user is causing the network to be inundated with noise and that they are trying to pinpoint exactly where that user is located. The problem is affecting several surrounding blocks and I have been informed that "corporate" is now involved. I was provided with the tech's cell number to call when the next outage strikes so he can hunt for the outage ground zero.

Whatever cockamamie theory they tell me, it changes every time I speak with them, the fact remains that after 16 days these clowns have not only not located the problem, they are also no closer to fixing it. I have had 21 service outages in this time frame. Why on earth would I ever want to be dependent on the internet to watch my purchased content? My discs and home theater have NEVER failed me like my ISP does ROUTINELY.

I had a similar issue when I lived with my parents and they had Charter. The internet speed would just slow to a crawl. I would call them to have them check it out. Sometimes resetting the router worked. But it's like at a certain time every day, it would just slow down to nothing - even on a wired connection bypassing our home router. I think it was just the lines sucked and it wasn't economically feasible for them to come out and run new lines. I never did get an explanation of what was causing it.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Complaining is EXACTLY how things get changed, provided it is to the people who can make the desired changes AND they in fact give a damn.

I had my fourth tech visit today and I was told they still do not know the source of the problem in my neighborhood. The latest made-up on the spot theory is that some individual user is causing the network to be inundated with noise and that they are trying to pinpoint exactly where that user is located. The problem is affecting several surrounding blocks and I have been informed that "corporate" is now involved. I was provided with the tech's cell number to call when the next outage strikes so he can hunt for the outage ground zero.

Whatever cockamamie theory they tell me, it changes every time I speak with them, the fact remains that after 16 days these clowns have not only not located the problem, they are also no closer to fixing it. I have had 21 service outages in this time frame. Why on earth would I ever want to be dependent on the internet to watch my purchased content? My discs and home theater have NEVER failed me like my ISP does ROUTINELY.

Originally Posted by stonesfan129

I had a similar issue when I lived with my parents and they had Charter. The internet speed would just slow to a crawl. I would call them to have them check it out. Sometimes resetting the router worked. But it's like at a certain time every day, it would just slow down to nothing - even on a wired connection bypassing our home router. I think it was just the lines sucked and it wasn't economically feasible for them to come out and run new lines. I never did get an explanation of what was causing it.

Complaining has worked so well for you, most of the time it just works the opposite. I think for you it's a combination of Load Balance and distance. You say you live in a rural area, that means few homes. Cable Companies have Nodes that should be Fiber Feed, into your area. The Bandwidth for TV and Internet is allocated to the homes connected to the Node. You must be at the end of that distance introducing noise. Couple that with heavy use, and you have your intermitten outages. I say talk to your neighbors, and see if any of them have better Internet. If you do find someone with better Internet see what is different from yours.

[Steedeel]

Internet is now a commodity. Like I mentioned a few times (no one was remotely interested) by 2020 in the U.K., people will be compensated when their connection goes down. Maybe that will be introduced in the U.S? It will make a big difference.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Complaining has worked so well for you, most of the time it just works the opposite. You say you live in a rural area, that means few homes. I say talk to your neighbors, and see if any of them have better Internet. If you do find someone with better Internet see what is different from yours.

There are few homes in a rural area!? I never knew that; thanks for telling me! I have lived here for years and never noticed.

Have you ever heard that old saying:"The squeaky wheel gets the grease" also known as "The wheel that squeaks the loudest / Is the one that gets the grease?" There is a reason why the saying persists to this day.

My complaining has resulted in my bill being credited 70% AND it has resulted in the problem being escalated to a higher tier of ISP tech buffoonery. The corporate clowns are now actively involved in assigning blame to their subordinates while also failing to solve the problem with their managerial oversight.

I have spoken to some of my neighbors. My neighbor to the immediate north is unaffected while others to the west, east, and south are affected.

The 4th tech to visit has already told me that several streets in my neighborhood are affected by these intermittent outages while others are not. I am one of several unhappy customers. Of course, the yet to be scheduled 5th tech visit will likely involve the placement of squirrel traps.

It is my relentless insistence that my ISP deliver the service it is being paid to provide that has advanced my complaint this far along. I feel I get an "A" for my efforts and that my ISP gets a "F" for theirs in that they have failed to solve a problem that is entering its third week. Did I say "solve"; they have yet to even identify the issue.

On a happy note, my internet has not gone out for 51 whole HOURS. We have the humble beginnings of a winning streak!

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Internet is now a commodity. Like I mentioned a few times (no one was remotely interested) by 2020 in the U.K., people will be compensated when their connection goes down. Maybe that will be introduced in the U.S? It will make a big difference.

No, nothing like this is going to happen here in the U.S.. I thought in the UK it was Government controlled, but it looks like you guys have Telco's and Cable Companies. Here it's all driven by Competition, but I keep saying this Model is dead. The Copper Infrastructure is very old, but none of the ISP's want to upgrade because it's not Cost Effective. Why upgrade when people are not buying, and they are Cutting the Cord and getting Basic Low Cost Internet. ISP's are also thinking 5G Wireless like you guys. I just think there is going to be a rude awakening, Internet here has not been top priority, and the thinking has been they don't need that much Bandwidth and the lowest tier and cost will do just fine.

[alchav21]

Originally Posted by Vilya

There are few homes in a rural area!? I never knew that; thanks for telling me! I have lived here for years and never noticed.

Have you ever heard that old saying:"The squeaky wheel gets the grease" also known as "The wheel that squeaks the loudest / Is the one that gets the grease?" There is a reason why the saying persists to this day.

My complaining has resulted in my bill being credited 70% AND it has resulted in the problem being escalated to a higher tier of ISP tech buffoonery. The corporate clowns are now actively involved in assigning blame to their subordinates while also failing to solve the problem with their managerial oversight.

I have spoken to some of my neighbors. My neighbor to the immediate north is unaffected while others to the west, east, and south are affected.

The 4th tech to visit has already told me that several streets in my neighborhood are affected by these intermittent outages while others are not. I am one of several unhappy customers. Of course, the yet to be scheduled 5th tech visit will likely involve the placement of squirrel traps.

It is my relentless insistence that my ISP deliver the service it is being paid to provide that has advanced my complaint this far along. I feel I get an "A" for my efforts and that my ISP gets a "F" for theirs in that they have failed to solve a problem that is entering its third week. Did I say "solve"; they have yet to even identify the issue.

On a happy note, my internet has not gone out for 29 whole HOURS. We have the humble beginnings of a winning streak!

Escalation, that brings back memories, I have been Retired 22 years and we used that a lot. When you Escalate to upper management sounds good right, but what are they going to do? The Techs solve the problems, so first you have to find a good Tech. You have your own Modem and Router, so all they could do is test to the Demarc or where it comes into your house. After that it's all your problem, if they can't find a hard failure and it's intermitten it will be hard to fix. If the readings are good at the Demarc that is all they can test. You have Coax, and when I was in Palm Desert I had Time Warner, and when I had problems they took readings but I was using their Modem. They found a bad Splitter and some lines that were not Terminated properly. So using your own equipment has some drawbacks.

Here is a Link to DSL Reports Mediacom:

https://www.dslreports.com/reviews/1944

You can Post your problems, and there is a Mediacom Rep that may be able to help. Good luck, but it might be your Service Node has to be upgraded for more Bandwidth but if it's not Cost Effective it will not happen.

[flyry]

Nothing new to see here in The Official Vilya Internet Woes thread.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by flyry

Nothing new to see here in The Official Vilya Internet Woes thread.

Come, commiserate with me. All are welcome.

[stonesfan129]

Originally Posted by alchav21

Complaining has worked so well for you, most of the time it just works the opposite. I think for you it's a combination of Load Balance and distance. You say you live in a rural area, that means few homes. Cable Companies have Nodes that should be Fiber Feed, into your area. The Bandwidth for TV and Internet is allocated to the homes connected to the Node. You must be at the end of that distance introducing noise. Couple that with heavy use, and you have your intermittent outages. I say talk to your neighbors, and see if any of them have better Internet. If you do find someone with better Internet see what is different from yours.

I was out in a rural area when I lived with my parents. I now own a home in the same area, but in town. The internet speed is much more reliable here. You are probably right though. Being the last house on the block with my parents and heavy use is likely what did it.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by flyry

Nothing new to see here in The Official Vilya Internet Woes thread.

I bet you are twitching for a good argument and a few gifs, no?

[CV19]

Originally Posted by Vilya

Come, commiserate with me. All are welcome.

Invitation accepted.
Although my own internet connection is fairly poor at times (living in a semi-rural location), I usually manage to do what I need. However, I have to admit you don't seem to be having any luck whatsoever with yours, so I do sympathise with you.

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

I bet you are twitching for a good argument and a few gifs, no?

He's a tad peculiar, that one.

He only pops into this thread to complain about what I'm doing. When I invite him to discuss what interests him, he just disappears again. I have encouraged him many times to post about anything he wants, but he never does. He just wants to kvetch about my comments and those made by a few other members.

If he keeps this up, I may begin to think he doesn't like me.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Vilya

He's a tad peculiar, that one.

He only pops into this thread to complain about what I'm doing. When I invite him to discuss what interests him, he just disappears again. I have encouraged him many times to post about anything he wants, but he never does. He just wants to kvetch about my comments and those made by a few other members.

If he keeps this up, I may begin to think he doesn't like me.

. You are taking the heat of me so cheers for that!

[Vilya]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

. You are taking the heat of me so cheers for that!

Happy to help; gotcha covered.

[Vilya]

As I want to keep everyone updated on my "internet woes," my service only lasted 71 hours before another outage occurred this morning. That's 24 outages since May 11th! And that 5th tech visit has been scheduled. Each new tech visit comes with a new story, but the one constant is that the outages continue. Soon, I will have met every tech that Mediacom has in their employ.

A Mediacom maintenance crew stopped by today; here they are in action:

[Show spoiler]MediacomMaintenanceSm.jpg

Minutes later, the guy was wailing on part of that mess with a hammer! That'll teach it!

Now, my rants come with pictures! Always thinking of new ways to keep a certain someone entertained.

I think I am past being frustrated and I am instead beginning to enjoy the absurdity and the comedic aspects of this ordeal. It appears there is nothing left to do but laugh about it, anyway. The more I am unable to use the internet, the more time I have to watch my movie collection. I can do that as my movies require no internet to enjoy them.