What is a good cable modem for Comcast|?

[Kamui]

Hi guys,
I am in the process of installing cable modem over my place. I decided to get a cable modem instead of renting from comcast. Would you guys know of any compatible and reliable one for Comcast Cable?

Thanks

Kamui

 

[Lord Evermore]

Any DOCSIS compliant modem will work. The Motorola Surfboard is quite popular.

 

[John]

It's only $3 a mo. to rent a modem.

Here is a comprehensive modem list

 

[TheBigGuy003]

If you can help it...STAY AWAY from comcast!!!!!!!!

Where I live the service is shitty and they will do nothing about it. Especially if you own your own cable modem. They usually take 2 week o fix any problem and you have to be at your home between a 4 hour time span to get your problem fixed. Like my IM away message says:

AT&T or comcast...who cares they both can't supply reliable internet access worth their life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace!

 

[Kamui]

Hmm
Any of you guys have Comcast in New Jersey?

 

[Lord Evermore]

I have it in Massachusetts, and it sucks. When they bought out AT&T Broadband services, the service immediately started slowing down and causing us problems with multiple users connected through a router, and of course they can't "support" you unless you disconnect all but one machine. I have Covad installing DSL on Friday even though it's more expensive

But the original question didn't ask about the service.

It is only 3 dollars more to lease the modem now, and they provide the Surfboard now (or at least ATTBI did, Comcast may not continue that). Previously, it was 10 dollars more to lease the modem, but then they restructured the pricing so that the basic service price went up by 7 dollars, and the modem lease went down the same amount, so leasing a modem meant the same costs, but you ended up paying 7 dollars more per month than before if you owned your own modem.

Given the price of leasing the modem, I've always felt that owning one and being responsible for defects and RMAing or whatever isn't worth it. Easier to just call the cable company to come replace it if needed, and cheaper with the current lease rate (would take 20 months to pay for itself compared to a 60 dollar new price) especially if you end up with a failure and can't RMA it.

 

[bjc112]

Originally posted by: Kamui
Hmm
Any of you guys have Comcast in New Jersey?

Not NJ,

But i am switching from VERIZON DSL to Comcast on thurs.

I hear its pretty solid around here..

Oh, i agree.. Rent the modem.. It's only 3 bucs!

 

[arcenite]

I have comcast in NJ, and have had no recent problems with it. I too rent.

Bill

 

[Fingolfin269]

I use Comcast in TN and have no problems at all.

As for problems behind a router... I'm sorry but I have to side with Comcast on this issue. They are only responsible for one computer using one IP. From a business stand point it is much smarter for them to tell you that they can't help you out with a router and that the best thing for you to do is to get additional IP's.

I use a router and have no problems with it, however if problems do appear I would never expect Comcast to help me with 'additional' PC's hooked up through a single IP.

 

[PunDogg]

Originally posted by: TheBigGuy003
If you can help it...STAY AWAY from comcast!!!!!!!!

Where I live the service is shitty and they will do nothing about it. Especially if you own your own cable modem. They usually take 2 week o fix any problem and you have to be at your home between a 4 hour time span to get your problem fixed. Like my IM away message says:

AT&T or comcast...who cares they both can't supply reliable internet access worth their life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Peace!

I am have comast, have had some troubles but not too many, but i use a linksys modem and router, has worked great so far, plus the router has a 4 port switch built in, so it works out well

Dogg

 

[Lord Evermore]

I don't mind them asking to have one machine connected for some types of problems, but when the issue is COMPLETELY unrelated to the number of machines connected, I think it's stupid. Being refused any sort of support no matter what the problem unless you first connect only one computer and spend 10 minutes rebooting things and verifying network settings, then having them check and find out "oh, yes, we seem to have a problem in your area" is not good customer service.

Specifically what happened is we've been having issues with playing games online lately, since Comcast took over. With one person playing BF1942, it's fine. If another person starts to play, whether on the same server or not, both machines go up to the maximum ping time in the game of 1023ms, and eventually disconnect. This also causes all other connections to fail as well (IRC, AIM, et cetera), and normal pinging latency goes up to the 5 second region. Shutting off one game before they're disconnected lets the other game start working normally again.

I've gone through every possible cause on our side, and it's not us. I've used 3 different gateways, we've tested with both BF1942 and Unreal Tournament (and UT actually has this problem with only ONE computer playing; the net speed setting has to be bumped down below the setting for a 56k modem). I even connected one computer to the cable modem (before trying to talk to Comcast) and started up two games on it and the problem occurred. It doesn't seem to be an issue of there being two machines, but that there are two connections to game servers. And it only happens with games. If there's a heavy download going, ping times go up but not massively. It's also not a bandwidth issue, as it only started recently, worked fine before that, and our bandwidth caps haven't changed (can still upload and download the same).

I used the Comcast/AT&T applet that lets you chat with a support rep rather than sitting on the phone, and couldn't even get her to consider the issue until I had everything set up their way, and I didn't feel like going through all that bull. Aside from that issue, the overall responsiveness of both our connection and the neighbors has gone down. We'd rather pay more money and get a better service.

 

[Fingolfin269]

Ahh yah I see what you're saying now. I've had them tell me that before. I just decided that the next time I had to call back I would tell them that yes only one computer is hooked up and no, I am not currently behind my router.

You have to understand that they must speak to us like we are absolute morons, basically because I would say that most people who call in have no idea what is going on. I know that if my grandmother ever called in for support on her cable modem that no matter how 'simple' they try to make things she would still be confused.

BTW, I did have the problem you were experiencing with pings awhile back before 1942 was out. It was actually being experienced with MOHAA ironically enough. We had a tech come out and he was a lot 'cooler' than the people on the telephone. He proceeded to explain to us how some system changes were being done and that it was actually screwing up everyone's stuff (not just ours). Eventually the problem went away and never showed back up... but believe me it sucked.

I don't know if you've ever tried to complain to Comcast about game ping times or not but God don't even try. They'll tell you that the service is not intended to give good performance in games... yah right like we have cable modems just so we can look at streaming porn all day...

 

[Lord Evermore]

Well, that was the main reason I wanted bandwidth originally...

I never would have tried to complain about latency or even bandwidth to the cable company (and had to beat the urge out of my roommate). They don't have any guarantees on latency at all, and bandwidth is only "up to" certain speeds. As long as you can reach a website and get your email, they've done their part. Comcast doesn't even use something like "play the latest online games!" as part of their marketing.

 

[corkyg]

Comcast in my area has been outstanding. I only had one problem, and it turned out to be my fault. I have my Comcast feeding a router that feeds my three computers. After a bried power outtage, I could not reconnect. The problem? My router needed to be reset. Solution? I put a UPS on my cable modem and router - no more problems at all.

Comacast installed all new fiberoptics to get us the service, and it is great. There is no DSL available, and I had IDSL, but it was hideously expensive.

I rent my modem (RCA) from Comcast - so if a better one comes long, they can replace it. The recommend RCA, Toshiba, and Motorola. The don't like Linksys. So, I go with the flow and am a happy camper.

 

[prosaic]

Just to add one more minor point directed at the original topic of the thread -- when purchasing a broadband modem of any kind, it's probably best to go with one of the models the ISP rents. At least their tech support is more likely to know something about it in that case.

I'm using Comcast at four locations (two professional and two personal) and have found them to provide excellent service, actually better than the much-esteemed Covad DSL in my area. It's true that not all of their lowest-tier tech support people are up to the standards set by Covad, but all of them I have dealt with had excellent attitudes and were very quick to notice when they were out of their depth. In those cases they transferred me immediately to someone who could help me. This is a vastly better operational paradigm than the delaying tactics used by so many technical support organizations.

The installers have also been superb at each location. And response time has been outstanding, even on Sunday afternoons for pity's sake!

As for gaming and file sharing, I guess I understand the disappointment some people feel after having had it so good under some of the old regimes that have passed away. But many of us suspect that part of the reason that the old regimes passed away was that their business model wasn't working. If no one can figure out how to sustain the throughput for everyone with that sort of business business model then either customers have to pay more to get service of that level or their service expectations have to be altered. For my mundane uses for the Internet (research, browsing, e-mail, software and update downloading) this ISP does a pretty good job. I don't know of another Internet connection solution with anywhere near the cost effectiveness for a private or small (really small) business user.

- prosaic

 

[Remedy]

Originally posted by: bjc112

Originally posted by: Kamui
Hmm
Any of you guys have Comcast in New Jersey?

Not NJ,

But i am switching from VERIZON DSL to Comcast on thurs.

I hear its pretty solid around here..

Oh, i agree.. Rent the modem.. It's only 3 bucs!

This is ironic as I'm doing the same exact move. I'm dropping verizon for Comcast. I'm fed up of paying high prices for DSL when cable users are getting plenty of bandwidth for cheap here in Boston.

 

[anonboy]

im using comcast in portland, OR and havent had much trouble

couple times its been down for 1-2 hrs, but other than that its been great, had it for about half a year

 

[Remedy]

Do you play quake or any other games online? I just want you to do a favor for me and ping this IP. www.labtyd.com:27910

 

[Texun]

Do you play quake or any other games online? I just want you to do a favor for me and ping this IP. www.labtyd.com:27910

Average is 38ms from SE United States

 

[Aganack1]

I'm live in seattle and i'm having a terible time with my router... i use it for my computer and xbox... though my xbox is rarely played online, but it wont even connect with Mechassult. I was told there was a way to mask my routers mac address and it should sovle the problem... anyone have any idea if that will work or how to do it?

 

[AtomicDude512]

Originally posted by: Lord Evermore
Any DOCSIS compliant modem will work. The Motorola Surfboard is quite popular.

I LOVE my surfboard, I get 1Mbps bandwidth over the advertised limit with it and a Linksys BEFSR41 router.

 

[AtomicDude512]

Originally posted by: Aganack1
I'm live in seattle and i'm having a terible time with my router... i use it for my computer and xbox... though my xbox is rarely played online, but it wont even connect with Mechassult. I was told there was a way to mask my routers mac address and it should sovle the problem... anyone have any idea if that will work or how to do it?

For these services most IP's require you to purchase another IP address (usually an additional $5) for your game console, apparently they cant use a DHCP very well.

 

[Remedy]

Average is 38ms from SE United States

:Q I'm ordering cable, no more SDSL for me.

 

[prosaic]

Originally posted by: ReMeDy{WcS}
Do you play quake or any other games online? I just want you to do a favor for me and ping this IP. www.labtyd.com:27910

I got an average of 53 ms from Pennsylvania. It's peak load now, of course.

Connection at this location is Comcast cable.

- prosaic

 

[bjc112]

Does comcast have a download limit?

Or any restrictions of that type?