Problems with Uverse

[sonster]

I just had ATT Uverse installed for a 30 day trial. I am still under contract with DISH Network.  I've decided to make a list of Pros and Cons of Uverse to decide which I like better.

ATT Uverse Pros

• Better picture quality. A true 1080P resolution.
• More Interactive features such as this forum and the ATT.net website.
• Record 4 shows at one time.
• No worries of blackout during bad weather.
• No commitment (No contract)
• A few HD channels I didn't have with DISH.

ATT Uverse Cons

• Less HD Channels/ More HD Channels with DISH
• You can't filter your program guide like you can with DISH
• DVR recording is somewhat complicated compared to DISH's
• The remote signal is SLOW. I have to push a button 3 times before it does what I want.
• You can only set stuff to record on one TV so my wife has to tell me what she wants recorded.
• I have to hit MENU and select FAVORITES every time to filter the guide to my favorite channels.
• My Internet is slower than before.

All in all, I really like ATT Uverse but it is missing features that I had with DISH. The only things that bug me about DISH are: that you can only record 2 shows at one time and if my wife's recording a show on my TV than I can't watch LIVE TV; It black's out during storms; and it is contractual.  Other than that I really was happy with DISH and think I'm going to keep it. Can anyone change my mind?

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Expert]

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sonster wrote: 

• The remote signal is SLOW. I have to push a button 3 times before it does what I want.

---

The U-Verse remote control is known to pick up IR interference from various sources. One of the most common sources is the TV itself, particularly LCD TVs.

In your TV's menu, see if you have any of the following options, and if so, turn them off:

- Dynamic Brightness
- Auto Brightness
- Auto Iris
- Energy Saver

Frequently, turning these options off reduces or eliminates the IR interference.

[oz_1 ACE - Master]

---

sonster wrote:

I just had ATT Uverse installed for a 30 day trial. I am still under contract with DISH Network.  I've decided to make a list of Pros and Cons of Uverse to decide which I like better.

ATT Uverse Pros

• Better picture quality. A true 1080P resolution.
• More Interactive features such as this forum and the ATT.net website.
• Record 4 shows at one time.
• No worries of blackout during bad weather.
• No commitment (No contract)
• A few HD channels I didn't have with DISH.

ATT Uverse Cons

• Less HD Channels/ More HD Channels with DISH
• You can't filter your program guide like you can with DISH
• DVR recording is somewhat complicated compared to DISH's
• The remote signal is SLOW. I have to push a button 3 times before it does what I want.
• You can only set stuff to record on one TV so my wife has to tell me what she wants recorded.
• I have to hit MENU and select FAVORITES every time to filter the guide to my favorite channels.
• My Internet is slower than before.

All in all, I really like ATT Uverse but it is missing features that I had with DISH. The only things that bug me about DISH are: that you can only record 2 shows at one time and if my wife's recording a show on my TV than I can't watch LIVE TV; It black's out during storms; and it is contractual.  Other than that I really was happy with DISH and think I'm going to keep it. Can anyone change my mind?

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Not picking on you but in pros that should read true 1080i not p no one does currently but on Dish PPV.

[donatom3]

You can solve the only 2 channel dvr limit on dish by getting another dvr receiver, of course you can't share this content housewide, but you couldn't do that before uverse anyway.

[jennred]

My uverse still goes out when cloudy.  I have had it almost a year, have had 4 service calls, and on the phone with them at least once a month.

[Pip_2]

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jennred wrote:
My uverse still goes out when cloudy.  I have had it almost a year, have had 4 service calls, and on the phone with them at least once a month.

---

We would really need to know more detail about what is happening.

Cloudiness should not affect the Uverse service since it isn't brought to you in the same manner as satelite is. As long as my power stays on, I am able to use my Uverserve, no matter what kind of weather we are having.

[MarkShadid]

Yeah can't be clouds causing the problem although it's strange that what's happening is only happening when it's cloudy.  Interesting.

[oz_1 ACE - Master]

The next time its cloudy and it goes out immediately after it comes back on post a screen shot of your stats and this would be a first i have ever

heard of this. 

[RCSMG ACE - Expert]

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sonster wrote:

I just had ATT Uverse installed for a 30 day trial. I am still under contract with DISH Network.  I've decided to make a list of Pros and Cons of Uverse to decide which I like better.

ATT Uverse Pros

• Better picture quality. A true 1080P resolution.
• More Interactive features such as this forum and the ATT.net website.
• Record 4 shows at one time.
• No worries of blackout during bad weather.
• No commitment (No contract)
• A few HD channels I didn't have with DISH.

ATT Uverse Cons

• Less HD Channels/ More HD Channels with DISH
• You can't filter your program guide like you can with DISH
• DVR recording is somewhat complicated compared to DISH's
• The remote signal is SLOW. I have to push a button 3 times before it does what I want.
• You can only set stuff to record on one TV so my wife has to tell me what she wants recorded.
• I have to hit MENU and select FAVORITES every time to filter the guide to my favorite channels.
• My Internet is slower than before.

All in all, I really like ATT Uverse but it is missing features that I had with DISH. The only things that bug me about DISH are: that you can only record 2 shows at one time and if my wife's recording a show on my TV than I can't watch LIVE TV; It black's out during storms; and it is contractual.  Other than that I really was happy with DISH and think I'm going to keep it. Can anyone change my mind?

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You can watch your recordings from any tv with an stb in your house.  So if your wife wants to see a recorded program she can watch it on any tv, while you still watch live tv.

[premtech87]

about filtering the guide.. if there are channels in your package that you don't want to see you can go to (menu) -> (options) -> (channel options) -> (hide channels)..  just check all the ones you dont watch and hit save (takes about10 minutes) then whenever you press guide its just the channels you watch.. same when channel surfing, it skips over the others channels..... now if you want a sub category type of filter like all sports channels .. movie channels.. local .. entertainment .. etc.. then im sorry but its not there.. altho att did a good job of just grouping those channels together anyways

[erazoner]

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premtech87 wrote:
about filtering the guide.. if there are channels in your package that you don't want to see you can go to (menu) -> (options) -> (channel options) -> (hide channels)..  just check all the ones you dont watch and hit save (takes about10 minutes) then whenever you press guide its just the channels you watch.. same when channel surfing, it skips over the others channels..... now if you want a sub category type of filter like all sports channels .. movie channels.. local .. entertainment .. etc.. then im sorry but its not there.. altho att did a good job of just grouping those channels together anyways

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And if the Channel Options could be modified via Web Remote, it would be much easier and very cool.

[MarkShadid]

And if the Channel Options could be modified via Web Remote, it would be much easier and very cool.

---

That would be very cool, and who knows, it could happen at some point.

[AUBand72]

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sonster wrote:

I just had ATT Uverse installed for a 30 day trial. I am still under contract with DISH Network.  I've decided to make a list of Pros and Cons of Uverse to decide which I like better.

ATT Uverse Pros

• Better picture quality. A true 1080P resolution.
• More Interactive features such as this forum and the ATT.net website.

---

Question... how do you receive true 1080p resolution? I have a new 46" 1080p HD Samsung, but when I turn the TV/DVR on, as the tv starts receiving the signal, it shows I'm receiving 1920x1080i @ 60hz. Don't really know for sure what the difference between 1080i and 1080p is, and when I asked the installer about it, he said no difference. I still wonder, though. Can someone explain to a non-tech person? Thanks.

[ScottMac]

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AUBand72 wrote:

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sonster wrote:

I just had ATT Uverse installed for a 30 day trial. I am still under contract with DISH Network.  I've decided to make a list of Pros and Cons of Uverse to decide which I like better.

ATT Uverse Pros

• Better picture quality. A true 1080P resolution.
• More Interactive features such as this forum and the ATT.net website.

---

Question... how do you receive true 1080p resolution? I have a new 46" 1080p HD Samsung, but when I turn the TV/DVR on, as the tv starts receiving the signal, it shows I'm receiving 1920x1080i @ 60hz. Don't really know for sure what the difference between 1080i and 1080p is, and when I asked the installer about it, he said no difference. I still wonder, though. Can someone explain to a non-tech person? Thanks.

---

The "i" stands for "interlaced," the "p" stands for "progressive."They indicate the method used to "paint" the screen with the images. 

As you probably know, there really is no motion on the screen of your TV .. it's a series of still images that are painted so quickly that the incremental motion represented by the series of pictures appear as (hopefully) smooth motion. 

In a 1080i system, the image is presented as two alternating fields; one field is all of the odd horizontal lines (540 lines), one field is all of the even horizontal lines (540 lines), and the two fields are painted in two scans that total 1080 lines. 

In a 1080p system, the lines are painted as one field of 1080 horizontal lines.

Progressive images tend to appear more stable and "solid." By interlacing, some (usually very slight) additional artifact is introduced by most (if not all) decoder chipsets.

U-Verse does not (yet) support 1080p output (DirecTV does, I think DISH has a 1080p product too). I have an AV amplifier that upconverts everything to 1080p .... even VHS videotape. I feed the amp 720p from my U-Verse STB (and DVR), it upconverts to 1080p ... for my setup, that looks the best; it may work out differently for others with different setups. Also remember that it's all subjective; what looks great to me may look bad to you (and vice-versa of course). 

Does that help? 

Message Edited by ScottMac on 05-10-2009 02:51 PM

[AUBand72]

---

ScottMac wrote:

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AUBand72 wrote:

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sonster wrote:

I just had ATT Uverse installed for a 30 day trial. I am still under contract with DISH Network.  I've decided to make a list of Pros and Cons of Uverse to decide which I like better.

ATT Uverse Pros

• Better picture quality. A true 1080P resolution.
• More Interactive features such as this forum and the ATT.net website.

---

Question... how do you receive true 1080p resolution? I have a new 46" 1080p HD Samsung, but when I turn the TV/DVR on, as the tv starts receiving the signal, it shows I'm receiving 1920x1080i @ 60hz. Don't really know for sure what the difference between 1080i and 1080p is, and when I asked the installer about it, he said no difference. I still wonder, though. Can someone explain to a non-tech person? Thanks.

---

The "i" stands for "interlaced," the "p" stands for "progressive."They indicate the method used to "paint" the screen with the images. 

As you probably know, there really is no motion on the screen of your TV .. it's a series of still images that are painted so quickly that the incremental motion represented by the series of pictures appear as (hopefully) smooth motion. 

In a 1080i system, the image is presented as two alternating fields; one field is all of the odd horizontal lines (540 lines), one field is all of the even horizontal lines (540 lines), and the two fields are painted in two scans that total 1080 lines. 

In a 1080p system, the lines are painted as one field of 1080 horizontal lines.

Progressive images tend to appear more stable and "solid." By interlacing, some (usually very slight) additional artifact is introduced by most (if not all) decoder chipsets.

U-Verse does not (yet) support 1080p output (DirecTV does, I think DISH has a 1080p product too). I have an AV amplifier that upconverts everything to 1080p .... even VHS videotape. I feed the amp 720p from my U-Verse STB (and DVR), it upconverts to 1080p ... for my setup, that looks the best; it may work out differently for others with different setups. Also remember that it's all subjective; what looks great to me may look bad to you (and vice-versa of course). 

Does that help? 

Message Edited by ScottMac on 05-10-2009 02:51 PM

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Thank you so much for the explanation. I've had the tv since October 08, got U-verse at the end of December and just recently got a Samsung BluRay DVD player that is also 1080p. It does a beautiful job of upconverting all my older DVDs and, to be honest, I really have trouble telling the difference between a BlueRay DVD and a regular DVD played on the BluRay DVD player. I've got "Australia" in both formats and really don't see a lot of difference which is great because I didn't want to replace all my DVDs.

That, however, is totally off subject. Again, thank you for the explanation of 1080p vs 1080i. I can definitely tell a difference when playing a DVD at 1080p versus watching a U-verse HD channel at 1080i, so I hope they will soon upgrade the technology for 1080p.

One final question, if you don't mind... my tv also has the option of setting it for 120hz for sports shows such as football, racing, etc. From what I understand, this is to keep the motion on the screen smooth instead of jerky. However, even when set at 120hz, it's jerky and not smooth. Would that be a result of the 1080i? If it is, I really hope U-verse will consider the upgrade to 1080p broadcasting. Thanks again for your input.

[ScottMac]

I believe the 120Hz screen only applies in progressive mode (like your BlueRay).

That would mean that it doesn't really apply in 1080i, though you might notice a difference in 720p (I'm honestly not sure, I'm stuck with an old 60Hz model and haven't looked into it). 

If I'm wrong, it usually doesn't take long for a correction to be posted.

Enjoy!

[AUBand72]

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ScottMac wrote:

I believe the 120Hz screen only applies in progressive mode (like your BlueRay).

That would mean that it doesn't really apply in 1080i, though you might notice a difference in 720p (I'm honestly not sure, I'm stuck with an old 60Hz model and haven't looked into it). 

If I'm wrong, it usually doesn't take long for a correction to be posted.

Enjoy!

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Thanks again! Maybe it won't be too long before U-verse is 1080p! I can dream.

[SomeJoe7777 ACE - Expert]

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ScottMac wrote:

Progressive images tend to appear more stable and "solid."

---

That is a matter of personal opinion.  It's also dependent on the quality of your TV, and the technical particulars of any and all video processing that is going on in all of your pieces of equipment.

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ScottMac wrote: 

In a 1080i system, the image is presented as two alternating fields; one field is all of the odd horizontal lines (540 lines), one field is all of the even horizontal lines (540 lines), and the two fields are painted in two scans that total 1080 lines.

---

Do not forget that interlaced video is not just a spatial separation of the two fields.  There is a temporal (time-based) separation of the fields as well.  The second field was snapped 1/60th of a second later than the first field.  Thus, there is movement between the two fields.  If you combine the two fields together into a "frame", it is not one big picture, because not all the lines were snapped by the camera at the same time.  This is why interlaced video looks smoother than film -- film only updates movement every 1/24th of a second, while interlaced video updates movement every 1/60th of a second.  This is also why "120Hz" and such interpolative methods for increasing smoothness work only on film material.  Interlaced material is already smooth, and doesn't need the interpolative processing.

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ScottMac wrote:

By interlacing, some (usually very slight) additional artifact is introduced by most (if not all) decoder chipsets.

---

Additional artifacts can appear in interlaced video due to the compression.  Interlaced video does not compress as well as progressive video.  Thus, for the same bitrate, higher quality can be achieved with progressive video.  But this has nothing to do with the rendering of the video in interlaced mode.

One thing you will run into is that modern TVs are no longer interlaced display devices.  Older TVs (direct-view CRT, rear-projection CRT) actually drew the picture on the screen in an interlaced fashion.  Today's TVs don't.  They actually display a progressive picture no matter what.  To do that, they have an internal chip called a deinterlacer that is responsible for converting incoming interlaced video to progressively-scanned video.  Different deinterlacer chips are widely different in quality, and a poor deinterlacer will make the picture look terrible.  A good deinterlacer can make a huge difference in what you see.

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ScottMac wrote: 

U-Verse does not (yet) support 1080p output (DirecTV does, I think DISH has a 1080p product too).

---

I don't believe DirecTV has any 1080p programming.  Dish Network has one 1080p PPV channel, I believe.

Modern TVs make this whole 1080p thing mostly superfluous anyway.  The issue is that when 24 fps film is prepared for broadcast, it goes through a process called telecine (formally known as 3:2 pulldown).  This converts 24 fps progressive material (like film) to 60 field-per-second interlaced video, which is suitable for broadcast.

Modern TVs today can reverse the telecine process, taking the 60 field-per-second interlaced video and turning it back into 24 fps progressive film material, and can do this in a lossless fashion, where nothing is lost in the conversion.  After recovering the 24 fps progressive material, the TV can then optionally apply the 120Hz smoothing interpolative processing to create very smooth motion.  (Although most film purists dislike the smooth motion of 120Hz TVs - it looks very artificial and detracts from the film).

Because of these features in modern TVs, 1080p from the provider is not very important, since your TV can likely display the exact same picture even when presented with a 1080i feed.

In short, 1080p is much more hype than reality.  Don't worry that U-Verse (or any other provider) doesn't have it, as you're not missing much.  You should be more concerned with the inadequate bit rate and compression artifacts than the 1080i feed.

[donatom3]

When I had DirecTV the only 1080p programming I could find was the Video On demand that has to be purchased.  So DirecTV makes you bum the bandwith off of your internet provider to get 1080p.

[AUBand72]

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SomeJoe7777 wrote:

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ScottMac wrote:

Progressive images tend to appear more stable and "solid."

---

That is a matter of personal opinion.  It's also dependent on the quality of your TV, and the technical particulars of any and all video processing that is going on in all of your pieces of equipment.

---

ScottMac wrote: 

In a 1080i system, the image is presented as two alternating fields; one field is all of the odd horizontal lines (540 lines), one field is all of the even horizontal lines (540 lines), and the two fields are painted in two scans that total 1080 lines.

---

Do not forget that interlaced video is not just a spatial separation of the two fields.  There is a temporal (time-based) separation of the fields as well.  The second field was snapped 1/60th of a second later than the first field.  Thus, there is movement between the two fields.  If you combine the two fields together into a "frame", it is not one big picture, because not all the lines were snapped by the camera at the same time.  This is why interlaced video looks smoother than film -- film only updates movement every 1/24th of a second, while interlaced video updates movement every 1/60th of a second.  This is also why "120Hz" and such interpolative methods for increasing smoothness work only on film material.  Interlaced material is already smooth, and doesn't need the interpolative processing.

---

ScottMac wrote:

By interlacing, some (usually very slight) additional artifact is introduced by most (if not all) decoder chipsets.

---

Additional artifacts can appear in interlaced video due to the compression.  Interlaced video does not compress as well as progressive video.  Thus, for the same bitrate, higher quality can be achieved with progressive video.  But this has nothing to do with the rendering of the video in interlaced mode.

One thing you will run into is that modern TVs are no longer interlaced display devices.  Older TVs (direct-view CRT, rear-projection CRT) actually drew the picture on the screen in an interlaced fashion.  Today's TVs don't.  They actually display a progressive picture no matter what.  To do that, they have an internal chip called a deinterlacer that is responsible for converting incoming interlaced video to progressively-scanned video.  Different deinterlacer chips are widely different in quality, and a poor deinterlacer will make the picture look terrible.  A good deinterlacer can make a huge difference in what you see.

---

ScottMac wrote: 

U-Verse does not (yet) support 1080p output (DirecTV does, I think DISH has a 1080p product too).

---

I don't believe DirecTV has any 1080p programming.  Dish Network has one 1080p PPV channel, I believe.

Modern TVs make this whole 1080p thing mostly superfluous anyway.  The issue is that when 24 fps film is prepared for broadcast, it goes through a process called telecine (formally known as 3:2 pulldown).  This converts 24 fps progressive material (like film) to 60 field-per-second interlaced video, which is suitable for broadcast.

Modern TVs today can reverse the telecine process, taking the 60 field-per-second interlaced video and turning it back into 24 fps progressive film material, and can do this in a lossless fashion, where nothing is lost in the conversion.  After recovering the 24 fps progressive material, the TV can then optionally apply the 120Hz smoothing interpolative processing to create very smooth motion.  (Although most film purists dislike the smooth motion of 120Hz TVs - it looks very artificial and detracts from the film).

Because of these features in modern TVs, 1080p from the provider is not very important, since your TV can likely display the exact same picture even when presented with a 1080i feed.

In short, 1080p is much more hype than reality.  Don't worry that U-Verse (or any other provider) doesn't have it, as you're not missing much.  You should be more concerned with the inadequate bit rate and compression artifacts than the 1080i feed.

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Thanks, SomeJoe7777... clear as mud to a non-tech person (me), which was why I appreciated ScottMac's response in two-syllable non-tech terms that I could understand - even if you didn't feel it was technically 100% accurate. Not everyone who comes to the boards in search for help is as technically savvy as the majority, so simpler explanations are greatly appreciated. When posters start talking way above the heads of people who are searching for answers, you lose those people who are already frustrated with customer service. The boards are supposed to be helpful, not a way of showing how technicallly superior someone might be to a questioner.

[Pip_2]

I am not technically inclined either, but I have asked Joe to put it in simpler terms and he has been more than happy to comply. Most times, people do understand what he is saying.

And, if you had looked around, you would see how much of help Joe has been with many people on this board.

Next time, when you don't understand something, instead of being insulting, just ask like I did.

People who make comments like you have AUBand72, that's one reason people like Joe stop posting and then we all lose in the long run. Joe has a great sense of humor and has always been most helpful. He is not trying to show that he is technically more savvy than anyone else on these boards.

[whoisdarr]

I concur, the post bashing Joe was quite uncalled for.  No need to be insulting to a person who is just trying to help.

[donatom3]

Man remind me not to help this guy out.  I'd hate to give too much info in an answer to him because sometimes short answers really don't get the whole point across.  I have seen quite a few people on this board giving out the wrong information because the answers they were given were too broad and didn't explain how what they're saying isn't true in every situation.

Alot of what Joe did was expand on what was said.  By expanding he wasn't showing you he was smarter than the guy that gave the shorter answers, just that in some cases the short answer doesn't explain enough for a slightly different situation.

[TreyMW]

There is plenty of room (and desire) for both technical responses and simple responses as well.  There is a wide variety of UVersers out there and both are appreciated.  Let's please remember to be respectful of others.  

Additionally, a lot of people only lurk to find answers, so a more technical answer could possible help out a future problem as well.  

[AUBand72]

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Pip wrote:

I am not technically inclined either, but I have asked Joe to put it in simpler terms and he has been more than happy to comply. Most times, people do understand what he is saying.

And, if you had looked around, you would see how much of help Joe has been with many people on this board.

Next time, when you don't understand something, instead of being insulting, just ask like I did.

People who make comments like you have AUBand72, that's one reason people like Joe stop posting and then we all lose in the long run. Joe has a great sense of humor and has always been most helpful. He is not trying to show that he is technically more savvy than anyone else on these boards.

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I do apologize to Joe. I'm sure he has been very helpful to many people. And I have been looking at the different boards. I'm new to this, and was not being intentionally rude or insulting to Joe, so I hope he will accept my sincere apology. I have just had so much non-productive communication over the last 2 months before I discovered the boards that my frustration leaked out because it felt like I was being talked down to. Joe, please do accept my apology and really do hope you don't quit posting for those who are much more knowledgeable than I am.

[AUBand72]

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TreyW wrote:

There is plenty of room (and desire) for both technical responses and simple responses as well.  There is a wide variety of UVersers out there and both are appreciated.  Let's please remember to be respectful of others.  

Additionally, a lot of people only lurk to find answers, so a more technical answer could possible help out a future problem as well.  

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Thanks, Trey... I'll exit the boards so everyone who thinks I was being rude and insulting won't have to deal with me. I truly was not intentionally being insulting. I am so not technologically savvy and have not had great results with customer service, and while I did appreciate what Joe tried to tell me in the post, I was completely lost and was only trying to say so. I've seen many more insulting posts on the other boards. But you won't have to worry about my postings any more. I'M SORRY EVERYONE!!!

[TreyMW]

There's no need to leave!    

Again, there is both a need for technically detailed versions as well as simplified versions.  

Just as I mentioned a technical response could help out a lurker, well so could a simplified one.  There is nothing wrong with either response, and both are very beneficial to the community.

I think your apology was very sincere and I can understand your frustration.  Please reconsider leaving, there is an abundance of information here!    

Message Edited by TreyW on 05-12-2009 07:09 PM

[sw8cue18]

Hi! I believe Uverse is in the processing in upgrading all receiver so that all receiver box may record programs

[indianafanatic]

Really?  What makes you say that?

[jrb531]

I saw nothing too technical about Joe's reply. He was not being smug but trying to educate. Sure he could have said "just because" but the better answer was to educate the reader.

Some people can get just as offended when people "dumb down" the response too much because then they feel like they are being talked down to.

You're damned if you do and damned if you don't sometimes.

Talk down too much and you're percieved as being insulting

Talk up too much and you're perceived as being a know-it-all

The thing is that in this day and age with so much information just a Wiki away there is no excuse in not trying to seek out the information on your own. I'm not talking about in regards to Uverse but if Joe posts something you do not understand like "pulldown" or "1080p vs 1080i" then all you need to do is wiki 1080i for example and you will get all the information you need.

I do this all the time and I consider myself fairly up on things but this was not always the case... when I do not understand something I either ask or look it up myself.

I'm not posting this to put anyone down but those who post on these boards to try and help people do so on their own and at least most of them LOL do so because they just want to help and not try and be some kind of expect smart-**bleep**.

If they talk a bit over your level then why not just look up the missing info yourself?