Computer Help and Support

Eliot Rosewater

(31,137 posts) Tue Feb 5, 2019, 01:17 PM Feb 2019

ISP advice needed, choices are AT&T and Comcast/Xfinity.

Problem is AT&T max is 50 Mbps down and I want to seamlessly stream 4k HDR on two separate devices at the same time, routinely.

I have Suddenlink now with 130 Mbps down and never have issues doing this.

Xfinity offers up to 400 I think, I would get 250 probably.

3 bed 3 bath, one story, 2000 sq ft. I currently use an extender with a Nighthawk Netgear 2/4/5.0, not sure the model. $200 at Costco 3 years or so ago. The extender is I dont know what, not home.

What should I do and if I use Xfinity and tell them I want an extender?

Why do the Xfinity internet ads say UP TO, I know what that usually means. UP TO 250 Mbps...?

9 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

ISP advice needed, choices are AT&T and Comcast/Xfinity. (Original Post) Eliot Rosewater Feb 2019 OP

Have you considered switching to a mesh router? Big Blue Marble Feb 2019 #1

Comcast offers mesh routing The Truth Is Here Feb 2019 #2

Dont know what this is, will google it, do THEY set it up for me if I am willing to pay Eliot Rosewater Feb 2019 #3

You can set it up yourself. The Truth Is Here Feb 2019 #4

Costco has Orbi Whole Home mesh, comparing to AC3000 or AC2200 ?? Eliot Rosewater Feb 2019 #5

My 2 cents discntnt_irny_srcsm Feb 2019 #6

Wired connecting two flat screens in 2 rooms is just more work I guess. Eliot Rosewater Feb 2019 #7

The "up to" answer is related to how far you are from equipment. LakeSuperiorView Feb 2019 #8

If I pay for 250 and only get 150 I will still be happy to get that speed. Eliot Rosewater Feb 2019 #9

Big Blue Marble

(5,159 posts)

1. Have you considered switching to a mesh router?

Reply to Eliot Rosewater (Original post)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 01:20 PM

Feb 2019

I did and it made a great difference in a two story house. DL speeds
much faster with same ISP. Buffering stopped. All in all it has been
a significant improvement.

The Truth Is Here

(354 posts)

2. Comcast offers mesh routing

Reply to Big Blue Marble (Reply #1)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 01:24 PM

Feb 2019

Huge improvements. You can get them in 3 or 6 pack and spread it out your house.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,137 posts)

3. Dont know what this is, will google it, do THEY set it up for me if I am willing to pay

Reply to The Truth Is Here (Reply #2)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 01:37 PM

Feb 2019

them to do it with initial install?

The Truth Is Here

(354 posts)

4. You can set it up yourself.

Reply to Eliot Rosewater (Reply #3)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 02:12 PM

Feb 2019

If you have an xFi compatiable router, then all you need is the pods to plug it in to the outlet and program it via your smartphone app.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,137 posts)

5. Costco has Orbi Whole Home mesh, comparing to AC3000 or AC2200 ??

Reply to The Truth Is Here (Reply #4)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 03:11 PM

Feb 2019

Netgear Orbi Mini 2-Pack AC2200 Tri-Band WiFi System

If Comcast comes to my house, they are going to install THEIR modem and router, is it 2 pieces, one? Do they then refuse to touch my Orbi if I have it there and then that is for me to figure out and do? I could figure it out or get help, I just am not sure what is what with Comcast installation.

Thanks.

I see there is a AC2200 and an AC3000, the former is on Costco for less money, will it work just as well for a 2000 sq ft home as the AC3000?

discntnt_irny_srcsm

(18,489 posts)

6. My 2 cents

Reply to Eliot Rosewater (Original post)

Tue Feb 5, 2019, 10:41 PM

Feb 2019

Streaming 4k video reliably takes 16Mbps so, IMHO, 50Mbps would be barely adequate.

Can I ask why you want stream 4k over wifi?
It seems to me that watching in 4k would take place on a large flat fairly immobile flat screen TV. Why not spring for Ethernet cables? Wifi is subject to interference from motors (fans, vacuum cleaners...) and other appliances like microwave ovens.

I guess I'm just old school.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,137 posts)

7. Wired connecting two flat screens in 2 rooms is just more work I guess.

Reply to discntnt_irny_srcsm (Reply #6)

Wed Feb 6, 2019, 03:23 PM

Feb 2019

But doable, for sure.

Right now since I have a Samsung 4k and they do NOT stay connected via WiFi, this is a known problem with their entire TV product range and as far as I am concerned must be also with fridges, washer/dryers (Just gonna assume so) so hard wiring is necessary if I dont swap it out for an LG OLED.

To compensate for it I use ROKU when the TV wont stay connected.

LakeSuperiorView

(1,533 posts)

8. The "up to" answer is related to how far you are from equipment.

Reply to Eliot Rosewater (Original post)

Thu Feb 7, 2019, 05:08 PM

Feb 2019

If you are close enough to where your local line meets up with all the other lines, you will have full speed. If you live further away, not so much. Also, if your neighbors are chewing up too much bandwidth, you all slow down.

Basically, it's an escape for their benefit if your service does meet expectations they promised. I know that Comcast in my neighborhood sucked and complaints were completely ignored. They sent a guy out once and he was totally useless. I'm very glad to be rid of them. I'm certain that other areas may be just fine - I live in an older neighborhood and the local Comcast employees do not care about quality.

Eliot Rosewater

(31,137 posts)

9. If I pay for 250 and only get 150 I will still be happy to get that speed.

Reply to LakeSuperiorView (Reply #8)

Thu Feb 7, 2019, 05:45 PM

Feb 2019

Which is why I am getting a higher speed than I know I need, I assume I wont get it or assume it is very possible.

Thanks.

As to using someone else, my choices are ATT using the same system offering a MAX of 50 or something called Sonic I think which is equally low on speed offer.

Would love another real choice and dont understand why ATT isnt faster.

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