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Review by AlexE4 member for 6.4 years, 207 visits, last login: 4 days ago lodged 157 days ago
Park Ridge,Cook,IL
$114 per month about 1 days "UltraTV UI is great, service is priced very competitively!" "Various minor tech issues, nothing too severe" "Great service, great technology and a low price. What else can you ask for?"
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
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Let me start out by saying I was a loyal Comcast customer for about 6 years, and before that I was with ATT (for internet). I really liked comcast and had no issues with it in my area, but each year I'd have to call and try and find deals to keep my bill down. I finally got tired of it and after WOW upgraded their system to DOCSIS 3.0 and offered speeds comparable to comcast, I jumped ship and switched. I went with UltraTV and the basic Digital Cable package, which includes virtually all the channels I had with comcast as a "Digital Preferred" package customer, plus Starz for free! I highly recommend UltraTV to anyone who is looking for an alternative to the severely outdated iGuide UI on the comcast moto boxes, as it's clean, looks great, and has loads more functionality than anything comcast has to date. I have UltraTV, 15/2 internet, 2 media players (included w/ UltraTV), and a cable card with HDHomerun Prime. I haven't had any service issues and would highly recommend WOW over Comcast, especially for anyone looking to save a few bucks and keep the same level of service, with a few extra perks! The main complaint about WOW currently is that the customer support has been horrid lately. This is due to WOW recently upgrading/overhauling their billing system, which has caused a LOT of issues with customers, and the resolution to these issues is to call support. Calling support however, results in extremely long wait times due to all these new issues arising...
Personally, I haven't had any issues during this billing switch over, so I can't complain, but there are plenty of people who have had issues so just be warned. If you sign up now/ in the next few weeks, you may be met with long hold times if you attempt to call the support line.
Bottom line here is that I'm happy with WOW, the support community on these forums both by others and by a WOW tech himself is great and you can get many issues resolved just by posting here. I'd recommend WOW to anyone, and DO recommend it to everyone that asks about it!
Comments:
 | | No 15/2 speeds to new customers, sorry WOW doesn't offer 15/2 to new customers. You have 15/1, 30/3, or 50/5. | |
|  |  chachsterPremium join:2002-08-07 Westerville, OH | Re: No 15/2 speeds to new customers, sorry Actually I am getting 15/2 speeds even though my bill lists my internet as 15/1, so it could be that the reviewer is getting those speeds. I've had 15/2 speeds since I had it installed end of September. | |
|  |  |  AlexE4 join:2006-12-16 Park Ridge, IL | Re: No 15/2 speeds to new customers, sorry True, it's advertised as 15/1 but it seems as though most people, including myself, receive 15/2. | |
|  |  |  |  Reviews:
·WOW Internet and..
| Re: No 15/2 speeds to new customers, sorry Well, just to let you know. When your u/l speed drops to 1 Mbps, don't scream and yell.
For awhile, those of us who got grandfathered to 15/2 were getting only 15/1; after some investigation by WOW Dan (and insistence by CS that "there's no 15/2, therefore you're getting the correct product"), he found the glitch and restored us.
He may have actually had to set everybody to 2 up, and/or it may be a mistake that will be caught.
Just so you know. | |
|  |  |  |  |  mogamer join:2011-04-20 Royal Oak, MI | Re: No 15/2 speeds to new customers, sorry said by adam1991:Well, just to let you know. When your u/l speed drops to 1 Mbps, don't scream and yell.
For awhile, those of us who got grandfathered to 15/2 were getting only 15/1; after some investigation by WOW Dan (and insistence by CS that "there's no 15/2, therefore you're getting the correct product"), he found the glitch and restored us.
He may have actually had to set everybody to 2 up, and/or it may be a mistake that will be caught.
Just so you know. I only had 8/1 and upgraded to 15/1 when 8/1 was being phased out. I received the 15/2 upgrade when it happened. So I believe that most customers probably got it. | |
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Review by McDuff member for 348 days, 18 visits, last login: 227 days ago updated 227 days ago
Royal Oak,Oakland,MI
$110 per month- (12 month contract)
about 5 days "Great customer service, reliability and value!" "Can't really think of any" "I CONTINUE to recommend them!"
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
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My Other Reviews ·ooma
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Unlike another reviewer who keeps rehashing a problem they had with WOW 2 years ago, I have a long history with WOW and have always been very, very pleased with them in all categories.
In our area, we have a choice between Comcast, UVerse and WOW. Over the years, I have had numerous discussions with friends and neighbors about THEIR cable companies reliability and customer service issues, while WOW has seldom had an issue with me. Recently, an update was pushed and for some reason (perhaps user error), my cable was locked. Called customer service, they worked with me for a half hour, and they couldn't resolve it. They sent a technician out to resolve in 3 hours on that same day! I don't recall the last time I had an issue prior to this one, but given the great customer service, why would I choose a different provider?
I was tempted to change to UVerse when it first came to the area because of the features it offered, but I was very reluctant to leave WOW because of the value and service, so I didn't. Now with their new Ultra package, I have all the features I wanted and I couldn't be happier about my cable company!
----------Update-----------
Continued to be very pleased with WOW. Both my mother and mother in law have had some issues, primarily due to pushing wrong buttons on the TV or WOW remote (they're both older). WOW has been tremendously patient and helpful with both of them, even sending a tech out to make sure my mother-in-law knew how to use the system. Customer service is second to none!
Comments:
 | | ... I don't keep rehashing an issue from 2 years ago. It was in issue from 6 months ago, and it's not like I keep remembering it, it is an ongoing issue, that has never been completely resolved. | |
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·WOW Internet and..
·Google Voice
| Re: ... I am just trying to keep updates going so people know what to expect when an issue that is just routine run a new drop actually comes up. Any cable tech from any company can run a new drop, when it becomes more then that is when you can start comparing companies techs. | |
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 | | WOW! sucks It seems like WOW the internet cable company is actually a dish network. Its raining outside, and the internet keeps dieing like every 5 minutes.
They have no problem disconnecting you when you are late on your bill, but when you do pay,the system sucks from the get-go.
I am really thinking had about switching back to a modem. At least I would get better service!!! | |
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Review by indigoblu3 member for 9.1 years, 16 visits, last login: 21 days ago lodged 239 days ago
Arlington Heights,Cook,IL
Contract price not specified. "Good customer service, great value, service works as expected." "Customer equipment is dated (non-UltraTV customer) but functional." "Obviously better choice than Comcast."
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
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Sales/Install: -----
* Friendly sales and support experiences so far. * Installer was on-time, quick, and replaced original WOW drop with new high quality cable.
Internet: ----
* Using 50/5 service with SB6121 and speed is fantastic: * Latency to popular sites and networks is good ( Level 3 and XO bandwidth ). * Bandwidth tests show 100% so far. Thank You! * Modem has great signal and noise ratings and so far has no logging of time outs which I constantly saw at with Comcast. Perhaps WOW! has a better plant than Comcast? * No caps. I switched from Comcast to WOW! because I dont want my internet provider over-monetizing their product for their heaviest users. Comcast's prospects on making $10 per 50GB is less than ideal. I do a fair amount of streaming and never want to worry about caps.
TV: ----
*Works, picture is same as Comcast, and I get the channels I want for a better price. * Im not using Ultra TV so the DVR equipment is dated. I am expecting to build my own DVR and WOW seems like a CableCard friendly provided so this should be a good experience.
Bottom Line:
Companies like WOW are our last hope at providing decently priced consumer grade telecommunications/entertainment services in my area (Arlington Heights, IL )
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Review by usa2k member for 10.3 years, 5333 visits, last login: a few hours ago updated 248 days ago
Redford,Wayne,MI
$130 per month- (month by month)
about 14 days "24/7 800 number -- made my web page avaiable seconds after requesting." "That I started with Comcast for more money." "I recommend them -- 3 dynamic IPs show they understand serious users."
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings match consensus)
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============================================= New install 08/21/2012 with Ultra TV ============================================= Although not an entirely smooth return to wowway.com, the future is looking bright. Whole House Ultra TV DVR system to 3 TVs 15 Meg download, and a $10 twelve month discount promotion Before taxes $128 monthly
You can see some of the bumps in the road here »New install
The Whole House DVR is I think the Golden Goose for WOW. It fixes most of what WOW lacked when I had them in the past. (Mostly I only knew how bad the Scientific Atlanta DVRs of old were, by later experiencing the Motorola DVRs of Comcast.) The Arris hardware IMO is very functional after figuring out a few things. This Bright House marketplace I am in should all switch to WOW. (Never tried BH, but I can't see them doing better - I did look at their offerings and prices.)
Get WOW you won't be sorry!
============================================= Update 05/01/2011 ============================================= Last August 2010 I could not get a great Comcast deal and switched back to WOW for the $100 price mark I wanted.
WOW:($105 with tax) Decent Internet speed 2 DVRs, and Starz network
The key thing noticed for the month I went back, is the DVR capability was awful by comparison. Originally I didn't know better, so I had no complaints. Having had a Comcast DVR, I now know how much easier it is to setup series programming. It is so much easier searching for a specific broadcast to record.
Bottom line: The Motorola DVR outshines the Atlantic Scientific brand by a landslide! And it is HD ready - it gets set to your TV's resolution and aspect ratio.
I knew I would be moving in mid-October to a place that cannot get WOW, and I came across a deal a month later for $95/month.
COMCAST: ($95 with tax) Fast Internet 2 HD DVRs, and HBO.
NETFLIX ($8.99) In April/May I began testing Netflix, and we will likely keep it around for some time. The timing is right now with a 55" HD LED LCD Visio TV with wireless Internet. We also have a BluRay that can stream video too - and I am looking into an HD Surround Sound Receiver that ironically can connect (wired) to the Internet.
IN GENERAL I think ALL providers will have to be more diversified soon to keep their market shares, or they may (in 5 years) simply be an Internet Provider.
============================================= Update 11/02/2009 ============================================= I Switched to Comcast July 2009
WOW was great. I was last at 6/1 Internet Digital Cable, with 2 Standard DVRs and Starz package $89.00 No complaints
Moved to CC to see what the grass on the other side was like  =============================================
I have the 300up/500down 3 Dynamic IPs $50.00 basic cable/cable modem package. Schedule just after Christmas 2002.
UPDATE: (6/15/08 ============================================================= I have an HD TV now but have not added any HD plans. I have two digital DVR converters and 6000000/500000 service I never seem to get the advertised download but I am still happy. Around $112 now - that 2nd DVR is like $15 a month. I use VoIP with VOIPo.com right now and it works great with WOW. They can usually improve your contract if you call and ask nice; especially if you want to add something! =============================================================
Great value. Reliable. Using VOIP too, without problem. The technician did come a little late, but they all have (Comcast never came the first time.)
Comcast and Ameritech was $150.00 a month.(no local toll, but add long distance.) WOW and Vonage is around $77.00 a month.(500 minutes long distance and no local toll.) Vonage has better coverage than Ameritech did too. (Bye-bye Canton phone number -- hello Livonia number.)
****** Recently [02/03], I decided it was worth upgrading my speed to 300dn/1500up. [200/1250 more real] Get WOW is works! $55 is a great price.
My home systems: 400Mhz PII W98SE 233Mhz Dual PII SuSE LINUX ATA 186 using www.iConnectHere.Com ATA 186 using www.Vonage.Com
Check out my meager web page at »www.usa2k.com
************************** new notes ******************** I'm still happy Have dumped SBC Ameritech back in February. Using WOW with »www.vonage.com VoIP phone successfully. Blaster worm has WOW blocking port 69 TFTP which interferes with service an could cause loss of dial tone if you change settings though. Had some loss of sync lately -- but overall satisfied.
************************* new notes *********************** My home systems: 1.9Ghz AMD XP SP2 eMachine 2.3Ghz AMD XP SP2 Compaq 233Mhz Dual PII SuSE LINUX SPA2000 using www.iConnectHere.Com and FWD(VoIP) ATA 186 using www.Vonage.Com(VoIP) Mediatrix 2102 www.broadvoxdirect.com(VoIP)
More about VoIP here: »VOIP Tech Chat
I am using Ultra these days and a Digital tv package for just under $90.
I am now commiting my VoIP service over from Vonage to a new remarkable company: »www.BroadVoxDirect.com using two lines of their Telephone Adaptor (TA) to get two phone lines.
$19.95 each I get Unlimited calling all 50 States and Canada just like I had with Vonage for more money (they got somewhat cheaper though) I also get a free Virtual number. People between my two lines can call local to the Livonia MI area, and the virtuals allow local calling to me in Jacksonville FL, and Toronto ONT.
Some think Cable Internet is too unreliable for trusting your phones to it. I just know I've had almost no down-time and save tons on my phone bill. It is so cheap, I decided two unlimited phone lines are just plain convenient. One of the things that makes it so reliable is WideOpenWest!
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Review by trailblazer member for 258 days, 0 visits, last login: 258 days ago updated 258 days ago
Columbus,Franklin,OH
$225 per month about 3 days "great speed and always ahead of the other companies" "not enpough info on Ultra"
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
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I would suggest it to anyone is good....they just need to get an interface or GUI to help with ultra setup
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Review by andrew5227 member for 7.1 years, 0 visits, last login: 273 days ago lodged 273 days ago
Westerville,Delaware,OH
$180 per month about 5 days "Speed, TV Interface, Media Homesharing (DLNA) features." "No more than 5 'players'. Some cable infrastructure may need replacing if it's too old or the signal is split too much." "Amazing service. Get it if you can."
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
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I recently upgraded to WOW! Ultra TV (Signature package) and 50/5mbps internet.
Everything's been rock solid so far. Speed tests show 53.5mbps down and 5.4mbps up. WOW! seems to pad their internet packages, so you may slightly exceed your package by a megabit or so for download, and half a megabit for upload. Pings as low as 11ms to local servers(!).
I've had every residential service available in the Columbus area-- Time Warner, Insight, and AT&T U-verse. Without a doubt, WOW! gives the best experience where it's available.
Adding to all of this, the Ultra TV is amazing. Even just the interface and features are a breath of fresh air from Insight's horridly outdated set-top interface, Time Warner's acceptable interface, and U-Verse's good interface.
Here's a rundown of the equipment for WOW! Ultra TV:
There's a 'Gateway' Arris Moxi box, which is a 500gb DVR (expandable-- USB 3.0 or eSATA), 6-tuners (channels are relayed to each set-top 'player' over coaxial), cable modem, and 4-port gigabit router with WiFi N access point.
For each TV, you get an Arris 'player', which is a lot smaller than most current boxes, mostly since all the actual tuners and DVR storage is handled by the gateway. There are only a couple restrictions about this setup-- you can only have up to 5 players, and since there's two-way digital communication between the gateway and players, there can't be any coaxial signal boosters, and there's a maximum of one two-way splitter per cable line up from the basement point-of-entry main splitter. That means if you have a single coax line going up to the second floor and being split behind the wall or in the attic to any more than 2 ports, you'll need to work with the cable technician to replace splitters or make other accommodations.
I am very satisfied with this service. Considering I'm only paying about $180/mo for everything, and I was paying $175/mo to Time Warner for only 50/5mbps and a single HD DVR, you get WAY more bang for your buck with WOW!. I have 4 players, and the cable package includes Starz and Encore. What more could you really ask for?
Comments:
 | | hey there westerville GV here Needs some helop with my ultra
can ya help?
S | |
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Review by StepR member for 12.5 years, 4000 visits, last login: a few hours ago updated 294 days ago
Elgin,Kane,IL
$111 per month about 3 days "fast, always on, reasonably priced;" "great value, good customer service"
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Value for money: (ratings match consensus)
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We've been with WOW for ten years and are very satisfied with the performance over the last few years. We added a cable TV and advanced telephone bundle. Speeds are 8000 consistantly. In earlier years we had some problems, but nothing recent. Speeds have increased over the length of the contract. Have to rent the cable modem and the DVR.
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Review by shamelin member for 11.4 years, 123 visits, last login: 337 days ago lodged 337 days ago
Naperville,Dupage,IL
$45 per month "Great Service" "Great Value"
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
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They even just upgraded my speeds to the 15 down for free
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Review by jsamuels member for 12.8 years, 1943 visits, last login: 3 days ago updated 346 days ago
Prospect Heights,Cook,IL
$200 per month about 3 days "Fast - East Install - Only Took Days" "Installer was an idiot" "Returned after suffering through mediocore Uverse video and slow Internet - Great decision"
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
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After leaving the flock several years ago I've returned to the fold drawn by the promise of the new Ultra service very happy outstanding video quality, true 50/5 internet and being able to simultaneously record 6 HD programs seals the deal. The installer was a jerk but I'll never see him again, anyway.
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Review by gatownsend member for 10 years, 199 visits, last login: a few hours ago lodged 1.1 years ago
Westlake,Cuyahoga,OH
$155 per month about 2 days "Ultra TV 6-tuner whole-home DVR, good customer service, good prices" "Must use their router - research if advanced router capabilities are important to you." "Awesome picture and love the service. We are very happy."
| Pre Sales information: Install Co-ordination: Connection Reliability: Tech Support: Services: Value for money: (ratings above consensus)
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Background:
We moved into WOW territory in July 2011. We had been Dish customers for a number of years, and had been getting by on their 2-tuner DVR 625 without too much complaint (we only had two tvs at the time). Our kids are getting older now (boy age 8 and identical twin girls age 6), so demands for recording were increasing. I knew I wanted a whole-house solution, but Uverse wasn't available yet in my area, so that left Time Warner since WOW didn't have a whole-home option at that time.I went with WOW for internet and phone, but TW for TV since I wanted the whole-house system. We have three main tvs: Family Room (32" SD non-digital), Master Bedroom (32" HD LED/LCD) and basement Home Theater (110" HD projection system with surround sound and 2 rows of theater seating). I also had them put a digital-only box for basic cable in our guest room.
Installation:
We were scheduled between 11am and 3pm. At 10 minutes before noon the phone rang and an automated attendant said the installer would be arriving at 12:10pm. The installer arrived almost exactly at 12:10 and I showed him around to the three main TVs that were getting the Ultra TV. He went out to the truck to get the equipment, and while he was out there two more trucks pull up and eventually we have 4 guys running around the house! They were all pleasant and professional, and I gathered from chatting with them that two of them had installed it before and the other two were there to help/learn. I had intended to show them what I wanted and then head to work, but with 4 guys in the house at once I stayed until they were done since my wife was tending to a sick kid. They had some minor changes to make to get the media gateway set up in the basement and make the connections, then hooked up the media player boxes at the TVs. The seemed to enjoy ESPN on my home theater. 
Initially I was not receiving any of my premium channels, and they called in and that was ironed out before they left. Then they went to my main PC to set up the wireless. My home is hard-wired for gigabit ethernet in most places, but I do have a number of wireless devices (two Android phones, a Wii, wife's laptop in the kitchen, my work laptop). The installer set up the wireless to my specifications, but didn't provide me the password to the router, the IP address, or anything else. When I asked about changing the password on the wireless, he indicated the login information and password were in the book he left. That wasn't the case, and I had to call customer service later that evening to get the password reset and then set a new one. I can now log into the router and manage the wireless. The installer did an overview of features and use of the TV with me before leaving (but I had already watched all the online tutorial videos, so I was itchng to play with it myself).
Initial Thoughts & Experiences:
TV: The picture is amazing. Wife says she doesn't notice a difference, but I believe the HD is just a bit sharper on both my home theater and the HD tv in our bedroom compared to what we got from TW. I have found the guide/menu to generally be pretty responsive, although there is an occasional lag when you hit a button on the remote. It is more responsive than TW was, but there is an occasional delay (1 to 2 seconds - just enough to make you wonder if it registered or not). It seems the "click" sound for button pushes doesn't happen for every button, which can make the delay more confusing.
We are getting used to the menu system. Wife doesn't like change and definitely didn't like it at first (although she hated TW's guide). As she gets used to it I haven't heard any complaints. The grid option is nice when you want that old, familiar guide, but the channel numbers/names are pretty small, so much so that you can only read them on the home theater downstairs. I definitely like the new menu when I'm looking for a movie or just want to see HD programming since you can get it all at once, but it's kind of a pain for things that are ending soon. To explain further, if you pick the HD menu it brings up what's currently playing on all the HD channels in a list, including the remaining time for the show currently playing. For the selection that has the focus, you get additional information on the right, along with shows that are coming up next. You can only see that for the channel that has focus, so if you are sitting there at 7:55 and a lot of movies start at 8:00pm, you need to go channel by channel to see what those, or change the time slot you are viewing to the 8:00 pm slot. With the grid it's just there without thinking. I think both the menu and the grid style guide have their positives and negatives, so I'm not ready to make a judgement yet. I think we'll just need to play with it more to get used to it.
And while I'm on tv, maybe I don't get it, but I really don't like the way the channel line up is organized. I get what they've done with the numbering, but with all the HD's in the 200's and the SD's in the 100's and 300's, things seem really mixed up. Now this is partially my fault, since I went in and blocked all the SD channels for networks that had an HD feed. This was partially for the wife, as she really hated the fact that on TW some channels showed up three times in the guide [like HGTV - once for analog (#47), once for digital (#150) and once for HD (#1150)]. So now I have things set so each channel shows up only once, but because of that things seem to be spread around a bit (e.g. Nick Jr & Teen Nick have no HD, so they shows up on 325 & 326, but Nick has HD so it's on 258 with a bunch of stuff in between). I know I can go to the Kids menu and just see kids stuff, but it would be nice to still get the HD and non-HD stuff grouped together by network type. I've played around with the favorites and am going to finish setting that up for my wife. I'm hoping that will work better for her. I think it mostly bugs me when I look at the "TV" menu that shows everything, and things aren't grouped together the way I'd like or expect them to be.
We are still sorting through the VOD stuff. Initially everthing we pulled up had a rental on it. After a while we found the free stuff we were used to having with TW. I'm hoping the ABC thing will sort itself out soon, as my son LOVES wipeout. I've seen complaints from others about WOW's VOD selection not being that robust, but it "feels" like there is more here than we had with TW. Maybe we missed something with TW, but we've been pleased with the selection thus far.
Phone: We already had phone from WOW, so nothing really new to report here. One thing I've noticed is the thing seems to think there are two phone lines active even though we are only supposed to have one. Both lights are illuminated on the front of the main box, and I thought I saw something in the menu that indicated two lines active, too. I haven't played with that yet to see if there really are two lines active or not.
Internet: We were on the 8gbps tier that has been eliminated, so we are now on the 15gbps tier. We have been rock-solid with the old modem and the new one, and I've seen 15+mbps speed tests consistently since it went in. As I noted above, I had to call customer service to get the password on the gateway reset to I could get in. Now that I've been in and looked around, it seems to have most of the basic things you'd expect. The gateway ip is 192.168.0.1, and DHCP passes out addresses from 192.168.0.10 to 192.168.0.254. This was nice as I have two pieces of equipment on my network that require a static IP (a file server and a printer) which I put in between the .1 and the .10. This is one of the reasons I needed to get into the router to see information - I wasn't told what the gateway or IP ranges were by the installer and couldn't reach the printer or file server after the installer left. They are working fine once I switched them to the new gateway after the installer left.
Wireless signal strenth has been ok, but not as strong a signal as my old Netgear WNDR3700. That being said, the media gateway is in the basement in a really bad location (same as the Netgear router was) - on a shelf right underneath a steel support beam at one end of the house. While I can get a signal just about everywhere in the house, at the far end of the house my neighbors wifi signal is stronger than mine on every floor. I have to decide if I want to: a) Move the gateway up to my office on the first floor, or b) configure the Netgear as an access point only (e.g. disable DHCP) and hook it up to the switch in my office. If I go with "b" I might turn the wireless radio in the WOW box down off since nothing in the basement uses wireless. I will need to play around a bit and see what works. Also, the light on the front panel that is supposed to indicate the wireless is active never actually lights up (so the 2nd phone line I'm not supposed to have IS lit up, but the wireless I DO have is NOT lit up - strange, but everything is working).
VPN to my office has worked fine, but we use Cicso software than uses SSL, and I believe the problem some others have had was with a different incarnation of VPN (this is not my area of expertise at all).
Other Thoughts/Conclusion:
At one point I accidentally closed the browser while I was logged into the router. When I later opened the browser I was already logged in, but couldn't actually see anything (the pages came up, but where the information about the settings would normally show never appeared). I tried logging out, but it never got this situation resolved, and shortly after trying to log out I started having problems with my internet/network. I reset the box and all has been fine since then.
Like others have reported in the forum, I had to play around a bit to get the WOW website working so I could program the DVR from there. Some clicking around eventually got it working, and I can report that the website generally works well with my iPad. I haven't tried it on my Android phone yet, but given the small screen I think that would probably only be used as a last resort. I would LOVE to see a dedicated iOS and Android app in the future. TW had this, and it was great to be able to set the DVR for something when we weren't at home.
My older (5 years - ancient!) RF remote for my home theater did not have a code that would run the media player at all, so I had to learn every button one at a time. It only took about 15 minutes. So far the only problem I'm having there is that when I push the direction buttons in the menu the menu often moves two ticks instead of one (so it will skip right over a show). I will need to see if there is a way to fix this when I call the remote control's support line.
All in all I am pretty satisfied. Given the newness of the product, I am fairly impressed. I had been expecting lots of bugs and had warned my wife that was the price we'd pay for six tuners. I have been pleasantly surprised in this regard. As I noted above, wife is still getting used to the menu/guide. I am liking it as I play with it more. At this point I think I would like it better if it was a combination of the grid style and the menu guide: a grid-stlye guide where the line that has focus gets bigger (easier to read) and provides more details on that actual line instead of a window up above). I will see how things go as we use it more and look for tips/tricks to get more out of it.
I would advise folks to definitely watch all the videos and read the instruction book. I played with things an entire day before I figured out you could push "zoom" button to make the menu go away (doh!).
All in all we are very pleased.
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