golferman
join:2008-06-18
| Which modem should I buy and why?
We are switching from AT&T DSL to Comcast Cable HSI and I want to purchase my own modem. I know that Comcast uses the Motorola Surfboard SB5101 but there other modems that are available from Linksys and D-Link too. I checked on Amazon and they all seem to get good reviews. Which would provide the fastest speed between these 3 brands? |
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Rob
In Deo speramus, God Bless the USA
Premium
join:2001-08-25
Kendall, FL
 ·Comcast
| I personally use the BEFCMU10 v4, which I have found to be a solid modem. I also like that it shows me my download/upload provisioned rates.
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www.rr.cx | YourIP.US |
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Oregonian
Premium
join:2000-12-21
West Linn, OR | reply to golferman
I like my Surfboard 5120. It has been rock solid. Not as much info available from it as on the BEFCMU10 but enough for me.
I don't think you will see a noticeable speed difference with any name brand modem. |
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tshirt
Premium,MVM
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA
·Comcast
| reply to golferman
between those modems I'd by based on price. If you already have tv service, check for deals from the bigbox stores or online sites, and consider a self install. Many offer the best promo price, free modem (sometimes a free wireless router too) and often upto a $100 rebate. it takes CC several years of speed tier service to recover all the costs. Good for you, and maybe good for them if the earn a long term customer |
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golferman
join:2008-06-18 | Thanks for the input folks. I'll look to see where I can get the best deal. I think I can get the Motorola SB5101 for $25 after a rebate. |
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jbob
Reach Out and Touch Someone
Premium
join:2004-04-26
Little Rock, AR
·Comcast
 ·AT&T Southwest
| reply to golferman
Are you going to get Comcast Digital Voice with your service as well? That may affect your modem choices.
With no Voice Service as a personal choice I would not get the SB5101. It has a problematic past with Comcast. If you get one it might be flawless or it might not. Based on the things I've read here over the years I'd stay away from that modem. It's not the modem that is at issue but Comcasts lack of technical skills at managing that modem.
Go with the Linksys BEFCMU10 v4.
One other thing to think about purchasing your own modem at this time is Comcast will soon be moving to DOCSIS 3 nationwide. The current modems you are probably looking at are NOT DOCSIS 3 compliant. It may be better at this time to simply rent one from Comcast. After the changeover to DOCSIS 3 you'll get a free replacement. At that time it might be better to think about purchasing a newer modem for yourself.
This is more of a judgment call however. |
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golferman
join:2008-06-18
| said by jbob  :Are you going to get Comcast Digital Voice with your service as well? That may affect your modem choices. With no Voice Service as a personal choice I would not get the SB5101. It has a problematic past with Comcast. If you get one it might be flawless or it might not. Based on the things I've read here over the years I'd stay away from that modem. It's not the modem that is at issue but Comcasts lack of technical skills at managing that modem. Go with the Linksys BEFCMU10 v4. One other thing to think about purchasing your own modem at this time is Comcast will soon be moving to DOCSIS 3 nationwide. The current modems you are probably looking at are NOT DOCSIS 3 compliant. It may be better at this time to simply rent one from Comcast. After the changeover to DOCSIS 3 you'll get a free replacement. At that time it might be better to think about purchasing a newer modem for yourself. This is more of a judgment call however. We're not going with Comcast Digital Voice for now, sticking with AT&T. As far as Comcast switching to DOCSIS 3 has Comcast announced an approximate date for the transition? |
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jbob
Reach Out and Touch Someone
Premium
join:2004-04-26
Little Rock, AR
·Comcast
·AT&T Southwest
| Here is something about the latest official info:
»Comcast Promises 100Mbps By 2010
Guess it will depend on where you live as to how soon it will be available. Already in one market, maybe more. Minneapolis |
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daveinpoway
Premium
join:2006-07-03
Poway, CA | Only one problem with that one market- the price is something like $150/month.
To me, a major issue is not when DOCSIS 3.0 will be available, but, rather, when it will be affordable and cost-justifiable. |
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jbob
Reach Out and Touch Someone
Premium
join:2004-04-26
Little Rock, AR | And hopefully a DOCSIS 2 modem will still work in a DOCSIS 3 environment just not capable of the higher speeds offered. |
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beerbum
Premium
join:2000-05-06
Reading, PA
clubs:
| said by jbob :And hopefully a DOCSIS 2 modem will still work in a DOCSIS 3 environment just not capable of the higher speeds offered. it should work.. currently modems that are DOCSIS 1.0 will work - you just will not get the powerboost feature.
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Dee Dee Dee.. |
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Ripper
Premium
join:2002-02-07
West Palm Beach, FL
·Comcast
|  reply to golferman
Just a note.The Linksys BEFCMU10 v4 has been replaced by the LINKSYS CM100 Cable Modem »www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a···25120001 ,so it might be harder to find that older version in local stores. |
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golferman
join:2008-06-18
| reply to jbob
I was asked if we were going to go with Digital Voice. Well last night my wife told me we can get Comcast Digital Voice for a lot less than we are paying for our AT&T telephone service, the savings would be about $50 a month for one year. Considering that I might consider switching but, are there any downsides to CDV over AT&T's telephone service? |
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jbob
Reach Out and Touch Someone
Premium
join:2004-04-26
Little Rock, AR
·Comcast
·AT&T Southwest
| said by golferman :I was asked if we were going to go with Digital Voice. Well last night my wife told me we can get Comcast Digital Voice for a lot less than we are paying for our AT&T telephone service, the savings would be about $50 a month for one year. Considering that I might consider switching but, are there any downsides to CDV over AT&T's telephone service? The only downside I can think of is it's newer technology. I think there might still be some kinks in the system but for the most part it's more than worth it.
I know I have read that they will soon change, at the time Comcast does not offer use of your own eMTA device to be used for CDV. I can't be positive about this however. eMTAs are not like a regular modem in that they provide both services, both data and voice. At present there have been some markets where certain eMTAs will not work at the higher data speeds being offered by Comcast. Some users have resorted to using a regular modem for data and the Comcast eMTA for voice. Basically running 2 modems at the same time with once being used for data only and the other for voice only. |
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golferman
join:2008-06-18
| said by jbob :said by golferman :I was asked if we were going to go with Digital Voice. Well last night my wife told me we can get Comcast Digital Voice for a lot less than we are paying for our AT&T telephone service, the savings would be about $50 a month for one year. Considering that I might consider switching but, are there any downsides to CDV over AT&T's telephone service? The only downside I can think of is it's newer technology. I think there might still be some kinks in the system but for the most part it's more than worth it. I know I have read that they will soon change, at the time Comcast does not offer use of your own eMTA device to be used for CDV. I can't be positive about this however. eMTAs are not like a regular modem in that they provide both services, both data and voice. At present there have been some markets where certain eMTAs will not work at the higher data speeds being offered by Comcast. Some users have resorted to using a regular modem for data and the Comcast eMTA for voice. Basically running 2 modems at the same time with once being used for data only and the other for voice only. Thanks, appreciate it. |
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