Tag: Xfinity

First Week Review of Comcast Xfinity X1 cable and internet

Posted onAuthorTruXter2 Comments

I made the change back to Comcast.
I got two of the X1 boxes

I have had a week to test out the x1 boxes, here is my review of Xfinity’s X1 package.

Everything looks good. The colors are crisp. The black is a hard black, the colors are a vibrant and the whites are strong whites. You can read and see everything in the menus.
You can crank resolutions up to 1080p 16:9. but The signal is in no way 1080p. There is just no way. The images are not 1080p quality. Maybe slightly better than 720p. Which is still called 720p.
The menus on the X1 boxes are convoluted. There are barely any options or functionality. The menus load so slow. I have yet to find the channels I like, lord knows how the heck I am supposed to preprogram a show that I want to watch. You know, like on Direct tv, you find the title of the movie, highlight it and click. You get the menu … bam there it is.. Where is that option in X1? I just want my tv to automatically change to the channel when it is time. Should be simple right? All of the effort they put into looks, they could have put some into function.
but again. Did I tell you the menus load at a snail’s pace? I even tried this weird (far off in the menu) thing where you can test out options, which the menu “fast” option was off, I turned that on…  well that did squat for me. I understand the design theme with having everyone’s logo on the left for the channel but really, I bet that is what is slowing down the menu.

If you are looking for a specific channel call letters, good luck looking for the title of the channel (which is usually right under the logos), what is there is tiny. This feels more like “Hey we know you are too stupid to actually read these, so here are the pictures that represent your favorite channels”.

The truth is the X1 feels like it is a prototype for something I’ll probably have to pay to upgrade to later. or as if they did a random hat draw of crap that people like and said “Okay we will make it look like 50 of these 500 things, just make it pretty they will eat it up, so we can charge more”. Then, they did, and nothing is useful together. Or actually useful at all.

x1_ready_rebootSometimes the signal flakes out. I also get notices that the device is ready to reboot. Right when I turn the tv on. and I don’t think the X1 ever turns off. At all. Weird thing is I contacted Comcast about an issue and they asked me which cable box I was having an issue with, and I told him the bedroom, he said “hang on it is rebooting now” It rebooted….. This kind of creeped me out. Nilson family intrusion junk .
When the X1 wants to reboot, it takes about 5 minutes to complete. and nothing seems to work any faster or any better.

There is some sort of bundled thing in this box that allows me to “stream” movies. Why? Can we just call this “on demand? and not whatever they call it now? How cheesy is that? Why does the sales rep and the installer want to tell me how it is like netflix “and similar’ blah blah blah.. it is dumb, it feels like netflix menu on dial up…. I’ll have to check more into that. Right now it seems pointless.

Maybe that’s the big problem. Maybe it just needs to have a wifi adapter so it can connect to my modem, because the x1 built in modem is sucky. and might need more ram.

Then there is the low def and high def channel flip flop the x1 does.
Say I click on channel 11. Which is a local station here. Since channel 11 is in low def and there is a high def duplicate at 611, the tv automatically changes to channel 611.
Why not just make 11 high def and forget 611? or make all local stations only in the 600s or even how about this option… If the channel is in low def and in high def, the low def option disappears so that when I go back to the guide, and resume my channel flipping, I don’t have to scroll through all of the crap i scrolled through to to get to channel 11? Because just below 611 is about 200 channels in different languages that I don’t speak. Can I turn all of that off? even the channels I am not subscribed to, can I turn those off also? When that dang menu or narrative bubble pops up telling me I don’t pay for that channel, the fricken x1 locks up for what feels like an hour but is more like 2-3 seconds.

The x1 box does not turn off. I guess so they can count you as a viewer even when you are at work… or asleep.

Not happy with X1
Even the xr2 remote is dumb. The shape of the xr2. Sure the form is great in your hand, but the xr2 shape is kind of figure eight. Both ends feel exactly the same. If the room is dark and you need to turn down the volume… good luck. You’ll likely press the number 6. Why would comcast do this? Come on. Make one end feel different. And why did Comcast put the mute next to the power button? That’s just rude. I’ll put a sticker on the bottom at the back end. to prevent smashing wrong buttons in the dark,that should fix that. Prevent me from hitting the number 8 when I am trying to go to bed.

Maybe I will wait for x2 or x3 and pay for my upgrade and cross my fingers I don’t have to try and learn another piece of junk.

 

If you came here for the remote codes for your x1 box, and made it down this far, look here

Program xfinity x1 xr2 remote done easy

Posted onAuthorTruXter2 Comments

Program xfinity x1 xr2 remote done easy as I can make this.

IMG_20141013_011502I just had Comcast come and install my x1 boxes and xr2 remotes. The technician programmed one remote with 1 tv easily. The Comcast technician had a bit of trouble with the other remote.
The tv that the Comcast guy had trouble with is a spectra 32 inch tv.
I googled like crazy for a good while before I found the instructions I need for this remote. Since the instruction pamphlet only had 5 codes and I tried them all. I was worried. But here is how I got my xr2 remote to work with my spectra tv.

Bottom left tiny button says “set up”
Press and hold the set up button until the all power button lights up and then turns green.
Once that happens
Start tapping the channel up button.
Took me about 30-35 presses of the channel up button before the remote went through the codes and found a suitable remote code for my spectra tv. Some tvs probably take less or more.
When the xr2 finds the right code the tv will shut off. At that moment do not press the channel up button again. In fact do not press any button except the set up button. Just press the set up button one time. After that just press the all power button. The tv should come back on. Test the xr2 remote by turning the volume up and down and power the tv off and back on.

You should be good.
If the code doesn’t work right start over. There may be another code built in made for your tv.

Comcast chat

Posted onAuthorTruXter5 Comments

**Warning: Angry Typos Ahead**

Today, I will be taking my Cable box back to Comcast. They have taken it too far
I have been dealing with my neighbor’s dog (she’s a puppy) digging up my comcast connection, for several months now.
I have received insane bills from Comcast And a few other issues that I don’t feel like looking up so here it is in Bing.

Yesterday I decided to try the chat thing, because phoning in my issue of the neighbor’s dog resolved nothing.

TruXter: My Issue: Neighbor’s dog digs up my cable, I have had you guys out a few times re-bury the line. I requested conduit, was told over the phone it would be used. Technicians all say it can’t be done.. I just now came in the house after covering chewed

analyst Dani Mae has entered room

Dani Mae: Hello TruXter, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Dani Mae. Please give me one moment to review your information.

Dani Mae: Hi

Dani Mae: Welcome to comcast

TruXter: hi.

Dani Mae: Thank you for that information TruXter

Dani Mae: May I know what would you like to do?

TruXter: Is there any way I can get a manager or a foreman to come out with the technician next time to bury my cable? and can you ask them not to request to come in my house anymore? the issue is in the neighbor’s yard.

TruXter: They have replaced the splice in my attic 3 times now as if that solved the issue. I need the cable in conduit or something that a dog can not bite through.

TruXter: The cable box is in my neighbor’s yard. 6 feet of cable gets dug up with in just house of the tech’s burying it.

TruXter: hours*

Dani Mae: To answer you suggestion about a manager, I believe that is not possible since only technician process that

TruXter: Someone needs to come out and over see this. This is the very last time I will let this happen. I will change services. I am sick of this.

Dani Mae: And about your request about conduit

Dani Mae: We do not have that, but we only can drop bury your cable line

Dani Mae: For conduit, you can buy that at your local store

TruXter: I can’t watch tv while the dog chews on the line. I can barely surf the internet that I am paying crazy fees for. this is nuts.

TruXter: You mean. with all of the customers that this company has, I am the only person?

Dani Mae: I understand that, where is your cable lines now placed?

TruXter: why did it cost me $200 to get my house connected? they used wire that I already paid for to begin with.

TruXter: the cable box is in the neighbor’s yard. 6 feet from my fence.

Dani Mae: I see, please inform the owner and let them contact Comcast, so we can schedule them.

TruXter: The neighbor and I buried the cable last time while the tech watched.

TruXter: This needs to be fixed, and someone who can make these guys give me the service I am paying so much for.

TruXter: needs to make sure it’s done.

Dani Mae: Sure

Dani Mae: Have you tried calling 1-800-XFINITY (934-6489)

TruXter: can you check my records and see I have done this several times?

Dani Mae: Sure

Dani Mae: It shows here that Drop bury has been completed as requested already

TruXter: ….

TruXter: and dog dig has already happened.

Dani Mae: Would you like to request another drop bury?

Dani Mae: And have you called already for a schedule?

TruXter: yeah sure. and when he is done, can you send him back three hours later to replace the line again because the dog is just going to dig it back up. and tell to take a lunch and come right back… Or send someone with authority to look at this and see it is a slop job and someone is milking your clock at my expense.\

TruXter: Thank god I run a website and have a good camera. This is my final month. you people are leeches.
Type Here:

After this. I called Comcast to solve the issue of the lightly buried cable in the yard with a big puppy who digs a lot, and to understand why just last month I was told that on this bill, my bill would be reduced, yet it’s still at regular $88. When she told me this month my bill would show the changes I asked why she said “because you already paid this month”. Ok. Makes sense.
So I call and start asking why my bill isn’t reduced. The lady that answered, forwarded me to another person who I assume is their “quick excuses guy”. because this dude was just out to win an argument.
I asked why my bill was regular price, and the guy said that it was because I owe $160 for not paying last month’s bill. I told him he was nuts and explained that I paid $160 last month also, and 160 the month before, and keep getting told I am late on my bill. The guy said and I quote “we bill for service before you receive service”. My eyes rattled in my head. I explained to him that every month I have been going through this, and I have not have had service. Since the dog eats my cable. The man said “then you need to speak to the neighbor” and I flipped out on him. “No, you need to get your stuff straight because I am a customer and you are providing a service, you are asking me to make this an issue between the neighbor and I. You can’t tell me that will all of the customers you guys have, I am the only person with this issue. ” Considering how many houses have dogs, there is a really good chance this has been issue on many occasions.

Now understand, the last time I talked to a technician, he was watching me and the neighbor bury the cable ourselves while he just stood there telling me I should kick the neighbor’s dog and cover the spot with rat traps. The neighbor didn’t like that, and I didn’t like that. I asked the Comcast technician why they don’t just bring 8 feet of conduit and get this over with he said and I quote “Job security, we always make sure each other has work”. At my expense no doubt.

Comcast. Your service has done me no service and I will forever refuse you. I will warn everyone I know, just how you treat Customers and how your answering team and all of your help team, are the trashiest people you can have work for you. When you guys go out of business, you might want to worry about the scum you hire, and possibly the way you treat them and tell them to treat you customers. I love your bandwidth, I hate your bandwidth cap, and I hate that your basic cable is lower resolution than any other broadcast. Local resolution from antenna is 740p minimum where I live, your basic cable is less than 480i. That is pathetic and nothing justifies charging for that.

Can’t say I will miss you when you are gone.

 

**Update**

Just got off the phone with comcast. Called to cancel my service. Man asked me why I was cancelling service. I rattled on for 15 minutes . taking maybe three breaths while trying to think of everything that has gone on since I signed up.
He was like “yeah, I would leave also, Sorry this has happenned to you, you will be receiving a credit soon”.
and that was it. no telling me I am wrong, no selling me a bigger bundle.

Doin it right. for once.

 

**Update 2**

 

Logged in to see my Comcast bill information and to make sure that all of the statements were true, that I would recieve a credit to my account and got a notice to provide a valid email address.  but in back I could see my bill. Lots of junk going on back there. Of course I tried three different ways of handling that page so I could see the bill. They all signed me out instantly.

My Comcast Bill

My Comcast Bill

 

I have no idea what is going on below that point. Could be a pot of gold, could be a bag of chewed up rubberbands.  The reason I am trying to log in is to see if  I got the credit I was told I would get, since they ripped me off of last credit, and to see if I upset someone enough they decided to change my bill up and really stick it to me. You can’t doubt people anymore in either direction. Good or bad.
Needless to say. I have not been able to scroll all the way down. That stupid pop up asking me to show another email address blocks my view.

 

**update 3**

 

All devices were taken back the day I posted this. No arguments, no denying anything. In fact i think the little lady behind teh counter kind of wanted me.

here is their big technical wall of tv screens updated from earlier this year.

ghettovision

ghettovision

Now here is what comcast says I was supposed to pay last month.

comcast bill

Comcast bill

Now… If that was in fact what I was “supposed to pay”. Then why in the blue hell would I pay this ?

comcast payment

Comcast payment

It’s as if the kid I was trying to get help from but only wanted to argue with me, decided to make it look like I am a moron and don’t know how to internet. Now, understand, my bill is usually $79 before “additional charges”. So um. $200 minus 141, but this month’s bill is only $88.06 ? What? Which idiot in that establishment is going to show me how this works, and which idiot in that company is going to translate what that guy said, to non bull %^&*  and make it make sense?

But I have to thank him for showing me I needed to open my mind. I love direct tv and uncapped 4G Internet.

 

 

Cisco Xfinity RNG100 Cable Box

Posted onAuthorTruXter4 Comments

A short Review of the Cisco Xfinity RNG100 Cable Box.
Had my Cisco Xfinity RNG100 Cable Box installed now for about 2 weeks. The Comcast guy did not leave a manual with the cable box. So figuring the cable box out has been an up hill against the wind battle.
My first warning is if you are going to move your Cisco Xfinity RNG100 Cable Box around at all, turn the tv off. The power cable on this cable tv tuner is so tiny and easy to pop out, you will get loud static the instance the power connector is pulled out.
Once the cable box tv tuner gets disconnected, There really isn’t much clue as to when it finally comes on. So hitting the power button just leaves you confused and missing your favorite show. So far the only thing I have found to do is leave the power plugged in and walk away for about 5-10 minutes. Next I hit the power button and wait another 2 minutes and then do it again till the dang thing comes on. If you just power the cable box down, it turns on fast. But a full shut down with no power is a whole different beast. Leaves you in the dark. The favorites option labeled as “favs” allows you to makes more than one set of favs. I have no idea how many is maximum amount of channels per list, I barely got 9 in my list before I gave up because it took about 45 minutes. That was just list one. I tried making a second list later, but only got one channel in the list after about 15 minutes of messing with the remote. I can not get the favs to list 2 yet so I can easily get to that channel. So I just hit 444 then channel up or channel down and that takes me near the channel I want. I am afraid to memorize any channels, since Comcast has changed the channel line up like 7 times in the past ten years. If you have been dialing the same channel for two or three years and then bam it changes and then a month later changes again, you kind of give up.
For me, the usb connector on the front, does nothing, I guess it’s for wifi because it does nothing to a thumb drive that has videos and music on it. I tried hooking a computer to the usb connectors, thumb drive and an external hard drive. SQUAT!
Not amused.