OT - Comcast degraded picture quality in Metro Detroit/nationally

Submitted by karpodiem on

Just a heads up for people out there who are Comcast subscribers; (granted, some of this may sound like gibberish, so I'll use a picture to start to this off) - 

https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r31554919-

2nd source - http://www.avsforum.com/forum/25-hdtv-technical/2623961-why-comcast-hd-quality-horrible.html

Comcast has massively degraded picture quality in many markets nationally, and is about to do the same in Metro Detroit (they've already performed this in the city proper). Why you ask? Because they can, they think most people won't notice, and are shifting spectrum/bandwidth for more internet speed.

Here's a highly detailed explanation of what they've done - https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r31539495-

Some of you may have alternatives via at&t, Direct TV, Wide Open West, Dish, or one of the over the top (PS Vue, Sling TV, YouTube TV, etc.) TV service.

Comcast also recently instituted a 1024GB/month internet service usage cap. 

I have no dog in this fight - I switched my folks over to WideOpenWest (no bandwidth caps, they still use MPEG-2 video and give the channels a good bitrate), and use a Slingbox to tune into a TV in the basement they no longer use.

Let me know if you have any additional questions - I am a huge nerd, and love talking about this stuff.

reshp1

September 6th, 2017 at 4:13 PM ^

Comcast image quality already is shit. Any time there's fast action or a transition, the compression artifacts are awful. I'm way happier with YoutubeTV's quality, and PS Vue's last year compared to them. 

The Maizer

September 6th, 2017 at 4:25 PM ^

They charge you extra for overages, but cap the total amount extra they'll charge you. No shutoff. 1 TB is a lot though. Still sucks to have to think about it. I called Comcast to threaten to cancel so they'd lower me back to the normal/promotional rate like usual. They didn't even try to keep me, just processed the cancellation, so weird. Turned PS Vue on Thursday.

nscharer57

September 6th, 2017 at 4:37 PM ^

I find the 1st try never works. Usually I will call once and threaten. Then call back and say X available service is offering my Y. I then will say if you can match I will am even willing to add a paid service like HBO or Showtime on a trial.

This works almost everytime. You just have to remember to cancel the trial before you have to pay for the paid service.

ThatFatMan42

September 6th, 2017 at 8:40 PM ^

The same FCC that is actively trying to kill Title II Net Neutrality protections, faked a DDOS attack and willfully ignores the millions of fake bot-produced comments supporting its plan?  Good luck getting good them to care.  Pai is doing everything in his power to climb under the desk of every ISP and show them this thing he does with his tongue and doesn't give two fucks what the rest of us think.

drjaws

September 6th, 2017 at 8:14 PM ^

$50 month for 75 Mbps with all local and HBO (all streaming, no TV) with HBO On Demand. Add PSVue, Hulu, and Netflix and I get every channel, show, movie I'll ever want to watch. Live and on demand.

I also was able to watch literally every game last weekend. Watched Cal v UNC on ACC network. This, along with the shit like OP was saying, is why cable blows nads.

tjohn7

September 6th, 2017 at 4:48 PM ^

AT&T is awful for internet. Their speeds are 5 years behind everyone else. I had to beg and plead for them to get the cabling to get up to 40Mbps down in Birmingham. First chance I had I bolted to Comcast and was immediately at 180Mbps down with 25Mbps up. Comcast has shitty picture quality but I'm only using it for live sports. Beyond that everything is downloaded on Usenet or streamed.

Hail Harbo

September 6th, 2017 at 11:02 PM ^

I have AT&T internet because it's the only game in town except for satellite.  Speed is fine, I'm over 25mbs on a regular basis.  What totally sucks is that they haven't invested in infrastructure in our area meaning that they are running right at 100% of their bandwidth capacity.  Can you say rolling blackouts?

FauxMo

September 6th, 2017 at 4:26 PM ^

On another topic, I think the most shocking thing I learned from all this is that there are MULTIPLE message boards devoted to this stuff??? 

ryebreadboy

September 6th, 2017 at 4:28 PM ^

I tried to get AT&T internet, planning to stream via Roku, but the fastest speed they provide in my area is 10 mbps download/1 mbps upload which is ludicrous. I couldn't use more than a single device at a time, and even that was sometimes spotty.



Thus, I am stuck with Comcast, much to my dismay. They're the devil's cable company. I have no doubt the 1TB monthly cap is aimed at preventing streaming to try to retain customers. Comcast seriously needs some quality competition, because they can do whatever they want most of the time and you just have to suck it up.

nscharer57

September 6th, 2017 at 4:31 PM ^

Sorry, I don't post on here often, but I do work in the cable/advertising industry. My understanding is this is all part of their "migration" process. They will eventually move over the majority of their bandwidth to wifi/streaming as they view their products as migrating there as well. With OTT devices becoming more and more deployed. Even down to smart TVs running the xfinity app, broadband will overtake the hardwired usage and need more room to grow.

Again not trying to defend Comcast, but they do view this as an upgrade/change for the future.

Mr. Robot

September 6th, 2017 at 4:36 PM ^

Good thing I pitched Comcast TV two weeks ago in favor of YouTube TV.

Ironically, since I still have internet through Comcast, this move actually benefits me and helps ensure I get maximum TV. Comcast amazes me by consistently showing what a downright garbage company they are. It was really tempting to switch to AT&T for internet too just out of principal, but I founf it ulatimately impossible to turn down an extra 25 Mbps at the same price and with no need for new equipment or installation since I already had Comcast and own my own moden.

Maybe next year when they jack my rate up again.