The "New Normal"

Here in the early part of June 2020, we are all currently experiencing different aspects of a new normal. Some have been off work for quite some time, some have been working from home, while “essential workers” and others have been working more than they ever have. Some have had loved ones or acquaintances directly affected from COVID 19 and in worse cases, there have been some who have lost loved ones or dear friends. No matter your opinion of the severity of the situation, how it’s been handled or what your experiences have been; this has affected us all in one form or another and I’m confident that there will be no going back to the exact way things were.

That being said, businesses are opening up, people are going back to work and business for Simplicity Audio Video has been sufficient enough to carry us through and remain strong. I do believe that the economy (as a whole) will regain and rebound rapidly and this has already begun. Sadly, there are businesses that have not made it through and things will change to a small degree at least. However, good ole American perseverance and determination will overcome these challenges and bad situations can result in even better circumstances.

Time at home has definitely been an eye opener for many of those with ageing/inadequate technology. Those with older networks have seen problematic issues exacerbated when working from home and/or video streaming capabilities which either aren’t supported by the network capabilities or video streaming is either not available or difficult to achieve. If this has been the case for you, let us help you get your home to the level you need while keeping it simple to use at the same time. Also, given the current climate of safety concerns, surveillance cameras have been on people’s minds as well. We can either upgrade older systems or give you an entirely new system to give you the piece of mind you may be looking for.

Stay safe, take care and may we all have a brighter future ahead!

Supplement to the Service Modems Post

Due to new policies put in place by Comcast, I’m reluctantly having to add an update to my last post. Whereas I have been previously adding a second modem in situations where a client is utilizing a Comcast phone (VOIP) telephone line; they are changing their policy on second modems. Since Comcast is required to make a provision to add a second IP address for the new modem, they are no longer allowing a second modem to be on an account. In this case if you decide you are going to use their VOIP line, we will simply use their modem and put it in bridge mode. They have assured me that a default to the modem (resulting in making the modem a router/combo unit again) is highly unlikely. In the case that a client does not need a Comcast phone line, we can still use a standard (non-Comcast) modem that has no routing capabilities which is a better option if possible.

Service Modems and Basic Networking Principles

In the last post we briefly mentioned that it is better to get your own modem rather than use one provided to you from Comcast etc. There are multiple reasons for this but the short answer is reliability. Most internet service providers nowadays will supply a gateway (router) modem. This a combo unit that has a modem and router bundled in one device. While it sounds like a quick solution to your internet needs and may work in some situations; there are a few things you should know to decide whether or not it's right for you. And if you have AT&T, you cannot get a separate modem at this point that I'm aware of; you need to keep their modem regardless.

Let's start with who a service provider modem is right for, first. The combo modem is a good solution for those who aren't doing much more than web-surfing, perhaps streaming Netflix on a media player and doing basic online tasks with a limited amount of devices. The other stipulation here is that your home's square footage does not exceed roughly 2,000 sq ft or you only have selective areas in your home where you need WiFi coverage and this modem can be centrally located in this area. Beyond that, I would suggest a better network.

Today's smart home that is adding multiple IP-based devices and control systems requires a more robust network. An automation system with IP (Internet Protocol) controlled devices talks to every device on the network. Communication without interference is key in these types of environments. Anyone with kids in the home also requires a lot of bandwidth. Video streaming on YouTube, Netflix and internet video gaming takes up more bandwidth than anything. The service providers' modem simply cannot handle the traffic requirements in these situations.

If your home requires this type of network activity, the combo unit is not the way to go. The network configuration I recommend is a separate modem, router and then access points where more WiFi coverage is needed. Even adding a better router to the provider modem is not a solid solution. The reason being, is that you essentially have 2 routers on your network and as I always say, "Anything with more than one head is a monster." The modem's job is to provide the internet from your cable signal, the router's job is to give an IP address to every network device that wants to live in your network "neighborhood". 2 Routers can end up competing against each other for the lead and consequently shutting down your network. Someone may bring up the fact that you can put the service modem in "bridge" mode which essentially turns off the router in that modem. This is true; however, a power outage or an update can potentially disable the bridge mode in your modem reverting it to router mode. Also, anytime you call the provider and say you're having internet issues, they will likely default your modem, which will put it back in router mode as well.

Lastly, let's talk about expanding your WiFi coverage. In this case the three possible solutions are: an access point, repeaters/extenders, or using a router set up as an access point. We've already discussed the problems with having more than one router on your network; and that same philosophy will apply here as well. A repeater/extender is a plug-in unit (whether user configured or automatically configured) that relies on strong enough signal from another area to help "fan" it towards a weak area. Simply picturing this in your mind should turn you away from this direction. While this may work in some cases (the most notable would be Apple's Airport Express); more often then not, a repeater will actually make your signal worse. A WiFi access point (preferably the same brand name as your router) is by far, the best solution. The reason being, an access point is set up with a hard-wired network cable which originates at the router. In other words, it has its own feed; it provides it's own broad cast signal which is far better than any repeater.

I hope this helps clear the air regarding setting up a proper network in your home. Whether you have a 2,000 sq ft' condo or a 20,000 sq ft home; Simplicity Audio Video can help you get the coverage and speed your home and family needs.

Which service provider should I use??

We often get asked the question, "which service provider should I use?" By service providers, I mean: Comcast, DirecTV, AT&T, etc.

Let me get right to the point of this blog; I typically don't "recommend" any of them. However, since you're on this website; we'll assume you're going to use someone for your television viewing needs. Unfortunately, all providers can be difficult to work with; whether you're talking about the installer entering your home or the operator on the phone. It can be a chore to get a knowledgeable person to help, and once they get your system working properly; then I suggest you check to make sure they didn't screw up your bill. Don't get me wrong; not every experience is bad working with providers. There are knowledgeable people there and there are nice people there too. It's just that it seems to be a hassle more often than not and most of you already know this.

That's where Simplicity comes in. Whether you're adding boxes to a new room or new house, we suggest scheduling your providers to show up when we do. Providers love when they see us there because they know that we do the leg work for them. You'll love us being there, because we are there to make sure that their job is done properly and that you don't have to have them back in your home the next day.

So, when people ask me...I suggest using Comcast. Once everything is finally working and assuming they have your bill right, I feel they're the best. Their boxes respond well to programming, are easy to install and are very user friendly. A close second would be DirecTV. DirecTV has IP control on their boxes which is very responsive and they have better channel packages. However, I personally prefer Comcast because there is much less hassle in getting cable up and running than trying to get satellite working and satellite has connection issues in weather, no matter what anyone says.  (One note on the new Comcast X1 boxes: channel changing takes about 2-3 times longer, which can be annoying, but most noteworthy are the video connections: Most (if not all) of the new boxes are HDMI only and if you are using a distributed video system that uses component video connections, or if you have an older television, you will not be able to make the switch. However, there are legacy boxes still available with component video connections, but they need to be requested specifically. Some clients have switched over to X1 and wanted to switch back and weren't able to, so proceed with caution and don't switch unless it makes sense for you. You can always call me and ask whether the X1 platform is right for your system; it costs you nothing.)

Overall, Comcast is the most well rounded provider, their internet is outstanding and phone is usually pretty good as well. DirecTV, I would say, has the best programming packages, particularly for sports. Dish Network contains the most foreign content, and AT&T is the most economic. AT&T I must say, is my least favorite of all. AT&T proves the old adage, "you get what you pay for." We have actually considered a surcharge on AT&T systems based on the fact that their boxes are difficult to control (with any system), and you are absolutely stuck using their modems. More to come on service provider modems, but suffice it to say; you're better off not using a provider modem and purchasing your own. Also AT&T limits your HD streams to a maximum of 4. What this means to you is, you may have purchased more than 4 HD AT&T boxes but are only allowed to viewing HD channels on 4 boxes at a time. Providers such as WOW and Frontier for outer lying areas can be a challenge as well. I have seen WOW boxes work like Comcast in the past and recently have seen them come out with cheaper boxes prone to issues. Frontier is worth a cautionary look because it's a slower DSL line (not broadband like a cable connection) like AT&T. Personally, I haven't had much experience with them at all; but in some areas further out; these may be your only choice.  

If you have any questions regarding service providers (or anything else for that matter), we are here to help and to take some of the stress of dealing with them off of your shoulders. We deal with them every day and are actually quite comfortable in doing so. Thanks for reading and let us know if we can help you out in any way,

Steve Clapp

Simplicity Audio Video