What are /r/chartercable's favorite Products & Services?

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The 400mbps speeds are only obtainable on a computer with a wired connection. The speed test on the PS4 is notoriously inaccurate.

I am on the 400mbps plan, and here are my speeds: https://www.speedtest.net/result/9894055322.png

It's definitely not working with Windows 10. It causes blue screen, tested on brand new computer. The BSOD even says namebench.exe on the Blue Screen. If anything I would recommend using Steve Gibson benchmark tool. Steve Gibson is the creator of spinrite a hard drive recovery tool. His software is not only highly updated but won't do BSOD on Windows 10. His software is here. https://www.grc.com/dns/benchmark.htm

Also it has the custom build list option which helped me find DNS server a 5 ms away from me.

See, that's your proof Charter doesn't throttle. It is nearly impossible to throttle when your traffic is going through a VPN because.. well, it's going through a VPN so they can't tell what the destination is. Well, without some complex movie-plot scenario that would be so expensive and difficult to engineer that it just wouldn't be worth it.

If your VPN goes to, say, NordVPN (a well-connected provider with many entry points) that supports tunnels over port 443.. it'd be essentially impossible for any provider to throttle your connections to, say, your buddy's Minecraft server housed at another ISP. All they would see is HTTPS encrypted traffic between you and some IP address hosted in some datacenter out there.

There is no point in Charter throttling games. There might be some reason a cable company out there throttles access to, say, Netflix or Hulu... but the whole point of us upselling gigabit services nowadays is to gamers who want the zero-latency high bandwidth access to play Fortnight/PUBG, especially to households with multiple gamers and/or a heavy gamer and a collection of traditional users.

Found this via google - charter is absolutely throttling YouTube in the STL area right now. I've noticed horrible buffering like you've described for the past few weeks, and every time it happens I can run a speed test and get the full ~130/4 that I'm paying for.

The reason I'm 100% positive they are throttling YouTube/streaming video, is I pay for a VPN service called Private Internet Access. While connected to VPN there is 0 buffering and scrubbing through videos is almost instant.

If you aren't familiar with why that is the case, basically by connecting to a VPN you are encrypting all of your traffic, which makes even your ISP not able to identify what kind of traffic it is. This causes their throttling rules to not be applied since the traffic isn't detected as 'streaming video'.

The only question here is whether this is a permanent thing or not... either way it's extremely frustrating that Charter is pulling this BS now.

I sideloaded the app and it works. It really is a pain to navigate however. Using a wireless mouse with a USB dongle helped a ton for navigation.

What I did was download HALauncher and forced landscape mode for apps in the settings menu. Then I put the Spectrum TV APK in my Google Drive or Thumb Drive and installed it. Just remember you have to check the install "Unknown Sources" option in the actual OS' settings.

When I get home from work, I'm going to try and sideload Chrome to my Android box. Apparently, the browser works pretty well and I'll see if I can log into spectrum.net and full screen the player on the site.

Firstly your ethernet cables must be at least Cat 5e rated or higher. Otherwise you will never see above 100mbps. Secondly you'll need a wifi of AC2600 or above to enjoy those speeds.

Check out my Speedtest result! How fast is your internet? https://www.speedtest.net/my-result/a/6218173176

My setup * Cat 5e cabling * SB6190 Cable Modem * https://www.samsung.com/us/hubs/ mesh Wifi

Here's a link to a just-completed test under this exact condition, yielding a result well below both the advertised 940 Mbps or the achieved 890 Mbps when directly connected to the back of the modem from Windows PC to modem via CAT7 ethernet.

Slow... as in slow to resolve websites? Or slow as in download speed? You could try switching your DNS to Google(8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4) or CloudFlare's(who I've been using... after using Google's for years: 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1).

More than likely an overloaded node if you are experiencing it during peak hours.

Had the same issue with Comcast years ago. I ended up scripting out a speedtest.net test every five minutes via this script: https://github.com/sivel/speedtest-cli and storing the results in a MySQL database to plot the results.

Four techs previously said nothing was wrong as they were coming out during the day when the node wasn't overloaded. After I had graphed the results... it took two techs before the second one said "yah I'm escalating to a regional network engineer.". Magically a month later I get a call stating they had been monitoring my connection for two weeks and they had split the node as it was overloaded.

Either way... you should be calling Charter to let them know you're having issues.

Just tried it here's the results http://www.dslreports.com/speedtest/37631720

Tried running a DNS benchmark https://www.grc.com/dns/benchmark.htm

and normally I would get a VIP01 & VIP02 charter dns server that had ping of 10 - 18 ms now the fastest server showing up is literally level 3 with ping of 112 ms and charter's being random from 1250 ms to 1502 ms

After the suggested upgrade letter from Spectrum, I went in and exchanged my Arris modem for the Hitron. It was supposed to allow faster speeds. Now 2 weeks in I have exchanged the Hitron 3 times. Why? Because each Hitron was disconnecting/resetting 3 times an hour. Each reset was 6 minutes each time which means 18 minutes each hour without internet. That's how bad this new PUMA 7 chipset is. Last night I bit the bullet and purchased the Netgear CM600 with max speeds of 960mb/s. My Spectrum plan is the 200 download and fast.com measured my speed at 350mb download. And not a single disconnect in the 12 hours I've owned it. The spectrum tech is going to leave the Hitron connected for voice only because the netgear is not made with voice/phone capabilities. The Netgear CM600 does not have the PUMA 7 chipset like the Hitron or the PUMA 6 that is the subject of the defective class action lawsuit, so it is a good reliable buy at $90 new.

>efer to offload to my Modem if possible, and I guess that

D3.1 is backwards compatible. Most Docsis 3.1 modems will bond to 32 Standard QAMs (what D3.0 uses), and a OFDM QAM (the new part of D3.1). You wont be able to to tell if you have D3.1 enabled unless you have a D3.1 modem or you ask Charter. The TM822 can easily support speeds up to 200Mb. A D3.1 device can easily support 900Mb if Charter has QAMs available. Upgrading your modem is a coin flip if it will fix the issue. Really depends on where the bottleneck is on Charter's end.

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Always test hardwired to verify speeds, and try different servers. Fast.com is really good site to verify speeds, it's hosted by netflix. As Trick_killa mentioning, I would be checking you connect at your house first. You might able to check SNR and Levels by typing this into your web browser if charter doesn't have it blocked; 192.168.100.1

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If you do decide to go with a D3.1 modem replacement, I would suggest a CM8200 or SB8200.

Did you ever clear this up? I'm getting 30ms ping jumping to insane 300ms and higher every 2-3 seconds. Speedtest and fast.com are both saying I'm getting a constant 40mbps with 30 ms ping though. I've been having all sorts of issues the past two weeks.

EDIT: Located in Ohio

I think they do something to their DNS servers every night. I had issues like this that actually cost me several characters in a game I played where if you die, it's permanent.

I ended up changing the DNS servers I use and that solved the problem.

Try that.

https://www.opendns.com/

Get ExpressVPN use code TWiT to get some extra months for free on annual purchase. Everything you do will go faster and the cant record anything or modify it before it reaches your computer. Support is great also and has always helped me fast when needed.

I use the Netgear CM600

The spectrum modems aren’t horrible. They first gave me a Arris TM1602AP2 and I got expected speeds. But had the puma issue. In some markets they’re giving out this modem for even the 100Mbps tier

All spectrum modems are free, and if you want the WiFi its $5 with the 100Mbps plan and free with spectrum ultra.

What a good scanner program to check WiFi signals? I’m returning the router tomorrow because my old router is acting no different than the new one. I’ve been diagnosing issues for the past week. I only have 1 Apple TV I can used wired thru Ethernet. My Roku streaming stick and Apple 3 are only available thru WiFi. I also use Unlocator DNS and maybe that is causing bandwidth drops. I’m gonna try Google DNS but I use Unlocator DNS to avoid B.S. sports blackouts in my area.

That's pretty much the going rate for Charter. If you are interested in cutting your bill, get rid of cable tv and it will go down $40 or so.

Then get a good Android tv box(I love my Shield TV, but something like the new Fire Sticks would work also), and get some apps like PlutoTV, Cyberflix, and TeaTV... with the later two being not the most "legal" sources. And of course check out /r/cordcutters.

Do you have an outdoor antenna to pickup local channels? If not, I put one of these in my attic: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DNJZ58M and hooked it to a HDHomerun. Now all my TV's also get local stations.

The "Live TV" app on Android TV is pretty slick it is a fast tv guide that pulls in all the local stations from my HDHomerun, PlutoTV, and a few other apps that broadcast live and puts them all in one tv guide interface.

We haven't had cable tv in over five years and don't miss it one bit. The initial investment in the Android boxes, antenna, and HDHomerun was a few hundred bucks... but I've save more than enough money over the years by not paying for cable tv.

If you end up grabbing your own, I would recommend the Netgear CM600 or the TP-Link TC7650. The CM600 comes highly recommended by most people and Spectrum themselves - probably the best two commercially sold ones for the 400/20 tier and lower. Gigabit requires a Spectrum modem (DOCSIS 3.1) at the moment. I assume Spectrum will allow customer-owned DOCSIS 3.1 modems at some point next year.

10 DB Attenuator Pad - 1 Each https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013L56OK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_kBhxBb946E4E4

So this kind of thing is no Bueno? Had a friend who has one lying around. I'll snag a 6db coupler as well

I bought two of these: Ubiquiti UAP-AC-LITE UniFi AP AC LITE 802.11ac Gigabit Dual-Radio PoE https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01DRM6MLI/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_XAOkBbTM7CVF6

And they work great. They’re just access points, so you’ll need a router. You can buy the Ubiquiti one, which provides a lot of insight into your network and is a robust router, or keep using the one Spectrum gave you. Ubiquiti Unifi Security Gateway (USG) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00LV8YZLK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_FCOkBbK0NYS6M

I have this one, T-mobile branded (and firmware) top-rated Asus. This is the best price Amazon has had for months, probably sold out today.

https://www.amazon.com/Wireless-AC1900-Dual-Band-AiProtection-Certified-Refurbished/dp/B075GYWPCJ/ref=sr_1_3?s=pc&ie=UTF8&qid=1523485890&sr=1-3&keywords=ac1900

TP-Link TC7650

24x8. Just came out this summer. Uses Broadcom chips and not the horrible Intel Puma 6.

Your signal levels look good. My guess would be like the others, which is that your node is overloaded during the evening. Ideally, you should try to get a technician to come out during the affected times of the day. Looking at your Channel IDs, it looks like you are in an area that supports 24 channel downstream bonding, so one thing you could try, which may help, but I can't guarantee that it will, would be to buy a modem like the Netgear CM600 which supports 24 channel bonding. This should give you more consistent speeds during times of high usage on the node, but I can't guarantee that it'll fully solve the issue. Best Buy also carries the CM600, so you could buy it, try it out, and if it doesn't help, return it. Also, make sure you DON'T buy a modem that uses the Puma 6 chipset (Netgear CM700 and Arris SB6190), as they are known to have issues with ping spikes, which still haven't been resolved with firmware updates. In the meantime, I'd suggest switching back to the Cisco modem they provided as it at least supports 16 downstream channel bonding, which is better than the 8 that your current Netgear modem supports. Just curious, are you in a Legacy Charter, Legacy Time Warner Cable, or Legacy Brighthouse area?

It's not an Arris modem. it's a TP Link 7210 (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01CH8ZNJ0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_dp_T1_DWhszb89XSA23).

Says its compatible with WOW, Spectrum, and pretty much everyone else.

I'm thinking it's falling squarely under the category of "wow pulled a fast one on my mother in law and sold her a modem".

I'll be down there in two weeks - reset the modem - and call wow activation to get it settled.

However - this whole thing really grinds my gears.

I was assuming the house already had cable modem service and you were trying to get it into a particular room.

If the house doesn't have Internet service, then yes that will work, the installer should be able to set it up using the coax in your room rather than the living room. However that one is just a cable modem, which you could get for free from Spectrum. Using a simple cable modem will work if you only have one computer to connect via Ethernet. If you also have a phone, tablet, game console, etc., then you'd either need to separately connect a router (possibly with wifi) to the cable modem, and connect your computer to that, or use something like this which combines the cable modem, router, and wireless access point into one box.

The router should have one or more Ethernet ports on it. If only one, connect a switch to the router and then run an Ethernet cable to your room. But that's messy. If the router and your computer has wifi, use that. If the router doesn't have wifi, get a wifi access point and connect it to the router with Ethernet. If your computer doesn't have wifi, either add a wifi card if you have a free PCI slot (something like this), or use an Ethernet to Wifi adapter (something like this).

Note the products I'm linking are just examples I found with a quick search, I don't know if there are better/cheaper ones out there and I don't have any personal experience with these particular products.

So could I get a router like so and just connect the coax in my room to it and then use the ethernet jack? Or do I need to just the main one in the living room?

This is to avoid wiring the cat5 through the wall

Your two best options are either a) run your own ethernet line to the basement , or b) MoCA Adapters to use the existing coax in lieu of running a separate ethernet drop.

I think you'd have much better luck with a wired solution if your TV or steaming device has an Ethernet port. I have been using this Ethernet over powerline device for a few years. They are awesome.

TP-Link AV500 Nano Powerline Adapter Starter Kit, up to 500Mbps (TL-PA4010KIT) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AWRUICG/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_mEgOyb05KPJCQ

This thing?

https://smile.amazon.com/TiVo-BOLT-500-DVR-Compatible/dp/B01DR4T754/ref=sr_1_1?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1485488282&sr=1-1&keywords=tivo+bolt

It requires a $15/mo subscription!

And a cable card (whatever that is).

I am trying to ditch DTV-like pricing!

It was modem and wireless switch. Like this

Spectrum is getting sued by New York because they bought TWC who was already getting sued prior to the merger. It was already an issue before Charter bought them and rebranded to Spectrum.

As far as for a wifi analyzer if you have an android... https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.farproc.wifi.analyzer&hl=en