AT&T Launches High Definition Homezone Service

[zelig2]

http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/06-20-2007/0004611912&EDATE=#

AT&T finally anounced their Homezone service will be HD. I wasn't really planning on getting it since I've got an appleTv in addition to Dish's ViP622. That was until I went through the manual they have online. It shows the back of the Homezone HD unit which basically is like the ViP622 except is has TWO OTA connections on the back. That would make my recording schedule so much better in the fall when I start recording a lot of shows again. I just called AT&T to upgrade my DSL service and to get the HD Homezone. Even though the press release came out today saying it's availible no one knows how to process the order right now. My rep is going to hound on some people today and hopefully get back to me as to how I can add the service. I wonder if the HDMI works better than the ViP622 (which mine doesn't work). More details to follow when I find out.

[zelig2]

Scratch that. The new box is called 622HZ from AT&T and looks to be a reboxed ViP622 with custom software. The information that showed two OTA tuners was from an older manual that showed a 2Wire box that never existed for consumers (as far as I can tell). The new support documents on AT&T clearly state you can only watch/record one OTA channel at a time along with all the same restrictions the ViP622 has.

If I can get one of these boxes I'll play with it and see how I like it. The remote interface through yahoo would be nice so I can schedule stuff while I'm at work.

[zelig2]

They told me I can't upgrade for free since I've only been a memeber for 10 months. There might be a free option after the one year mark but it didn't sound promising for current subscribers. Only for new subs. If I wanted to pay an installation charge of $176 I could get the new box though. They feel someone needs to come to my house to install it.

[snodgrass23]

Surely you can't plug in some cables yourself. It's always nice to get charged for things they give away to so many people. Seems to be the standard business model these days.

[festivus]

Zelig2, what's this about the hdmi not working on the vip622? I want to get a second vip622 in my basement and was going to use hdmi to connect to an HD projector in the ceiling. Already ran a 25 ft hdmi cable. Those things aren't cheap. I also ran a component cable (for dvd), but would really like to use hdmi.

[zelig2]

From what I've read online the ViP622's HDMI connector was not made well so it can fail on a hardware level. People have stated that they've used the HDMI for months and then all of the sudden it goes out. Then when they try to get a replacement unit the CSR claims it's a software problem and the a fix will be released in the next update (lies).

If you want high quality HDMI cables for a great price I highly recommend going to monoprice.com for all your needs. I got a 50ft HDMI cable for $84 (they have one for $54) that's a 22AWG cable. After it's all bundled up the diameter of the cable is over 1/2" thick. It's super beafy. I had it running off my AppleTV with no problems for that distance. I'll be using it for everything once my new receiver comes in (Onkyo TX-SR875B).

[festivus]

I think that's where I got all of my cables. Great prices for the quality. I don't remember the gauge of my hdmi but it's pretty thick. The component that I ran is nice too.

And, nice receiver that you're getting.

[nakedeye]

Wish I were still able to help


Now if you want Fios......

[zelig2]

Think you can make a fiber run to my house from PA?

I've got kilometers of fiber at work but I think if I left it laying on the ground from my house to work it just might get broken.