Author Topic: good cable modem? (Read 228 times)

eagl · « **on:** May 08, 2006, 04:07:34 AM »

My wife is going to be getting cable broadband (comcast in Dallas) but we need to buy our own cable modem. Any suggestions? Brands or models to avoid? Features or standards to look for? It looks like prices start around $50 on newegg...

Thanks in advance!

eagl · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2006, 08:05:12 AM »

Replyin to my own post, but...

Anything wrong with dlink DCM202? It's rated ok at newegg...

Eagler · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2006, 08:19:13 AM »

I've had motorolas, ericssons and currently using a digital phone modem by Arris. they all worked fine but they were all supplied and installed by the local cabel co. I do not have any experience with store bought ones.. gl

Skuzzy · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2006, 08:14:04 PM »

Careful eagl. There are two cable modem standards. Check with your cable provider to find which one you will have.

And before anyne chimes in saying they all use DOCSIS, they don't in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area. It is a grab-bag of protocols.

eagl · « **Reply #4 on:** May 09, 2006, 03:22:58 AM »

comcast's faq says that DOCSIS 1.1 is desired, but almost every cable modem I've ever seen for sale is listed on their compatibility list. Only the newest ones are listed as totally compatible, but almost all of them say they will work. Just the older ones are tagged as being less desirable and shouldn't be replaced with the same model if they break.

The comcast salesjerk told my wife that "they all use the same standard" and that they are forbidden from recommending any particular brand or model. It took 20 min to find their compatibility list and I just hope that the list is valid for the Dallas area.

I think I'm going to go with a dlink DCM202. I found reviews that say it works with comcast in Dallas, it's on the compatibility list, and I'll be using a d-link router so if something doesn't work then d-link tech support can't blame the other piece

The price is decent I suppose... They want either $5 or $10/month to "rent" one, but this dlink is $59.

I do have another cable modem from the UK, but it's safely packed away in some storage warehouse somewhere and I can't get at it for another 3-4 months, so I have to buy one now.

eagl