AT&T splitting 2 HD / 2 SD and 1 HD / 3 SD into separate service levels?

We're still trying to decipher all of this, but we've received word that AT&T is intending to create two different service levels for its U-verse customers. Essentially, it will be extending the current loop limitation from around 3,000 feet to 3,400 feet from the VRAD, which sounds as if this could enable more customers to receive service in U-verse areas. For folks less than 3,000 feet away from the VRAD, 2 HD / 2 SD service will be available; for individuals between 3,001 and 3,400 feet away, you'll be stuck with 1 HD / 3 SD -- but at least you've have the option of signing up, right? Early signs show the two-tiered service kicking off in St. Louis real soon, with a dozen or so other markets following suit by October.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2008 11:14AM]

Of course, they want you to pay extra for that shiny new HDTV. Wonder why the HDTV sales are stagnant? Blu-Ray costs too much, HDTV service costs too much and regular SD looks like crap on a HDTV.

[dodgerfan Posted Jul 22nd 2008 11:14AM]

Articles like this really expose U-verse for the joke that it is... all I can say is, thank God I'm in a FiOS area... maybe if their customers started defecting in droves AT&T would wake up and realize that FTTH is the only way to go in 2008...

[kcmurphy88 Posted Jul 22nd 2008 11:21AM]

Hmmm... I'm 22,000 miles away and I get 6 HD channels at a time into 3 boxes. U-verse is obsolete junk. Even cable is better. I guess they continue because none of the SBC, oops, AT&T suits want to take the write-off on their watch.

[Spiza Posted Jul 22nd 2008 12:39PM]

Cable here is not better.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2008 3:30PM]

This reminds me of DSL...in order to get good service you had to live near the LEC.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 22nd 2008 6:51PM]

I must admit, I get the U-Verse 2/2 service here just outside of the Houston area, and truly not that impressed since you could watch as many TV's you wanted to in HD with Comcast Cable here. The only reason I switched was because of the amount of HD channels that they carry here in a big metropolitan area. I do miss things like my Weather Channels on Cable from the local affiliates and The Weather Channel Local on The 8's.

I haven't had any issues except with the known HDMI issue they have with the DVR boxes that they offer you here with U-Verse.

Wonder when ATT plans on fixing a few of the other bugs they still got in their system as well? ex: macro-blocking, pixelation?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 24th 2008 1:06AM]

I install uverse for a living and i just have to laugh at this.

I got the memo a while back about them extending the distance. all i have to say to that is:

LOL YEA RIGHT.

we can't even get sync @ 2600 feet most of the time, forget 3000. and they're trying to push to 3400? yea right. that must be the best copper in the world.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 23rd 2008 6:00AM]

Why would anyone be surprised by any service company employing a nickle and dime approach to their cowsumers? Just be quiet and eat your grass.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 23rd 2008 9:44PM]

Well this 2 HD/ 2 SD is for one dvr. Not the whole house. So multiple rooms can watch HD simultaneously but now you can watch/record one while watching another.

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/06/12/attention-u-verse-users-2-hd-2-sd-rollout-schedule-gets-leake/