Cable Tv Splitter

CtConsumerComplaint: Burlington Man Has Bone To Pick With Comcast

From Jerry

My current issue deals with our favorite oligopoly, Comcast. I live in Burlington, CT and have had relatively few problems with them since they took over for AT&T Broadband many years ago.

But, on March 12th of this year it has all changed as phone, ISP and sometimes cable TV are affected with intermittent outages that cause me to not be able to work from home and, sometimes, my wife.

We lose our phone connection mid-sentence or the line quality is horrible. The best part is they know it’s a problem up here but the runaround I get from the 800 Reps (from horrible in Texas to trying to be helpful in Canada and CT) and then never knowing what the Line Techs are or are not accomplishing is mind numbing.

I will not go on and on as I have a detailed Word Document that is being updated with the sometimes unbelievable customer service details, if you are interested. My main issue is calling in for the $20 refund is not making a dent other than lowering my bill somewhat and they always start the entire troubleshooting process over (I call it the Groundhog Day syndrome) as the Customer Reps don’t know what the local Line Techs are doing because neither share any information with each other and I, the customer, hears nothing as well.

I don’t want their Customer Satisfaction Guarantee $20, I need their ISP and phone service to work so my consulting business can function without interruption. They know it’s been a major problem up here, especially when it rains or is very wet out…yet, no amount of wasted service appointments has solved it. I pay nearly $250/mo for this privilege and I think that amount of money warrants an always up service.

The problem I have is that only cable TV is regulated by DPUC and I was told it’s the FTC for the phone and ISP…so, no good local way to get someone on their butts to fix this area (and I am not the only one with issues).

Can you either help directly via this column suggest who to contact in any competent state agency (yes, I know what I just typed!) and/or give me a contact for a TV or newspaper consumer advocate? TV is not the issue and they know it, so they are gambling that customers are not going to go to the FTC…I can’t even begin to guess where to begin with them nor do I want to waste more time than I already have getting the Feds involved in what I am sure would be a bureaucratic runaround accomplishing nothing. I think if any company bundles packages like this, the DPUC or some state agency should have oversight and please direct me if they do.

Cable signal amplifier Bi-Directional Cable TV Splitter Signal ...

The 8-Port bi-directional cable TV splitter and signal booster/amplifier by PCT features active return, zero signal loss and VoIP telephone bypass. The cable signal amplifier is also compatible with standard and digital cable TV services as well as the “Triple Play” phone service”.  This PCT VC-9U is a true lossless splitter as each port possesses the same level of signal carried by the input port in both forward and reverse directions. The 8 ports can be used to connect any cable TV device as well as a cable modem.

The Modem Bypass port in this signal amplifier  allows any device connection to an amplifier, as well as ensures continuous operation in the event of a power outage. The cable signal amplifier is waterproof and surge protected when it is grounded correctly. The unit also has a distinctive mounting design, possessing two separate sets of mounting brackets that can be used to mount it either horizontally or vertically. The cable signal amplifier can operate from -40 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, and can be powered anywhere using a separate PCT power inserter.

The reviews for the PCT TV amplifier were generally positive, but there was one user who recounted that the VC-9U ‘over-amplified’ his signals and caused grainy reception on the regular HD boxes and picture staggering and pixilation on his DVR boxes.  Others however, praised PCT for coming up with an affordable product that can compete with Electroline EDA-FT08300 , performance and quality-wise. One reviewer compared the Electroline EDA-FT08300 with the VC-9U’s solid build and small, glossy white finish, both effectively conveying strength and quality. The amplifier device also exhibited one advantage over the Electroline product, with its two sets of mounting brackets that allow either horizontal or vertical mounting.

One reviewer observed that instructions and installation of the VC-9U was clear and easy, and after securing his unit in place,  he observed that the signal reached all his five rooms and had gotten rid of the lagging and staggering problems. Another reviewer was very happy with his product, citing that his Cox cable DVR responses improved. The channels locked faster, pixilation disappeared, and picture quality improved; the modem also did not suffer timeouts or lost connection, and the download and upload speeds were also noticeably better. He noted that analog cable distribution’s quality was improved by 80%.

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