[MiamiNYC10011]

Hi all! Long time lurker, first post

Finally made the switch and bought a lifetime Bolt with Mini Vox to use instead of giving our cable company one more cent than I have to. Came from a T6 and mini with their Arris Moca modem all via Moca setup. Question is with the modem I'm planning to switch to.

I have a new Arris SBG10 that I was planning to use when I remembered it isn't a Moca modem. After reading a few posts here (thanks TCF) I bought the Motorola MM1000, and was planning on swapping to the non moca SGB10, keeping both Tivos on moca as is, and adding the adapter. I have only the 2 tivos and wifi devices (2 tv's, 2 phones, etc) - nothing else needs to be connected any other way.

I went to Arris chat (ugh) just to confirm this was possible and the guy said that i need to switch the modem to bridge mode - is this correct? Sent me to a help page where it says doing that will disable wifi functionality and will need to then add a router to get wifi back..

"The SBG10 operates as Wi-Fi cable modem and provides Internet access to devices (up to 253 devices) in the home network. Setting the SBG10 in Bridge mode disables the router and wireless functions and will operate as a cable modem. A device directly connected to the SBG10 with an Ethernet cable will receive the Public IP address from the Cable Provider for Internet access. Installation of a Wi-Fi router will be required to provide Internet access to multiple devices in the home network."

Is this correct? From the other moca setup threads it seemed like people were using modem/wifi combos just fine; otherwise it maybe just be worth it to scrap the idea and buy a moca modem/router to have 1 device instead of 3. (The models my CC gave me as compatible moca combo units for 400 speed were $300-$400 - no thanks) I can't return the SBG10 anymore so really want to try and use it - hopefully this is not necessary and i can just use that and the adapter.

Thanks all!

 

[krkaufman]

Your Arris support chat was confused; seems like they confused your desire to connect the MoCA adapter to the SBG10 gateway as you wanting to use the SBG10 w/ a separate router device.

You have 2 options:

• Connect the SBG10 via the MM1000's RF pass-through port, or
• Use a MoCA 2.x-compatible 2-way splitter to get both the SBG10 and MM1000 connected to the coax wall outlet (and use a 75-ohm terminator to cap the MM1000's open pass-through port).

You'll also want to review how the two locations are interconnected via coax, through what component(s), and get a "PoE" MoCA filter installed on the input of your top-level splitter.

Example (YMMV):

(pretend the modem+router are a single device, and you have TiVo boxes where the diagram shows MoCA adapters)​

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

Thanks! I didn't think they sounded accurate but good to see someone who knows more than I confirm So I shouldn't have to edit any SBG10 settings then to use this new setup?

The MM1000 came with one PoE so I'm set with that for the entry point to the apt, but what is the "protective filter" at the modem exactly? Also - I got under the furniture to check but dont think the CC put a poein when they installed and set up the moca modem - t

Also, do I need both splitters in the beginning as pictured in your diagram? The MM comes with a short coax, and says to disconnect existing coax from router, connect that to MM, then use their short coax from modem/router to MM. I

My coax comes in to the apt a few feet from my desk where the modem/router is, then the coax is already run across the room to the Mini Vox and right behind that through a hole in the wall it's up against is TV 2 and the Bolt in the next room

I thought my setup would look like this:

Entry Coax
PoE
Splitter to 2:
Coax #1 goes to MM1000 - short coax (included with MM) and an Ethernet goes from MM1000 to Modem/router
Coax #2 is already run and goes right to the Mini Vox ( then splits again to the next room where the Bolt is)

I edited another diagram to show this (just doesn't show the second tv that has the bolt)

Thanks!!

 

[krkaufman]

So I shouldn't have to edit any SBG10 settings then to use this new setup?

No.

Also, do I need both splitters in the beginning as pictured in your diagram? The MM comes with a short coax, and says to disconnect existing coax from router, connect that to MM, then use their short coax from modem/router to MM.

Sounds familiar.

You have 2 options.

* Connect the SBG10 via the MM1000's RF pass-through port, or

* Use a MoCA 2.x-compatible 2-way splitter to get both the SBG10 and MM1000 connected to the coax wall outlet (and use a 75-ohm terminator to cap the MM1000's open pass-through port).

 

[krkaufman]

what is the "protective filter" at the modem exactly?

Part of the "YMMV" caveat. If your cable gateway remains stable when your MoCA network becomes active then your gateway wouldn't require the protection offered by the additional MoCA filter.

 

[krkaufman]

Entry Coax
PoE
Splitter to 2:
Coax #1 goes to MM1000 - short coax (included with MM) and an Ethernet goes from MM1000 to Modem/router
Coax #2 is already run and goes right to the Mini Vox ( then splits again to the next room where the Bolt is)

I edited another diagram to show this (just doesn't show the second tv that has the bolt)

Sounds right enough. You could finalize the diagram with the addl bits if looking for a more authoritative thumbs up or addl feedback.

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

Part of the "YMMV" caveat. If your cable gateway remains stable when your MoCA network becomes active then your gateway wouldn't require the protection offered by the additional MoCA filter.

Ahh, that makes sense - thanks! Hopefully things will run smoothly and the above will be all it takes; when we finally drop the last piece of rented equipment it will be a happy day - it's long overdue.

Will be doing the switch tomorrow; looks like the MM1000 came with everything I need which is nice. Just waiting for them to fix the last issue - Bolt gets no hd channels - (think its a coding error on the account side) and we should finally be all set.

Appreciate the help, will report back!

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

Sounds right enough. You could finalize the diagram with the addl bits if looking for a more authoritative thumbs up or addl feedback.

Fail - in the past 7 days while I was busy dealing with their Bolt error and all those techs, they quietly updated the list of approved modem to about TEN total - the one I got a month ago that I planned to use is now not on it. Sigh

Options are either these, and use with the moca adapter:

SBG7580AC
SBG7400AC2
SBG7600AC2

Or these moca ones (one unit vs 2, but about $100 more)

SBG8300
C7800
CAX80

Any to stay away from - reviews for all seem mediocre at best, but suppose that's standard for modems

 

[snerd]

The SBG7580AC, SBG7400AC2, SBG7600AC2 and SBG8300 are all on the bad modems list, so you might want to avoid them.

 

[krkaufman]

The SBG7580AC, SBG7400AC2, SBG7600AC2 and SBG8300 are all on the bad modems list, so you might want to avoid them.

Interesting; wasn't aware of such a list. (per the discussion, it seems the criteria is an Intel Puma chip)

 

[krkaufman]

they quietly updated the list of approved modem

Can you provide a link to this list?

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

The SBG7580AC, SBG7400AC2, SBG7600AC2 and SBG8300 are all on the bad modems list, so you might want to avoid them.

Ahh - I see that. What about these, used with the adapter:

C6900 - think the costco version
C7000

Seem to get much better reviews than the Arris ones

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

Can you provide a link to this list?

This is just for ABB but not sure if its my region or company wide. They said there were security issues with lots of the others, but I sort of feel like they're limiting what we can buy so we are more likely to rent, too

Attached file

 

[krkaufman]

This is just for ABB but not sure if its my region or company wide. ...

Attached file
View attachment 58113

Have you thought about using separate modem and router devices, rather than buying a combo modem/router (aka gateway)?

You'd have some more shopping to do, but it opens up additional possibilities ... including wireless mesh networking.

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

Have you thought about using separate modem and router devices, rather than buying a combo modem/router (aka gateway)?

You'd have some more shopping to do, but it opens up additional possibilities ... including wireless mesh networking.

View attachment 58117

Definitely beyond what we need/used & have limited space in that spot anyway, but think we are leaning towards the C6900 from Costco with the MM1000.

 

[snerd]

Interesting; wasn't aware of such a list. (per the discussion, it seems the criteria is an Intel Puma chip)

Yes, the Puma 6 and Puma 7 chipsets have issues that impact any modem based on them.

 

[snerd]

Ahh - I see that. What about these, used with the adapter:

C6900 - think the costco version
C7000

Seem to get much better reviews than the Arris ones

These use Qualcomm chipsets, so they are not on the badmodems list.

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

Picked up a C7000, should be here end of the week!

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

Modem will be here in about an hour - yay. 2 questions:

Cable tech was here yesterday trying to fix my Bolt issue -- wont get HD channels no matter what we do - see:

Bolt only gets one channel + Showtime HD - all other only SD via cable

He switched out the splitter located near the entry point at the modem just to make sure that wasn't faulty and causing the HD issue, and said there's a Moca filter there so I don't need the one that came with the MM - is that correct?

I have a very short custom ethernet as the modem and adapter will be right next to each other - is there any issue with having a really tiny cable?

 

[MiamiNYC10011]

Absolutely insane update. Connected the new modem, it worked for internet - but then the guy says oh, NO CUSTOMER OWNED MODEM WILL WORK WITH TIVO!!!

They were the ones that told me to get the bolt, this modem, and adapter!

Does this sound right? I am on hold again with someone but am wearing thin.