2Mb/s and the need for a cable modem

[Theodoric]

I spoke to ntl recently and arranged to have the free upgrade from 1 Mb/s to 2 Mb/s. At the moment I have a connection from (I think) my STB directly to the Ethernet card on my PC - I definitely do not have a cable modem.

Anyway, ntl said that I must have a cable modem and arranged for an engineer to come next Monday. Having been away for a week, I have now done a few speed checks and find that I now have a 2Mb/s connection - I think this may be connected to the fact that last week, soon after phoning ntl, my PC said that ntl could not recognise it - I phoned up ntl who sorted it out.

So, I'd like to know what the true position is before the ntl engineer arrives. I've got a system that seems to be working at 2 Mb/s and I'm a great believer in, "If it ain't broken, don't fix it". Do I really need a cable modem? I'd prefer not if it's not necessary on the simple grounds that it would be one extra thing that could wrong!

[Cobbydaler]

I'm on 4 & I've not got a SACM...

Speed does get up to about 3.8 on wireless as well... :)

If you're speed test says you're getting 2 then no need for a separate modem!

[monkey2468]

If you have a Samsung STB then you don't need a modem. If you have a Pace, then you do.

[Theodoric]

If you have a Samsung STB then you don't need a modem. If you have a Pace, then you do.
Curiouser and curiouser! I've just checked and we have a PACE STB. Here are the results from the Robin Walker speed test:

Fri, 22 Sep 2006 19:23:06 GMT
1st 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
2nd 128K took 531 ms = 246840 Bytes/sec = approx 2054 kbits/sec
3rd 128K took 532 ms = 246376 Bytes/sec = approx 2050 kbits/sec
4th 128K took 547 ms = 239620 Bytes/sec = approx 1994 kbits/sec

[Graham M]

Yeah I think the speeds are attainable but I think it makes the box a bit unstable due to the Cable Modem/Interactive/MPEG2 Decoder sharing CPU/RAM

[Theodoric]

Yeah I think the speeds are attainable but I think it makes the box a bit unstable due to the Cable Modem/Interactive/MPEG2 Decoder sharing CPU/RAM
Are you suggesting that it would be best if I had the cable modem?

[SnoopZ]

Make sure you get a cable modem! Speeds will increase in the future and a cable modem will be required. :)

[Theodoric]

Make sure you get a cable modem! Speeds will increase in the future and a cable modem will be required. :)
Thanks for the info. I shall greet the ntl engineer with open arms!

PS And if I'd first read the the thread a little way down on this subject, I'd have saved you the bother of having to repeat yourself. :)