One of the AT&T U-verse related news was the availability of the AT&T U-verse TV Wireless Receiver. The receivers are available for order since October 31, 2011. The cost involved is one time fee of $49, plus $7 of monthly recurrent fee. As of now, there’s a limit of two receivers per household.
Now let’s go into some details.
Any advanced TV service like AT&T U-verse offers the possibility of having multiple TVs around a house while using a device like Total Home DVR which is capable of recording multiple TV shows at the same time, and also playing recorded shows onto multiple TVs at the same time.
But, TV wiring has to be in place in order to have everything connected properly so the user can utilize all of the capabilities of such devices and technologies.
Well, as per AT&T, now U-verse users can go “wireless” with their TVs. The only wiring needed would be the power for TV and wireless receiver and the HDMI connection between the receiver and TV itself. Not bad!
With this technology, AT&T U-verse user can do this:
- Forget existing TV outlets – Stop worrying about the layout of the room as the location of TV outlet is not an issue anymore. Now the TV can be put wherever it fits the best as the U-verse wireless receiver will take care of the signal.
- Use locations without outlets at all – Yes, people can now watch TV on their patios on a nice day while watching their steaks or burgers not to get burned on a barbecue. I guess a day will come when no TV outlets will be installed in new homes and condos at all. I also guess we’ll wait for that a bit. In any case, wireless TV option is already here.
- Easier installation – Maybe not a big deal for some, but still it’s less wires to worry about.
- Full Total Home DVR capabilities – This is what I looked for around. To be sure that this wireless device can actually do all what Total Home DVR can. Nice!
AT&T U-verse Wireless Receiver is made by Cisco. It works in a simple way where it uses a Wi-Fi TV signal coming from the wireless access point attached to the AT&T U-verse Wireless Gateway. The wireless access point (WAP) comes in the box with the receiver, and it requires one Ethernet port available on the gateway. Like with any equipment installation, this one requires patience, too. Once everything is setup, pairing needs to be performed between the WAP and the receiver. The result should be the green lit antenna on the receiver. The signal strenght should be at least three green led bars showing on the receiver. Once they’re paired, all is good to go. This makes AT&T U-verse TV service really neat.
Existing remote control from existing receiver can be used. If a user opts for the new device, then the new remote control will require programming.
AT&T U-verse TV Wireless Receiver represents the new positive step in AT&T U-verse service. It certainly makes life easier, as least when about managing our TVs around the house.
