Why didn’t UPC integrate the modem into the new horizon box?
It would have made things much easier.
I’m glad they didn’t. I prefer each box doing just the one main function. I was like that in the HiFi days too when I had a rack of separates rather than an all-in-one. In this case, if TV tech changes, or broadband/fibre speeds change and new protocols come along (e.g. an upgrade in DOCSIS that the ConnectBox can’t handle) then it’s faster to get just the one box upgraded. Also, if one fails you only lose some services. And finally, when you want to surf but not watch TV, leaving the TV box off saves energy. The Horizon box was awful. I never want to go back to those days.
OK, so this works fine with the wired hub in my existing wireless access point.
So what is the point of sending this to everybody who most likely already have decent hardware?
You mean an old modem from UPC? Or the Horizon box? I don’t know of any fibre/broadband provider that allows one to use their own modems. They all send out proprietary boxes. It’s just a modem - you connect your router/s and wifi access points to it as you wish.
DOes this box replace the existing modem as well as any WAP?
Is WAP “Wireless Access Point”? Well, the Connect Box by default is modem and WiFi router in one, so yes. But you can change it to Modem mode which disables all router functions (and wifi) after which you’ll need to use your own.
This is all very confusing. Is it because my old modem is limited in speed and this is just an attempt to integrate things a bit?
I’ve no idea what modem you have. But yes, most likely 😉 The Connect Box can handle up to, I believe, 600Mbit. Also, as old boxes fail it’s cheaper for UPC just to send out new ones rather than refurbish something older.
I really like the simplified user experience and speed of the new TV box. Boy was the Horizon box just awful in every way. One criticism though, you can customize your TV channels but can’t add radio and as there are lots of stations, it takes forever to scroll through and find them.
There are huge complaint threads in the German section of this forum. And you’re right, it’s an excellent box (well, coming from the Horizon box anything would look good) but only the basics were tested it seems. The radio stations are an after thought. As is the oYutube app for example. As is how it controls HDMI-CEC equipment. As is how it handles anything up from stereo sound (i.e. Dolby Digital - I assume it can’t handle Atmos but who knows). etc. etc.