DAVIC and DOCSIS

17-09-2004, 14:07

Could someone explain to me, in laymans terms, what the difference is between DOCSIS and DAVIC networks. I have been informed that I live in a DAVIC area (Glasgow) and this is the reason why I cant receive a Samsung STB. I have also read that DOCSIS is the better service, why is this?

Could this explain why I am having performance issues with my TV service (takes an age to change channels, Interactive services constantly crashing).

Is there any plans to update my area, and others, to DOCSIS at any point or will NTL just leave it as is.

sirsimon · 17-09-2004, 15:45

I think there is another thread on here about this somewhere try doing a forum post search [unless someone finds it beforehand?]

as far as i understand ntl has two different types of software or davic & docsis i believe docsis is ex C&W area but might be wrong and i think it does not work with davic type stb's? again might be incorrect?

bob_builder · 17-09-2004, 17:11

Original NTL areas use DAVIC for TV and EuroDOCSIS for broadband.
Ex-C&W areas use DOCSIS for both.

This is why you cannot use a Samsung STB in an original NTL area and is also why you cannot have broadband though the STB like you can in an Ex-C&W area.

As far as the differences between them, apart from being totally different protocols, there should be no reason why one is any better than the other.

BBKing · 17-09-2004, 17:55

Quote:

Original NTL areas use DAVIC for TV and EuroDOCSIS for broadband.
Ex-C&W areas use DOCSIS for both.

Almost. NTL used DAVIC for STB, C&W used DOCSIS for STBs with provision for upgrading to EuroDOCSIS when this became available.

NTL then used DOCSIS for their cable modem broadband service alongside the existing DAVIC STBs. C&W became ntl and upgraded to EuroDOCSIS, then ntl launched cable modem broadband on the same routers. There the matter rests at present.

There are no technical reasons why you can't do the last step in reverse and launch DOCSIS STBs on the original ntl area routers.

Neither's really better, but it's a pain having both and DAVIC STBs are not exactly easy to buy these days. DOCSIS won the battle, it's the VHS to DAVIC's Betamax. The future, in other words (there's an upgrade path emerging, in fact).

bob_builder · 20-09-2004, 11:27

So, if I can get this the right way round this time:

Original NTL areas use DAVIC for TV and DOCSIS for broadband.
Ex-C&W areas use EuroDOCSIS for both.

I believe that Pace produced a dual format STB that could work in either Original NTL or Ex-C&W areas and I thought that the idea was to move Original NTL people to this box and continue using DAVIC for the mean-time. Then, once everybody had the new box, switch off the DAVIC Langley stream and use the Bromley stream for all NTL boxes.

Tristan · 20-09-2004, 15:05

The Pace 4010, used in Langley areas, is basically a (Bromley) 4000 with a dual-protocol Davic/Docsis modem. At the moment, they're all running on Davic mode, but this is just down to the software: the next upgrade could switch them to Docsis. Of course, then the box is no different to the (cheaper) 4000, so you may as well just start using them. And once you've started using 4000s, you can start using Samsungs, too...

Using the same boxes would not only be cheaper for NTL, but would obviously go a long way to full integration of the two platforms. It's doubtful that the Davic return path system will ever be turned off however: there are still too many 4001s out there.

As an aside, switching the 4010s to Docsis would allow them to be used for STB broadband, which isn't currently available on Langley.

the jackel · 20-09-2004, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgr1577

Could someone explain to me, in laymans terms, what the difference is between DOCSIS and DAVIC networks. I have been informed that I live in a DAVIC area (Glasgow) and this is the reason why I cant receive a Samsung STB. I have also read that DOCSIS is the better service, why is this?

Could this explain why I am having performance issues with my TV service (takes an age to change channels, Interactive services constantly crashing).

Is there any plans to update my area, and others, to DOCSIS at any point or will NTL just leave it as is.

There are certain Langley areas at the moment recieving Samsung STB's to trial the network. If it is successful I am sure there will be a full rollout.

Tristan · 20-09-2004, 23:17

That's supposed to be secret!

Shaun · 21-09-2004, 00:00

Not really Tristan, they fitted one at ours last week before we sent it all back to them

bob_builder · 21-09-2004, 11:06

We got a replacement box last month but it was another Pace 4001

**Chris** · 21-09-2004, 11:14

Amazed that no-one has yet tackled the obvious starting point in answering the original question at the top of this thread ... DAVIC and DOCSIS are, apparently, acronyms. What do they stand for?

quadplay · 21-09-2004, 11:21

Digital Audio-Visual Council, and
Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification

Chris W · 21-09-2004, 11:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimbo

Digital Audio-Visual Council, and
Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification

How did i know that Jimbo king of aconyms would have the answer

Ignition · 21-09-2004, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by monkeybreath

How did i know that Jimbo king of aconyms would have the answer

Your connection working properly again yet Mr 'Wardriven'

simpsonsFAN · 02-10-2004, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob_builder

So, if I can get this the right way round this time:

Original NTL areas use DAVIC for TV and DOCSIS for broadband.
Ex-C&W areas use EuroDOCSIS for both.

I believe that Pace produced a dual format STB that could work in either Original NTL or Ex-C&W areas and I thought that the idea was to move Original NTL people to this box and continue using DAVIC for the mean-time. Then, once everybody had the new box, switch off the DAVIC Langley stream and use the Bromley stream for all NTL boxes.

hang on a sec,

the samsung website says that the samsung SMT-2100C box has a "Inbuilt DOCSIS & EuroDOCSIS 1.0 /1.1 compliant cable modem", so there is no reason why it shouldent work on langley, if only as a cable modem?

here: http://www.samsung.com/Products/Home..._SMT_2100C.htm

-Chris