RL317 Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 I can't even remember how I came across this, but I remember clicking on a link for a review because I read "modem" in the title and I thought TP Link only did routers. This thing is a two in one? http://www.tp-link.com.au/products/details/cat-15_TD-W9970.html I was wondering if any of you have one or have used it before. I won't need the QoS on it, but I was attracted to the price tag and the fact it can be used as a modem only! I'm on BT and can't do that with my Smart Hub, which is probably the only thing I miss about my Virgin Media Not So Superhub haha This thing is cheap as chips for what you get at £33 too, and it supports all line types. It only works as a modem only for xDSL (including VDSL2, if that matters) as far as I know, but that works for me. Anyone think it would give me better performance than running my R1 alongside an ISP default two in one modem and router? Or would it be a waste of money getting it for modem only mode alone, assuming others out there do it better if at all? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iAmMoDBoX Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 I can't even remember how I came across this, but I remember clicking on a link for a review because I read "modem" in the title and I thought TP Link only did routers. This thing is a two in one? http://www.tp-link.com.au/products/details/cat-15_TD-W9970.html I was wondering if any of you have one or have used it before. I won't need the QoS on it, but I was attracted to the price tag and the fact it can be used as a modem only! I'm on BT and can't do that with my Smart Hub, which is probably the only thing I miss about my Virgin Media Not So Superhub haha This thing is cheap as chips for what you get at £33 too, and it supports all line types. It only works as a modem only for xDSL (including VDSL2, if that matters) as far as I know, but that works for me. Anyone think it would give me better performance than running my R1 alongside an ISP default two in one modem and router? Or would it be a waste of money getting it for modem only mode alone, assuming others out there do it better if at all? If it's anything like the TP Link cable modem I'm using I'd say go for it. I never had a problem with TP-Link. Reviews on Amazon say it works well as a modem, but the wifi isn't good. Sounds like that doesn't matter to you. Surely there must be a modem only dsl modem you can use though? RL317 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 If it's anything like the TP Link cable modem I'm using I'd say go for it. I never had a problem with TP-Link. Reviews on Amazon say it works well as a modem, but the wifi isn't good. Sounds like that doesn't matter to you. Surely there must be a modem only dsl modem you can use though? Thanks for the feedback. I've only ever really heard of people using the standalone Openreach VDSL modem for BT Infinity but apparently you need to be lucky to find one on eBay and they're expensive. I wasn't sure if this sounded too good to be true, especially as I didn't even know that TP Link made modems too, but it says it's a VDSL2 modem and I've been through a guide that confirms it can run as a modem only so who knows? I mostly posted here because I was under the impression that a VDSL modem had to have a certain spec to suit BT Infinity or something. I've heard people refer to specific chipsets etc. so I was concerned that I'd buy it thinking it was a one size fits all deal only to find out it wouldn't give me a connection when it arrives lol Of course the R1 will be handling the WiFi, but I don't really use that anyway. That covers the other devices while I game on LAN with congestion control Interesting how this TP Link can handle DSL, cable and all fibre variants from FTTN right up to FTTH. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iAmMoDBoX Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Thanks for the feedback. I've only ever really heard of people using the standalone Openreach VDSL modem for BT Infinity but apparently you need to be lucky to find one on eBay and they're expensive. I wasn't sure if this sounded too good to be true, especially as I didn't even know that TP Link made modems too, but it says it's a VDSL2 modem and I've been through a guide that confirms it can run as a modem only so who knows? I mostly posted here because I was under the impression that a VDSL modem had to have a certain spec to suit BT Infinity or something. I've heard people refer to specific chipsets etc. so I was concerned that I'd buy it thinking it was a one size fits all deal only to find out it wouldn't give me a connection when it arrives lol Of course the R1 will be handling the WiFi, but I don't really use that anyway. That covers the other devices while I game on LAN with congestion control Interesting how this TP Link can handle DSL, cable and all fibre variants from FTTN right up to FTTH. I'm far from a expert when it comes to DSL so maybe double check it's compatibility. I'd say order from Amazon if possible so you can return it without a hassle. My TP-Link modem is the best cable modem I've tested and it's $35... Compared to other ones that are hundreds of dollars. ColonicBoom and RL317 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 I'm far from a expert when it comes to DSL so maybe double check it's compatibility. I'd say order from Amazon if possible so you can return it without a hassle. My TP-Link modem is the best cable modem I've tested and it's $35... Compared to other ones that are hundreds of dollars. Yeah I'm definitely gonna do some research being the paranoid perfectionist that I am I know people here have used standalone modems, and others have recommended some, so I'm gonna go browse through relevant old threads and see if I can find a definitive answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 Sounds promising haha Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColonicBoom Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 I've only ever really heard of people using the standalone Openreach VDSL modem for BT Infinity but apparently you need to be lucky to find one on eBay and they're expensive. The standalone modems are about £30 I think RL317 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollutionblues Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Yeah I'm definitely gonna do some research being the paranoid perfectionist that I am I know people here have used standalone modems, and others have recommended some, so I'm gonna go browse through relevant old threads and see if I can find a definitive answer. If you are on an ECI cabinet go for the Draytek Vigor 130, I have used it in the past when I was on FTTC and it worked perfectly. If you are on a Huawei cabinet go for an HG162 Openreach Modem, there’s plenty on eBay, as Boom said they are about £30. N3CR0 and RL317 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 If you are on an ECI cabinet go for the Draytek Vigor 130, I have used it in the past when I was on FTTC and it worked perfectly. If you are on a Huawei cabinet go for an HG162 Openreach Modem, there’s plenty on eBay, as Boom said they are about £30. Oh so you do need one to match your connection kinda? Any idea how I go about finding out which of those cabinets I'm on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zennon Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 Go outside and have a look at your cabinet while checking them on this page at the bottom. http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/fttc-cabinets.htm pollutionblues, ColonicBoom and RL317 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 26, 2017 Author Share Posted November 26, 2017 Go outside and have a look at your cabinet while checking them on this page at the bottom. http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/fttc-cabinets.htm Haha silly me. I thought I'd need to visit some checker website and note down a code or something Zennon 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
N3CR0 Posted November 26, 2017 Share Posted November 26, 2017 If you are on an ECI cabinet go for the Draytek Vigor 130, I have used it in the past when I was on FTTC and it worked perfectly. This is what I've been using for the last 7 months. Lowered my ping a little and IW runs alot better on it than the BT HH. RL317 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 So does choosing a Draytek Vigor 130 or Huawei HG612 depend on the cabinet while something like the TP Link W range of modem/routers can be used with any cab? Most of the support threads I've read on the BT site etc say as long as it supports VDSL, it'll work just fine. No mention of needing to match it to the cab. I only ask because this thing is cheap while I just found the Vigor 130 going for over 80 quid LOL. I'd rather get something to "future proof" any potential house moves where I might end up with a different cab. Cheers! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zennon Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 The TP-Link TDW9970 uses a Broadcom chipset BCM 63381 so would pair with a Hauwei cabinet which also uses Broadcom. For stability and lowest jitter match chipset. RL317, N3CR0 and ColonicBoom 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 The TP-Link TDW9970 uses a Broadcom chipset BCM 63381 so would pair with a Hauwei cabinet which also uses Broadcom. For stability and lowest jitter match chipset. Ahh yeah I just found that in someone's post about it on the BT forum. Unfortunately I can't identify my cabinet as it looks nothing like those three ECI and Huawei models ColonicBoom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zennon Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Yes RL317 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 Yes Awesome! I know there are different variants of the Huawei cab but it doesn't seem like it matters as long as it's Huawei. Time to shop Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobReapz Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Awesome! I know there are different variants of the Huawei cab but it doesn't seem like it matters as long as it's Huawei. Time to shop Personally i would purchase a dedicated modem not an all in one. Cant go wrong with the BT openreach modems they are solid. If its Huawei you need get the HG612 (3B version), plenty on Ebay. ColonicBoom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zennon Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Personally i would purchase a dedicated modem not an all in one. Cant go wrong with the BT openreach modems they are solid. If its Huawei you need get the HG612 (3B version), plenty on Ebay. Same, if you ever need to reboot the router part of a combi you are stuck rebooting the modem too. On fibre always wait over 20 mins between boots of a modem so the DLM see's it as a shut down and not a line error. I have the HG612 3B and would not dream of using anything else at the moment. ColonicBoom 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 Personally i would purchase a dedicated modem not an all in one. Cant go wrong with the BT openreach modems they are solid. If its Huawei you need get the HG612 (3B version), plenty on Ebay. Yeah I might just get one of those now. I saw the cost of the Draytek for ECI cabs and assumed it would be around the same until I looked it up lol. Apparently there's a brand new one going for £30 so that doesn't seem too bad. Am I right in thinking these dedicated modems generally offer better performance over the Smart Hub? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobReapz Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Am I right in thinking these dedicated modems generally offer better performance over the Smart Hub? Yes these coupled with the netduma or any other decent router are far better than the ISP provided shit lol. ColonicBoom, N3CR0 and RL317 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 27, 2017 Author Share Posted November 27, 2017 Yes these coupled with the netduma or any other decent router are far better than the ISP provided shit lol. I believe it haha! Thank you guys for your time and advice RobReapz 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pollutionblues Posted November 27, 2017 Share Posted November 27, 2017 Yeah I might just get one of those now. I saw the cost of the Draytek for ECI cabs and assumed it would be around the same until I looked it up lol. Apparently there's a brand new one going for £30 so that doesn't seem too bad. Am I right in thinking these dedicated modems generally offer better performance over the Smart Hub? They offer far better performance over any BT hub from my experience. RL317 and ColonicBoom 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RL317 Posted November 28, 2017 Author Share Posted November 28, 2017 I've never had a modem standalone modem, as I just put my Superhub in modem mode when I was with VM... Potentially silly question but do modems have a GUI like routers? Can you check sync stats and what not? I'm getting a bandwidth boost soon so it'd be nice to check when that comes through, but I'd also like to make sure I'm back online with no issues when I first plug the modem in in place of the Smart Hub Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zennon Posted November 28, 2017 Share Posted November 28, 2017 I've never had a modem standalone modem, as I just put my Superhub in modem mode when I was with VM... Potentially silly question but do modems have a GUI like routers? Can you check sync stats and what not? I'm getting a bandwidth boost soon so it'd be nice to check when that comes through, but I'd also like to make sure I'm back online with no issues when I first plug the modem in in place of the Smart Hub You would need to custom flash or buy a pre flashed HG612 with the latest G.inp capable firmware B030SP08 to view its stats. The HG612 is known to give the wrong stats anyhow so many use DSLstats and other programs to monitor it. ColonicBoom and RL317 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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