Uverse Cisco boxes with fiber installation

You described how your DVR/Receiver are connected to your TV (which really doesn't matter for fiber), but what you did not mention was how these receivers are connected to your current AT&T Gateway, nor what model it is.  

If they are connected to the Gateway via coax, then yes, you will have an issue to resolve.  The DVR must connect via wiring, and with the new BGW320 Gateway, coax is not possible.  You would have to switch to Ethernet, or purchase a HPNA to Ethernet adapter to connect between a LAN port on your Gateway and your coax wired Receivers.  The other Receiver could be replaced with a Wireless Receiver which connects to a dedicated WAP for TV receivers.  Make sure when the tech arrives you tell him that you expect your U-verse TV service to continue working and to not start cutting you over to Fiber until he has a workable plan for doing so (i.e. he has a WAP and wireless receiver in his truck and you have some way to run Ethernet to your DVR).

Thank you for the prompt reply JefferMC. If I seem short, it's because I have been seeking these answers for a few months now.

The IPN330HD-SG-A, the secondary non DVR version is connected to the gateway in the same room with green flashing ethernet. The DVR IPN4320-SG-A is connected via coax in the living room, but it has the same ethernet input as the other box. I have no idea how that works from one room to the other.

SO now that i have explained how they are connected (and with the belief that one doesn't work without the other) I JUST NEED TO KNOW IF THESE ATT CISCO BOXES are compatible with whatever NEW FIBER INSTALLATION gateway that will replace my current gateway.

Can they both be connected via ethernet to the new fiber router (and don't grieve me about the proprietary nonsense ATT calls these things. It's the thing the fiber installer will carry into my house in a box).

Will that thing have ethernet outputs. I'm guessing yes, or I'd never be able to connect the internet to my desktop. Will the ethernet output also work with these two receivers/boxes, whatever.   And if they are connected via ethernet, will all the video outputs still work.

If the answer to any of these questions is no, then I will not upgrade to the fiber because my current internet access blazes and is incredibly reliable. I'll just wait until they cut me off, at which point I'll try another company.

These are not complex questions for people who are in my situation, but you will catch heck trying to find a straight forward answer to these questions.

The installer will be the next guy to get them, and I would rather make his job easier.

You should get a BGW320 Gateway (it's an ONT + Router + Wireless Access Point + ATA for AT&T Phone) to replace whatever ever you have now, which is likely a 5268AC or something older, maybe a NVG589.... or could it be an HG3800.  It has 4 LAN ports for your Ethernet connections and a SFP+ port for the adapter for your fiber optic in line.  If your IPN330 and IPN4320 are Ethernet-connected now, it should be a quick swap over. 

One of the 4 LAN ports (the blue one) is capable of 5 Gbps Ethernet, which may have trouble syncing up with some Ethernet adapters, so if you have more than 2 TVs and one PC on wired Ethernet, you may have to switch around to find an arrangement that's happy.

The receivers are still the receivers and (assuming you can get them connected) will work pretty much like they did before you changed connection mechanisms, including coax to the TV (but that must be an ancient TV for that to be the best way to connect it).

I put out the warning because several U-verse TV customers have been upgraded to fiber, the tech left and only then did they realize none of their TVs worked, because the receivers were all connected via coax and no longer had anywhere on the Gateway to connect.  At that point, it can take an Act of Congress to get the situation fixed.

Hi @davtruss, we understand your concern. Let's get the help you need with Fiber installation.

Yes, you can upgrade to fiber and keep U-Verse.

To learn more about AT&T Fiber installation, please going through our article on AT&T Fiber installation.

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I have fiber installation scheduled for Tuesday, and I hope the only thing I will need is one or two longer ethernet cables. I mean, the only way to connect it in the other room is to have an ethernet cable of sufficient length right? Which makes me wonder if the technician will have them available or do I need to buy them from another source.

I still haven't received any confirmation that the video outputs on my current cisco uverse boxes will still work. Both boxes have an ONT input by the way. Is that of any use?

The TV in the living room has other inputs but not HDMI or ethernet. I only use it to check system information, etc. The component out of my DVR goes to my projector.

ATT has called me 13 times today trying to confirm an appointment I've confirmed repeatedly via text. I finally asked them to stop calling.

Oh well, thanks for your efforts.

There is no ONT input on those receivers.  If you're talking about the jack marked optical, that's for digital audio out.  See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOSLINK for additional information on that.  If you're talking about something else, what exactly is the label on the port?

The behavior of the outputs will not change.  You're going keep the same boxes (unless you switch to wireless, which isn't an option for the DVR, BTW).  They're not going to get new firmware.  All the receivers basically work the same in terms of outputs and there's absolutely nothing different about them on fiber vs VDSL2.

The tech should have some Ethernet cables, but he may not have one long enough, or a subtle color that you won't mind on the floor.  And if he acts like he doesn't owe you one, remind him that the switch to fiber wasn't your idea and you didn't request he come with a Gateway that doesn't have a coax connector.  And that he needs to show you that the TVs work before he leaves (and make sure they play for at least 30 seconds and preferably pause and resume as well.

If you don't acknowledge the call, they will keep calling back.  They seem deathly afraid that they'll waste their time by getting there when you're not, but they're not nearly as worried about you sitting there waiting on them while they're elsewhere... that they can't be proactive about.

Clarifications now that I have moved furniture....

The 5268AC Gateway is connected via separate ethernet ports to my desktop and my IPN330HD.

The Gateway has a coax that runs into the wall, and a coax runs out of the wall in my living room where it connects to the IPN 4320 DVR, which works as the master in this setup. There's no ethernet plugged into the DVR, so based on what you've said, that's a problem.

Is it fair to say that the coax from 5268AC gateway to the DVR and the ethernet from Gateway to the IPN330 is what allows the two receivers to communicate, for purposes such as accessing recorded material on the IPN330??

And if the coax connection is worthless now, I return to my original question. Will the receivers still be able to communicate if it's just a simple matter of replacing the coax with ethernet from Gateway to the DVR?

The tech is scheduled to be hear soon, and my first admonition to him will involve soliciting suggestions. I don't know why i am sweating bullets.

Yes, that's exactly what he  just suggested! Thanks to you and Jeff.

Last post to say thanks for the helpful comments and the final solution. It took a while but they installed the fiber, swapped the receivers, and provided a wireless adapter for the receiver that is now in the room where the coax was connected. All TV functions are working great, and the internet blazes!