Sonos - UPC and Router setup

user_name_d

Hi All - First time poster in this forum and I hope I have it the right one!

Got myself a Sonos Play 3 and Zone Bridge from my better half over Christmas after my brother in the UK was raving about his for the last year.

However after painful attempts to setup after getting it - I'm wondering how people here have there system setup?

Here is what I have in my setup:

Mac OS 10.7.2
UPC Cisco Router
Wired Zone Bridge and Wireless Play 3

First issue I had was I needed to update both Bridge and Play 3 Firmware on Xmas day - after 2 days of failed attempts of updates(server or something was down) I finally got the firmware to speak to my Mac.

Then the problem started with the router.. I cant even get the Zone Bridge setup to work on my network and after reading a bit in to it, it looks like the standard UPC Cisco router is incompatible :mad:

Wondering if anyone has the system running here with UPC - How have you gone about it?

To be honest I'm a bit annoyed at how messy the setup has been and wondering if I have time should I send it back and look at something a bit more straightforward.

I love my music and im pretty handy with computers but for something that Sonos is advertising as straightforward - they are having a joke!

Hope someone can help!
Cheers

peadair

Hi,

You're correct - the Cisco Modems are not just incompatible - they actually have a defect that prevents the Sonos system working.

Check Sonos site here for confirmation - http://preview.tinyurl.com/6nw3lgj

I've been driven up the wall by customer support - they told me they would send out a Thompson router but they ended up sending me out another Cisco router.

Now, they want me to try the new Cisco router but I have to wait another 48 hours for it to be re-provisioned.

I can confirm that it will not work and they need to send me a Thompson.

Best of luck!

Peter.

user_name_d

Hi Peter - Thanks for the note. Is this UPC who have been messing you around with the new router?

I didnt even think to call them to request a new router - The thompson router you are hoping to get - is this better than the cisco router? I had heard the Cisco router was the best for Hi Speed connections? Also do you need to pay any charge for this new router?

I was looking at going down the route of buying an Edimax Wifi transmitter and connecting this in to the existing router. This is a recommended solution on Sonos forums but tbh I dont want to spend more on another device when the Sonos kit was already 300+ euros

Here is the link to the Edimax piece: http://goo.gl/eqitY

peadair

Hi, Yes it is UPC. They sent me 4 Cisco modems before the finally got me the Thompson one I wanted - and it worked first time. You need to go through to Customer Loyalty - they will offer you the modem @ 50 euros - or waive the fee if you sign for a year.
Best of luck - don't be put off by the dodgy UPC support - they will want to keep your custom - you should not need to go out and purchase a 3rd-party modem/router.

And hey - it's worth the hassle - what a fantastic piece of equipment.

Good luck in your search,
p.s. if they offer you the new Cisco - this will not work - all the Cisco EPC family of modem/routers have this problem

user_name_d

Hi Peadair - Sorry for the late one on this but I finally managed to get around the issue with the Sonos. In the end I bought the Edimax wireless extender from Peats for about €40.

Renting a place at the moment and the contract is with another housemate so it was the easiest solution.

Also had to get myself a NAS drive for the best experience with Sonos. Its an expensive system with ALOT of teething issues for anyone I know who has gotten one.

For others - Is it worth it? I'm almost convinced but I think you need to have patience as it is nowhere near as easy as advertised.

peadair

Hi,
I got it sorted a couple of weeks ago. They finally supplied a Thomson box after mistakenly sending me another Cisco modem...3 times - 4 cisco modems does not equal 1 Tompson. Anyway it worked first time so I'm happy out - was very straightforward too - unlike UPC customer service - they even accused that my account was not paid into for 3 years - and then admitted they were wrong without an apology.

I got 3 months free cable and broadband - but would've preferred to sort this without jumping through hoops for it.

Peter.

dudwell

Hi,
Since the last response to this thread was back in 2012 I was wondering if a fix has been made available to resolve the issue of incompatibility between the Sonos Bridge/Play 1 and the UPC Cisco EPC3925 routers? I've just shelled out €250 on my new Sonos kit only to find this problem. Hopefully there is a simple solution such as a firmware upgrade that has addressed the problem as I dread the thought of having to deal with UPC for a new router. Any feedback is much appreciated.

dudwell

user_name_d

Hey Dudwell.. We've sinced moved house and have the new UPC horizon box which doesn't seem to have the same issue as the previous cisco router so not sure if this is still an issue iI'm afraid.

Your best bet might be to give UPC a call and see if they can sort you out with a newer router.. or have a look at the edimax boxes.. worked out great for me in the end.