You could use a SB5101 but that is a DOCSIS 2.0 modem. If you’re planning on still being around a few more years you might as well get a DOCSIS 3.0 modem. Then you will have up to 8 download frequencies instead of just 1. It’s true that a DOCSIS 2.0 is not required for Essential but I don’t believe they cost much more, so if you are going to buy a modem don’t buy a DOCSIS 2.0 ,for streaming I think Essential is fine. Try the self install and once you get online go to 192.168.100.1 in your browsers URL and you will see what kind of signal you are getting. S/N should be greater than 34 downstream should be higher than -10, don’t worry about transmit typically if you downstream is good your upstream will be too. Now if you have intermittent issues then you’ll want to check the TX.
