robertmeldrum
11-22-08, 02:53 PM
I have a new Verizon FiOS Home Media DVR connected to an HDTV, with a secondary ("slave") HDTV and three analog TVs. The installation went smoothly, although I took the time to install an electric outlet on the exterior wall of my house b/c Verizon said I needed to provide power, and the tech informed me the battery backup unit must be located inside the house. I did not need external power! Bummer.
The tech did a beautiful and thorough job on the installation. He gave my wife and me several options for locating the equipment, which raised the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor). I was replacing Comcast HD and my entire house is pre-wired. In spite of this, the install took 6 hours! The Internet service is as fast as advertised. The HD picture quality is outstanding, and I feel it is better than the Comcast PQ, but I could be deluding myself there. There are several issues I want to point out that were NOT made clear as I shopped and ordered service:
1) The "slave" HD STB does not have true DVR functionality. I cannot pause a live TV show. I cannot choose to record a live TV show. I cannot schedule future shows to record. All of this functionality is available *only* on the Home Media DVR. The "slave" STBs can just watch live shows or already-recorded shows.
2) The "slave" HD STB froze when I reached the end of the first DVR-recorded show we watched on it. I left it for 24 hours and it was still frozen. I turned it off and unplugged the power to hard-boot it, and it works OK now.
3) All of the first three HD shows we recorded would have a one-second freeze with pixelation and audio loss happening on a random basis every 5-10 minutes. Reversing and re-watching, the pixelation happened at the same point each time. Have not seen any pixelation on live shows. Assumed there is a problem with the DVR, called Verizon (waited on hold for about 20 minutes to get to a live tech), and they did a re-init. We'll see if that fixes things.
4) The menus and remote functionality are still years behind where TV was five years ago. Rant on: why don't the cable providers just license Tivo's software and stop kidding themselves that they can provide a user-friendly interface? Rant off...
I ended up moving the Home Media DVR to the living room where we watch most of the live TV, and with an instant-on plasma TV. The HD projector (with the one-minute warm up) now has the "slave" DVR since we mostly use it to watch recorded content, DVDs, or play PS3 games. I am pleased that my Harmony remote works with the DVR using the same setup as I had for my Comcast Motorola DVRs.
A better report to follow, after I've lived with this puppy for a few weeks. Have a good day!
Rob ;)
The tech did a beautiful and thorough job on the installation. He gave my wife and me several options for locating the equipment, which raised the WAF (Wife Acceptance Factor). I was replacing Comcast HD and my entire house is pre-wired. In spite of this, the install took 6 hours! The Internet service is as fast as advertised. The HD picture quality is outstanding, and I feel it is better than the Comcast PQ, but I could be deluding myself there. There are several issues I want to point out that were NOT made clear as I shopped and ordered service:
1) The "slave" HD STB does not have true DVR functionality. I cannot pause a live TV show. I cannot choose to record a live TV show. I cannot schedule future shows to record. All of this functionality is available *only* on the Home Media DVR. The "slave" STBs can just watch live shows or already-recorded shows.
2) The "slave" HD STB froze when I reached the end of the first DVR-recorded show we watched on it. I left it for 24 hours and it was still frozen. I turned it off and unplugged the power to hard-boot it, and it works OK now.
3) All of the first three HD shows we recorded would have a one-second freeze with pixelation and audio loss happening on a random basis every 5-10 minutes. Reversing and re-watching, the pixelation happened at the same point each time. Have not seen any pixelation on live shows. Assumed there is a problem with the DVR, called Verizon (waited on hold for about 20 minutes to get to a live tech), and they did a re-init. We'll see if that fixes things.
4) The menus and remote functionality are still years behind where TV was five years ago. Rant on: why don't the cable providers just license Tivo's software and stop kidding themselves that they can provide a user-friendly interface? Rant off...
I ended up moving the Home Media DVR to the living room where we watch most of the live TV, and with an instant-on plasma TV. The HD projector (with the one-minute warm up) now has the "slave" DVR since we mostly use it to watch recorded content, DVDs, or play PS3 games. I am pleased that my Harmony remote works with the DVR using the same setup as I had for my Comcast Motorola DVRs.
A better report to follow, after I've lived with this puppy for a few weeks. Have a good day!
Rob ;)