I have FIOS TV and have been having problems with the NBC HD channel (810). The audio/video is constantly out of sync. This is very frustrating knowing that the new TV season is starting up. Is anyone else having this problem? I live in Bensalem, PA (Bucks County). I'm using the DVR and it's connected to my Pioneer 5070 HDTV via component cables. I've tried using a HDMI cable but that didn't make a difference. (I stayed with component because it takes less time for the TV to change between HD & SD channels) I've seen this problem happen on TNT HD and on the MTV HD channel as well. I know TNT has always been a problem with the station, but I was just wondering if these other stations are just as bad.

I haven't noticed. But I've not been watching much. I'll have to check when I get home.

--

Dawn

I have FIOS TV and have been having problems with the NBC HD channel (810). The audio/video is constantly out of sync. This is very frustrating knowing that the new TV season is starting up. Is anyone else having this problem? I live in Bensalem, PA (Bucks County). I'm using the DVR and it's connected to my Pioneer 5070 HDTV via component cables. I've tried using a HDMI cable but that didn't make a difference. (I stayed with component because it takes less time for the TV to change between HD & SD channels) I've seen this problem happen on TNT HD and on the MTV HD channel as well. I know TNT has always been a problem with the station, but I was just wondering if these other stations are just as bad.

I have not noticed that either...Is the SD channel fine? This used to happen from time to time on D*....even OTA it would happen. I have noticed yet on any of the channels.

The only concern came a few days ago when CSN dropped all audio on the HD CSN channel.

Merged topics.


Can someone please tell me what "Merged topics" means?

middletown delaware area and espn and espn 2 hd now showing sd feeds. anyone else have this issue

Can someone please tell me what "Merged topics" means?

It's a great and powerful thing that moderators here do from time to time. Pay no attention to that man behind the firewall ....

It's a great and powerful thing that moderators here do from time to time. Pay no attention to that man behind the firewall ....

Oh, yea, that really helps a lot! :D

[b]Originally Posted by aaronwt View Post
The next scheduled showing of the HDNet test pattern is
Tue., Sept 26 - 6:50 AM ET / 3:50 AM PT... how does one setup a manual recording? anyone think they may throw it in at the beginning of the off air content? it runs for about 10 minutes, right?DVR --> Add Recording --> Manual Recording --> pick from the list. Everyone is so used to the programming guide that you forget this function is there :)

It's a great and powerful thing that moderators here do from time to time. Pay no attention to that man behind the firewall ....


Knowing what the phrase means must be similar to 'double secret probation' in the Animal House movie.

It means that two or more topics have been merged.

ESPN and ESPN2 issue same here in North Wilmington - I just opened a ticket with VZ regarding this -

Both channels are showing the SD version of the station on the HD channel numbers....

Was really hard to explain to the rep - but yes, this sucks with football on today!

Wow. I just called Verizon billing and they confirmed that absolutely, positively, I will not be charged for upgrading old coax cable. We'll see whether that fixes the issue on Saturday AM.

This AM, the technician tested the signal, showing no errors. He said that if there are no errors, then the RG59 can't be the problem.

I insisted that we try the RG6 change anyway. We set up a trial run of RG6, and it made no difference whatsoever. I've put in too much effort on this already, with three consecutive Saturday visits. I'm switching back to Comcast.

I really think that we must just have a bad feed in this area (North Wilmington, DE). I'm seeing SD on ESPN... have been for a few days.

It means that two or more topics have been merged.

That much I figured out for myself. ;)
Can you tell me:
(1) What topics were merged in this case?
(2) Why the topics are never mentioned when merging happens?
Thanks in advance. :confused:

This AM, the technician tested the signal, showing no errors. He said that if there are no errors, then the RG59 can't be the problem.

I insisted that we try the RG6 change anyway. We set up a trial run of RG6, and it made no difference whatsoever. I've put in too much effort on this already, with three consecutive Saturday visits. I'm switching back to Comcast.

I really think that we must just have a bad feed in this area (North Wilmington, DE). I'm seeing SD on ESPN... have been for a few days.

Well, I don't know what to do at this point, but I think I will still call FIOS and complain. There is no consistency with either my HD or SD signals, sometimes they're very good, sometimes they're terrible. I've tried dozens of different settings on my TV (Sony KDL46-XBR4) and Blu-Ray always looks fine so it's got to be Fios.

If anyone else has any suggestions to diagnose/troubleshoot my PQ issues I'd appreciate it.

anybody watching ABC right now? they finally switched to the Wisconsin - Iowa game here in DC, but it's not in HD. Not sure why not, I know it's in HD somewhere...

ESPN and ESPN2 issue same here in North Wilmington - I just opened a ticket with VZ regarding this -

Both channels are showing the SD version of the station on the HD channel numbers....

Was really hard to explain to the rep - but yes, this sucks with football on today!

I had the same thing yesterday morning. I checked again around mid-day, and the HD feeds were back on ESPNHD and ESPN2HD, however ESPN2HD was stuttering and pretty much unwatchable.

No, our ONT is outside, the main cable that I was referring to runs into the house to the splitter. I suspect that is RG59, and the source of our issues.

RG59 is not necessarily the problem. It is perfectly acceptable to use it. The key is to whether or not the leg is in good condition. I have done plenty of installs using RG59 without issue. The tech may just have to dig a bit deeper to solve the problem.

BTW, installers can replace up to 3 existing runs of coax without having to generate a bill.

He said FIOS uses a newer type of coax which works better.

He must be part of a secret society of installers because I only carry Tri-shield RG6 on my truck.

Running the new cable is supposed to be an extra charge, but when the reception is poor, they'll do it for free.

Verizon will replace up to 3 existing coax legs gratis. Anything above that would incur a bill.

He said FIOS uses a newer type of coax which works better.

He must be part of a secret society of installers because I only carry Tri-shield RG6 on my truck.

Running the new cable is supposed to be an extra charge, but when the reception is poor, they'll do it for free.

Verizon will replace up to 3 existing coax legs gratis. Anything above that would incur a bill.

RG59 is not necessarily the problem. It is perfectly acceptable to use it. The key is to whether or not the leg is in good condition. I have done plenty of installs using RG59 without issue. The tech may just have to dig a bit deeper to solve the problem.

BTW, installers can replace up to 3 existing runs of coax without having to generate a bill.

Thanks. As I explained, we ran RG6 and confirmed that it is not the problem. That test took any hidden wiring out of the system too. I have had two different technicians out here after out initial install, and neither could solve the problem.

How often does this happen?

Either the FIOS feed in this area (North Wilmington, Delaware) is garbage, or there is some weird incompatibility with my TVs (BenQ DV3750 and Panasonic AX100U). Note, both look pretty darn good with Comcast.

The only good thing that I can say about Verizon FIOS is that it comes with a 30 day trial -- so all that I am losing is a few Saturdays and my sanity.

Anyone else in NY area get an Emergency Broadcast System test just as a play was about to start at near the end of the 2nd quarter of the 'skins-gints game on FOX?
That was totally uncalled for!

Either the FIOS feed in this area (North Wilmington, Delaware) is garbage, or there is some weird incompatibility with my TVs (BenQ DV3750 and Panasonic AX100U). Note, both look pretty darn good with Comcast.Go over to the Philly Verizon thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=792568&page=18. There are a number of North Wilmington area members who will be more than happy to tell you about the garbage quality signals coming into your area. Also posted on Broadband Reports in a variety of threads, like this one: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18515083-Continuing-Picture-Quality-Degredation-In-Philadelphia.

Anyone else in NY area get an Emergency Broadcast System test just as a play was about to start at near the end of the 2nd quarter of the 'skins-gints game on FOX?
That was totally uncalled for!

Trust me: You are fighting a losing battle on this subject. We have the same problem in this area on radio and TV of all types. With the new security problems in today's world, there is now a flood of EBS tests on all types of comms. I'm old enough to remember when they were few and far between. The times we live in ... :(

does anyone else have a problem with the DVR showing wrong hours of recorded HD? it says I have 4h55m HD recorded, but I count less than 2. the SD hour count is about right. where are the missing hours?

edit: I power cycled it and now it says 2hrs. That's better.

With over 4200 posts, it's kinda tough to even attempt to read through any of this.

Basic questions if I may;
1. Ok, it's optical to the house and RF throughout the house. It is QAM modulation on standard CATV channel assignments?
2. Are any of these 'in the clear' that can received on sets with QAM tuners?
3. This is a longshot; will a CC work?

I'm sure it depends on the market, but for the areas that are up and running with TV would be the input I'm looking for.

Basic questions if I may;
1. Ok, it's optical to the house and RF throughout the house. It is QAM modulation on standard CATV channel assignments?
2. Are any of these 'in the clear' that can received on sets with QAM tuners?
3. This is a longshot; will a CC work?

I'm sure it depends on the market, but for the areas that are up and running with TV would be the input I'm looking for.

1. Yes, Fios uses QAM for the digital channels.
2. Yes, the local broadcast stations - SD & HD - and public access/govt channels are provided in the clear.
3. Yes, cable cards work fine for Fios. Fios will not be adopting Switched Digital Video, so the cable cards will continue to work for the next few years. Quite a few people are getting the new TivoHD to use with Fios with two cable cards (Fios does not apparently have the Multi-stream cards yet).

Fios as a new system is much more consistent from market to market than Comcast or Time Warner which are built from the takeover of many smaller cable companies. The national SD and HD cable channels are the same for all markets and have the same channel numbers. Only the locals in the analog 2 to 49 set, the RSNs, and the HD locals at 801 up to 817 and the local SD sub-channels in the 860s differ between markets. Check the channel line-ups at http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm.

Note: Fios currently has limited set of analog local channels from 2 to 49. The analog channels will be shut down, probably within the next 6 to 12 months, as they move to an all digital system providing a full set of 135 QAM channels.

Again, we need a FAQ in the 1st post of this thread or in a new Fios thread. If one of the first 3 posters in this thread could go back and edit their post adding a FAQ section, that would help.

Warning: Guide data currently messed up for NBC in Washington Metro area

This could be a local issue or widespread, but as of this morning, the guide data for WRC-DT NBC 4 on channel 807 is off by a half-hour on my DVR in the Washington Metro market. It has the series premiere of Chuck starting at 8:30 PM ET, season premiere of Heroes at 9:30 PM, Journeyman at 10:30 PM. The guide in fact is a 1/2 hour off for 807 for the entire day. The HD ABC, CBS, Fox times look ok. I have not checked for Tuesday. I've done a cold reset and still had the bad guide times. Can someone else in the Washington Metro check their guide? Any body see this for their NBC HD station in the other markets?

If this is true for the Washington Metro market, people are only going to get the second half of Heroes recorded tonight unless they are recording Chuck as well. :rolleyes:

Fios as a new system is much more consistent from market to market than Comcast or Time Warner which are built from the takeover of many smaller cable companies.Understood, which makes this a superior setup from the start. Again, we need a FAQ in the 1st post of this thread or in a new Fios thread.Agreed.

Thanks for the reply.

does anyone else have a problem with the DVR showing wrong hours of recorded HD? it says I have 4h55m HD recorded, but I count less than 2. the SD hour count is about right. where are the missing hours?

edit: I power cycled it and now it says 2hrs. That's better.

Barth, I had the same experience. I've noticed that if I delete a show through through the DVR menus, ie. DVR/recorded programs/select show/remove, it will get subtracted from the DVR status screen. If I delete it while I'm watching it using the 'info/delete' menus, it doesn't get subtracted from the DVR status times until I power cycle the box. Seems to be a bug in how the DVR keeps track of used and free space.

Warning: Guide data currently messed up for NBC in Washington Metro area

This could be a local issue or widespread, but as of this morning, the guide data for WRC-DT NBC 4 on channel 807 is off by a half-hour on my DVR in the Washington Metro market. It has the series premiere of Chuck starting at 8:30 PM ET, season premiere of Heroes at 9:30 PM, Journeyman at 10:30 PM. The guide in fact is a 1/2 hour off for 807 for the entire day. The HD ABC, CBS, Fox times look ok. I have not checked for Tuesday. I've done a cold reset and still had the bad guide times. Can someone else in the Washington Metro check their guide? Any body see this for their NBC HD station in the other markets?
I'm in NoVA as well and can confirm the same guide error for NBC on my end. Thanks for the heads-up. I noticed that The Office is set to record correctly at 9pm on Thurs so it looks like only a day or two is messed up. I didn't have time to see exactly when it gets back on track.

Still, what a boneheaded mistake right in the midst of fall TV premieres. Verizon's TV guide data provider sucks, and Verizon sucks for not demanding more of them (or dropping them completely).

Trust me: You are fighting a losing battle on this subject. We have the same problem in this area on radio and TV of all types. With the new security problems in today's world, there is now a flood of EBS tests on all types of comms. I'm old enough to remember when they were few and far between. The times we live in ... :(
I'm also old enough to remember the good ol' days, but I've only had FIOS for less than 6 months and there have been several that I've seen, let alone the ones they do when I'm not watching TV. I don't recall seeing half as many EBS tests during the last few years when I had cable and satellite, especially not randomly interrupting programming. You would think that a test can be scheduled at a time between programming, not during programming.

Warning: Guide data currently messed up for NBC in Washington Metro area

This could be a local issue or widespread, but as of this morning, the guide data for WRC-DT NBC 4 on channel 807 is off by a half-hour on my DVR in the Washington Metro market. It has the series premiere of Chuck starting at 8:30 PM ET, season premiere of Heroes at 9:30 PM, Journeyman at 10:30 PM. The guide in fact is a 1/2 hour off for 807 for the entire day. The HD ABC, CBS, Fox times look ok. I have not checked for Tuesday. I've done a cold reset and still had the bad guide times. Can someone else in the Washington Metro check their guide? Any body see this for their NBC HD station in the other markets?

If this is true for the Washington Metro market, people are only going to get the second half of Heroes recorded tonight unless they are recording Chuck as well. :rolleyes:


Same here. I've added that to channel 804 (PBS WETA HD) which has had the wrong data for MONTHS! Calling and reporting has accomplished nothing.

I have used 6 other DVRs with 3 service providers since 1999 and have NEVER experienced BS like this before. Pretty pathetic if you ask me.

Go over to the Philly Verizon thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=792568&page=18. There are a number of North Wilmington area members who will be more than happy to tell you about the garbage quality signals coming into your area. Also posted on Broadband Reports in a variety of threads, like this one: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18515083-Continuing-Picture-Quality-Degredation-In-Philadelphia.

Is there anything that we can do about this? I'm just jumping ship (back to Comcast), but does Verizon have anything to say about the issues? They sure didn't on the tech support line or through their install techs in my experience.

A few more questions;
1. Are all the digital channels, even the base level encripted?
2. What do they charge for a CC since it isn't listed on their site?
3. The battery backup, that is only to save the config. file for the optical to RF adapter?
4. What voltage does the device operate off of?

A few more questions;
1. Are all the digital channels, even the base level encripted?
2. What do they charge for a CC since it isn't listed on their site?
3. The battery backup, that is only to save the config. file for the optical to RF adapter?
4. What voltage does the device operate off of?
1. No, the SD and HD local channels are not encrypted. Execept for WGN, all of the national SD and HD channels are encrypted.
2. $3/month per cable card.
3. No, the battery backup is to run the ONT, so the phone line can stay active for 4 hours in the event of a power outage.
4. Which device? The ONT? The backup battery is a standard 12V 7 AH gel cell battery. The ONT power supply which includes the 12V battery plugs into a 120V wall outlet.

I wonder how everything will change (or not) ?

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=134347&site=telcotv&f_src=lightreading_gnews

"The company has announced that it will move FiOS to an all-IPTV platform within three years. "

Makes me glad I did not buy that TiVoHD just yet (till I understand this) !

I wonder how everything will change (or not) ?

http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=134347&site=telcotv&f_src=lightreading_gnews

"The company has announced that it will move FiOS to an all-IPTV platform within three years. "

Makes me glad I did not buy that TiVoHD just yet (till I understand this) !


I don't understand all this jargon either, but I do know (and really enjoy!) that my TiVo actually works as advertised. After suffering thru several weeks of the FiOS IMG fiasco before returning it, FiOS life is good again when it comes to DVR's and Guides. I will enjoy it for however long it lasts. No one knows when (if ever) FiOS will get it all together again.

Hilltop try this: call up a VOD program & see how well your Tivo works with it.

VOD on FiOS is already IPTV-based(Internet Protocol TV).

I think Vz is looking ahead to a future of ever-increasing demands for bandwidth-already rumors of upgrading the whole system to MPEG-4 in the near future which will require new STB's.

1. No, the SD and HD local channels are not encrypted. Execept for WGN, all of the national SD and HD channels are encrypted.If these are the basic package, why are they bothering to encript them? It's not a coxial cable where someone with the ability can 'hook up' and receive the servoice such as CATV. :rolleyes:
That first required tier should be 'in the clear' for any set with a QAM tuner just as it is for CATV. No, the battery backup is to run the ONTThat's the acroynm for their optical to RF 'interface'? Does that include TV and internet access if you have those options (assuming you can power up a TV and computer externally)?

I wonder how everything will change (or not) ?
http://www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc_id=134347&site=telcotv&f_src=lightreading_gnews
"The company has announced that it will move FiOS to an all-IPTV platform within three years. "
Makes me glad I did not buy that TiVoHD just yet (till I understand this) ! What they appear to have now is fine AFAIC other than the basic tier being encripted. QAM RF channels 'in the clear' with encription above level two.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Dump all those 'holy roller', import, public access and shopping channels, then they will have the room. :mad:

Is there anything that we can do about this? I'm just jumping ship (back to Comcast), but does Verizon have anything to say about the issues? They sure didn't on the tech support line or through their install techs in my experience.


Jack-
As i've IM'd you - yes, we do have a lousy feed here in North Wilmington. My PQ changes by the day - and even sometimes by the hour.

I've had my entire house rewired - two ONT's - the lines to the FDH down the road checked - my taps cleaned and re-connected, you name it.

Most people probably won't notice it and/or won't care about it - so Verizon does nothing. Personally, I haven't had to pay Verizon a dime for the past three months b/c of the BS they tried to put by me.

And yes, yet again this past weekend they had issues with ESPN-HD and ESPN2-HD (apparently this only affected Delaware). They had the SD versions mapped to the HD locations - then when that was finally fixed, you couldn't even watch ESPN2-HD due to pixellation. They confirmed to me it was a known problem and that it was "fixed" - but last night ESPN2-HD was unwatchable again.

I applaud you on going back to Comcast - they just added 5 new HD channels today in our area - at least now I know if I decide to go back, it won't be that hard to swallow. Don't go through 8 months of hell that I have.

i love my FIOS (i live in N. Wilmington)

i also had the ESPN, ESPN2 problem showing SD over the weekend....but it was fixed before Sunday so i could'nt care less.

I think Verizon and Comcast both have their perks....but Verizon BLOWS Comcast out of the water when it comes to customer service. Over years of dealing with Comcasts idiot morons that work with them i had enough and switched to FIOS. Verizon's tech people all talk proper english and understand simple terms like HDMI and VGA.....comcast people on the phone ALWAYS had to look up what those terms mean.

I think FiOS TV is way overrated. I've had a for a few months now and I'm far from thrilled.
For one the feature that they advertise on the radio where you can play shows recorded on one DVR STB on all the other STBs around the house. In order for it to work certain conditions need to be met:

1. Only one DVR STB
2. No HD STBs besides the master
3. The shows cannot be recorded in HD (in case your DVR STB is HD also)

I recorded a show in HD on my DVR and went to another room to watch it (plain STB/no DVR or HD). It told me that I can't because the show was recorded in HD ...so I said, ok - let me try it in another room that has an HD box. That didn't work so I called Verizon and they told me that the feature doesn't work with HD STB's. Their suggestion was to downgrade the STB to SD even though I just spend $800 bucks on an HD TV set for my bedroom. The FiOS TV menu system leaves a lot to be desired (they're huge and not transparent). The boxes switch to 480i randomly causing picture to just drop on SD channels - they need to be reset every few hrs. That's all I'll say for now (I'm trying to not get the post deleted [again] even though I'm furious).

Is anyone else missing Wednesday and Thursday's programming data? Friday came up with reboot.
Seems to be a problem with only one DVR - other one has all data.
Update: Bad DVR. Would show guide data for all available days except two! Makes for hard time programming. Verizon came out with a new box within 3 hours. The tech on the phone followed up with multiple calls before and after to make sure it all worked. Very impressed with professionalism and people.

In order for it to work certain conditions need to be met:

1. Only one DVR STB
2. No HD STBs besides the master
3. The shows cannot be recorded in HD (in case your DVR STB is HD also)Only number 3 is correct. I'm not sure that even SD programs can be shared to an HD STB, either; but that doesn't preclude having HD STBs in the system. And only one "multi-room DVR" may be allowed, but again, that doesn't preclude having other DVRs (also again, I'm not sure they can be used as clients).

They've said they intend to fix this issue, but I don't know when.

i love my FIOS (i live in N. Wilmington)

i also had the ESPN, ESPN2 problem showing SD over the weekend....but it was fixed before Sunday so i could'nt care less.

I think Verizon and Comcast both have their perks....but Verizon BLOWS Comcast out of the water when it comes to customer service. Over years of dealing with Comcasts idiot morons that work with them i had enough and switched to FIOS. Verizon's tech people all talk proper english and understand simple terms like HDMI and VGA.....comcast people on the phone ALWAYS had to look up what those terms mean.

I agree, Verizon reps on the phone seem to really know their stuff. It hasn't helped me, but you have a good point.

Jack-
As i've IM'd you - yes, we do have a lousy feed here in North Wilmington. My PQ changes by the day - and even sometimes by the hour.

I've had my entire house rewired - two ONT's - the lines to the FDH down the road checked - my taps cleaned and re-connected, you name it.

Most people probably won't notice it and/or won't care about it - so Verizon does nothing. Personally, I haven't had to pay Verizon a dime for the past three months b/c of the BS they tried to put by me.

Thanks for the messages. To note, there is no variation in our PQ except for channel to channel... most all of the SD is all garbage all the time though. HD varies by channel. And, your point that most people won't notice puzzles me. Our SD PQ is so bad that you'd have to be blind not to notice. The Verizon tech even agreed that it was not acceptable.

Fios might be good in a few years but subscribers now are without question guinea pigs. Their billing is the worst I have seen in my entire life, seriously, there is maybe one or two months in a row max without a billing error. When it first came out it had more HD than the cable here and the dishes but now that is ending and they don't even have RSNs here in hd or VOD in HD. They are not delivering on the expectations that many of the customers originally had.

... Their billing is the worst I have seen in my entire life, seriously,...

wow, sorry that your having issues but i have never had a problem with Vz Billing, than again i'm still on the COPPER side... but FiOS customer are treated with GOLD, and i have heard that from numerous Vz CSR's.

wow, sorry that your having issues but i have never had a problem with Vz Billing, than again i'm still on the COPPER side... but FiOS customer are treated with GOLD, and i have heard that from numerous Vz CSR's.

I have had no problems with FiOS or VZ billing. Only the IMG.

Comcast is getting all these new HD chans. Fios still has no hd on demand. unexcusable.

how is fios going to compete with directv's 150 HD chans? i think i'm switching, fios tv has sucked for themost part and was not as good as comcast

1. For those that only have internet and/or phone that have TV available and don't subscribe, has anyone checked to see if there is any TV service active off the RF port?
2. What is the cost for the HD package (didn't see it listed), or is that included with the price of the HD STB or the HD DVR?
3. If you use CCs', assuming the above, what is the cost of the HD package(s)?
4. I know it depends on the market etc., but what do you guys pay for the additional local taxes/fees etc.? IOWs', bottom line price.

Thanks for the messages. To note, there is no variation in our PQ except for channel to channel... most all of the SD is all garbage all the time though. HD varies by channel. And, your point that most people won't notice puzzles me. Our SD PQ is so bad that you'd have to be blind not to notice. The Verizon tech even agreed that it was not acceptable.


Jack-
The sad thing is - I had 4 techs agree with me that the PQ sucked - but it gets nowhere past that. The engineers and managers at VZ don't want to hear it. Believe me - if you only knew what i've gone through since May. I've been told it was my TV - even though the same ****** PQ was on 3 different TV's, made by 3 different manufacturers, and on 3 different STB's.

Ironically, last night the PQ was very bad across a number of SD channels (Food, HGTV, etc..) - very slurry pic - almost like watching You Tube (which has been a description i've used over the months).

Something is f'd up between us and the VHO in Philadelphia. Through all this, i've confirmed there are multiple feeds coming out of Philly. The one that comes to us is hosed somewhere. I had people I didn't even know come to my house that had FIOS in other areas in PA - even THEY told me my PQ was terrible. It finally got to the point that I gave up - I couldn't take babysitting my TV provider. They gave me almost $500 in credits, so I haven't needed to care lately.

Jack-
The sad thing is - I had 4 techs agree with me that the PQ sucked - but it gets nowhere past that. The engineers and managers at VZ don't want to hear it. Believe me - if you only knew what i've gone through since May. I've been told it was my TV - even though the same ****** PQ was on 3 different TV's, made by 3 different manufacturers, and on 3 different STB's.

Ironically, last night the PQ was very bad across a number of SD channels (Food, HGTV, etc..) - very slurry pic - almost like watching You Tube (which has been a description i've used over the months).

Something is f'd up between us and the VHO in Philadelphia. Through all this, i've confirmed there are multiple feeds coming out of Philly. The one that comes to us is hosed somewhere. I had people I didn't even know come to my house that had FIOS in other areas in PA - even THEY told me my PQ was terrible. It finally got to the point that I gave up - I couldn't take babysitting my TV provider. They gave me almost $500 in credits, so I haven't needed to care lately.

Has the senior field rep been out to your house and discussed the problem with you? If not, then ask that it be done is my recommendation.

Hilltop-
The senior field rep - a senior Tier 3 manager from NJ - you name it - they've been out. Once it gets above the field rep - the ears fall deaf - hence why I received credits instead of a clear picture.

Hilltop-
The senior field rep - a senior Tier 3 manager from NJ - you name it - they've been out. Once it gets above the field rep - the ears fall deaf - hence why I received credits instead of a clear picture.

Yep. You're cooked. :(

1. For those that only have internet and/or phone that have TV available and don't subscribe, has anyone checked to see if there is any TV service active off the RF port?
2. What is the cost for the HD package (didn't see it listed), or is that included with the price of the HD STB or the HD DVR?
3. If you use CCs', assuming the above, what is the cost of the HD package(s)?
4. I know it depends on the market etc., but what do you guys pay for the additional local taxes/fees etc.? IOWs', bottom line price.

1. Never checked (I had internet and phone first).
2. Included in the price.
3. I don't think there is and "HD package". Just the cost of the equipment. The whole "HD package" thing is one of the things that put me off Comcast and DirecTv.

Hilltop-
The senior field rep - a senior Tier 3 manager from NJ - you name it - they've been out. Once it gets above the field rep - the ears fall deaf - hence why I received credits instead of a clear picture.


Amazing, I haven't seen this at all. Why don't you shoot an email to the Verizon VP for FIOS or the President of Verizon. I've done that with a couple of companies when my issues werre not resolved, and it tends to get the wheels moving fast. You certainly have a case for this. It needs escalation.

Their billing is the worst I have seen in my entire life, seriously, there is maybe one or two months in a row max without a billing error.

The only bill I've had that was actually correct was the second one, I've had to contact Verizon on the other 13 bills for some reason or another. Never had this problem with their telephone or FiOS Internet, only FiOS TV. Each call lasts at least an hour - very frustrating!!

What is the cost for the HD package (didn't see it listed), or is that included with the price of the HD STB or the HD DVR?
.


as posted earlier there is no xtra cost for the HD nationals. however it seems Encore(the programming arm of Vz) treats the HD chs as a no-cost tier that has to be ordered seperately.
that was the only problem I've had with FiOS TV in 2 1/2 mons.-the day it was installed, no HD nats. I did have HD locals & HD premiums tho, which puzzled the installer & tech support.
the problem was resolved the same day however.

Bruce if/when you're ready to order I'd recommend you order over the phone & make it very clear you want the HD national chs. again, they don't cost xtra, but Encore treated them as a seperate programming tier. BTW I ordered TV online. every time i speak to a Vz rep.(& most of them have been very good) I make a point to tell them that the online ordering process has problems. and to their credit they readily acknowledge this.

My wife is reporting a screen showing "Currently Unavailable" in Northern Virginia. I'm at work, but leaving soon. Told her to take a picture. Haven't seen it before.

EDIT: Now she says it's up. Not sure what happened.

Hello all,

I had Fios Internet, TV and phone installed today. No complaints on the installation. The techs were polite and their work was neat. Absolutely no problems.

However... as I was flipping through the channels, I realized Verizon has omitted PBS thirteen WNET New York from the lineup. I get 5 other PBS's from throughout the tri-state area, but not my favorite, thirteen.

What could be the reason for this? I looked at other lineups for other parts of NJ and the areas get it.

Can I expect to get it in the future?

Only number 3 is correct. I'm not sure that even SD programs can be shared to an HD STB

The QIP6416 can only send recorded SD programs to a QIP2500 (standard def STB).

I don't think there is and "HD package". Just the cost of the equipment. Ok, what is the cost for a CC setup, other than $3 for the card itself? IOWs', it don't want their box, I have one, so I'm only interested in the CC.

What are the taxes & fees that are being charged?

Ok, what is the cost for a CC setup, other than $3 for the card itself? IOWs', it don't want their box, I have one, so I'm only interested in the CC.

What are the taxes & fees that are being charged?

standard pkg is $43. that's it. there's no "hd package" since it's included. one nice thing is this includes the regional sport network (FSN West and Prime Ticket in my case), both HD and SD version. with satellite, you usually have to pay extra for that. CC just costs $3 for each card. Tax for me in SoCal is a whopping $8.43. YMMV.

standard pkg is $43. that's it. there's no "hd package" since it's included. one nice thing is this includes the regional sport network (FSN West and Prime Ticket in my case), both HD and SD version. with satellite, you usually have to pay extra for that. CC just costs $3 for each card. Tax for me in SoCal is a whopping $8.43. YMMV.Taxes vary by municipality.

In the state of Virginia, there are no taxes on FiOS Internet. I pay $3.50 in total taxes on TV service.

Below is a screenshot of my current bill for 30/5 FiOS Internet, TV service, and two CableCards.

there's no "hd package" since it's included.Your telling me all these "National HD" channels are included with the $43 basic fee with another $3 for each CC?? :confused:
How about the "Premium HD" channels?
How about the movie package for $13, is that for all of these channels?

Your telling me all these "National HD" channels are included with the $43 basic fee with another $3 for each CC?? :confused:
How about the "Premium HD" channels?
How about the movie package for $13, is that for all of these channels?

All the national HD channels are included w/the $43 basic fee, the Premium HD channels are included if you subscribe to the corresponding movie package. That movie package you reference does include all the channels listed and the corresponding HD station(Starz, Showtime, and TMC).

HBO and Cinemax(and their HD counterparts) are separate packages.

Ok, then only HBO & Cinemax are options for the Premium movie & Premium HD channels.

$43 basic + $3 CC (per set) + $13 movie package= $59 (+ taxes/local fees)
That seems a considerable difference from what satellite & cable charge. Either someone isn't making money or someone else is. ;)

Your telling me all these "National HD" channels are included with the $43 basic fee with another $3 for each CC?? :confused:
How about the "Premium HD" channels?
How about the movie package for $13, is that for all of these channels?
You keep asking questions that can be answered by reading the Verizon Fios website at http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/packages+and+prices/packages+and+prices.htm. Or a search of the Fios threads. The Fios TV pricing is pretty straightforward compared to most cable companies with a $43/month Premier package which includes the national HD channels; their $13/month movie package (which gets you three HD channels for SHO, Starz, TMC at the moment); their $8/month sports package (for basically what are specialized single sport channels as ESPN and the RSNs are included with Premier). You can bundle the movie & sports package for a lower rate. You get discounts by signing up for a year. What is expensive on Fios are HBO and Cinemax which is $16/month for one or $26/month for both. I chalk that up to HBO & Cinemax being owned by Time Warner and Time Warner has no incentive to give Fios a discount tie-in for those two channels.

You keep asking questions that can be answered by reading the Verizon Fios website I have read it and their description is not clear AFAIC or I wouldn't ask.

1. It doesn't mention the cost of HD programming, just the cost of the equipment. I would have to assume that the programming was included. The only statement even close is this; Choose from our large selection of high definition programming. Then I would have to assume the programming was included. It isn't with cable. You pay for the package, then you pay for the lease of the equipment.
2. There is absolutely NO mention of "HD" in those 'tabs' in your link except under equipment.
3. The cost for the movie package could be for all or for just one service since there are a dozen or so Encore channels. Usually, packages are from a single service, say Encore. $13 for all the Encore channels, another $13 for all the Starz channels etc. Again, I would have to assume that $13 was for all.

None of that is clear at all!
What is expensive on Fios are HBO and Cinemax which is $16/month for one or $26/month for both.I couldn't help but notice that. :(
But, thanks for clearing up their poorly worded website. There aren't many members who will go through 4300 posts............

I have read it and their description is not clear AFAIC or I wouldn't ask.

1. It doesn't mention the cost of HD programming, just the cost of the equipment. I would have to assume that the programming was included. The only statement even close is this; Then I would have to assume the programming was included. It isn't with cable. You pay for the package, then you pay for the lease of the equipment.
2. There is absolutely NO mention of "HD" in those 'tabs' in your link except under equipment.
3. The cost for the movie package could be for all or for just one service since there are a dozen or so Encore channels. Usually, packages are from a single service, say Encore. $13 for all the Encore channels, another $13 for all the Starz channels etc. Again, I would have to assume that $13 was for all.

None of that is clear at all!
I couldn't help but notice that. :(
But, thanks for clearing up their poorly worded website. There aren't many members who will go through 4300 posts............

I was also surprised (pleasantly) when I saw what is offered, so I can understand videobruce's questions. I had the same for an amused phone support person when I talked with her.

Since I subscribe to practically all of the packages, here is a slight description:

1. basic package includes HD programming.
2. If you subscribe to any extra package (sports, movies, HBO, Cinemax) you get the HD versions that are available for no extra cost.
3. The movies package is a great deal, with all of the Starz, Encore, etc.. bundled in.
4. In upcoming months, there is talk that HBO and Cinemax are going to expand their HD offerings; this means that if you subscribe to their packages, you will inherit these.

Please correct me if I'm off on these, but it is hard to fathom this if you've dealt with DirecTv or Comcast HD marketing strategies.

1. basic package includes HD programming. They really need to advertise this since you would never know it, especially with D* advertising 100 (or so) HD channels.
it is hard to fathom this if you've dealt with DirecTv or Comcast HD marketing strategies. Or most other CCs'. $13 would buy you a single provider package. Verizon is marketing their offerings as bad as the CEA promoted AVHDDs'. :mad:

I was also surprised (pleasantly) when I saw what is offered, so I can understand videobruce's questions. I had the same for an amused phone support person when I talked with her.


Same here. I kept asking the CSR about the HD package when I signed up, and she kept telling me how much the HD receiver/DVR cost, and I kept saying no, I mean how much does it cost to get the HD channels and she said uh which one and I listed a few and what about fox sports and the locals and so on and so forth until I could tell by her tone she was thinking "hey dumbass what part of INCLUDED don't you understand?"

does anyone know if VZ is adding TBS HD in New England before the playoffs? Comcast just announced that they are adding TBS HD in time for the playoffs.

does anyone know if VZ is adding TBS HD in New England before the playoffs? Comcast just announced that they are adding TBS HD in time for the playoffs.

Right now it looks like a no to that question, and if they do add it, it would be a national addition, just just a regional/local one.

does anyone know if VZ is adding TBS HD in New England before the playoffs? Comcast just announced that they are adding TBS HD in time for the playoffs.
Verizon has officially said little about adding the new HD channels. At this late point, extremely unlikely. It took Verizon about 2 weeks to add the last batch of 3 national HD channels (Food, HGTV, LMN) back in the spring to all the regions across the US. If you are upset about no TBS-HD for the MLB playoffs, let Verizon know and feel free to make a stink in the press. A few sports column slamming Verizon, the various cable franchises, and MLB for not having the MLB playoffs widely available in HD can't hurt.

Comcast consists of 100s of local head ends, so don't count on Comcast adding TBS-HD to all of them magically on Monday. It is going to be hit or miss.

BTW, there is a column in today's Washington Post on the lack of communication from Verizon on when they might add Fios to a neighborhood when people ask. The full article is at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/09/26/AR2007092602468.html?hpid%3Dtopnews&sub=AR, but registration required. Quoting from the first several paragraphs:

"Fios in Your Neighborhood? Don't Ask Verizon

By Rob Pegoraro
Thursday, September 27, 2007; Page D01

You'd be a little crazy to shop for a home without considering the Internet, phone and TV options awaiting in a new neighborhood. But good luck finding that out, especially when it comes to new services.

Consider the fuss over Verizon's Fios, which delivers fast Internet access as well as telephone and television service on fiber-optic wires. For customers who live out of the reach of DSL or have trees, buildings or hills blocking a satellite signal, it has been the first alternative to the local cable-TV monopoly.

But Verizon treats its plans for Fios like a state secret. Finding out when this service might show up at your door requires detective work or outright clairvoyance.

The worst such example may be in the District. Verizon has rolled out Fios in every surrounding jurisdiction, but D.C. residents are still waiting to hear when it might reach their homes.

Searching for service by typing in a District address on Verizon's Web site generated only a bland, meaningless assurance: "Our network is continually being expanded." Verizon's public relations department was no more informative.

"We've not announced plans at this point for D.C.," spokeswoman Christy Reap wrote in an e-mail. "Comcast would love to know our advance plans for the District, and we're not inclined to help them any sooner than we have to."

Verizon has been just as uncommunicative when responding to repeated requests for information from the D.C. government. "That really annoys me," said District People's Counsel Elizabeth A. Noel, who represents consumer interests with telephone and other utilities. "

Sorry if this topic has been mentioned before.

Does anyone in this thread know if there is any chance that FIOS will be getting NHL Center Ice this season?

I just got off the phone from Customer Service and they didn't even know what Center Ice is.

Comcast consists of 100s of local head ends, so don't count on Comcast adding TBS-HD to all of them magically on Monday. It is going to be hit or miss.


Comcast did add ESPN2 last year to most (if not all) locations the day before World Cup started, so it is possible.

Cablevision is now adding TBS HD...if Verizon plans to be competitive then they better get in the game with new HD channels.

Cablevision Systems Corp. has reached an agreement to carry TBS HD, just in time for the start of Major League Baseball’s postseason.

The New York metro area cable operator said it would add TBS HD to its high-definition lineup early next week. The pact, deal terms of which were not disclosed, evidently makes Cablevision the third major distributor to pick up TBS HD, which launched on DirecTV earlier this week. According to a report in the The Boston Globe, the network also has a rollout deal with Comcast that will enable fans to see the postseason action. Comcast officials didn’t return calls by press time.

Beginning Oct. 3, TBS will begin its exclusive coverage of baseball’s four division series and one of the League Championship Series, which it rotates with Fox. This year, TBS, which has a seven-year pact with MLB through 2013, will televise the series determining the National League champions.

Cablevision’s deal expands its HD roster to 41 networks and affords Big Apple baseball fans to see one or likely both of the local clubs perform during the postseason in the enhanced format. The New York Yankees have clinched a wild card position and are still vying to surpass the Boston Red Sox for the American League East title, while the New York Mets hold a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the battle for NL East supremacy.

TBS HD will become available to iO TV customers with HD-capable set-top boxes on channel 739, beginning Oct. 1. Officials at the operator said the channel will be available across the company’s entire service area by next Wednesday.

“We are pleased to have reached agreement to add TBS HD to our lineup of more than 40 high-definition programming services in time for the MLB playoffs,” said, Cablevision senior vice president of product management John Trierweiler in a statement. “This is great news for local baseball fans, and for our growing base of more than 800,000 HD customers.”

I have asked Verizon about this very issue and their silence has been deafening. I would not think there is any chance it will be added.

I have asked Verizon about this very issue and their silence has been deafening. I would not think there is any chance it will be added.

I'm disappointed with the fact that all the MLB playoff games won't be available in HD to Fios-TV subscribers this fall. I feel like this is a huge step backwards overall for the transition to HD. I realize it's all business - TBS got the license for these games from MLB whereas ESPN or Fox didn't. I'm really disappointed to learn that TBS is carrying a Division Series as well as a League Series this year (NLCS I think?). What a bummer - last year all LCS and WS games were available on Fox. I watched those games in HD via OTA.

I realize my complaining here is off topic to the thread, other than the fact that I wish VZ had been on the ball a bit more and launched TBS-HD before the playoffs. But that's rather foolish of me to think their priorities are focused on providing baseball fans all the postseason games in HD. I guess my overall complaint is that as much as HD offerings have progressed over the years we're still having stuff like this keeping folks from enjoying the benefits.

You can try contacting them here to complain

Verizon Corporate Customer Relations
(800) 483-7988

More Verizon Corporate contact information:
Verizon Communications
1095 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Voice: (212) 395-2121
Fax: (212) 869-3265

anybody knows the contact for the FIOS division, like some VP of FIOS (if there's such a thing) or VP of marketing.

If Verizon can get the local approval, next March is the target date they will be offering FiOS TV in at least two COs' in WNY.
It's been reported they are ready now, but don't have the approval and/or franchises. The major issue is what Verizon wanted; a state wide franchise as opposed to dealing with all the 'locals'.

IMG rollout delayed til December?

Someone found this today on the Verizon website and posted it on dslreports: http://netservices.verizon.net/portal/link/help/item?case=c30701. The end of September upgrade deadline is gone and is now "End of 2007" for PA, FL, TX, NJ, NY. Someone spoke to a CSR who says a update for the IMG may be out by November. So those of us stuck with the buggy IMG may have to wait up to 2 months for a fix. Hope that is enough time to fix the worse bugs and make sure the code changes don't add more bugs. :rolleyes:

guy I was fiddling around with the VOD menu tonite & under the "browse" tab up comes a selection for "HD Trial"!!

so far just 7-8 concerts from MHD & 13 WealthTV-HD episodes(including coverage of CES '07)-but it's HD.

hey it's a start.

IMG rollout delayed til December?


Maybe that's why we never saw the IMG rollout here in Delaware, despite getting the mailer and a phone call several weeks ago.

consider yourself lucky.

I had a problem with my box constantly rebooting which promted me to call Verizon. While I was on the phone with the tech I asked about HD programming. He said that Verizon has plans to have 40 national HD stations before the end of the year. When I heard this I asked for specifics but he was not able to answer. He said their was a meeting recently in which they were told about this to compete with Direct TV. I also asked about HD On Demand but he did not know when that was coming.

guy I was fiddling around with the VOD menu tonite & under the "browse" tab up comes a selection for "HD Trial"!!

so far just 7-8 concerts from MHD & 13 WealthTV-HD episodes(including coverage of CES '07)-but it's HD.

hey it's a start.

this is VA only so don't go nuts looking for it if you're not in VA :)

...

BTW, there is a column in today's Washington Post on the lack of communication from Verizon on when they might add Fios to a neighborhood when people ask. The full article is at ...

Don't they publish construction schedules for all areas? I found the one for Baltimore County very useful when they were laying fiber in our area:

http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/md/broadband/construction_information.html

With the new rollout of HD channels on D*, it appears that we are being trounced in terms of HD content. Add to this the fact that, according to viewer reports, D*'s quality on the new mpeg4 channels is excellent and far better than the old mpeg2 channels, FIOS better step up to the plate...and fast.

With the new rollout of HD channels on D*, it appears that we are being trounced in terms of HD content. Add to this the fact that, according to viewer reports, D*'s quality on the new mpeg4 channels is excellent and far better than the old mpeg2 channels, FIOS better step up to the plate...and fast.

same boat for comcast and E all are rapidly falling behind D, I might have to switch to D soon

I thought I'd never entertain that thought because of HD Lite that D* has a patent on. However what's impressed me as much as the additional content (even though many of the new HD channels have little to no true HD content), is the overall opinion on PQ of the new mpeg4 channels.

My original motiviation in going to FIOS was picture quality pure and simple. If D* now offers the same PQ but with many more offerings, you do have to wonder.

Just another point to add, it seems switching to mpeg4 has also given the added benefit of greatly enhanced recording time on their PVRs.

Re: Center Ice.

Anyone know if there is any chance Verizon will get it?

guy I was fiddling around with the VOD menu tonite & under the "browse" tab up comes a selection for "HD Trial"!!

so far just 7-8 concerts from MHD & 13 WealthTV-HD episodes(including coverage of CES '07)-but it's HD.

hey it's a start.

Great find! I have it too (in Richmond, VA). Launches quickly, and PQ is great. Here's to hoping for more content, quickly.

It's funny how regional these things are. Here in N.Y., good luck in trying these new things out. Sometimes I think we're 2nd class FIOS customers.

D*'s MPEG4 channels don't even tempt me in the slightest. go take a look over at the D* circle jerk sticky at the top of the page. their initial rollout doesn't impress me even though there is more coming down the pipe. most of the channels that ahve been released are stretch-o-vison upconverted 4:3. this isn't D*'s fault, but I see no need to get my panties in a wad until something truly motivating comes about.

Great find! I have it too (in Richmond, VA). Launches quickly, and PQ is great. Here's to hoping for more content, quickly.


You will find that it kills your download speeds though.

Hated to do it but Verizon apparently does not care very much about it's customers. If they think that they can delay and delay and give no timetables as to when they will compete and expect customers to stay on board then they are really fooling themselves.

Two years ago when I switched from adelphia to fios I never thought I would be making this switch. It just makes no sense to me how they conduct business. anyways I will take a look at them again when my D* contract runs out in 2 years, I have a feeling they will have their act together more at that point.

D*'s MPEG4 channels don't even tempt me in the slightest. go take a look over at the D* circle jerk sticky at the top of the page. their initial rollout doesn't impress me even though there is more coming down the pipe. most of the channels that ahve been released are stretch-o-vison upconverted 4:3. this isn't D*'s fault, but I see no need to get my panties in a wad until something truly motivating comes about.

I agree with you to some degree, but I sure wouldn't mind having Smithsonian HD as well as the new Starz HD channels.

OK folks, I made some progress with VZ earlier this month thanks to a well-placed contact of mine at the company. The context is that I had raised some questions about VZ getting BTN added to the DC Metro area lineup:

Big Ten Networks is in the works, but will not be launched until mid next year.

Thank You,
XX
Director - Video Network Services
Content Change Management
(O)908-XXX-XXXX
(C)214-XXX-XXXX

---------------------
For obvious reasons, I'm not giving his contact info. However, it's obvious that if they are planning for things not to happen until that far into the future--as astounding as it is--we shouldn't rush to the TV every day to see if such-and-such has been added. Now it could be just in the case of BTN, but something tells me that they aren't planning major additions until 2008.

Hopefully somebody up in here to provide info to the contrary... what could lead them to wait until mid-2008?!

OK folks, I made some progress with VZ earlier this month thanks to a well-placed contact of mine at the company. The context is that I had raised some questions about VZ getting BTN added to the DC Metro area lineup:

Big Ten Networks is in the works, but will not be launched until mid next year.

Thank You,
XX
Director - Video Network Services
Content Change Management
(O)908-XXX-XXXX
(C)214-XXX-XXXX

---------------------
For obvious reasons, I'm not giving his contact info. However, it's obvious that if they aren't planning things not to happen until that far into the future--as astounding as it is--we shouldn't rush to the TV every day to see if such-and-such has been added. Now it could be just in the case of BTN, but something tells me that they aren't planning major additions until 2008.

Hopefully somebody up in here to provide info to the contrary... what could lead them to wait until mid-2008?!
There have been several posts over on another site in reference to the fact that Vz really can't add much(at least in the way of HD...Big Ten has HD feed I think) until they get equipment installed at all the CO's and VHO's. The bandwidth is there, but the equipment in the local offices is not.

The reference to BTN being added the middle of next year is in line with all of this. I would guess that we will see several stations added all at once, but this won't happen until sometime next year.

There have been several posts over on another site in reference to the fact that Vz really can't add much(at least in the way of HD...Big Ten has HD feed I think) until they get equipment installed at all the CO's and VHO's. The bandwidth is there, but the equipment in the local offices is not.

The reference to BTN being added the middle of next year is in line with all of this. I would guess that we will see several stations added all at once, but this won't happen until sometime next year.

I still feel this is a bit disingenuous on the part of Verizon. They did lead everyone to believe that they had virtually unlimited bandwidth when the system was put in place. This apparently was not the case.

Well I got 36 HD channels, so apparently my area has enough :D

Well I got 36 HD channels, so apparently my area has enough :D

Not when there is currently over 70+ HD channels available now. :cool:

I'll take my full res, full bitrate 36 over 70 HD-Lite blocky turds.

Part of the reason I switched was based on what I have heard from others regarding the quality of the mpeg-4 channels. Obviously the reason I went with verizon was due to the great pq but they have to get real. They can't be the only provider here with out the RSN in hd, have not hd vod and not even give broad time tables on release dates.

With all respect have YOU verified that the new mpeg 4 channels are blocky turds? Or are you simply referring to the legacy channels?

I'll take my full res, full bitrate 36 over 70 HD-Lite blocky turds.

But even HD-Lite blocky turds are better than any SD.

I am not sure I will watch baseball playoff games on SD TBS...

D*'s MPEG4 channels don't even tempt me in the slightest. go take a look over at the D* circle jerk sticky at the top of the page. their initial rollout doesn't impress me even though there is more coming down the pipe. most of the channels that ahve been released are stretch-o-vison upconverted 4:3. this isn't D*'s fault, but I see no need to get my panties in a wad until something truly motivating comes about.

I agree. I can barely keep up with watching what is currently available and most of the new add-ons are not of interest to me. One of the significant reasons for my switching from D* to FiOS were the environmental problems with the D* satellite dish. Those are numerous enough to keep me from ever switching back to D*. My FiOS signal is rock solid.

I agree. I can barely keep up with watching what is currently available and most of the new add-ons are not of interest to me. One of the significant reasons for my switching from D* to FiOS were the environmental problems with the D* satellite dish. Those are numerous enough to keep me from ever switching back to D*. My FiOS signal is rock solid.

yep hated those drop outs. what's interesting is the tech that installed my system has been to your house. we got to talking about AVS and CC's and a customer he worked for. i said "hilltop sailor?" small world i guess.:cool:

Obviously the reason I went with verizon was due to the great pq but they have to get real. They can't be the only provider here with out the RSN in hd, have not hd vod and not even give broad time tables on release dates.


To each his own. However, Fios provides RSN's in HD in many parts of the country. I have FSN Southwest in HD when they offer HD programming.

It's also noted on this board that Fios is testing HD VOD in some parts of the country.

I've said before that I'd never consider satellite based on the experiences friends have had with it. Obviously others like what they get with satellite. So be it.

I'm pretty happy with what I have now and I'm sure we'll eventually get the other HD channels everyone is talking about. I see no reason for the angst and anger over the topic.

To each his own. However, Fios provides RSN's in HD in many parts of the country. I have FSN Southwest in HD when they offer HD programming.

It's also noted on this board that Fios is testing HD VOD in some parts of the country.

I've said before that I'd never consider satellite based on the experiences friends have had with it. Obviously others like what they get with satellite. So be it.

I'm pretty happy with what I have now and I'm sure we'll eventually get the other HD channels everyone is talking about. I see no reason for the angst and anger over the topic.
There was a post over on another board that there is an agreement for Comcast MA, but because of all the areas it covers there would be different blackout rules, and because it is a direct fiber feed they are having difficulty getting it setup(or something along those lines).

I've never seriously considered satellite and won't ever, no matter how many HD channels they manage to acquire. It seems everytime I'm attempting to watch someone's satellite feed, either at a friends or in a restaurant, our viewing is brought to a crashing halt by inclement weather. Just a little rain and/or wind has, at least in my experience, always brought satellite television to its knees.

FiOS TV, on the other hand, has yet to fail for even a moment (at least when I've been watching) in near 10 months of service.

I'll take my full res, full bitrate 36 over 70 HD-Lite blocky turds.


I have both FIOS and Directv.

Let me make this very clear. The new MPEG4 HD channels on Directv are every bit as good as HD on FIOS. I've been comparing both via the same HDMI input on my Qualia 006 the last few days, and see no difference in quality.

Directv's HD-lite is a thing of the past.

If FIOS doesn't get their act together quickly and start adding the new HD channels they will LOSE CUSTOMERS.

I have both FIOS and Directv.

Let me make this very clear. The new MPEG4 HD channels on Directv are every bit as good as HD on FIOS. I've been comparing both via the same HDMI input on my Qualia 006 the last few days, and see no difference in quality.

Directv's HD-lite is a thing of the past.

If FIOS doesn't get their act together quickly and start adding the new HD channels they will LOSE CUSTOMERS.

Do you have their(DTV) new DVR that replaced the HR10-250? If so how does it compare to the FIOS DVR?

I understand the quest to the image quality. I am all for it. But when you don't have the channel you want, the quality is ZERO. Right now, baseball fans with FIOS TV has the worst possible HD quality on the 1st round of playoff: no image at all.

Do you have their(DTV) new DVR that replaced the HR10-250? If so how does it compare to the FIOS DVR?

I really think this kind of questions belong to the HDTV Recorders forum. But it's just me. :)

God forbid one forum TOUCHES another, the world may come to an end!:)

I understand the quest to the image quality. I am all for it. But when you don't have the channel you want, the quality is ZERO. Right now, baseball fans with FIOS TV has the worst possible HD quality on the 1st round of playoff: no image at all.



I really think this kind of questions belong to the HDTV Recorders forum. But it's just me. :)


Gee Stephen...so sorry for asking a question ever so slightly OT! Maybe I should have asked nhey to follow me over to the other thread and asked him over there. I promise I won't deviate from the thread topic again. Thank goodness for vigilante-moderators like yourself...

Respectfully this makes zero sense. The area is no bigger than Mass or New york. Why would there be any black out issues? CSNMA covers Baltimore and DC, there are no applicable circumstances that would allow for any blackouts even in Richmond or the VA Beach/ Norfolk Area.

With regards to rumors, I remember when there were rumors about 9 months ago and then we got something in the mail saying that they were adding the HD feed and then ..........NOthing. NO explanation, NO time table ., nothing. Well, if they are supposedly courting high end affluent consumers then I believe that they seriously need to re evaluate their stance with regard to communication and their"vows of silence".

If I had ever heard from anyone at Verizon that it was, as you said, and agreement in place and some logistical/technical issues I would understand and be patient. Fair is fair and I am pretty chill fair guy. But they chose NOT to do this and just lose the very customers that they supposedly are going after. Dosen't make much commonsense to me. If there is any anger or angst, it is because they have misled me and then given me no information as if it didn't matter a rip to them if I leave and sign a two year deal with another provider. When I first got Verizon they were the leader in HD except for Dish Network and the VOOM garbage. Now they are toying with IMG's that delete my scheduled recordings and ignore customer questions and complaints. Seems in line with typical Verizon Behavior, and it really stinks because I love many things about the service.

I'm disappointed with the fact that all the MLB playoff games won't be available in HD to Fios-TV subscribers this fall. I feel like this is a huge step backwards overall for the transition to HD. I realize it's all business - TBS got the license for these games from MLB whereas ESPN or Fox didn't. I'm really disappointed to learn that TBS is carrying a Division Series as well as a League Series this year (NLCS I think?). What a bummer - last year all LCS and WS games were available on Fox. I watched those games in HD via OTA.

I realize my complaining here is off topic to the thread, other than the fact that I wish VZ had been on the ball a bit more and launched TBS-HD before the playoffs. But that's rather foolish of me to think their priorities are focused on providing baseball fans all the postseason games in HD. I guess my overall complaint is that as much as HD offerings have progressed over the years we're still having stuff like this keeping folks from enjoying the benefits.

I never thought I'd say this, but this is really making me consider a switch back to Comcast. I've been very happy with Verizon's picture quality, and we love the fact that we've got a 30 second skip function with our Harmony remote. But I am beginning to think that my experience with Comcast/SA box was better than Verizon/Moto.

Each has its plusses.

Comcast/SA:
PIP
Ability to adjust screen resolution on the fly
Ability to set the box to pass thru the HD signal
More accurate guide information
HD VOD
Countdown with Keith Olbermann
Customer service, other than just tech support, available 24x7
Now... MLB Playoffs in HD

Verizon/Moto:
Price with triple play (I'll never get rid of FIOS Internet)
Picture quality (esp. SD in my area)
30 second skip on DVR
HDNET, FoodTV HD, TMC HD

Each has minusses that have been well-documented on these boards.

I guess it's just a question of whether or not it's worth it to cut VZ some slack as they go through these growing pains. But I will say dumping Comcast in favor of Verizon hasn't been the nirvana I expected. I think it's finally started to dawn on me that it was crazy to expect to be saved from the Evil Cable Company by the PHONE COMPANY.

D*'s MPEG4 channels don't even tempt me in the slightest. go take a look over at the D* circle jerk sticky at the top of the page. their initial rollout doesn't impress me even though there is more coming down the pipe. most of the channels that ahve been released are stretch-o-vison upconverted 4:3. this isn't D*'s fault, but I see no need to get my panties in a wad until something truly motivating comes about.

sorry I don't buy that argument.

it doesn't matter if the channel has only 1 show in HD. if it happens to be the one show you want to watch, then you want that channel.

after all, how many shows do I want to watch on scifi? 1: BSG. how many shows do I watch on f/x? 2: rescue me (now over) and nip/tuck. I don't care if the rest of the time it's stretch-o-vision. I want those channels in HD.

everyone have their own reasons why fios is their best compromise, but no matter how you slice it, it sucks that verizon does not/cannot add those channels.

I have both FIOS and Directv.

Let me make this very clear. The new MPEG4 HD channels on Directv are every bit as good as HD on FIOS. I've been comparing both via the same HDMI input on my Qualia 006 the last few days, and see no difference in quality.

Directv's HD-lite is a thing of the past.

If FIOS doesn't get their act together quickly and start adding the new HD channels they will LOSE CUSTOMERS.

I have been reading very good things about the PQ of the new channels even though many of them are utterly useless and really SD. I agree, HD Lite is gone for the new channels that are true HD for now. The only thing that scares me with D* is we don't know how long they will continue their practice with the new channels, of not compressing. D* has proven in the past that they can compress the hell out of a picture at a moments notice.

I do agree however, that if their PQ holds up and they continue to add new HD, FIOS will indeed lose customers.

sorry I don't buy that argument.

it doesn't matter if the channel has only 1 show in HD. if it happens to be the one show you want to watch, then you want that channel.

after all, how many shows do I want to watch on scifi? 1: BSG. how many shows do I watch on f/x? 2: rescue me (now over) and nip/tuck. I don't care if the rest of the time it's stretch-o-vision. I want those channels in HD.

everyone have their own reasons why fios is their best compromise, but no matter how you slice it, it sucks that verizon does not/cannot add those channels.

FIOS can add any of these channels if they want to. But first they need to get a carriage agreement and then who know when they will add it. I'm sure they will add some more HD content soon. It's just a matter of when. With DirecTV adding all these HD channels, all of the competition is scrambling to add more content. FIOS will need to as well unless they want to start losing customers.

FIOS can add any of these channels if they want to. But first they need to get a carriage agreement and then who know when they will add it. I'm sure they will add some more HD content soon. It's just a matter of when. With DirecTV adding all these HD channels, all of the competition is scrambling to add more content. FIOS will need to as well unless they want to start losing customers.
From what I have heard, it is not the carriage agreements that are the problem(they have them), it is the fact that they must add equipment at all the local CO's and VHO's before they will be able to add several HD stations. The combination of this equipment upgrade and the shutting down of of the analogs on FiOS will allow them to have that unlimited expansion we all believed they had in the first place.

I have had no problems with FiOS or VZ billing. Only the IMG.

Billing has been horrific, I haven't had a correct bill since I signed up... It really gets frustrating to call to get it corrected.

Customer Service has gotten better but when you're starting from awful, its not saying much.

Read on another post SD stinks, but when I first got it it was great... now I think there may be a few questionable ones, but with 4:3 who knows where the PQ artifacts are really coming from.

They need new HD badly, if you went FiOS it was for two reasons... fast broadband and best HD PQ... D*'s mpeg4 is getting great reviews and they now they got a ton of HD. I was one of D*'s happy cusomers who went E* for more HD (since PQ was an issue on both anyway), so now that I'm V* (new town) they gotta be crazy to think their customers wont do the same. I always liked D*'s customer service the best.

From what I have heard, it is not the carriage agreements that are the problem(they have them), it is the fact that they must add equipment at all the local CO's and VHO's before they will be able to add several HD stations. The combination of this equipment upgrade and the shutting down of of the analogs on FiOS will allow them to have that unlimited expansion we all believed they had in the first place.

I read that somewhere as well... so can we assume that the good SDs are most likely then the analogs? Wouldn't surprised me at all.

I read that somewhere as well... so can we assume that the good SDs are most likely then the analogs? Wouldn't surprised me at all.
No, the only analogs that Vz carries are your local stations. If you plug the cable straight from the wall to the tv you will receive the only analogs they carry -- channels 2-49. If you watch tv through your STB then you are receiving the digital version of these channels.

the funny thing i see with the MPEG arguement, is that D* is basically neck and neck with V* AFTER upgrading to MPEG4, but V* still uses MPEG2. who knows what we'll see ~2009 with V*s MEPG4?

sorry I don't buy that argument.

it doesn't matter if the channel has only 1 show in HD. if it happens to be the one show you want to watch, then you want that channel.

after all, how many shows do I want to watch on scifi? 1: BSG. how many shows do I watch on f/x? 2: rescue me (now over) and nip/tuck. I don't care if the rest of the time it's stretch-o-vision. I want those channels in HD.

everyone have their own reasons why fios is their best compromise, but no matter how you slice it, it sucks that verizon does not/cannot add those channels.

that's great that you don't buy it. the real tragedy is when you're paying for something and then all of a sudden the wind blows and the signal goes out. i can still watch my SD nip/tuck that, while not HD, is perfectly watchable and isn't susceptable to prevailing environmental conditions.

that and my FiOS equipment has been rock solid thus far, while D* crap would throw you into seizures with the reboots. YRMV.

the funny thing i see with the MPEG arguement, is that D* is basically neck and neck with V* AFTER upgrading to MPEG4, but V* still uses MPEG2. who knows what we'll see ~2009 with V*s MEPG4?
MPEG-4 does necessarily get you better picture quality. It is simply a more efficient compression standard. Verizon is passing on what they get from the source without additional compression (or much additional re-compression). Can't get a better picture than what the source provides. The benefit to D* is that MPEG-4 allows them to provide the HD channels on the new satellite - for now - without using as much bandwidth as they would have to use for MPEG-2 source. The D* HD channels on the older satellite are heavily re-compressed because of the bandwidth demands for all the SD and HD channels on that satellite. If Verizon had all 135 QAM channels filled with digital QAM256 signals using MPEG-2, they would have oodles of bandwidth to spare for adding all the HD channels that will be available in the next year or more.

I'm doing a QAM channel analysis for my Verizon feed and so far I get a total of no more than 55 QAM channels in the QAM channel 50 to 135 range. I will post the channel breakdown when I'm done looking at it with several different tuners and the diagnostics screen on the 6416. I have located all the QAM channels used by the HD channels I get in my area (Washington Metro).

MPEG-4 does necessarily get you better picture quality. It is simply a more efficient compression standard. Verizon is passing on what they get from the source without additional compression (or much additional re-compression). Can't get a better picture than what the source provides. The benefit to D* is that MPEG-4 allows them to provide the HD channels on the new satellite - for now - without using as much bandwidth as they would have to use for MPEG-2 source. The D* HD channels on the older satellite are heavily re-compressed because of the bandwidth demands for all the SD and HD channels on that satellite. If Verizon had all 135 QAM channels filled with digital QAM256 signals using MPEG-2, they would have oodles of bandwidth to spare for adding all the HD channels that will be available in the next year or more.

I'm doing a QAM channel analysis for my Verizon feed and so far I get a total of no more than 55 QAM channels in the QAM channel 50 to 135 range. I will post the channel breakdown when I'm done looking at it with several different tuners and the diagnostics screen on the 6416. I have located all the QAM channels used by the HD channels I get in my area (Washington Metro).

so when you say "all 135 QAM channels" that would mean dropping the analogs, correct? as i understand it from your previous posts, the analog QAMs consume a ton of bandwidth that could otherwise be used for more HD channels. i know there's rumors about V* dropping the analog tier and i've also heard that they may be upgrading to MPEG4 in the next two years. why the upgrade to MPEG4 when removing the analogs will provide them with what they need? i have an elementary understanding of their needs and capabilities, but when a provider has to spend millions of dollars and years of work to get a bird in the air that essentially provides us with what we are enjoying with another provider that is using a less efficient compression standard, it makes me glad i don't have to have that dish on my roof.

what happens when that bird runs out of space??? back to HD LITE?

I've never seriously considered satellite and won't ever, no matter how many HD channels they manage to acquire. It seems everytime I'm attempting to watch someone's satellite feed, either at a friends or in a restaurant, our viewing is brought to a crashing halt by inclement weather. Just a little rain and/or wind has, at least in my experience, always brought satellite television to its knees.

FiOS TV, on the other hand, has yet to fail for even a moment (at least when I've been watching) in near 10 months of service.


What area do you live in?

I am curious as to why you have so much weather problems.

I was with Directv for nearly 10 years and switched to FIOS in May because I had it with Directv's 'hd lite' and Verizon just finished wiring up the area that I live in just a few minutes south of Annapolis.

As you know, if you live really far North or really far South, weather can be a real problem.
Because of where I live, I would lose the picture only a handful of times a year and only for a very short period of time. When I lost the picture, I could simply walk outside and see why - a monster storm cloud would be overhead.
At this lat,lon, my Directv dish does not have much elevation.

Move to Florida and the dish looks like a bird bath so even a small rainstorm kills the picture.
Move to Maine, and the dish looks like it is pointing level to the gound so Ice buildup as well as obstructions are a big problem.

That is why I am curious where you are.


Moving to Mpeg4 was a smart thing to do but just like Mpeg2 has specific artifacts due to the algorithm, Mpeg4 has it's own issues.


I knew that Directv was going to 'turn down' the knob on the compression this summer after they launched a new bird because their transponders were maxed out so they had no choice but to turn up the compression.


From the comments I am reading lately, I assume they have put the new sat into operation.

I still made the change because we all know what will happen next.

They will add more channels,which is what they need to do to in order to stay competitive and then they will max out their transponders again. Then the cycle repeats.

Verizon did the smart thing by running fiber directly from the source right to the house so they basically have unlimted amount of bandwidth. They simply have to update thye equipment at the source.
A lot cheaper than launching a new satellite.

I'm doing a QAM channel analysis for my Verizon feed and so far I get a total of no more than 55 QAM channels in the QAM channel 50 to 135 range. I will post the channel breakdown when I'm done looking at it with several different tuners and the diagnostics screen on the 6416. I have located all the QAM channels used by the HD channels I get in my area (Washington Metro).

Excellent! Thanks in advance for all the work. I an really looking forward to seeing the results.

I did a QAM scan a few months ago when I first got FIOS.
There were 158 channels which means they're using a 950Mhz system or 5.86Gbps.

Here are the channels that didn't indicate that there was any programming on.

2-55
68-70
75-82
95-99
101-102
127-159

Obviously, the first group is for the analog channels, not sure what the other channels are being used for. Either way 100 of the 158 channels aren't being used for digital QAM channels.

I posted it here, the raw scan here.
http://www.tampahdtv.com/tpahd-vb/showthread.php?t=25340
I'd post it in here as well, but it's very very long.

I did a QAM scan a few months ago when I first got FIOS.
There were 158 channels which means they're using a 950Mhz system or 5.86Gbps.

Here are the channels that didn't indicate that there was any programming on.

2-55
68-70
75-82
95-99
101-102
127-159

Obviously, the first group is for the analog channels, not sure what the other channels are being used for. Either way 100 of the 158 channels aren't being used for digital QAM channels.

I posted it here, the raw scan here.
http://www.tampahdtv.com/tpahd-vb/showthread.php?t=25340
I'd post it in here as well, but it's very very long.

I did something similar to what you are doing so that I could setup the channels I wanted in GBPVR.
I put together a spreedsheet of all the channels that the HVR1600 with the QAM beta driver found..

Then I munched my way through the list to see what was what.
Quick summary to see if it jives with what you are seeing.

1) Very Large number of Music Channel stations (FIOS channel # 602 through 646)
2) A second large chunk of another Different music stations and my spreedsheet has a note that says 'not listed" (Channel #647-692) No notes about what the Music provider,like I did in #1,is
3) All the analog stations below 49
4) All the digital OTA type stations from Washington and Baltimore.
Eg. CBS-DT,ABC-DT,CW(WNUV-DT),etc.
Eg. Washington CBS-DT is FIos channels 802,Qam chan # 3030,WinTV # 1030
5) The same Aanalog OTA stations repeated several times
eg. Washington CBS showed up as Qam channel 3031 through 3033

Hope this helps and does not add confusion.

Howevere, Last week, Once I got my HP with the ATI Cablecard tuner VISTA DVR PC running, I dropped any more investigation because I now have a really cool Media Center DVR with a 1.5 TB RAID in it.

I could email you my spreedsheet if you want.
PM me but I am heading out now for the night.

Joe

Joe

I did a QAM scan a few months ago when I first got FIOS.
There were 158 channels which means they're using a 950Mhz system or 5.86Gbps.

Here are the channels that didn't indicate that there was any programming on.
2-55
68-70
75-82
95-99
101-102
127-159

Your results are not that different from mine. The Fios system has been described as going up to 860 MHz or QAM 135. But that is probably the tuner limit of the QIP 6416 and the STBs. Your system may have scanned up to QAM 159, but the top QAM channel in use that I see is 126.

Channels 2 to 49 are currently reserved for analog although not all of them are in use. So the range that should be available for Fios is QAM 50 to 135 or 85 QAM channels in all. It is not easy figuring out the best way to summarize the QAM channels I see, but here is where the channels segments are for from 55 to 126 for Sterling, VA in the Washington Metro area:

Overall QAM use
55-62: national SD channels
63, 65-68: local SD channels and music
64, 69-70: not used?
71-74: local HD channels
75-82: not used?
83-92, 94: national SD and HD channels
93, 95-102: not used?
103-126: national SD and HD channels

I get 52 QAM channels total. 64 and 93 are single channel gaps. Probably in use in other areas. I'll post the HD channels in a bit.

What would be useful if someone in the areas with different HD RSNs could post the channel frequencies for them. They might fall into the 75-82 gap. You can do this by tuning the 6416 to the channel, turning it off, press select twice to bring up the diagnostics screen. Scroll down to d06 Current Channel Status and press right arrow. Look for CH: and Tuned Frequency in MHz.

What area do you live in?

I am curious as to why you have so much weather problems.

VA/MD/DC. I should clarify. I didn't experience a ton of drops from weather since I have never owned a dish. It's just that whenever I was in the presence of a dish and there was inclement weather, there were problems with dropped signals.

The most recent was just a couple weeks ago staying in a hotel in DC that used Dish (which I only know because the signal dropped because of the rain).

The HD Channels QAM channel locations
As a result of all the rumors of a limited set of QAM channels in place for Fios, I've been doing some QAM analysis using several Samsung ATSC/QAM tuners and finding out the QAM frequencies for the HD channels using the diagnostic info screens in the 6416 for the Washington Metro area. One finding is that two of the HD channels appear to the only sub-channel on the QAM channel they are at. That suggests that Fios has the space available to add 2 HD channels right away without shuffling anything. In what appears to be a national channel block, there is a QAM ch 93 with a signal that has no sub-channels, so it appears to be available. They almost certainly have more, but sorting through how many SD channels they have per QAM channel is a big task. Just figuring out where the SD locals and HD channels are took a while.

HD channel locations for the Washington Metro area by QAM channel:

71: 2 local HD (WUSA CBS 9, WRC NBC 4, 2 SD subs)
72: 2 local HD (WTTG Fox 5, WDCA MNT 20)
73: 2 local HD (MPT PBS 22, WJLA ABC 7, 4 SD subs)
74: 2 local HD (WDCW CW 50, WETA PBS 26, 4 SD)

85: 845 LifeTime Movie HD (only sub-channel)
86: 840 Food HD, 841 HGTV HD
94: 851 HBO-HD, 6 other sub-channels
103: 838 Nat Geo (only sub-channel)
110: 852 Cinemax HD, 855 Starz HD
111: 825 TNT-HD, 828 NFL HD
112: 826 EPSN-HD, 833 HDNet
114: 827 ESPN2-HD, 834 HDNet Movies
116: 835 Univ HD, 836 Discovery HD Theater
117: 837 Wealth, 5 other SD sub-channels
118: 853 Showtime HD, 854 TMC HD
126: 839 MHD, 4 other sub-channels

Be interesting to find out where the other local HD channels are for the dual DMA areas: 75 and up? Where are the HD RSNs? I don't have any here to look up.

BTW, most of the unscrambled locals show up in the 63 to 68 range. WGN is at 55. SD locals for my system:
63: 8 SD locals
64: signal present, no sub-channels
65: 8 SD locals
66: SD weather, music channels
67: 10 local PEGs
68: 6 local PEGs

They need new HD badly, if you went FiOS it was for two reasons... fast broadband and best HD PQ... D*'s mpeg4 is getting great reviews and they now they got a ton of HD. I was one of D*'s happy cusomers who went E* for more HD (since PQ was an issue on both anyway), so now that I'm V* (new town) they gotta be crazy to think their customers wont do the same. I always liked D*'s customer service the best.

Just to get these right, D* = DirecTV, E* = Dish ?

I had a problem with my box constantly rebooting which prompted me to call Verizon.

What was the resolution to your problem? I had the same thing and had two boxes replaced.

VA/MD/DC. I should clarify. I didn't experience a ton of drops from weather since I have never owned a dish. It's just that whenever I was in the presence of a dish and there was inclement weather, there were problems with dropped signals.

The most recent was just a couple weeks ago staying in a hotel in DC that used Dish (which I only know because the signal dropped because of the rain).

There's no excuse for a tall building to have droputs. Assumingh they have clear line of site all they would need to do would be to put up a 40" or 50" dish and they wouldn't have any dropouts. Even when I had an 18"x24" dish I rarely lost the signal.

What can I say? Dishes are very, very unreliable in my experience, and that's why I'll never considering switching to satellite.

that's great that you don't buy it. the real tragedy is when you're paying for something and then all of a sudden the wind blows and the signal goes out. i can still watch my SD nip/tuck that, while not HD, is perfectly watchable and isn't susceptable to prevailing environmental conditions.

that and my FiOS equipment has been rock solid thus far, while D* crap would throw you into seizures with the reboots. YRMV.


If your signal was going out when the wind blew then your install was messed up. I used DirecTV until May of this year(Now I have FIOS and Comcast). I never had a problem with the signal and the wind. There could be 60mph gusts and the signal was rock solid.

Anyway I left DirecTV becasue of TiVo. I came back to Comcast in December 2006(after leaving them in 2001 for DirecTV becasue of HD). And I have until December this year and my year is up. I just go Fios 3 weeks ago and have two TiVoHD boxes connected to FIOS whlle I still have three Series 3 TiVos on Comcast. 10 cable cards total.

Anyone else lose SHO-HD during Dexter tonight? This lasted through 1/2 of Brotherhood.

Yep, lucky I had Direct TV too, Brotherhood is my favorite show. I was not pleased.

I've never seriously considered satellite and won't ever, no matter how many HD channels they manage to acquire. It seems everytime I'm attempting to watch someone's satellite feed, either at a friends or in a restaurant, our viewing is brought to a crashing halt by inclement weather. Just a little rain and/or wind has, at least in my experience, always brought satellite television to its knees.

FiOS TV, on the other hand, has yet to fail for even a moment (at least when I've been watching) in near 10 months of service.

I had D* for many years, I set it up myself in 1998 and lost the signal frequently, however, replaced the dish in 2000 due to a limb crushing the dish. From then I only lost the signal once (when I was watching it) in 18 months. We moved in 2002 and had D* installed professionally, however, we were was losing the picture everytime a cloud came over, I adjusted the dish myself until I was getting a 98 to 100 signal reading, we only lost the picture during twice during storms in just over four years.

But this still wasn't acceptable to me so I switched to FiOS last year, everything went fine with the picture (billing is a different story) until this stupid IMG "upgrade", now my boxes (both dvr's) shuts down two or three times a night. They've both been replaced twice (lost a lot of recordings when the first ones were taken away, not to mentioned a lot of time waiting for Verizon Technicians to show up) to no avail.

My point? I think I'd rather lose D* picture due to a storm occasionally than watch the box reset two to three times a night every night without fail no matter the weather.

My other point - you can't please some people (aka me):eek:

Hi All,

As many of you probably know, the Fox Business Network goes live on Oct. 15th. For those who don't know, the 'teaser' website went live today at: http://www.foxbusiness.com . Something tells me that this is a boat that VZ will be missing. For my ZIP code (Arlington) it only mentions that DirecTV will have the channel.

Any explicit mention from VZ on when they will carry or should I assume the same story as with BTN? Thanks.

Discussions about what channels are "coming" for fios should pretty much stop. Fios does not care about letting anyone know how long after other providers that they will carry channels. They care more whether Comcast knows what they are going to do than keeping clients/customers up to date. If fios has this HUGE PIPELINE of bandwidth why are they so scared of the cable competition, they should be setting the pace with an abundance of pure HD content , instead this board has become a deluge of complaints about a terrible IMG that is ruining a pretty good product. :mad:

Discussions about what channels are "coming" for fios should pretty much stop. Fios does not care about letting anyone know how long after other providers that they will carry channels. They care more whether Comcast knows what they are going to do than keeping clients/customers up to date. If fios has this HUGE PIPELINE of bandwidth why are they so scared of the cable competition, they should be setting the pace with an abundance of pure HD content , instead this board has become a deluge of complaints about a terrible IMG that is ruining a pretty good product. :mad:

Whoever the guys & gals were who developed the IMG must be true geeks. Regular beer guzzlers never would have done that.:D

I just sat waiting at my friend's house to get a FIOS install.

When I asked about when the new IMG will get rolled out, since we got the flyer/phone call/info on the FIOS channel, etc.... the tech said it was put off indefinitely, too many problems.

Anyone else here something like this? It's going on 4 weeks since we got informed we'd get the IMG

I just sat waiting at my friend's house to get a FIOS install.

When I asked about when the new IMG will get rolled out, since we got the flyer/phone call/info on the FIOS channel, etc.... the tech said it was put off indefinitely, too many problems.

Anyone else here something like this? It's going on 4 weeks since we got informed we'd get the IMG

Has anyone bothered to ask why they arent pushing the old software for those who were converted if the upgrade is this bad? It seems to me the easy fix is to retrogress back to the old software until it is fixed.

so when you say "all 135 QAM channels" that would mean dropping the analogs, correct? as i understand it from your previous posts, the analog QAMs consume a ton of bandwidth that could otherwise be used for more HD channels. i know there's rumors about V* dropping the analog tier and i've also heard that they may be upgrading to MPEG4 in the next two years. why the upgrade to MPEG4 when removing the analogs will provide them with what they need? i have an elementary understanding of their needs and capabilities, but when a provider has to spend millions of dollars and years of work to get a bird in the air that essentially provides us with what we are enjoying with another provider that is using a less efficient compression standard, it makes me glad i don't have to have that dish on my roof.

what happens when that bird runs out of space??? back to HD LITE?

Yup.

Uh, why anyone would want to watch any "news" by Fox Corporation is beyond me.

Anyone who listens to people with view different from me are strange, stupid, evil!!

is fios getting any sport pac's soon like mlb, nhl center ice,ect. sorry to as but topic says programing? P.S was with D for seven years, at first never lost picture but last year lost it all the time even when the rain wasn't hard. Here in Fl. picture quallity is great! reg. Looks as good as D lite high def. HD is great. The one thing I see is that everybody is right big comp. like this should have it all! more Hd . Caller Id and sport pacs. Been with fios almost a year like most of it but like others don't unnderstand billing

So what the hell is wrong with the IMG right now? I wanted to record Heroes at 9 pm and Journeyman at 10 pm. The guide pretended that Chuck was on at 9 and Law & Order SVU was on at 10??

is fios getting any sport pac's soon like mlb, nhl center ice,ect.

I'm wondering the same thing. I've kept my D* account in suspension for the summer but I can't get rid of it because I need NHL Center Ice. I'm reactivating it right now and may just eventually get rid of FIOS (which I like a lot) if the D* HD quality has improved.

I know I am having a problem with out center ice. Thinking about D at times but the problems with the hd dvr keep me away. But verizon will have to get sport packs if they want to compete

Watched the Padres/Rockies play-in game on TBS last night. It just made me more annoyed that we won't be getting TBS HD for the playoffs. Seeing the highlights on Sportcenter in HD just poured salt in the wound.

In speaking with the CSR's and in the email replies I've received, it's obvious that VZ didn't even give a thought to the possibility that not having the playoffs in HD would disappoint many, many people. It's especially bad considering that Comcast, Cox, Time Warner, CableVision, Directv all added the channel in time for the games.

I haven't watched an SD Yankee game all year. Now every game of the division series (and potentially the ALCS) will be SD. That just ain't right.

the other cable companies somehow manage to add TBS HD at the last moment. I cannot believe that V* somehow has no capacity to add ONE channel, that their infrastructure is absolutely filled to the max. That is ludicrous. The only explanation is they don't care.

As another poster said, we've finally woken up to the fact that WE'RE DEALING WITH THE PHONE COMPANY!! What the heck made us think they're going to save us from the cable cos.

So what the hell is wrong with the IMG right now? I wanted to record Heroes at 9 pm and Journeyman at 10 pm. The guide pretended that Chuck was on at 9 and Law & Order SVU was on at 10??

I had the same problem, good thing I caught it before hand. Though my copy of heroes is now listed as Chuck, Chuck is Heroes and Journeyman in Law and Order.

Can someone please tell me how you F that up.

They better get this fixed. I just switched from Comcast 2 weeks ago, and have loved Fios so far, but this along with the lack of HD Red Sox playoff games is making me regret the decision. Though I do have to say the PQ is much better than Comcrap was offering

I had the same problem, good thing I caught it before hand. Though my copy of heroes is now listed as Chuck, Chuck is Heroes and Journeyman in Law and Order.

Can someone please tell me how you F that up.

They better get this fixed. I just switched from Comcast 2 weeks ago, and have loved Fios so far, but this along with the lack of HD Red Sox playoff games is making me regret the decision. Though I do have to say the PQ is much better than Comcrap was offering

i was skimming the guide last night for heroes but couldn't find it. then i did a search and it showed up there. after that, it was in the guide. :confused: didn't mess up my recording and took all of 2 minutes to figure it out.

The entire TBS-HD is a mute point for me in Philly. The first 2-games are on at 3 PM so I can't watch them in HD or at all anyway because I have this thing called WORK!!!

Saturday and Sunday are on so late that I can't watch it anyway!!!

They finally make it to the playoffs and the games are on these STUPID times that I can't watch it...go figure!!!

Hey, davdev, I live in your neighboring town of Walpole and VZ is just now offering us FIOS internet, but no TV service...just curious, how long have you had the TV programming in Norwood?

I just got off the phone with a Verizon rep that has no idea of when they are going to add the channel. The playoffs are tomorrow night and it looks like we are stuck with standard definition. Why can all the other cable companies get carriage agreements in time for the playoffs, but Verizon can't or do they just not care?

Again, it was commented that VZ will not be adding this unti Q2 2008.

Hey, davdev, I live in your neighboring town of Walpole and VZ is just now offering us FIOS internet, but no TV service...just curious, how long have you had the TV programming in Norwood?

Early September.

I just signed up about 2 weeks ago. Save for this whole TBS thing, and some bugs with the guide, it is way better than comcast.

I'm not sure that even SD programs can be shared to an HD STB, either;


That's what I meant by #2. They can't be. ...and yes, you can only have one master STB per FiOS tech. support.

A couple of weeks ago I read that TBS will be simulcasting some of the playoff games on TNT. I'm hoping those at least will be available to FIOS customers as HD feeds. Here's the link where I read it...

TVPredictions.com (http://www.tvpredictions.com/dbaseball091107.htm)

(might have been posted earlier in this thread).

BTW, that article is very funny. Taliking about hd that no one wants, and then , oh yeah we have the voom channels, woops:) And then talking about PQ, I don't see how they can this be a point of contention when DBS sends mpeg 2 and probabally other channels at less that 1920x1080? It's like saying " I think that black and white is more real looking than color."

I just got off the phone with a Verizon rep that has no idea of when they are going to add the channel. The playoffs are tomorrow night and it looks like we are stuck with standard definition. Why can all the other cable companies get carriage agreements in time for the playoffs, but Verizon can't or do they just not care?


Mickey mouse management. Period.

I just got off the phone with a Verizon rep that has no idea of when they are going to add the channel. The playoffs are tomorrow night and it looks like we are stuck with standard definition. Why can all the other cable companies get carriage agreements in time for the playoffs, but Verizon can't or do they just not care?

"All the other cable companies"? Does E* even have carriage?

I confirmed today with Verizon management that TBS-HD will not be added for the MLB playoffs. No reason was given for this. I commented to them that they were craping on their customers by not carrying this channel, especially in the Philadelphia market as well as any other market with a team in the playoffs. They will lose customers over this and frankly, deserve to. This is a disgrace. I am sure that Comcast in the Philly market will switch over any FiOS subscriber who wants to see the playoffs in HD. What a stupid decision by a start up operation. No forward thinking at all. I have to question whether they can survive for two more years with this type of management.

A couple of weeks ago I read that TBS will be simulcasting some of the playoff games on TNT. I'm hoping those at least will be available to FIOS customers as HD feeds. Here's the link where I read it...
Check the 2007 MLB baseball playoff schedule thread for the ALDS and NLDS. There is only 1 game scheduled for TNT, game 4 (if necessary) Game 4, Arizona at Chicago on Sunday, Oct 7 at 1 PM. TNT may get some games for a while if a game on TBS goes long and they have to place the games starting up on TNT. So don't expect to see much on TNT-HD unless Turner broadcasting and MLB make a last minute decision to simulcast on TNT-HD as a sop to the hoard of angry HD viewers storming their corporate offices. :D

I confirmed today with Verizon management that TBS-HD will not be added for the MLB playoffs. No reason was given for this. I commented to them that they were craping on their customers by not carrying this channel, especially in the Philadelphia market as well as any other market with a team in the playoffs. They will lose customers over this and frankly, deserve to. This is a disgrace. I am sure that Comcast in the Philly market will switch over any FiOS subscriber who wants to see the playoffs in HD. What a stupid decision by a start up operation. No forward thinking at all. I have to question whether they can survive for two more years with this type of management.

This is a disgrace. I am confident that their management never even considered trying to make this happen. I can't believe I'm saying this, but at least Comcast added UHD for the Olympics, ESPN2 HD for the World Cup, and TBS HD for the MLB playoffs. In my area they began showing SNY HD in time for the start of the baseball season, not halfway through May. Comcast also carries FSNY HD and MSG HD for fans of the Knicks and Rangers.

I'm on the phone now trying to see how fast Comcast can get here. I hope they can make it by Thursday.

I'm on the phone now trying to see how fast Comcast can get here. I hope they can make it by Thursday.

Make sure Comcast has TBS-HD in your area. I think quite a few markets have it now, but as of 7:20 Tuesday, Richmond, VA does not. I read that someone did find it with a QAM scan, but not assigned to a channel yet. Hopefully tomorrow by 1:00.

...and TBS HD for the MLB playoffs.

I realize I might as well jump into the lion's den for saying this, but you mean "and TBS-HD for a handful of MLB playoff games." The World Series and the ALCS are both on Fox. I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I'd rather Verizon devote their efforts to fixing the IMG than waste their time getting TBS-HD live.

I realize I might as well jump into the lion's den for saying this, but you mean "and TBS-HD for a handful of MLB playoff games." The World Series and the ALCS are both on Fox. I'm sure I'm in the minority, but I'd rather Verizon devote their efforts to fixing the IMG than waste their time getting TBS-HD live.

Hey, how 'bout they do both? I don't think they're saying you can have TBS HD or you can have a new interface for searching the guide, which will it be?

I confirmed today with Verizon management that TBS-HD will not be added for the MLB playoffs. No reason was given for this. I commented to them that they were craping on their customers by not carrying this channel, especially in the Philadelphia market as well as any other market with a team in the playoffs. They will lose customers over this and frankly, deserve to. This is a disgrace. I am sure that Comcast in the Philly market will switch over any FiOS subscriber who wants to see the playoffs in HD. What a stupid decision by a start up operation. No forward thinking at all. I have to question whether they can survive for two more years with this type of management.

And Comcast did! I'm on Day 3 of my Comcast trial along side FIOS. And luckily working from home today i'll be able to catch TBS-HD and the Phils this afternoon. They got me hooked up within 2 days of my phone call.

If anyone wants some Comcast action - send me a PM and I can get a Comcast contact to work with you. :D

C'mon now guys - did any of you read the posts over the last few weeks?? VZ doesn't have the infrastructure right now to support many more channels. They have a lot of work to do. They used their fuzzy language to say they'd offer "a few more HD's soon" - but that's it.

And so far, Comcast HD quality is the same as FIOS. I was kind of surprised based on all i've read lately.

And Comcast did! I'm on Day 3 of my Comcast trial along side FIOS. And luckily working from home today i'll be able to catch TBS-HD and the Phils this afternoon. They got me hooked up within 2 days of my phone call.

If anyone wants some Comcast action - send me a PM and I can get a Comcast contact to work with you. :D

C'mon now guys - did any of you read the posts over the last few weeks?? VZ doesn't have the infrastructure right now to support many more channels. They have a lot of work to do. They used their fuzzy language to say they'd offer "a few more HD's soon" - but that's it.

And so far, Comcast HD quality is the same as FIOS. I was kind of surprised based on all i've read lately.
I'm thinking about jumping ship.

FIOS seems to have stalled as it's competitors seem to be doing more to keep it's customers satisfied.

I confirmed today with Verizon management that TBS-HD will not be added for the MLB playoffs. No reason was given for this. I commented to them that they were craping on their customers by not carrying this channel, especially in the Philadelphia market as well as any other market with a team in the playoffs. They will lose customers over this and frankly, deserve to. This is a disgrace. I am sure that Comcast in the Philly market will switch over any FiOS subscriber who wants to see the playoffs in HD. What a stupid decision by a start up operation. No forward thinking at all. I have to question whether they can survive for two more years with this type of management.

YOU ARE 100% CORRECT. THEY ARE CLEARLY A MICKEY MOUSE OPERATION. They had their chance and blew it.

Not sticking up for Verizon (because I'm here in Philly and am ticked) but we knew they would not add TBS until 2008. Also, maybe there are contract problems?

For example, when I had D* and ordered the H20 (winter 2006) receiver, they told me that by summer I would have 20-35 more HD stations.....boy was I ticked when they only added ONE.

Verizon will get on the ball, it will take time. Yes, this is poor planning, but I'm certain there is more to it than what we have read.

Hi all,
I am also in Philadelphia and, as a Verizon subscriber, will be HD-less through the NLCS. There is an article in today's USA TODAY that discusses the MLB move to TBS. Though the primary focus of the article is the move of playoff coverage from OTA to cable, we frustrated fans are presented with an opportunity to take our argument to the press.

On the USA TODAY online front page of the sports section (http://www.usatoday.com/sports/default.htm) there is a link where you can click to write about your unhappiness with the current TBS situation. This presents us all with an opportunity to have our voices heard, and to force MLB, TBS, Verizon, others to answer for this debacle in this press. If you are as PO'd as me, I encourage you to take the time to express your dismay.

I just submitted the following email:

To whom it may concern:

As a Verizon FiOS TV subscriber in suburban Philadelphia, I do not, and have been by Verizon that I will not, have access to TBS-HD for the 2007 MLB playoffs. It is hard to believe that for the first time that the Phillies make the playoffs in 14 years, I'll be reduced to watching them in the same standard definition quality that I saw in 1993. It is utterly ridiculous that in the year 2007, everybody in the US with an HDTV and a cable/satellite provider that offers HD programming will not have access to watch the 2007 MLB playoffs in glorious HD.

While I applaud DirecTV, Comcast, and others for launching TBS-HD immediately prior to the playoffs (in some instances, the channel was added this AM), other providers (Verizon and Dish Network to name two) were unable, unwilling, or perhaps ignorant to the ramifications of not launching TBS-HD. While these providers are certainly at fault , I cannot understand why MLB would allow Turner to rush out a brand new HD channel for TBS literally hours/days before the playoffs --- for the sake of simplicity and accommodation, wouldn't it have been a better idea to broadcast the games on TNT-HD as TNT-HD is already universally available through most, if not all, cable & satellite providers.

I watched the Little League World Series in HD, but not the MLB playoffs!?!?! MLB and TBS should be ashamed for their poor planning and execution.... Verizon and the other providers that failed to launch TBS-HD in time for the playoffs should be equally criticized for their lack of proactivity on behalf of their customer base. It is an embarrassment to MLB that, in 2007, many fans will be left in the dark when it comes to HD for the playoffs.


If we make enough noise, we may still not get what we want (the playoffs in HD for 2007), but at least MLB, TBS, Verizon, etc. will have to answer for this debacle in the press... Let 'em have it!

GO PHILS!

Nicely written letter jhav.

I try not to let stuff like this TBS-HD issue get me too upset (I mean it's TV afterall - much more important stuff to worry about). But I am frustrated by the situation and amazed/disappointed that it worked out this way. By no means am I surprised though - I expected this very situation when I heard last year that TBS acquired the broadcast rights.

Something that bothers me just as much as Vz not adding the TBS-HD feed is the fact that TBS has chosen to have the Cubs game start at 10:00 eastern time, I'm sorry but that is ridiculous for a playoff game to start that late. The could have bumped up the start time of the other 2 games for an hour and at least then maybe the game would end before midnight on the east coast.

I'm going to be worthless at work on Thurs/Fri.... :)

Something that bothers me just as much as Vz not adding the TBS-HD feed is the fact that TBS has chosen to have the Cubs game start at 10:00 eastern time, I'm sorry but that is ridiculous for a playoff game to start that late. The could have bumped up the start time of the other 2 games for an hour and at least then maybe the game would end before midnight on the east coast.

I'm going to be worthless at work on Thurs/Fri.... :)

Same here in Philadelphia.....the dang Phillies finally make the playoffs (1st time in 14 years) and I can't watch a single game!!!

3:00 PM
3:00 PM
9:30 PM...can watch about half
10:00 PM

This is SO stupid!!! It does not matter to me if it's in HD or not...BECAUSE I CAN'T WATCH IT ANYWAY!!!!!!

Is it truly a capacity issue with FIOS? I was under the impression the fiber had enough bandwidth to carry a lot of HD channels when it first came around. I've waited for over a year to come to my neighborhood and scheduled an install for this weekend, only to have Comcast and DirecTV start to add a ton of HD in my market just this week!

Is it truly a capacity issue with FIOS? I was under the impression the fiber had enough bandwidth to carry a lot of HD channels when it first came around. I've waited for over a year to come to my neighborhood and scheduled an install for this weekend, only to have Comcast and DirecTV start to add a ton of HD in my market just this week!

Fiber has the bandwidth, but the equipment at the CO's and VHO's need to be updated to take advantage of that.

Is it truly a capacity issue with FIOS? I was under the impression the fiber had enough bandwidth to carry a lot of HD channels when it first came around. I've waited for over a year to come to my neighborhood and scheduled an install for this weekend, only to have Comcast and DirecTV start to add a ton of HD in my market just this week!

I think most of us are a bit disillusioned about FIOS and its current capacity. We certainly were led to believe that capacity was unlimited. There was no mention that this unlimited capacity would be available only after a major upgrade.

However, I'm sure I still would have made the same decision at the time I made it had I known this. D* was abysmal in both quantity and quality. They're still abysmal for the older HD channels that aren't Mpeg4, but things appear to have improved with the new channels. I say 'appear' because I still see some people not 100% happy with the quality of the new channels.

If I had to make the decision now, it would be a far tougher one. FIOS better step up to the plate because they will lose customers at a time they can ill-afford to do so.

In the descrption, it says "subject to local blackout" does this mean the Red Sox will be on NESN?

Ken,

Given your knowledge and status on these boards I find your post the most condemning, and accurate. I have been critical of fios and am in the process of begrudgingly switching back to D* but I am amazed at how bad VZ is doing business right now. I mean it is getting a bit ridiculous at this point. Do they think because they have a cute kid in their commercials that content and customer service don't matter at all?? I guess I have answered my own question.

BTW, I made a last ditch effort to get some info on CSN HD from VZ this morning. Got a rep on the phone that said "sir we are Verizon, we don't carry anything to do(his words) with Comcast" :eek:

At that point I realized that it was time for me to go, sort of like that moment your realize a relationship is past repair. Really sucks.

In the descrption, it says "subject to local blackout" does this mean the Red Sox will be on NESN?

No, TBS is not allowing simulcast be local stations.

Ken,

Given your knowledge and status on these boards I find your post the most condemning, and accurate. I have been critical of fios and am in the process of begrudgingly switching back to D* but I am amazed at how bad VZ is doing business right now. I mean it is getting a bit ridiculous at this point. Do they think because they have a cute kid in their commercials that content and customer service don't matter at all?? I guess I have answered my own question.

BTW, I made a last ditch effort to get some info on CSN HD from VZ this morning. Got a rep on the phone that said "sir we are Verizon, we don't carry anything to do(his words) with Comcast" :eek:

At that point I realized that it was time for me to go, sort of like that moment your realize a relationship is past repair. Really sucks.

The funny thing about that is they actually do have Comcast Mid-Atlantic Sports Net. But only the Sd version. It's on channel 511.

That was my point, it was like , come on man we are not talking obscure technology that a rep can't be expected to know.

Ken,

Given your knowledge and status on these boards I find your post the most condemning, and accurate. I have been critical of fios and am in the process of begrudgingly switching back to D* but I am amazed at how bad VZ is doing business right now. I mean it is getting a bit ridiculous at this point. Do they think because they have a cute kid in their commercials that content and customer service don't matter at all?? I guess I have answered my own question.

BTW, I made a last ditch effort to get some info on CSN HD from VZ this morning. Got a rep on the phone that said "sir we are Verizon, we don't carry anything to do(his words) with Comcast" :eek:

At that point I realized that it was time for me to go, sort of like that moment your realize a relationship is past repair. Really sucks.

It does suck! I recall reading some 'insider' posts that never hinted at a need for an upgrade to get additional HD on FIOS...we have SOOO much room. I feel we've been duped. Granted I'm not complaining about PQ, that remains superb. My remaining reservation with D* is two fold: 1) When are they going to switch the existing Mpeg2 channels over to Mpeg4? This is key since many key HD channels are still in their lousy Mpeg2 compressed format. 2) How much assurance do we have that D* won't throw the 'compression/down rez switch' on the new Mpeg4 channels once they decide they've got some new additional services they'd like to sell.

I hate switching carriers and the hassle it creates, but if FIOS continues to drag its feet, I'll inconvenience myself if necessary. :(

This isnt fios fault as much as MLB, putting it on a network that is barly hd. and is startup.

ESPN, FOX duh....I hate MLB Selig is a freakin idiot. I hope he gets threat email from now till end of next year. At least my saving grace is I only have to put up with this till the ALCS as that is all FOX There is a lord and he's a yankee fan because he wont let them be hd for more than a series. :)

It does suck! I recall reading some 'insider' posts that never hinted at a need for an upgrade to get additional HD on FIOS...we have SOOO much room. I feel we've been duped. Granted I'm not complaining about PQ, that remains superb. My remaining reservation with D* is two fold: 1) When are they going to switch the existing Mpeg2 channels over to Mpeg4? This is key since many key HD channels are still in their lousy Mpeg2 compressed format. 2) How much assurance do we have that D* won't throw the 'compression/down rez switch' on the new Mpeg4 channels once they decide they've got some new additional services they'd like to sell.

I hate switching carriers and the hassle it creates, but if FIOS continues to drag its feet, I'll inconvenience myself if necessary. :(

well, take this with a grain of salt but, Sd on fios is dam near as good and sometimes better than HD on Dtv nd some cable networks haha. At least on fios it aint that bad.

MLB playoffs on TBS is as bad as the NHL on Versus...no wait, its worse!!

FiOS (again) lacks any competitive edge. You usually try and beat the competition. FiOS-TV can't even keep up!!

My remaining reservation with D* is two fold: 1) When are they going to switch the existing Mpeg2 channels over to Mpeg4? This is key since many key HD channels are still in their lousy Mpeg2 compressed format. 2) How much assurance do we have that D* won't throw the 'compression/down rez switch' on the new Mpeg4 channels once they decide they've got some new additional services they'd like to sell.

:(

I've been looking into this and I think that there are only a few National HD channels that are not mpeg4 (HD Theater, HDNet & movies, Universal).
As far as #2, you never know. I read that the new Sat could handle 150 HD channels w/o compression, but there are quite a few markets that don't have the locals in HD via Sat. so, its anyones guess.

I've been looking into this and I think that there are only a few National HD channels that are not mpeg4 (HD Theater, HDNet & movies, Universal).
As far as #2, you never know. I read that the new Sat could handle 150 HD channels w/o compression, but there are quite a few markets that don't have the locals in HD via Sat. so, its anyones guess.Between the new sat and one to launch January 2008, DirecTV says they can do 150 national HD channels and 1500 local HD channels...

well, take this with a grain of salt but, Sd on fios is dam near as good and sometimes better than HD on Dtv nd some cable networks haha. At least on fios it aint that bad.


Are you being real?? I don't think you really believe that hd lite is even to fios SD do you? I mean I love the VZ picture quality but that is really a bit of a stretch:confused:

I've been looking into this and I think that there are only a few National HD channels that are not mpeg4 (HD Theater, HDNet & movies, Universal).
As far as #2, you never know. I read that the new Sat could handle 150 HD channels w/o compression, but there are quite a few markets that don't have the locals in HD via Sat. so, its anyones guess.Every cable channel on DirecTV available prior to last month is MPEG-2. That includes ESPN-HD, ESPN2-HD, Discovery Theater, Hdnet, Hdnet Movies, TNT, Universal, HBO-E HD, SHO-E HD, etc.

DirecTV has not replaced any of these with MPEG-4 versions.

Every cable channel on DirecTV available prior to last month is MPEG-2. That includes ESPN-HD, ESPN2-HD, Discovery Theater, Hdnet, Hdnet Movies, TNT, Universal, HBO-E HD, SHO-E HD, etc.

DirecTV has not replaced any of these with MPEG-4 versions.I wish they would. Look at HBO East HD on DirecTV then watch HBO West HD (3 hours later) and see the difference...

Are you being real?? I don't think you really believe that hd lite is even to fios SD do you? I mean I love the VZ picture quality but that is really a bit of a stretch:confused:


abit of an exagerration yes. but to be honest sd fios is almost as good as a dvd. and at least the picture is smooth with no break up. I would actually prefer fios Sd to bandwidth starved hd lite on dtv....and i had hd lite for a long time before fios.

I am watching on a 55a2000 if it matters but sd on that set once calibrated is excellent.

I confirmed today with Verizon management that TBS-HD will not be added for the MLB playoffs. No reason was given for this. I commented to them that they were craping on their customers by not carrying this channel, especially in the Philadelphia market as well as any other market with a team in the playoffs. They will lose customers over this and frankly, deserve to. This is a disgrace. I am sure that Comcast in the Philly market will switch over any FiOS subscriber who wants to see the playoffs in HD. What a stupid decision by a start up operation. No forward thinking at all. I have to question whether they can survive for two more years with this type of management.

I see several posts about this and I guess I am missing something.
Can't you just watch the playoffs on one of the local channels?

Course I am Living in a state with a team that can not even play .500 ball for the past 9 years, so my interest level in Baseball is at an all time low so I won't even ben watching the playoffs.

You must admit that your post is a bit 'melodramatic'. Not carrying the station you want them to is not going make a dent in their subscriber %.

I switched to FIOS from Directv this past May and I am really impressed at how WELL run this company is. I would bet that their decision to not carry a particular station was well analyzed.
This is a telephone company that got into TV which was very risky but as soon as they go online in a neighborhood , what happens to the Sat/Cable subscribers in those neighborhoods?

I have ben buying their stock for several years now and their projected break even point for the cost of building their infrastructure is 3 years from now.
That is when they really take off since they are carrying a large debt load right now.

MLB playoffs on TBS is as bad as the NHL on Versus...no wait, its worse!!

FiOS (again) lacks any competitive edge. You usually try and beat the competition. FiOS-TV can't even keep up!!

I agree. they came into the tv business with their usual cocky Verizon attitude that they are the best. They were so busy thinking they were beating comcast that they forgot to first match comcast at the most basic features.

a swap button on the remote and HD on demand for starters which fios still doesnt have.

Fios has been is and will continue to be a dud that they've lost a ton of money on and only reason they aren't out of business already is because of the hype and because of the money they have from other services they offer.

fios subscribers in philadelphia are pissed they cant watch their Phillies in the playoffs for the first time in 14 years in HD. dont blame MLB or whoever else. Fios sucks and this was the last straw for me.

i didn't want to just go back to comcast though so DirecTV and 150 hd chans here i come.

Without Comcast Sportsnet, Directv is no option for me as my sole TV provider.

I switched to FIOS from Directv this past May and I am really impressed at how WELL run this company is. I would bet that their decision to not carry a particular station was well analyzed.
This is a telephone company that got into TV which was very risky but as soon as they go online in a neighborhood , what happens to the Sat/Cable subscribers in those neighborhoods?
I have ben buying their stock for several years now and their projected break even point for the cost of building their infrastructure is 3 years from now.
That is when they really take off since they are carrying a large debt load right now.The adage past performance does not guarantee future results comes to mind. Someone over on Broadband Reports flagged an article that Verizon FiOS intends to enter the gaming market. With the STB as the client-side processor. Huh :confused:? http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r19191582-No-New-HD-but-Games-Coming-Soon, which points to http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6486821.html.

Unbelievable. How does that match up to long-term plans? Why do you think net neutrality is such a hot topic for Verizon? They want to own the pipes for everything. If you're not on a Verizon STB, then you don't get the low latency (conjecture).

There goes any spare memory in the STB. I'm predicting more stuttering problems at the expense of a pretty IMG that can play EGA resolution flash games. Channel unavailable, please enjoy a game of Asteroids while we fix the problem...:D

JWhip - Same here. Must. Have. Sportsnet. Flyers. Phillies. Sixers (if I was into basketball).

I've been looking into this and I think that there are only a few National HD channels that are not mpeg4 (HD Theater, HDNet & movies, Universal).
As far as #2, you never know. I read that the new Sat could handle 150 HD channels w/o compression, but there are quite a few markets that don't have the locals in HD via Sat. so, its anyones guess.

Unfortunately I really like HDNet, HDNet movies & HD Theater. :(

abit of an exagerration yes. but to be honest sd fios is almost as good as a dvd. and at least the picture is smooth with no break up. I would actually prefer fios Sd to bandwidth starved hd lite on dtv....and i had hd lite for a long time before fios.

I am watching on a 55a2000 if it matters but sd on that set once calibrated is excellent.

Yeah....ok

Not anymore because of MLBs contract with TBS.

I see several posts about this and I guess I am missing something.
Can't you just watch the playoffs on one of the local channels?

Course I am Living in a state with a team that can not even play .500 ball for the past 9 years, so my interest level in Baseball is at an all time low so I won't even ben watching the playoffs.

You must admit that your post is a bit 'melodramatic'. Not carrying the station you want them to is not going make a dent in their subscriber %.

I switched to FIOS from Directv this past May and I am really impressed at how WELL run this company is. I would bet that their decision to not carry a particular station was well analyzed.
This is a telephone company that got into TV which was very risky but as soon as they go online in a neighborhood , what happens to the Sat/Cable subscribers in those neighborhoods?

I have ben buying their stock for several years now and their projected break even point for the cost of building their infrastructure is 3 years from now.
That is when they really take off since they are carrying a large debt load right now.

The funny thing about that is they actually do have Comcast Mid-Atlantic Sports Net. But only the Sd version. It's on channel 511.

That has always cracked me up. I can't believe we are not going to see the Caps and Wizards in HD for one more year.

Personally, I am waiting for next season knowing, more like hoping, MASN will have its HD channels. If Verizon doesn't get their schtick together and get me those, that is when I am leaving.

I can wain on TBS-HD and the rest of the non-sense mumbo jumbo channels that claim to be HD (CNN and especially Weather) and most of their stuff isn't. I am so sick and tired of channels like Lifetime Movie HD and A&E HD, they are NOT HD.

Wow, then get rid of FIOS and go with D*....I had D* for 7 years and heard the same type of complaints with them (in forums) for the longest time. 2-Years ago a lot of people were complaining that D* should learn some lessons from FIOS..."I wish I had FIOS", Blah blah blah.... now those people have the same complaints about FIOS.

Then drop FIOS, get D* and stop the whining....I mean, come on!!!! We all know that Verizon will end up adding HD channels and it will take time.....they are relatively new. Comcast and D* have been around for 10-15 years and Verizon has been here...what,3? If you don't want to wait for HD on fios then go to D* and stop wasting time posting the same things over and over.

Get on with your life....all the complaining on here won't change a thing!!!!

Every cable channel on DirecTV available prior to last month is MPEG-2. That includes ESPN-HD, ESPN2-HD, Discovery Theater, Hdnet, Hdnet Movies, TNT, Universal, HBO-E HD, SHO-E HD, etc.

DirecTV has not replaced any of these with MPEG-4 versions.

OK, that may be true as I don't have DirectTV, but doing research about it.
I was basing my information on this post showing multiple numbers for channels. The ones shown with an "*" require the new hardware for MPEG-4.

http://www.highdefforum.com/showpost.php?p=357698&postcount=1
Here is the latest info that we received at work:

Asterisk (*) indicates HD channel available only with H20, H21, HR20 and HR21 receivers.

September 2007
A&E *265
Big Ten Network HD *220
Cartoon Network *296
Cinemax HD East *512
Cinemax HD West *514
CNN HD *202
Discovery HD Theater 76
ESPN HD 72, *206
ESPN2 HD 73, *209
Food Network HD *231-1
FSN New York HD *624
The Golf Channel HD (shared with Versus HD) *604
HBO HD East 70, 509, *501
HBO HD West *504
HDNet 79
HDNet Movies 78
HGTV-HD *229-1
The History Channel HD *269
Madison Square Garden HD *621
MHD (HD only) *332
The Movie Channel HD *544
NFL Network HD *212
National Geographic Channel HD *276
Showtime HD 71, 543, *537
Showtime HD West *540
Smithsonian Channel HD (HD only) *267
Starz Comedy HD *519
Starz HD East *520
Starz Edge HD *522
Starz Kids & Family HD *518
Starz HD West *521
TBS in HD *247
TNT HD 75, *245
Universal HD 74
Versus HD (shared with The Golf Channel HD) *604
The Weather Channel HD *362


October 2007
Animal Planet HD *282
Bravo HD *273
Comcast SportsNet Chicago HD 680 *640
Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD 681, *629
Discovery Channel HD *278
Fox Business Channel HD *359
FSN Detroit HD *636
FSN Prime Ticket HD *653
FSN Southwest HD *643
FSN West HD *652
Fuel TV HD *612
FX HD *248
NBA TV HD *601-1
New England Sports Network HD 682, *623
The Science Channel HD *284
Sci-Fi Network HD *244
Speed Channel HD *607
SportsNet New York HD 683, *625
USA Network HD *242
Yankees Entertainment & Sports HD 684, *622

Unfortunately I really like HDNet, HDNet movies & HD Theater. :(

I would think its just a matter of time until they are MPEG-4.
I currently have Comcast and don't have HDNet & HDNet movies -- I wish I did.

Wow, then get rid of FIOS and go with D*....I had D* for 7 years and heard the same type of complaints with them (in forums) for the longest time. 2-Years ago a lot of people were complaining that D* should learn some lessons from FIOS..."I wish I had FIOS", Blah blah blah.... now those people have the same complaints about FIOS.

Then drop FIOS, get D* and stop the whining....I mean, come on!!!! We all know that Verizon will end up adding HD channels and it will take time.....they are relatively new. Comcast and D* have been around for 10-15 years and Verizon has been here...what,3? If you don't want to wait for HD on fios then go to D* and stop wasting time posting the same things over and over.

Get on with your life....all the complaining on here won't change a thing!!!!
Complaining about people complaining? :confused:

abit of an exagerration yes. but to be honest sd fios is almost as good as a dvd. and at least the picture is smooth with no break up. I would actually prefer fios Sd to bandwidth starved hd lite on dtv....and i had hd lite for a long time before fios.

I am watching on a 55a2000 if it matters but sd on that set once calibrated is excellent.

yeah it actually looked pretty good on my 55a2020 once I did come different calibrations i.e. noise reductions, etc.

i've said it once and i'll say it again...compared to to Direct TV and Comcast, Verizon is run SO MUCH BETTER.

the people that work for them just know so much more about their product then the other two....especially Comcast.

i can see how people are upset that they can't watch the Phils in HD on TBS...but i also can not believe people would get rid of a product based on such a small thing that won't matter after this series (or is it the series after that when it's on FOX?)

Verizon Sued Over FiOS TV Subscriber Totals

By Jon Hemingway -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/4/2007 8:51:00 AM

Verizon Communications is being sued for overstating subscriber numbers for its FiOS TV service.

In a suit filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, marketing-services provider Digital Art Services alleged that Verizon inflated its subscriber numbers in the New York region by including pending customers as subscribers, according to a report by AP. DSA claimed that it paid inflated advertising rates as a result because the rates were based on the overstated numbers.

Verizon has been aggressively rolling out its fiber-optic-network FiOS TV service to compete with cable and satellite operators. At the end of the second quarter, FiOS TV was available in more than 12 states and had 515,000 total subscribers.

DSA is based in Great River, N.Y.

Spokespersons at DSA and Verizon were unavailable for comment.

http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6486845.html?desc=topstory

Verizon Sued Over FiOS TV Subscriber Totals

By Jon Hemingway -- Broadcasting & Cable, 10/4/2007 8:51:00 AM

Verizon Communications is being sued for overstating subscriber numbers for its FiOS TV service.

In a suit filed Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, marketing-services provider Digital Art Services alleged that Verizon inflated its subscriber numbers in the New York region by including pending customers as subscribers, according to a report by AP. DSA claimed that it paid inflated advertising rates as a result because the rates were based on the overstated numbers.

Verizon has been aggressively rolling out its fiber-optic-network FiOS TV service to compete with cable and satellite operators. At the end of the second quarter, FiOS TV was available in more than 12 states and had 515,000 total subscribers.

DSA is based in Great River, N.Y.

Spokespersons at DSA and Verizon were unavailable for comment.

http://broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6486845.html?desc=topstory

oh sh1t.

i've said it once and i'll say it again...compared to to Direct TV and Comcast, Verizon is run SO MUCH BETTER.

the people that work for them just know so much more about their product then the other two....especially Comcast.

i can see how people are upset that they can't watch the Phils in HD on TBS...but i also can not believe people would get rid of a product based on such a small thing that won't matter after this series (or is it the series after that when it's on FOX?)

The NLCS is on TBS. The American League goes to Fox.

I have TWC at my summer camp in Maine. They added TBS-HD Monday. They also have A&E HD, MTV HD and are adding History Channel HD, CNN HD, Lifetime Movies HD, Food Network HD, Golf Channel/Versus HD, and Universal HD by 10/15. Plus they issue you an HD DVR as their standard HD STP, all for $41.50/mo. My point is they are staying ahead of the proverbial curb. I've had FiOS for 18 months...aside from the picture quality, they stink!!

The funny thing about that is they actually do have Comcast Mid-Atlantic Sports Net. But only the Sd version. It's on channel 511.It's also on channel 66. 511 is the "La Connexion" mirror version. (Of course, all the mirrored channels come in with either package.)

Many of the CSRs are very ignorant, which would perhaps be less annoying if they'd just say "I don't know" instead of spouting nonsense. I don't know if it's lack of training, or if they're just not paid enough to care about learning anything.

i've said it once and i'll say it again...compared to to Direct TV and Comcast, Verizon is run SO MUCH BETTER.

the people that work for them just know so much more about their product then the other two....especially Comcast.

i can see how people are upset that they can't watch the Phils in HD on TBS...but i also can not believe people would get rid of a product based on such a small thing that won't matter after this series (or is it the series after that when it's on FOX?)

I will testify to the greater knowledge level of the Fios tech who installed at my house. He cleared up some common misconceptions and knew what he was talking about. To put this into perspective, my Cablevision installer connected the blue component cable to the green and green component to the blue. He looked at the picture, said everything was fine and left the house. :eek:

The NLCS is on TBS. The American League goes to Fox.

I have TWC at my summer camp in Maine. They added TBS-HD Monday. They also have A&E HD, MTV HD and are adding History Channel HD, CNN HD, Lifetime Movies HD, Food Network HD, Golf Channel/Versus HD, and Universal HD by 10/15. Plus they issue you an HD DVR as their standard HD STP, all for $41.50/mo. My point is they are staying ahead of the proverbial curb. I've had FiOS for 18 months...aside from the picture quality, they stink!!

FiOS already has half those channels you listed (MHD, Lifetime, Food, and Universal), and has had two of them for over a year. That's "stink" how?

FiOS already has half those channels you listed (MHD, Lifetime, Food, and Universal), and has had two of them for over a year. That's "stink" how?

Are you going to seriously debate Lifetime & Food w/CNN, TBS , A&E and History HD channels. Lifetime isn't actually broadcast in HD, its SD blown up to fit your screen. The content of those channels in my opinion far surpasses Lifetime & Food. My point wasn't that FiOS had a couple of those channels already, it was that a competitor can add additional HD content when they become available. Obviously FiOS lacks severely in that department. TBS-HD is a perfect example. TWC & Comcast realized its customers would want to see baseball playoffs in HD. FiOS was on another planet.

Are you going to seriously debate Lifetime & Food w/CNN, TBS , A&E and History HD channels. Lifetime isn't actually broadcast in HD, its SD blown up to fit your screen. The content of those channels in my opinion far surpasses Lifetime & Food. My point wasn't that FiOS had a couple of those channels already, it was that a competitor can add additional HD content when they become available. Obviously FiOS lacks severely in that department. TBS-HD is a perfect example. TWC & Comcast realized its customers would want to see baseball playoffs in HD. FiOS was on another planet.
Food is a popular cable channel. I do not watch it or their HD channel much, but from the postings here, there are quite a few viewers who want the HD channel. As for Lifetime Movie Network, it appears to be somewhere around 25% to 40% true HD. Not my cup of tea, but I've seen true HD as I surf pass. Taking a look as I write this, the movie on LMT right now is HD (10:15 PM ET). Based on the posts here at avsforum, A&E-HD may have less HD at this time than LMT HD. I like to see CNN-HD, History-HD, Discovery HD, Sci-Fi HD myself, but I recognize that there are people who want to watch the other HD channels. Maybe we should have a new thread to vote for the 3 to 5 new HD channels we Fios subscribers want to see added.

As for TBS-HD, the Chicago-Arizona game is on TNT-HD right now. Looks good. Won't be there much longer, but so it goes...

Are you going to seriously debate Lifetime & Food w/CNN, TBS , A&E and History HD channels. Lifetime isn't actually broadcast in HD, its SD blown up to fit your screen. The content of those channels in my opinion far surpasses Lifetime & Food. My point wasn't that FiOS had a couple of those channels already, it was that a competitor can add additional HD content when they become available. Obviously FiOS lacks severely in that department. TBS-HD is a perfect example. TWC & Comcast realized its customers would want to see baseball playoffs in HD. FiOS was on another planet.


Lifetime might not be much to look at, but Food and HGTV are pretty good. they have HD studios and produce a great deal of the shows in HD. The picture is excellent. Certainly better than anything that you will get on History, where almost everything is, by definition, of historical nature, much of it even in black and white.

As for TBS-HD, the Chicago-Arizona game is on TNT-HD right now. Looks good. Won't be there much longer, but so it goes...

It was on TNT until NY-Cleve ended, then back to TBS. Your correct it"looked" good, while it lasted.

Another issue....I have no EPSN and ESPN2 when I got up this AM....but all other channels work. Is anyone else having this problem? Man oh man, I never had this with D*......tried for over an hour....nothing!!!!

Another issue....I have no EPSN and ESPN2 when I got up this AM....but all other channels work. Is anyone else having this problem? Man oh man, I never had this with D*......tried for over an hour....nothing!!!!
Verizon typically does its maintenance in the mroning. They may be performing upgrades and/or doing some reconfiguration.

Verizon typically does its maintenance in the mroning. They may be performing upgrades and/or doing some reconfiguration.

Actually, It's ESPN, ESPN2, UHD, HDNET, MD Net Movies.....are you having this problem as well? I can understand a few minutes but several hours at prime time....that's not acceptable.

Anyone else have this problem?

All those channels are fine here.

Fine here too. Sounds like a local issue.

The NLCS is on TBS. The American League goes to Fox.

I have TWC at my summer camp in Maine. They added TBS-HD Monday. They also have A&E HD, MTV HD and are adding History Channel HD, CNN HD, Lifetime Movies HD, Food Network HD, Golf Channel/Versus HD, and Universal HD by 10/15. Plus they issue you an HD DVR as their standard HD STP, all for $41.50/mo. My point is they are staying ahead of the proverbial curb. I've had FiOS for 18 months...aside from the picture quality, they stink!!

i'm not saying Verizon is the best of the best...but to me service is where it counts the most. Are they providing every HD channel they possibly could like D and Comast are, no....but i can tolerate that a lot more then having to deal with the dummies i've dealt with in the past with Comcast.

I like the fact that the techs are VERY knowledgeable and when i call their i get a person that knows what i'm talking about and speaks proper english.....Comcast has the worst people anwering their phones.

Verizon is young in the cable department and i have faith they will catch up soon.....also they are cheaper then Comcast and D for me

My point wasn't that FiOS had a couple of those channels already, it was that a competitor can add additional HD content when they become available. Obviously FiOS lacks severely in that department.

But this was my problem with your argument. If FiOS has had those channels for six months to a year or more, how can you say FiOS is slacking but TWC is timely with their additions? In six months to a year, I'm sure FiOS will have added TBS, CNN, and company.

Personally, I think Food, Lifetime, and Universal are about on par with A&E and History as far as breadth of appeal. As far as amount of HD, Food and Universal are 100% HD. A&E is about 15% HD at most, and I'd wager that Lifetime airs about as much HD programming. CNN and TBS are a step above to be sure, but two weeks from now no one will care about TBS because it will be offering practically no HD until baseball season starts again. They're not even airing The Office in HD.

i'm not saying Verizon is the best of the best...but to me service is where it counts the most. Are they providing every HD channel they possibly could like D and Comast are, no....but i can tolerate that a lot more then having to deal with the dummies i've dealt with in the past with Comcast.

I like the fact that the techs are VERY knowledgeable and when i call their i get a person that knows what i'm talking about and speaks proper english.....Comcast has the worst people anwering their phones.

Verizon is young in the cable department and i have faith they will catch up soon.....also they are cheaper then Comcast and D for me

Verizon does get kudos for having people that speak proper english, however, I have no luck getting people that know what they're talking about. Conflicting info is what bothers me the most, it seems everytime I call I get a different story. And having to call 13 out of the last 14 months to have them correct something on my bill is very frustrating. They are very polite, however.

D* was by far (for me) the best customer service (very polite with proper english) and after seeing their new HD Channels and the clarity I think I'm gonna sneak out with a chainsaw and cut a few trees down in my neighbors yard. Unfortunately, until I figure out how to use a chainsaw quietly, I have no sight to their HD Satellite.

I never had Comcast, however, I know they kept some of the local Adelphia employees who were simply the rudest people I've ever dealt with.

Verizon does get kudos for having people that speak proper english, however, I have no luck getting people that know what they're talking about. Conflicting info is what bothers me the most, it seems everytime I call I get a different story. And having to call 13 out of the last 14 months to have them correct something on my bill is very frustrating. They are very polite, however.

D* was by far (for me) the best customer service (very polite with proper english) and after seeing their new HD Channels and the clarity I think I'm gonna sneak out with a chainsaw and cut a few trees down in my neighbors yard. Unfortunately, until I figure out how to use a chainsaw quietly, I have no sight to their HD Satellite.

I never had Comcast, however, I know they kept some of the local Adelphia employees who were simply the rudest people I've ever dealt with.

So, the other night, I was furious with Verizon for not adding TBS HD; and I called Comcast as they had added the channel in my area. Memories of my past Comcast experiences came rushing back almost immediately. It took me 5 tries to get through to sales. I kept getting cut off from the rep in mid-sentence. Literally, 5 times. When someone finally got on and stayed on, their pricing was so much higher than Verizon's as to be almost ridiculous (I wouldn't be getting a triple play 'cause I'll never give up my 20/5 internet).

As I thought about it, I remembered back to having to call multiple times a season to have Comcast "throw the switch" to start up YES HD on what was then INHD 2. I remembered watching long, extra inning games that suddenly switched back to INHD2 programming at 11pm. I remembered not being able to access VOD for weeks, and having techs in my home on 4 different occasions before the problem was fixed. I remembered "6 mbps" internet that rarely performed above 3 mbps, and I remembered paying through the nose for all of it.

I'm still furious with Verizon, but they have been much better than Comcast ever was. And unless Pettite pitches well today, looks like I may have been upset over missing just a few games in HD anyway.

Thanks for bringing some sanity to the current "let's go back to Comcast" rant. Although my experience with support hasn't been all that bad, my local Comcast system is well past due for an overhaul. Way too many channels stuffed into a narrow pipe- lots of pixelation that make watching unbearable at the most inopportune times. I couldn't get any guarantees that the problem has been "fixed".

Look at the bright side, it's hockey season. HDNet Hockey PQ is fantastic. To parallel jimapp, if Moyer runs out of steam early on Saturday night, the HD point is moot.

I spoke with Verizon today regarding possibly switching to D* which can apparently be done under the umbrella of FIOS.

But at any rate, the customer service guy (who seemed unusually knowledgeable)indicated that there were strong rumors of a 'ton' of new HD being added within the next 6 months or so. Unlike some of the things I've read here, he claimed he would be very surprised if the delays are due to inadequacies in the equipment in the COs. He felt it was more a function of getting the contracts signed. Whatever the reason, he seemed to feel pretty confident that we'd see considerably more HD within 6 months.

Take it for what it's worth, but at least it sound somewhat encouraging.

I spoke with Verizon today regarding possibly switching to D* which can apparently be done under the umbrella of FIOS.

But at any rate, the customer service guy (who seemed unusually knowledgeable)indicated that there were strong rumors of a 'ton' of new HD being added within the next 6 months or so. Unlike some of the things I've read here, he claimed he would be very surprised if the delays are due to inadequacies in the equipment in the COs. He felt it was more a function of getting the contracts signed. Whatever the reason, he seemed to feel pretty confident that we'd see considerably more HD within 6 months.Insiders have suggested the opposite. That is, Verizon is said to have contracts in place for most of the new HD channels already, they just don't have the necessary equipment at the VHOs and COs to deliver them yet.

Insiders have suggested the opposite. That is, Verizon is said to have contracts in place for most of the new HD channels already, they just don't have the necessary equipment at the VHOs and COs to deliver them yet.

Spot on BF.

Verizon FiOS will have a large presence at CES 2008. I would expect an announcement then about the addition of new HD channels. Until then, that will be crickets you will hear chirping in the background. Some areas have the capacity built out others do not. Until the entire systems is maxed out, there will be no new national HD channels added. IT has NOTHING to do with contracts with the providers.

I want to watch a specific college football game today. It is only available as a special order ESPN Game Plan PPV event. OK and no problem, right? WRONG. The game shows up on the IMG Guide, but without an ordering option. Yesterday, I called FiOS Sales and asked them how to order the game. She didn't know so she patched me into a conference call with Tech Support and he said that sometimes the ordering option doesn't appear until the day of the game and that I would have to call Sales on Saturday to order it. Sales then chimed in to say that Sales isn't open on the weekends. Tech then says OK, no problem, because Tech Support can do it for me 24X7. :confused:

So, this morning, I look at the IMG Guide again and the screen hasn't changed: the game is listed, but no way to order it. I called Tech Support. Again, more fumbling around. Eventually, they say that the problem is the IMG software which will not allow ordering until the PPV event actually starts. I say that doesn't make any sense to me. The response is that they know it is wrong, but it will not be fixed until the big IMG software patch coming out later this month. I hung up and called again to get another Tech who tells me that the previous FiOS folks all gave me the wrong answer. He tells me that I have to buy the entire ESPN Game Plan package and individual games are not available. I tell him that, yesterday, Sales and Tech both told me that I could order only one game. He then tells me that he will transfer me to another office that can help me. What does he do? He patches me over to Sales and I get the canned answering machine voice telling me that the Sales office is closed and will not be open until Monday. Unbelievable!

I now have called my friends to tell them that the game may or may not be available. That is going over real well. :(

Insiders have suggested the opposite. That is, Verizon is said to have contracts in place for most of the new HD channels already, they just don't have the necessary equipment at the VHOs and COs to deliver them yet.

I'll tell you something, I saw 'insider quotes' on these threads early on speaking about how we had almost unlimited bandwidth way back when, with whatever was in place from the get go. No mention was made a year ago about the need to replace equipment to provide this almost unlimitied bandwidth. So I'm not sure what to beleive at this point.

All I know is that much of the info here was simply wrong if what you're saying is true. There was no 'almost unlimitied bandwidth' with the system that was in place over a year ago if the issue is equipment. :(

Verizon FiOS will have a large presence at CES 2008. I would expect an announcement then about the addition of new HD channels. Until then, that will be crickets you will hear chirping in the background. Some areas have the capacity built out others do not. Until the entire systems is maxed out, there will be no new national HD channels added. IT has NOTHING to do with contracts with the providers.

So if this is true, what is the timetable for this 'antiquated' equipment to be replaced throughout the system? If every outdated piece of equipment needs to be swapped out in the system, how long will this take? Are we talking months, years?

I can tell you it was pretty frustrating watching crappy SD for the playoffs.

They do not need to replace anything, just add stuff to the VHO's that will allow them to max out their available bandwidth. Frankly, with some planning, this could have been completed by now. The problem Verizon will face is that they will be too late to the game with the HD people want. Obviously, this will vary by area but they will lose out big time this holiday season to Direct and Dish. Just who do you think all those people who buy all those HD sets this Christmas will look to for HD? A provider with 20 or so or one with over 70? Those are people FiOS will lose for good. It make you wonder if the management over at FiOS has any clue about how the TV market works.

Update:
I just tried to get through to FiOS tech support to test the system and see if I could order one of the college games that is currently live on TV. Company has previously said I could. The lines are too busy to get through. I also tried the internet 'Live Chat' option. That option is listed as 'Not Available'. I would guess that both systems are overloaded with people trying to get information they couldn't get during the week when they work. We have all decided to go to another house to see the game (smaller screen and worse picture). Bummer.:(

I want to watch a specific college football game today. It is only available as a special order ESPN Game Plan PPV event. OK and no problem, right? WRONG. The game shows up on the IMG Guide, but without an ordering option. Yesterday, I called FiOS Sales and asked them how to order the game. She didn't know so she patched me into a conference call with Tech Support and he said that sometimes the ordering option doesn't appear until the day of the game and that I would have to call Sales on Saturday to order it. Sales then chimed in to say that Sales isn't open on the weekends. Tech then says OK, no problem, because Tech Support can do it for me 24X7. :confused:

So, this morning, I look at the IMG Guide again and the screen hasn't changed: the game is listed, but no way to order it. I called Tech Support. Again, more fumbling around. Eventually, they say that the problem is the IMG software which will not allow ordering until the PPV event actually starts. I say that doesn't make any sense to me. The response is that they know it is wrong, but it will not be fixed until the big IMG software patch coming out later this month. I hung up and called again to get another Tech who tells me that the previous FiOS folks all gave me the wrong answer. He tells me that I have to buy the entire ESPN Game Plan package and individual games are not available. I tell him that, yesterday, Sales and Tech both told me that I could order only one game. He then tells me that he will transfer me to another office that can help me. What does he do? He patches me over to Sales and I get the canned answering machine voice telling me that the Sales office is closed and will not be open until Monday. Unbelievable!

I now have called my friends to tell them that the game may or may not be available. That is going over real well. :(

Update:
I just tried to get through to FiOS tech support to test the system and see if I could order one of the college games that is currently live on TV. Company has previously said I could. The lines are too busy to get through. I also tried the internet 'Live Chat' option. That option is listed as 'Not Available'. I would guess that both systems are overloaded with people trying to get information they couldn't get during the week when they work. We have all decided to go to another house to see the game (smaller screen and worse picture). Bummer.:(What game are you trying to see, by the way?

Hilltop-
Do you have your account online at Verizon.com?

If I log into my account - then go to "TV" - I can actually order the ESPN Gameplan online for the day - it's showing as costing $21.95 or something like that.

This is part of the new, revised website. It gives you the option to order PPV special events online.

Try that if you haven't had any luck.

The problem Verizon will face is that they will be too late to the game with the HD people want. Obviously, this will vary by area but they will lose out big time this holiday season to Direct and Dish. Just who do you think all those people who buy all those HD sets this Christmas will look to for HD? A provider with 20 or so or one with over 70? Those are people FiOS will lose for good. It make you wonder if the management over at FiOS has any clue about how the TV market works.

Couldn't agree with you more. They will also lose a certain % of existing customers to boot. It's almost impossible to believe these things weren't considered before for a system that was built from the ground up.