I suspect this is just to inflate the channel count. Content doesn't seem to be much of a consideration when companies add channels.

They haven't particularly gone out of their way to inflate the HD channel count so far; I expect that this was done as a package deal with the providers, where you take what's in a package and have to use it. How different are the E vs. W channels?

They haven't particularly gone out of their way to inflate the HD channel count so far;

They couldn't until now. They probably want to match what D* has whenever possible.

I expect that this was done as a package deal with the providers, where you take what's in a package and have to use it.

All providers don't have east/west channels. In fact some cable systems have dropped the west channels to increase available bandwidth.

How different are the E vs. W channels?

They are the exact same channel for different time zones.

How different are the E vs. W channels?
Three hours. Same exact schedule, except for live events, but the West coast feed is 3 hours behind the east coast one. So if you had Showtime and were watching The Tudors season finale, you could watch Anne Boleyn meet her fate at least four times in 1 evening without a DVR.

So if you had Showtime and were watching The Tudors season finale, you could watch Anne Boleyn meet her fate at least four times in 1 evening without a DVR.Oh sure...spoil the show for us all! :mad: :D

I really hope verizon can add the voom channels someday. i'm glad to see they'll finally be adding NBA league pass!, problem is i'm under contract with directv through september 2009. If the hd tivo continues to work with verizon at that time i will switch to verizon,unless directv uses tivo again.

As posted on DSLreports, they're coming back: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20423322-HDNet-Test-Patterns-are-Gone#20598047
Hi-

In revamping our summer schedule, we moved the test patterns to a different time.

Beginning on June 14 the test patterns will air every Saturday at 10:00 am ET.

Thanks!For those who really want to get into the tech side, the AVS forum thread: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=800757&page=3

They are adding HBO-HD West, Cinemax HD West, Showtime HD West, and Lifetime West. Ok, they will have the bandwidth to do this for now, but I think this is really a waste in the age of the DVR. Besides, has Verizon noticed just how many times Showtime or HBO repeats their series shows each week? Send the East coast version to the East & Central time zones and the West coast version to CA and OR. Save the room for when there are 160 to 180+ HD channels to carry.

Room isn't an issue for FiOS. You need to get out of that mindset. The only issues they had were building out the CO's to handle even part of the available bandwidth.

And I, for one, am happy to have as many HD channels as they can get.

I don't understand why they are having Golf and VS share a channel, that is the same trick that Comcast did.

Really wanted Speed HD but I guess that is for the 2nd rollout.

I don't understand why they are having Golf and VS share a channel, that is the same trick that Comcast did.As I understand it, that's how it's/they're offered by their owner -- it's not Verizon's decision.

I don't understand why they are having Golf and VS share a channel, that is the same trick that Comcast did.

Really wanted Speed HD but I guess that is for the 2nd rollout.

As I understand it, that's how it's/they're offered by their owner -- it's not Verizon's decision.

wmcbrine, you are correct Versus\Golf HD are 1 channel, because thats the only way its offered. I did read somewhere though that they will split sometime at the beginning of next year.

I really hope verizon can add the voom channels someday. i'm glad to see they'll finally be adding NBA league pass!, problem is i'm under contract with directv through september 2009. If the hd tivo continues to work with verizon at that time i will switch to verizon,unless directv uses tivo again.

I dont personally think tht voom will come to Verizon. I think right now Voom is getting phased out as more and more HD channels get turned on. This is JMO though and you never know if they are still around down the line you may get to see them, but I really dont think its one of the "must have" packages that companies are looking to add.

Room isn't an issue for FiOS. You need to get out of that mindset. The only issues they had were building out the CO's to handle even part of the available bandwidth.
There are limits in the 135 QAM channel space. Currently in Sterling, VA, all the digital channels come in on 56 QAM channels; 45 (IIRC) are used for the national channels. The newer CO installations had 63 QAM channels and some areas probably use all 63 or close to it to carry 2 sets of HD locals and additional HD RSNs. So if we assume 63 QAM channels are in use, the expansion to build out all 135 QAM channels will provide 72 more QAM channels. That is enough for 144 more HD channels which is a lot. But they have to use some of that for national SD channels, sport packages, leave room for more HD locals as Ion, eventually Univision, and other networks & local stations go HD. So their HD expansion capacity using the current QAM system with MPEG-2 encoding is probably around 120+ new national channels. Hmm add that to the 6 to 15 HD locals, the 21 current national HD channels (including the 5 premiums) and you get in the ballpark of the 150 HD channels Verizon talked about.

Yes, there are not yet enough national HD channels to fill up 150 HD channels. Give it another year or two. Many of the second and third tier SD channels we barely heard of will start up a HD channel sooner or later. Yes, Verizon may move some channels to IPTV in a few years or switch to MPEG-4 (which may be easier and a more robust system than an extensive move to IPTV for live channels), but those will require swapping out all/most of the STBs and DVRs they have installed so far. Not going to be cheap. Yes, Verizon will have more bandwidth for HD than their cable competitors can provide, but it is not without limits. But this is a down the road issue. Meanwhile it has been a long wait for the HD expansion.

There are limits in the 135 QAM channel space. Currently in Sterling, VA, all the digital channels come in on 56 QAM channels; 45 (IIRC) are used for the national channels. The newer CO installations had 63 QAM channels and some areas probably use all 63 or close to it to carry 2 sets of HD locals and additional HD RSNs. So if we assume 63 QAM channels are in use, the expansion to build out all 135 QAM channels will provide 72 more QAM channels. That is enough for 144 more HD channels which is a lot. But they have to use some of that for national SD channels, sport packages, leave room for more HD locals as Ion, eventually Univision, and other networks & local stations go HD. So their HD expansion capacity using the current QAM system with MPEG-2 encoding is probably around 120+ new national channels. Hmm add that to the 6 to 15 HD locals, the 21 current national HD channels (including the 5 premiums) and you get in the ballpark of the 150 HD channels Verizon talked about.

Yes, there are not yet enough national HD channels to fill up 150 HD channels. Give it another year or two. Many of the second and third tier SD channels we barely heard of will start up a HD channel sooner or later. Yes, Verizon may move some channels to IPTV in a few years or switch to MPEG-4 (which may be easier and a more robust system than an extensive move to IPTV for live channels), but those will require swapping out all/most of the STBs and DVRs they have installed so far. Not going to be cheap. Yes, Verizon will have more bandwidth for HD than their cable competitors can provide, but it is not without limits. But this is a down the road issue. Meanwhile it has been a long wait for the HD expansion.

And they're removing the analog SD's, which will free up a ton of QAM's (I think they can only fit 2 analog SD's per QAM?).

Anyway, the point stiill stands that they have more than enough bandwidth to handle all the HD they can get. We shouldn't be worried about bandwidth with FiOS, we should be looking to get as much HD as possible.

Now, if you were with Comcast, where they're squeezing 3 HD's on a QAM, I'd be worried.

Three hours. Same exact schedule, except for live events, but the West coast feed is 3 hours behind the east coast one. So if you had Showtime and were watching The Tudors season finale, you could watch Anne Boleyn meet her fate at least four times in 1 evening without a DVR.

So if I'm a late sleeper, I watch the west channels? :)

Does seem kind of a bandwidth waste, but... if you've got it, why not use it?

And they're removing the analog SD's, which will free up a ton of QAM's (I think they can only fit 2 analog SD's per QAM?).

Each analog NTSC channel takes up 6 MHz of RF space, same as a digital QAM channel. Verizon is replacing the up to 40 analog channels with 40 QAM channels. You must be thinking of HD because they can fit 2 nominal full 19.4Mbps bandwidth HD channels into one 38.8 Mbps QAM channel.

The STBs and DVRs have QAM tuners that go up to channel 135 so it is a standard 860 MHz system. By swapping out the 40 analog channels and upgrade the COs and distribution system to complete the QAM channel set, that is how they get to the full set of 135 QAM channels. While they have plenty of bandwidth now, I hope that Verizon plans the use of what they have more thoughtfully than they did last time and leave some room next year & in 2010 for adding more useful HD channels as they come on-line than fill it up too quickly with third tier HD channels that have little HD or are barely watched. We shall see.

Each analog NTSC channel takes up 6 MHz of RF space, same as a digital QAM channel. Verizon is replacing the up to 40 analog channels with 40 QAM channels. You must be thinking of HD because they can fit 2 nominal full 19.4Mbps bandwidth HD channels into one 38.8 Mbps QAM channel.

They're eliminating the analog channels. Right now they carry both analog and digital of channels sub-50. They're removing the analog versions, which based on the math above frees up at least around 10 QAM's. So at least 20 more HD channels just from that.

They're freeing up bandwidth by removing the analogs.

They're eliminating the analog channels. Right now they carry both analog and digital of channels sub-50. They're removing the analog versions, which based on the math above frees up at least around 10 QAM's. So at least 20 more HD channels just from that.

They're freeing up bandwidth by removing the analogs.
Your math is wrong, ... your somehow adding in the Mapped Digitals below 50 & reducing the actual bandwidth they are gaining from the analogs... ... This has been well gone over ....
Keep in mind that the "digitals" below 50 have already been transmitting on their other existing Qams, & simply "mapped" to channel numbers below 50, & have no effect & are not "part of" with the actual QAM bandwidth they are gaining below box display ch 50 ... ....
They are Eliminating about 40 "full" Analog channels, each of which occupies 1 "full" QAM, & will give them 1 "full" Qam when eliminated, this gives them the space for 80 additional HD's @ 2 per QAM.
Additionally, the upgrade includes adding Additional QAMs on top of the 40 freed up by removing the analogs ....
With a total of 135 QAMs ... They can fit, for example, 160 HD channels @ 2 per, Plus 500-550 SD's @ 9 to 10 per , as they do it now, without any additional compression.

And they're removing the analog SD's, which will free up a ton of QAM's (I think they can only fit 2 analog SD's per QAM?).

Anyway, the point stiill stands that they have more than enough bandwidth to handle all the HD they can get. We shouldn't be worried about bandwidth with FiOS, we should be looking to get as much HD as possible.

Now, if you were with Comcast, where they're squeezing 3 HD's on a QAM, I'd be worried.

Your math is wrong, ... your somehow adding in the Mapped Digitals below 50 & reducing the actual bandwidth they are gaining from the analogs... ... This has been well gone over ....
Keep in mind that the "digitals" below 50 have already been transmitting on their other existing Qams, & simply "mapped" to channel numbers below 50, & have no effect & are not "part of" with the actual QAM bandwidth they are gaining below box display ch 50 ... ....
They are Eliminating about 40 "full" Analog channels, each of which occupies 1 "full" QAM, & will give them 1 "full" Qam when eliminated, this gives them the space for 80 additional HD's @ 2 per QAM.
Additionally, the upgrade includes adding Additional QAMs on top of the 40 freed up by removing the analogs ....
With a total of 135 QAMs ... They can fit, for example, 160 HD channels @ 2 per, Plus 500-550 SD's @ 9 to 10 per , as they do it now, without any additional compression.

That's what I said to begin with (more or less), but someone else said I was wrong and that it's like 5 per QAM.

My point is, they are getting rid of analogs, which add to available QAMs for HD programming. The previous poster that I responded to was talking just about the buildout, which also adds a lot of space for HD, but it's not just the build out.

Sheesh!

They're eliminating the analog channels. Right now they carry both analog and digital of channels sub-50. They're removing the analog versions, which based on the math above frees up at least around 10 QAM's. So at least 20 more HD channels just from that.

They're freeing up bandwidth by removing the analogs.
Duh. I know this. But you are confused in some respects about how the system works. I will try one last time. The analog channels take up to 40 channel slots from physical RF channel 2 to 49. The digital version of those local stations, PEGs (Public/Educational/Government), WGN, and info channels such as 49 are sent as in the clear QAM sub-channels. In the Sterling CO, those channels are located at RF channels / QAM channels 63, 65, 67, 68 with several info channels & the 47 Music Choice sub-channels located at QAM 66. WGN is at QAM 55-100 which is in a national block of QAM channels from 55 to 62. From the analysis people have done, the SD locals and PEGs are typically located in the QAM 62 to 68 (69?) range. The digital broadcast locals with the HD and SD sub-channels usually go from QAM 71 to 74 and up, but I digress. Hook up a QAM tuner and find out where the clear QAM sub-channels are.

Read what I wrote. Verizon is yanking 40 analog NTSC channels and replacing them with 40 QAM-256 (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) format channels. They are also building out, either as part of the CO upgrade this year or later, to provide a full set of 135 QAM channels that cover the RF range from 54 MHz (channel 2) to 864 MHz (upper end of channel 135). BTW, the channels don't go in simple RF order because channels 2 to 13 map to the VHF low & upper broadcast frequencies, but again I digress.

They are the exact same channel for different time zones.

I guess those of us without DVRs have a greater appreciation for E/W duplicates.

Are Center ice, league pass, etc. confirmed anywhere? I noticed them mentioned in the blog entry, but they seemed to make a point of not mentioning them in the official release.

NHL Center Ice is in the Oregon new channel lineup. It's on my short list for Philly.

I guess those of us without DVRs have a greater appreciation for E/W duplicates.

I think people forget that Verizon also offers service in the West ;).....Not everyone resides on the East Coast or EST.....While it may duplicate programming there is a need for HBO West for those that dont live within our timezone...This might also help people that dont have DVRs :) (if they still exist ;) ).

This is on channel that I can see a purpose for though as HBO does offer HD content, where there are still channels being add that all they do is stretch and sometimes upconvert if you are lucky...

NHL Center Ice is in the Oregon new channel lineup. It's on my short list for Philly.

Cool, thanks. What do you mean by short list though?

Anyone want to speculate why MSNBC HD is on the list of first round additions even though there's been no announcement for MSNBC HD launching (and all indications point to a Q4 launch just in time for Election Night)?

Anyone want to speculate why MSNBC HD is on the list of first round additions even though there's been no announcement for MSNBC HD launching (and all indications point to a Q4 launch just in time for Election Night)?

Any chance they could just be duplicating the SD channel until it does launch?

Sure, but why in the world opt to include an HD channel that's not launching until October or November when there's 50 other HD channels running right now that people want. FX perhaps the most prominent example. Or, if Verizon is looking for programming diversity, why not Fox News HD? Or Fox Business HD? Either would certainly be better than faux-HD network CNBC and a placeholder in MSNBC HD.

I mean, the takeaway point that I have is that this is just the "first wave." One way to signal it's not a "first" wave is including a channel that won't be launching for five more months. At the very least, it's a signal that the next wave of new channels won't be coming before Election Day, and for the Verizon subscribers in New York, it's a non-channel, since Cablevision has exclusive rights.

FiOS has to make carriage agreements with the providers. Some providers require carriage of other channels with their most popular ones. We don't know what the agreements between FiOS and the providers are but I'm sure they are trying to negotiate the best deals they can.

The program listing for both IN and OR say "as of 6/30" and as of "7/9". I certainly take that to mean that the stations are in the first wave, that is why I think it will be a duplicated SD channel, perhaps even upconverted, until MSNBC HD launches.

Sure, but why in the world opt to include an HD channel that's not launching until October or November when there's 50 other HD channels running right now that people want. FX perhaps the most prominent example. Or, if Verizon is looking for programming diversity, why not Fox News HD? Or Fox Business HD? Either would certainly be better than faux-HD network CNBC and a placeholder in MSNBC HD.

I mean, the takeaway point that I have is that this is just the "first wave." One way to signal it's not a "first" wave is including a channel that won't be launching for five more months. At the very least, it's a signal that the next wave of new channels won't be coming before Election Day, and for the Verizon subscribers in New York, it's a non-channel, since Cablevision has exclusive rights.

I'll take any MSNBC channel on Fios here on Long Island in NY. I take at least an hour out of my day to watch MSNBC online but I'd rather watch it on TV.

Actually, it just dawned on me that MSNBC HD is probably on the list specifically so that Verizon can get the MSNBC feed to people in the Cablevision footprint that's barred by exclusivity to MSNBC SD (since the two are likely separate channels and the exclusivity almost surely doesn't apply to MSNBC HD).

In addition to Center Ice, NBA and MLB are coming too correct?

In addition to Center Ice, NBA and MLB are coming too correct?

MLB is on the list, but I did not see NBA, I may have just not missed it though.

Actually, it just dawned on me that MSNBC HD is probably on the list specifically so that Verizon can get the MSNBC feed to people in the Cablevision footprint that's barred by exclusivity to MSNBC SD (since the two are likely separate channels and the exclusivity almost surely doesn't apply to MSNBC HD).
Hopefully this is true.

From your voice to G-d's ears.

Regarding MSNBC, there is talk FIOS will be able to turn on MSNBC (SD) in the NYC area for the Olympics.

Regarding MSNBC, there is talk FIOS will be able to turn on MSNBC (SD) in the NYC area for the Olympics.

That is because some of the olympic coverage will be on MSNBC. I would guess they will have to black it out when the coverage is not on.

Actually, it just dawned on me that MSNBC HD is probably on the list specifically so that Verizon can get the MSNBC feed to people in the Cablevision footprint that's barred by exclusivity to MSNBC SD (since the two are likely separate channels and the exclusivity almost surely doesn't apply to MSNBC HD).

Makes sense, but I think it would only work if MSNBC is the one providing the upconverted SD feed, and not Vz upconverting it.

Anyone want to speculate why MSNBC HD is on the list of first round additions even though there's been no announcement for MSNBC HD launching (and all indications point to a Q4 launch just in time for Election Night)?
My take is that the inclusion of MSNBC-HD on the upcoming channel line-ups is an error. There is a trade industry article that quotes the executive in charge of MSNBC that they hope to go live with a HD channel early in the 4th quarter. (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6565798.html). He ought to know. I would give that far more weight that a PDF file from Verizon. My guess is that Verizon has an agreement to carry MSNBC-HD, but there was some confusion on when MSNBC-HD would go live and it ended up on the initial HD add channel list. Notice that the new channel line-ups are missing TMC-HD. I expect the channel line-ups will be fixed sometime in the next several weeks or the next one to be posted will be fixed.

BTW, I made a passing comment that there was a remote chance that the Cablevision exclusive agreement with MSNBC might not cover a MSNBC-HD channel. But that depends on the exact wording of the contract and they don't even make public how long the contract runs for. Odds are very good that unless the exclusive agreement expires by this fall, MSNBC-HD will be blacked out in the Cablevision areas as well (but MSNBC SD will reportedly be made available for the Olympic games).

What is curious about this is that one would think that they would want to get MSNBC HD up and running in time for the Summer Olympics. NBC could use another HD channel outlet for the games. But there are presumably budget and upgrade schedule reasons for this.

BTW, I made a passing comment that there was a remote chance that the Cablevision exclusive agreement with MSNBC might not cover a MSNBC-HD channel. But that depends on the exact wording of the contract and they don't even make public how long the contract runs for. Odds are very good that unless the exclusive agreement expires by this fall, MSNBC-HD will be blacked out in the Cablevision areas as well (but MSNBC SD will reportedly be made available for the Olympic games).

It's possible, but it's my impression that negotiating carriage for an HD channel that exists as an SD channel is no different than negotiating carriage for two different channels owned by the same corporate parent. Whatever exclusivity agreement exists with Cablevision, it's been in place for a long time and I seriously doubt it was forward looking enough to include exclusivity of a separate HD version of MSNBC.

I agree it is odd that NBC isn't launching MSNBC HD in time for the Olympics, but they do have USA HD, Universal HD, Bravo HD, and presumably even CNBC HD as alternative HD outlets.

I guess those of us without DVRs have a greater appreciation for E/W duplicates.

I would imagine.:D

Anyone hear if Verizon is planning to add MOJO HD?

It was the one channel that kept me with Cablevision before i finally moved to fios about 6 months ago.

Please advise.

Brian

Anyone hear if Verizon is planning to add MOJO HD?

It was the one channel that kept me with Cablevision before i finally moved to fios about 6 months ago.

Please advise.

Brian

It's on the PDF for Ft. Wayne... ch 682

Anyone hear if Verizon is planning to add MOJO HD?
Yes. If you go back to post #6462 with the list of the upcoming HD channel line-up, Mojo HD is included on channel 682.

First time poster - been reading the forums for a while. I'm a new fios customer in Arlington, VA - does anyone know when the analog shutoff is scheduled in Northern VA?

First time poster - been reading the forums for a while. I'm a new fios customer in Arlington, VA - does anyone know when the analog shutoff is scheduled in Northern VA?
Got an automated phone call on that today as matter of fact (in Sterling, VA). The analog shutdown for the Washington Metro market is supposed to start around July 21. The analog stations are not shut down across the entire region at once; they do the shutdown by Central Offices (CO). May be several weeks after the analog shutdown begins before they get to your CO or might be on the 1st day.

Verizon Communications was granted a video franchise from the town board of Babylon, N.Y., which will let the telco pitch FiOS TV to nine communities in the heart of Cablevision Systems’ territory...


• Verizon will phase out the analog channels on FiOS TV in the Philadelphia region, which includes southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware, starting June 23.

• The town of North Andover, Mass., approved an agreement authorizing Verizon to offer its FiOS TV, making it the 72nd Massachusetts community where the service is or will soon be available.

• Verizon won a cable franchise from the city of Damascus, Ore., bringing to 19 the total number of communities in the state that have approved video franchises for the telco.

http://www.multichannel.com/enewsletter/CA6568398/2734.html

With MoCA, the amplifiers need to be installed in a certain way using a device that allows the MoCA signal to bypass the amplifier. (There are new amps that have a MoCA bypass built into them that some areas carry) It seems he hadn't installed one before, so I can understand his need for help. As far as "out of focus", I haven't a clue what he may have been talking about. I know my meter has never displayed that message. :confused:

Would not having this MoCA bypass have any effect on the internet signal? Last few days (Sat and Sun to be specific) I lost internet for 3 hours...almost same time each day 5-8 pm. Just lost it now too as I was watching Euro 08 soccer via Slingbox at work and lost connection.

The internet and TV signals are on different optical wavelengths, so they don't have any effect on each other. The ONT splits them out. MoCA is on the TV side (up around 1 GHZ).

You're watching your Slingbox from work and it fails around the same time? Is there any chance that work might be cutting you off? Especially if it's around the same time each day. You might want to ask your IT people at work (or not, considering company policy for personal use of the internet).

Would not having this MoCA bypass have any effect on the internet signal? Last few days (Sat and Sun to be specific) I lost internet for 3 hours...almost same time each day 5-8 pm. Just lost it now too as I was watching Euro 08 soccer via Slingbox at work and lost connection.

The MoCA bypass setup is only necessary if you have an inline RF amplifier on your coax "network".

If an amplifier is installed before the first splitter or on the leg going to your router, it would most likely effect your data connection. If it was installed on any other leg it would effect the MoCA connection between the router and the STB's. Of course this is if the bypass scenario is not utilized.

I can't see it causing a problem at the same time on a day to day basis, though.

Hopefully this is just an oversight on the part of the guy who typed up the new OR and IN lineups, but I can't find The Movie Channel HD. :confused:

Hopefully this is just an oversight on the part of the guy who typed up the new OR and IN lineups, but I can't find The Movie Channel HD. :confused:

I'm fairly certain it is an oversight. Just go here:

http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

Don't put in a local zip, have your browser search for 885 and you will see it listed.

I'm fairly certain it is an oversight. Just go here:

http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

Don't put in a local zip, have your browser search for 885 and you will see it listed.

Boy.....That list is all jacked up.

You're watching your Slingbox from work and it fails around the same time? Is there any chance that work might be cutting you off? Especially if it's around the same time each day. You might want to ask your IT people at work (or not, considering company policy for personal use of the internet).

No I am not getting cut off at work when watching Slingbox at work, that was just today. I meant that the few years I have had Slingbox, when it freezes at "connecting" I know my home network is down. I just happened to be off last Friday and this Monday so was home and saw the router go down Sat, Sun, Mon around the same time give or take...like 3-7 one day, 4-8 the next, etc. Today its been down from 3 and its 10:30 pm and still down.

Another shot: Are you on a wireless connection? There might be something like a microwave oven or another device that's jamming your connection. BTW, there's a FiOS Installation & Hardware thread that might be better suited for this question: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=621323&page=101

Also, the Verizon FiOS forum on Broadband Reports: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/vzfiber

First, let me say I'm sorry if this has been covered before but I've not been able to locate the info. Pls feel free to point me in the right direction if it has.

I live in the Dallas area and have been a long time FIOS subscriber. I have one HD DVR (6416) and one HD STB along with 3 SD STBs. We also have the multi-room package though I was very disappointed when I learned I couldn't stream to the HD STB.

I've just added a new media room and will be adding a 3rd HD TV to the mix in there.

I want to be able to record programs in the new room as well as with the existing 6416. Am I correct that two 6416s can't be on the same multi-room network? Should I just go with Tivo for the new room?

I want to be able to record programs in the new room as well as with the existing 6416. Am I correct that two 6416s can't be on the same multi-room network? Should I just go with Tivo for the new room?

I have a 6416 with multi-room and 1 6416 without it. No problems. The 2nd 6416 does not stream to the SD boxes, not sure if that is possible, I never asked.

I have a 6416 with multi-room and 1 6416 without it. No problems. The 2nd 6416 does not stream to the SD boxes, not sure if that is possible, I never asked.

But you can't stream from 6416 to 6416, which I think was his question.

But you can't stream from 6416 to 6416, which I think was his question.


Well, I wasn't really clear. I want to have the existing 6416 continue to stream to the SD STBs for the kids and use something else to record and playback just in the media room. I wasn't sure if two 6416s could live on the same network.

Well, I wasn't really clear. I want to have the existing 6416 continue to stream to the SD STBs for the kids and use something else to record and playback just in the media room. I wasn't sure if two 6416s could live on the same network.

They can live on the same network, but you can't setup a remote to only operate one of them and not the other.

They've pushed back the new channel additions in Portland from July 9 to July 21 and removed the following channels from the lineup addition:

HDs:
ESPNews
Big Ten Network
VERSUS/Golf
MOJO
MSNBC
Lifetime West
PPV Events HD

SDs:
Big Ten
Veria TV
Current TV
RFD-TV
all MLB & NHL packages also

They've pushed back the new channel additions in Portland from July 9 to July 21 and removed the following channels from the lineup addition:

HDs:
ESPNews
Big Ten Network
VERSUS/Golf
MOJO
MSNBC
Lifetime West
PPV Events HD

SDs:
Big Ten
Veria TV
Current TV
RFD-TV
all MLB & NHL packages alsoOuch!

They've pushed back the new channel additions in Portland from July 9 to July 21 and removed the following channels from the lineup addition: ...
Ouch is right. I was expecting them to revise the new channel line-ups as MSNBC HD is not expected to start up until the 4th quarter, so it had to be an error. Adding what I posted to dslreports:

I am surprised to see ESPNews HD, Versus/Golf HD, and MOJO dropped. The sports fans won't be happy about not getting ESPNews and Versus/Golf HD this summer (if the line-up does not change again). Comcast owns either part of or all of Versus/Golf and MOJO. Could Comcast have thrown up some last minute roadblocks to stall Verizon from getting these channels?

CNBC HD is now the correct CNBC HD+. CNBC is not really a true HD channel. The studio is all upconverted SD, they only brought HD graphics equipment to put stock and news info in the extra space on the 16:9 screen.

Other than the sports, they still show a lot of new HD channels that people want. The biggest news is the slip to July 21 for Portland. That indicates that the VHOs which have had analog shut down or are getting shut down this month as not going to get the HD expansion as early as people in those areas were hoping for. I suspect a lot of VHO HD upgrades may slip into August or September or beyond.

No MLB or NHL packages? I can't imagine sports packages to be that low on the priority list. Especially MLB. Maybe they never had the deal finalized and decided to push it from a PR perspective to see what kind of response they got.

Ouch is right. I was expecting them to revise the new channel line-ups as MSNBC HD is not expected to start up until the 4th quarter, so it had to be an error. Adding what I posted to dslreports:

I am surprised to see ESPNews HD, Versus/Golf HD, and MOJO dropped. The sports fans won't be happy about not getting ESPNews and Versus/Golf HD this summer (if the line-up does not change again). Comcast owns either part of or all of Versus/Golf and MOJO. Could Comcast have thrown up some last minute roadblocks to stall Verizon from getting these channels?


The only possibility I can see with Comcast blocking it is that Versus is on the standard tier and Golf is on the Sports tier, so how do you decide who should get Vs/Golf HD?

Comcast allows any carrier who carries both SD channels to also carry the HD channel.

If they keep pushing it back and removing channels then I think they owe their customers a really good explanation as to what is going on. They said in September they would have all these HD channels by the end of Spring, and now they keep back pedaling on delivering what they promise.

I don't know about others but I switched to Fios under the assumption that they would provide content when promised.

What about Setanta? Is that confirmed?

Although we aren't able to sign up for FIOS until next month, my wife and I are also disappointed that Verizon's HD promises are already being broken. Plus we'd also like to know the status of Setanta. Right now we're paying top dollar to MediaZone.com for downloading sports programming which looks fine at 400x300 but terrible on our LCD flat panel TV. Setanta's one of the big reasons we'd like to ditch Comcast.

Noted this article about Setanta and Verizon (http://www.ibtimes.com/prnews/20080605/ny-sentanta-verizon.htm) a while back...

Airing seven days a week, 24 hours per day, Setanta Sports will soon be available to FiOS TV customers for only $14.99 per month.

If they keep pushing it back and removing channels then I think they owe their customers a really good explanation as to what is going on. They said in September they would have all these HD channels by the end of Spring, and now they keep back pedaling on delivering what they promise.

I don't know about others but I switched to Fios under the assumption that they would provide content when promised.

Kind of hard to supply the channels if the providers don't have it ready yet.
For me, MSNBC is the only channel, I want that is on the pushed back list.
Even with these channels being dropped for now, it is still a good list of additions. This is really great compared to seven years ago when I first got HD. HD channels were being added at a snails pace. So I see nothing to complain about now.

Although we aren't able to sign up for FIOS until next month, my wife and I are also disappointed that Verizon's HD promises are already being broken. Plus we'd also like to know the status of Setanta. Right now we're paying top dollar to MediaZone.com for downloading sports programming which looks fine at 400x300 but terrible on our LCD flat panel TV. Setanta's one of the big reasons we'd like to ditch Comcast.

Noted this article about Setanta and Verizon (http://www.ibtimes.com/prnews/20080605/ny-sentanta-verizon.htm) a while back...

Verizon has made no specific channel promise at all, so not sure what promise you think they're breaking. It's onlt the AVS speculation that's changing.

Verizon has made no specific channel promise at all, so not sure what promise you think they're breaking. It's onlt the AVS speculation that's changing.

To me, a posted lineup on their website should be correct. Did they "promise" those channels...no, did they post the channel lineup in a place where anybody could access and feel confident those were the channels that would be added....yes.

Verizon has made no specific channel promise at all, so not sure what promise you think they're breaking. It's onlt the AVS speculation that's changing.Fair enough, but as kes points out, when a company the size of Verizon posts their lineup (http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail...ctive_7_09.pdf (http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail/NR/rdonlyres/EC99286E-16BF-4D6C-8400-28DBB398DAE2/0/Portland_OR_effective_7_09.pdf)) most people would take them at their word. The time and cost of publishing something like that isn't offhanded or on a whim. A lot of work, research and legal agreements go into the mix. Of course there can be last-minute changes, but setting customer's expectations is part and parcel of the business.

Fair enough, but as kes points out, when a company the size of Verizon posts their lineup (http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail...ctive_7_09.pdf (http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail/NR/rdonlyres/EC99286E-16BF-4D6C-8400-28DBB398DAE2/0/Portland_OR_effective_7_09.pdf)) most people would take them at their word. The time and cost of publishing something like that isn't offhanded or on a whim. A lot of work, research and legal agreements go into the mix. Of course there can be last-minute changes, but setting customer's expectations is part and parcel of the business.

Pretty sure that's not public yet. It was found on the site, but I don't think you can navigate to it. It's pre-release, and if you don't come to AVS or other similar boards, you wouldn't find it.

I could be wrong though.

Pretty sure that's not public yet. It was found on the site, but I don't think you can navigate to it. It's pre-release, and if you don't come to AVS or other similar boards, you wouldn't find it.

I could be wrong though.
You are wrong. The new channel line-ups were put up right on the Fios TV website at http://www22.verizon.com/content/FiosTV. Click on channel line-up and scroll down to see the 2 new PDF files for Fort Wayne effective 6/30 and Portland, now effective 7/21. The original version of the new line-ups were put on that page close to 2 weeks ago. If you look at the entries on the web page, you will find 2 entries for HBO HD - current & new channel for example. Verizon made the new line-ups publicly available. They had to if Fort Wayne was going to get the major channel re-alignment on June 30. But someone obviously screwed up because they put out revised line-ups dropped sometime late Friday or Saturday morning. Now we will be checking to see when the next VHO is going to get the new HD channels and whether there are more last minute changes.

Verizon can add HD and SD channels w/o advance notice, so maybe they will add a couple of HD channels back in. It is the movement or the deletion of current channels that requires advance notice.

You are wrong. The new channel line-ups were put up right on the Fios TV website at http://www22.verizon.com/content/FiosTV. Click on channel line-up and scroll down to see the 2 new PDF files for Fort Wayne effective 6/30 and Portland, now effective 7/21. The original version of the new line-ups were put on that page close to 2 weeks ago. If you look at the entries on the web page, you will find 2 entries for HBO HD - current & new channel for example. Verizon made the new line-ups publicly available. They had to if Fort Wayne was going to get the major channel re-alignment on June 30. But someone obviously screwed up because they put out revised line-ups dropped sometime late Friday or Saturday morning. Now we will be checking to see when the next VHO is going to get the new HD channels and whether there are more last minute changes.

Verizon can add HD and SD channels w/o advance notice, so maybe they will add a couple of HD channels back in. It is the movement or the deletion of current channels that requires advance notice.

Just remember that Verizon can only "Announce" those channels with firm, inked deals in place. I'm sure that there are also channels still under negotiation which Verizon cannot "Announce" yet.

Yeah, if anything I'd say someone jumped the gun on posting those listings. I'd wager those channels are still coming, except maybe Lifetime West HD and MSNBC HD.

anyone know when Northern VA is getting the new channels, and what that specific channel lineup will be?

Yeah, if anything I'd say someone jumped the gun on posting those listings. I'd wager those channels are still coming, except maybe Lifetime West HD and MSNBC HD.That would be my take as well. I'm sure they will be available, just not as soon as we/they thought.

Anyone hear any more about VZ and Setanta? :confused:

That would be my take as well. I'm sure they will be available, just not as soon as we/they thought.

Anyone hear any more about VZ and Setanta? :confused:

According to this:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14013704#post14013704

It is identified as a channel definitely to be included.

You are wrong. The new channel line-ups were put up right on the Fios TV website at http://www22.verizon.com/content/FiosTV. Click on channel line-up and scroll down to see the 2 new PDF files for Fort Wayne effective 6/30 and Portland, now effective 7/21. The original version of the new line-ups were put on that page close to 2 weeks ago. If you look at the entries on the web page, you will find 2 entries for HBO HD - current & new channel for example. Verizon made the new line-ups publicly available. They had to if Fort Wayne was going to get the major channel re-alignment on June 30. But someone obviously screwed up because they put out revised line-ups dropped sometime late Friday or Saturday morning. Now we will be checking to see when the next VHO is going to get the new HD channels and whether there are more last minute changes.

Verizon can add HD and SD channels w/o advance notice, so maybe they will add a couple of HD channels back in. It is the movement or the deletion of current channels that requires advance notice.

The PDF file I just downloaded from the link you posted shows the current channel listing/lineup and is dated Feb. 2008. Where are you guys getting all this "news" from? I enter my Oregon zip and still don't find anything at Verizon.com that tells me to expect anything different in July.

Ooops! My bad - just saw the amended listings below the main PDF lists. Carry on ....

https://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

At the bottom of the farthest right column:


Fort Wayne IN (http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail/NR/rdonlyres/6C132B11-CF85-4153-B71A-ED79930810D7/0/FortWayneIN_63008.pdf) effective 6/30
Portland Metro OR (http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail/NR/rdonlyres/9F759FFB-45A3-4FD4-9DAB-6413EE49034A/0/PortlandMetroOR_72108.pdf) effective 7/21

anyone know when Northern VA is getting the new channels, and what that specific channel lineup will be?
No, we don't know. The analog shutdown for the Washington Metro area is scheduled to begin around July 21, so the HD and SD channel expansion will take place sometime after that. August, September, October? It will be a long wait.

The national channel line-up should be the same as the other VHOs that get upgraded. For the local/regional channels, there has been no information at all as to when the part time MASN-HD will be added. If Verizon add Mojo, maybe they can use it for the MASN-HD games the same way Comcast does. But I have no confidence that Verizon will add MASN-HD before the baseball season is over.

No I am not getting cut off at work when watching Slingbox at work, that was just today. I meant that the few years I have had Slingbox, when it freezes at "connecting" I know my home network is down. I just happened to be off last Friday and this Monday so was home and saw the router go down Sat, Sun, Mon around the same time give or take...like 3-7 one day, 4-8 the next, etc. Today its been down from 3 and its 10:30 pm and still down.

I had a problem with the FIOS wireless network dropping out. At one point, I had a Verizon tech out for another issue, and he pointed out that many cordless phones can interfere with wireless networks - especially when the router is choosing an apparently clear band. This could be aggravated if the cordless phone is near the router or the wireless device. He suggested consideration of one of the newer phones that do not use that wavelength - I did so, and the dropouts ceased. If you look in Circuit City or one of the other stores that carry lots of cordless phones, you will see some that are specifically labeled not to interfere with wireless networks.

Joe

I had a problem with the FIOS wireless network dropping out. At one point, I had a Verizon tech out for another issue, and he pointed out that many cordless phones can interfere with wireless networks - especially when the router is choosing an apparently clear band. This could be aggravated if the cordless phone is near the router or the wireless device. He suggested consideration of one of the newer phones that do not use that wavelength - I did so, and the dropouts ceased. If you look in Circuit City or one of the other stores that carry lots of cordless phones, you will see some that are specifically labeled not to interfere with wireless networks.

Joe

Most Wireless networks use 2.4 GHz. Your new phone is probably using 5.8 GHz ....

I moved an older 2.4 GHz phone into the bedroom, and everytime the phone would ring, I would loose my wireless connection...

I have multiple devices using 2.4Ghz and have no problems. My phone uses 2.4Ghz for connection in one direction and 5.8Ghz in the other. But I don't have any problems. All the devices I have change channels instantly if there is interference.
Now if I turn on the microwave and put my laptop near it, I will lose my connection, but microwaves are in the 2.4 Ghz range.

Now that you mention it, the older phone was at 2.4 GHz, and the new one is 5.8.

A contributing factorproblem may have been that, when I look at the wireless spectrum with my laptop, there are actually quite a few channels occupied by my neighbors' routers (some unsecured - lol) - and this is only the ones that identify themselves. It might be that the FIOS router ran out of channels or switched to one that was occupied. The router was the Actiontec - I have a new one, because that one developed a problem, but I don't remember the Brand or model.

Also, the old cordless phone was in the same room with the router.

Anyway, I just wanted to suggest something else to look at as a potential cause for theproblem.

Joe

Faster (http://www.wtop.com/?nid=108&sid=1423997) FiOS.

Faster (http://www.wtop.com/?nid=108&sid=1423997) FiOS.

Beginning next week, Verizon will make available to more than 10 million homes and businesses the nation's fastest consumer broadband connections, with download speeds up to 50 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds up to 20 Mbps.


the company is expanding its industry-leading FiOS Internet connections of 50/20, 20/20, 20/5 and 10/2 Mbps across all of Verizon's FiOS Internet service footprint in 16 states.

Existing FiOS Internet customers who are interested in the new speed options can call Verizon for information about the new plans.

FiOS Internet 50/20 Mbps service is available in New York and Virginia for $89.95 and elsewhere for $139.95 a month with an annual service plan. The 20/20 Mbps FiOS Internet service is available in all FiOS markets for $64.99 a month with an annual service plan

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2008/verizon-extends.html

"this is what happens when Verizon brings fiber optics straight to your home"

Anyway, I just wanted to suggest something else to look at as a potential cause for theproblem.JoeI'm hard-wired to my router, but I just wanted to point out that the xbox 360 wireless controllers use 2.4 GHz. Haven't heard of any problems, but you might want to add that to the wireless dropped connection check list.

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2008/verizon-extends.html

"this is what happens when Verizon brings fiber optics straight to your home"

Personally, I don't want higher speed. I want lower price! I want to stay at 5/2 at $30/month instead of $43 they're going to charge me.

I'm sorry, but what the heck do people do with 20/10 or 50/20 or whatever? It's not like there's anybody out there offering download of blue ray rentals, or streaming 1080p, or even 720p. You're not allowed to run your own server. Verizon is about to drop all there binaries usernet newsgroups. They'll probably crack down on P2P next. If you actually start seriously using that bandwith, they'll probably charge you extra like AT&T wants to do. So all that bandwidth is b***s*** if you ask me.

Personally, I don't want higher speed. I want lower price! I want to stay at 5/2 at $30/month instead of $43 they're going to charge me.

I'm sorry, but what the heck do people do with 20/10 or 50/20 or whatever? It's not like there's anybody out there offering download of blue ray rentals, or streaming 1080p, or even 720p. You're not allowed to run your own server. Verizon is about to drop all there binaries usernet newsgroups. They'll probably crack down on P2P next. If you actually start seriously using that bandwith, they'll probably charge you extra like AT&T wants to do. So all that bandwidth is b***s*** if you ask me.

My VUDU box has 1080P24 HD content for VOD. I use around 900GB to 1.4TB a month between my 40 devices connected to the INternet. And I use even more if I watch alot of FIOS HD VOD since it uses the internet connection for streaming the VOD content.
I'll be dumping my slow 30mbs/5mbs connection and getting the fast 50mbs/20mbs connection. It will definitely be alot faster than the 5mbs/1mbs connection I had back in 1997. Although that connection was only $16 a month.

My VUDU box has 1080P24 HD content for VOD. I use around 900GB to 1.4TB a month between my 40 devices connected to the INternet. And I use even more if I watch alot of FIOS HD VOD since it uses the internet connection for streaming the VOD content.
I'll be dumping my slow 30mbs/5mbs connection and getting the fast 50mbs/20mbs connection. It will definitely be alot faster than the 5mbs/1mbs connection I had back in 1997. Although that connection was only $16 a month.Wow... you're definitely the exception to the rule.

Personally, I don't want higher speed. I want lower price! I want to stay at 5/2 at $30/month instead of $43 they're going to charge me.

I agree!

P.S.: Although I saw a post about dropping the binary groups, I haven't received any notice from Verizon on it.

P.S.: Although I saw a post about dropping the binary groups, I haven't received any notice from Verizon on it.

Here's the email I received from Vzn on the 17th, and it really sucks ! :

"Dear Verizon Online Customer,

As a Verizon Newsgroup service user, we wanted to let you know about some important changes that we will soon be making to our Newsgroup service.

On June 24, 2008, we will be modifying our Newsgroup offerings to only offer groups in the Big-8 Newsgroup hierarchies, which are listed below. The 0.verizon.* newsgroup hierarchy will also continue to be available. Users will not be able to post or download from any other newsgroups using our Newsgroup service.

comp.*
humanities.*
misc.*
news.*
rec.*
sci.*
soc.*
talk.*

More details regarding the Big 8 newsgroup hierarchies is available at: http://www.big-8.org/.

This change will not affect your Internet access service. If you would like to subscribe to newsgroups other than those we offer, you will need to subscribe to a separate commercial news service. Please note that your use of any such service is still subject to our Terms of Service and Acceptable Use Policy.

There are no changes required to your software, but you will need to unsubscribe from all Newsgroups other than the Big 8 hierarchies and the 0.verizon.* hierarchy noted above. The following link explains how to subscribe and unsubscribe in Outlook Express:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/171190

IMPORTANT: If you continue to subscribe to unsupported newsgroups, you may experience poor computer performance and slow throughput speeds. Failure to unsubscribe may also interfere with the functioning of the Verizon network or use of the network by other Verizon users, which is a violation of our Acceptable Use Policy.

We appreciate your business and look forward to continuing to serve you in the future.

Sincerely,
Verizon Online

As usual, the rationale is preventing access to child pornography:

http://yro.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/06/15/1258238

Of course, not carrying the binaries groups enormously reduces the amount of Usenet traffic that Verizon must store and distribute. I don't suppose that had any influence over VZ's decision, though. "Andy Cuomo made us do it."

That last paragraph marked "IMPORTANT" is a real puzzler, though. I suppose they could mean that you need to delete your subscriptions to groups that VZ will no longer provide, but since they're gone, why should that matter? The idea that failing to unsubcribe would result in "poor computer performance and slow throughput speeds" or "interfere with the functioning of the VZ network" is ludicrous. Usenet traffic provides an insignificant load on the network in comparison to, say, streaming video.

It's not a free STB, it is a digital adapter(from Vz). It will get all channels you subscribe to, except HD, but has no guide or VOD.

Does this have a name or model#? I called Verizon and the CSR didn't know anything about it. thanks

That last paragraph marked "IMPORTANT" is a real puzzler, though. I suppose they could mean that you need to delete your subscriptions to groups that VZ will no longer provide, but since they're gone, why should that matter? The idea that failing to unsubcribe would result in "poor computer performance and slow throughput speeds" or "interfere with the functioning of the VZ network" is ludicrous. Usenet traffic provides an insignificant load on the network in comparison to, say, streaming video.
I wondered about that last paragraph myself. Perhaps, after the 24th, a new user will not be able to download a group list, other than the big 8.
BUT, if you already have the current list intact, you may still be able to access and download from the binaries that you're subscribed to. Sure sounds that way doesn't it ? Well, in any event, I'll/we'll know next week.

Does this have a name or model#? I called Verizon and the CSR didn't know anything about it. thanks
It's the DCT700, Dogital Adapter. DO NOT call customer service .

You have to call the Digital Solutions Dept @ 888-505-3512.
Be sure to tell them that you have an analog TV that you've been plugging the cable directly into to receive the non-digital channels.

It's a self install/activate. Then, each month, they will bill and credit you the same $3.99 for as long as you have the service. BTW, limit is 3 adapters.

Here's the email I received from Vzn on the 17th, and it really sucks ! :

Yes, that is the post I was referring to having seen. It just occurred to me that they probably sent the information to my verizon.net email address, which I never use or check, and sure enough, there it was.

Honestly, it doesn't really surprise me. Comcast throttled their newsgroup access pretty severely a number of years ago (2 GB / month I believe). And Verizon doesn't make it easy to find out they even offer an NNTP server. I think I found it through a Google search that linked me to a verizon page that I had no idea how I would have gotten to otherwise.

From another forum, here's what seems to be a reliable schedule for that Channel re-alignment & 1st wave of HD adds per market, that's already been mentioned for Portland:

7/23 NY
7/28 Pittsburgh
7/30 Richmond VA
7/31 Norfolk VA
8/4 Northern NJ
8/20 Massachusetts
8/25 Philadelphia
9/17 Maryland
10/2 Florida
10/8 Texas
10/9 California

Hopefully they will be on schedule with this, we will see .....

October for Texas! that sucks!





From another forum, here's what seems to be a reliable schedule for that Channel re-alignment & 1st wave of HD adds


per market, that's already been mentioned for Portland:

7/23 NY
7/28 Pittsburgh
7/30 Richmond VA
7/31 Norfolk VA
8/4 Northern NJ
8/20 Massachusetts
8/25 Philadelphia
9/17 Maryland
10/2 Florida
10/8 Texas
10/9 California

Hopefully they will be on schedule with this, we will see .....

September - oh mannnnnnnnn. :(

As of yesterday my Verizon is now all digital. No more local analog channels.

Central Jersey. Nobody's telling when we will get additional HD channels.

[QUOTE=MeatChicken;14125368]... here's what seems to be a reliable schedule for that Channel re-alignment & 1st wave of HD adds per market, that's already been mentioned for Portland:

7/23 NY

8/4 Northern NJ
[QUOTE]

Now all Verizon has to do is make itself available in Northern NJ!!

From another forum, here's what seems to be a reliable schedule for that Channel re-alignment & 1st wave of HD adds per market, that's already been mentioned for Portland:

7/23 NY
7/28 Pittsburgh
7/30 Richmond VA
7/31 Norfolk VA
8/4 Northern NJ
8/20 Massachusetts
8/25 Philadelphia
9/17 Maryland
10/2 Florida
10/8 Texas
10/9 California

Hopefully they will be on schedule with this, we will see .....

Nothing listed for Northern VA unless the entire Washington Metro is included on 9/17...

From another forum, here's what seems to be a reliable schedule for that Channel re-alignment & 1st wave of HD adds per market, that's already been mentioned for Portland:

7/23 NY
7/28 Pittsburgh
7/30 Richmond VA
7/31 Norfolk VA
8/4 Northern NJ
8/20 Massachusetts
8/25 Philadelphia
9/17 Maryland
10/2 Florida
10/8 Texas
10/9 California


Hopefully they will be on schedule with this, we will see .....

Is Setanta included in this?

Nothing listed for Northern VA unless the entire Washington Metro is included on 9/17...

We are on the same VHO. DC / Balt / N. VA are on the same VHO.

about 2 months back I posted that I'd spoken with a vz tech and he had just gotten a memo stating that NY would be getting new hd channels at the end of june.

since then, vz has announced that they're running about a month behind which is reflected in the 7/23 "launch date" for NY. So it would appear that these dates are accurate or at least as accurate as can be expected regarding new hd channels being added.

I used to be a directv customer, so I know how that works.

October for Texas! that sucks!
I think this is the first time a Texan and a Californian can agree! ;)

We are on the same VHO. DC / Balt / N. VA are on the same VHO.

With Baltimore and Howard Co. having different channel lineups wouldn't they be on a different VHO from DC Metro?

With Baltimore and Howard Co. having different channel lineups wouldn't they be on a different VHO from DC Metro?


I have no idea. This was just info posted at DSL reports. Either way it looks like it will be September for our new channels

With Baltimore and Howard Co. having different channel lineups wouldn't they be on a different VHO from DC Metro?

They can serve multiple markets from the same VHO.

Richmond and Hampton Roads are in the same VHO, but have different local lineups.

Just one week away from the rollout of the new HD stations here in Indiana. Can't wait!

They can serve multiple markets from the same VHO.

Richmond and Hampton Roads are in the same VHO, but have different local lineups.

Different markets(or DMAs) like Washington DC and Baltimore are served by the same VHO, but the COs(Central Offices) are the ones that make sure you get the correct local lineup at your home. The VHO gathers all the local stations for both markets and then it narrowcasts whatever is needed for a particular CO(in a specific town) its broadcast and RSN channels.

Just one week away from the rollout of the new HD stations here in Indiana. Can't wait!

Please post what channels actually come in when they do...

Different markets(or DMAs) like Washington DC and Baltimore are served by the same VHO, but the COs(Central Offices) are the ones that make sure you get the correct local lineup at your home. The VHO gathers all the local stations for both markets and then it narrowcasts whatever is needed for a particular CO(in a specific town) its broadcast and RSN channels.

So why can't VZ make the weather channel show more local weather based on the CO's zip code rather than from somewhere an hour away? Are they just lazy and cheep?

From another forum, here's what seems to be a reliable schedule for that Channel re-alignment & 1st wave of HD adds per market, that's already been mentioned for Portland:

7/23 NY
7/28 Pittsburgh
7/30 Richmond VA
7/31 Norfolk VA
8/4 Northern NJ
8/20 Massachusetts
8/25 Philadelphia
9/17 Maryland
10/2 Florida
10/8 Texas
10/9 California

Hopefully they will be on schedule with this, we will see .....

Why the large (23 day) time gap between Philadelphia (8/25) and Maryland (9/17)?

Why the large (23 day) time gap between Philadelphia (8/25) and Maryland (9/17)?

Maybe Labor Day on September 1st.

I wonder if when they do Massachusetts, will it include RI since I believe they share the VHO.

http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail/NR/rdonlyres/6C132B11-CF85-4153-B71A-ED79930810D7/0/FortWayneIN_63008.pdf

Verizon's site now shows changes to the channel lineup for June 30th. No Big Ten Network :mad: and some other big changes. What's going on?

I had a problem with the FIOS wireless network dropping out. At one point, I had a Verizon tech out for another issue, and he pointed out that many cordless phones can interfere with wireless networks - especially when the router is choosing an apparently clear band. This could be aggravated if the cordless phone is near the router or the wireless device. He suggested consideration of one of the newer phones that do not use that wavelength - I did so, and the dropouts ceased. If you look in Circuit City or one of the other stores that carry lots of cordless phones, you will see some that are specifically labeled not to interfere with wireless networks.

Joe

My problem wasn't the wireless connection, it was the WAN connection on the router. The internet light and COAX WAN light going off. Actually my laptop still showed wireless connection as "excellent" as it was reading the wireless connection but of course with no internet no wireless either really.

They came and put a new inline AMP on my line and a NID (Network Interface Device) and that fixed my internet dropping for hours every day. However, now a week later, my TV picture is starting to act funny again. Picture froze then say "channel unavailable" on ALL channels. Shut box off, waited a few minutes, and turned back on. Everything was fine for 30 minutes than started again. This happened on and off for 2 hours this past Sunday. Finally, I unplugged router, ONT, cable box and the power to in-line AMP and rebooted all and it was fine...

...until yesterday (Tuesday) where picture started stuttering every 20 minutes or so (would freeze for a few seconds and then start again)...and router also dropped internet on and off most of the night. Now we had some intense storms in the area yesterday so I don't know if that had anything to do with it (surges on line, problems on their end (pulling in fields from dishes) or what. But if it continues, it will be my third call to service in about a month for basically the same freaking problems.

http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail/NR/rdonlyres/6C132B11-CF85-4153-B71A-ED79930810D7/0/FortWayneIN_63008.pdf

Verizon's site now shows changes to the channel lineup for June 30th. No Big Ten Network :mad: and some other big changes. What's going on?
What happened to NHL Center Ice???

Verizon's site now shows changes to the channel lineup for June 30th. No Big Ten Network :mad: and some other big changes. What's going on?
You must have missed the discussions on the revised new line-ups that were put out several weeks ago. Verizon yanked Versus/Golf HD, The Big Ten Network, Mojo, and several other HD channels that were in the 1st release. One was MSNBC-HD which won't go on the air until the 4th quarter of 08, so that was obviously a mistake. They may had to pull them if the contracts had not been finalized. Or in the case of Versus/Golf HD and Big Ten HD, Verizon may need to first establish the HD part of the Sports Package. Versus and Golf HD will be split into 2 channels at the end of the year, so that may be a factor.

But there is nothing to stop Verizon from adding the HD channels at or not long after the initial HD upgrade. The 30 days advance notice requirement is for channels that are being moved, not for adding new channels in open channel numbers. Everyone is going to have to wait and see. Some of us a lot longer than others.

when will verizon start offering free HD movies on demand? i'm starting to really miss comcast on demand!!

Has anyone had pixelation and sound drop off on the local hd stations with a cable card? For the past few months I've been experiencing this. Vz has been out a couple times and even replaced the card, however, still happening.

No problems with the SD channels or the national HD channels, only the HD Locals (801 - 808).

I have two DVR's which work fine, it's only the cable card (TV, not TIVO).

Any ideas would be welcome!!

Thanks!!!

when will verizon start offering free HD movies on demand? i'm starting to really miss comcast on demand!!

Nothing is free. I expect that would result in a rate increase down the line.

Nothing is free. I expect that would result in a rate increase down the line.

I would be happy with HD on demand from the movie channels that I'm paying for.

I'm especially annoyed that movies on HDNet aren't also available on demand. We're talking things like Bridge Over the River Kwai, not some recent Hollywood blockbuster. We came upon Bridge the other day about 1/4 of the way into it; there were no other re-showings nor an on-demand version to enable us to watch the entire film.

Sometimes I think the lack of on-demand HD media replays is designed entirely to push the no doubt quite profitable HD DVRs rentals. Like Squidward, I'm already paying for a movie package that includes HD channels (Starz, etc.). Why can't I see those same movies on demand?

Like ericeash, the paucity of FiOS on-demand offerings, especially HD offerings, makes me miss Comcast. I've actually considered dropping FiOS TV and returning to Comcast for this reason. All this talk about more HD channels leaves me unmoved. I don't watch the SD versions of those channels now. What I do watch are live sports and movies. FiOS does okay with the first, but the absence of on-demand HD movies is a big hole in their offerings from my point-of-view.

Oh, and in response to Rich L, I suspect that you could cover the costs of these services to some degree by the reduction in subscriber "churn" rates that might result. Churn (subscriber disconnections) imposes substantial costs on providers. Expanding their offerings to retain subscribers without a rate increase can actually be more profitable. Given how much money VZ appears to lose on installation (in my case, for example, two techs for nearly an entire day), they need to make that up by retaining subscribers over the long haul.

I would be happy with HD on demand from the movie channels that I'm paying for.

Not sure if you looked but I see some HD VOD with subscription and over the air. I watched a CBS CSI Miami that I had missed and found on VOD in HD!

I agree that HD VOD is FIOS' achilles heel right now. Hopefully it is a work in progress.

Got my letter regarding the new channel line up today. It looks just like the others that have already been released. I am extremely disappointed because most of the channels I was most excited about are no longer on the list: Versus/Golf HD, NHL Center Ice, Mojo HD. Still on the list is Setanta Sports on CH 1009. I was really hoping two have those first two before the new hockey season started.

F'n frustrating.

The official date for the NY area is 7/23.

Nothing is free...Well put...

The official date for the NY area is 7/23.

you're lucky. I won't see anything til at least October!

Has anyone had pixelation and sound drop off on the local hd stations with a cable card? For the past few months I've been experiencing this. Vz has been out a couple times and even replaced the card, however, still happening.

No problems with the SD channels or the national HD channels, only the HD Locals (801 - 808).

I have two DVR's which work fine, it's only the cable card (TV, not TIVO).

Any ideas would be welcome!!

Thanks!!!

It could be the SNR could be too high, the TivoHD has a problem with Fios and cablecards when the SNR is over 31 db, I have an attenuator installed on my cable and have it set to 31db and no problems. I used to have problems all the time before doing this.

Discussion is on this website: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=375011

The official date for the NY area is 7/23.

Is it? :D

I live in Hyattsville, MD, and the city just informed us that FiOS will move the city local access channel to another number around 8/1. That seems to indicate that FiOS will do the big channel move and addition of new HD channels on that date.

Of course, they might have pushed the date back and the city doesn't know it yet...

Doug

I live in Hyattsville, MD, and the city just informed us that FiOS will move the city local access channel to another number around 8/1. That seems to indicate that FiOS will do the big channel move and addition of new HD channels on that date.
That may just be a minor channel move. What channel # are they moving the city PEG channel to?

The analog shutdown for the Washington Metro VHO is scheduled to BEGIN on July 21. They have crews that go out to the Central Offices (COs) and upgrade them one by one. The Philadelphia/Southern NJ market started shutdown at the beginning of June and according to posts at dslreports, there are still COs there with the analog still up & running. The unconfirmed schedule posted at dslreports has the Washington Metro market getting the HD expansion on Sept. 21. Being in Northern VA, I hope it happens sooner than that, but not much I can do about it.

That may just be a minor channel move. What channel # are they moving the city PEG channel to?

The analog shutdown for the Washington Metro VHO is scheduled to BEGIN on July 21. They have crews that go out to the Central Offices (COs) and upgrade them one by one. The Philadelphia/Southern NJ market started shutdown at the beginning of June and according to posts at dslreports, there are still COs there with the analog still up & running. The unconfirmed schedule posted at dslreports has the Washington Metro market getting the HD expansion on Sept. 21. Being in Northern VA, I hope it happens sooner than that, but not much I can do about it.

Been on the fence about jumping from Comcast to FIOS... I think the time has come :)

So, sorry for asking for a repeat of things already hashed out, but what's the big deal about this? Will FIOS be offering more (better PQ) HD channels from this change? Will they be adding an on-demand feature?

Last... what's the big downsides to FIOS?

Appreciate any/all info.

Been on the fence about jumping from Comcast to FIOS... I think the time has come :)

So, sorry for asking for a repeat of things already hashed out, but what's the big deal about this? Will FIOS be offering more (better PQ) HD channels from this change? Will they be adding an on-demand feature?

Last... what's the big downsides to FIOS?

Appreciate any/all info.

fios has the best PQ for both HD/SD because they do not recompress the channel or rate shape or other nonsense to squeeze in more channels on limited bandwidth.

downsides: their VOD selection sucks compared to Comcast, and their HD lineup will be pretty limited until the end of the year (when exactly depending on where you are). Also, they may not carry that one channel you really really want, so make sure that's not the case before you sign up.

It could be the SNR could be too high, the TivoHD has a problem with Fios and cablecards when the SNR is over 31 db, I have an attenuator installed on my cable and have it set to 31db and no problems. I used to have problems all the time before doing this.

Discussion is on this website: http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=375011


Thanks vfrjim!!!

I'll give that a try since Vz can't fix!!

That may just be a minor channel move. What channel # are they moving the city PEG channel to?

I can't remember; moving from 10 to 12 or something like that. You're probably right.

Doug

7/23 NY
7/30 Northern NJ
7/30 Richmond VA ?
7/31 Norfolk VA ?
8/06 Pittsburgh
8/20 Massachusetts
8/25 Philadelphia
9/17 Maryland
10/2 Florida
10/8 Texas
10/9 California

Apparent Date "updates" above .....
The NNJ & Pittsburgh PDF specific channel charts are now listed (bottom right links)

http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

Yes, the official SD & HD channel expansion schedule is now on the Verizon website for the following markets as follows:

6/30 Fort Wayne IN
7/21 Portland. OR
7/23 NY
7/30 Northern NJ
8/06 Pittsburgh, PA

Everyone else is will have to wait to get an official HD expansion date. Looks like Central & SE VA won't get the upgrade until August.

Tried to print the channel guide, but Adobe won't/can't print the document.
Size is shown as 8.5X16.5. Tried "fit to page" in Landscape mode, but no go.
Any suggestions on how to print it ?

Does the Philadelphia market include south jersey?

Also has anyone had luck calling and threatening to cancel to get a deal on say movie channels. Comcast is looking good.

Tried to print the channel guide, but Adobe won't/can't print the document. Size is shown as 8.5X16.5. Tried "fit to page" in Landscape mode, but no go. Any suggestions on how to print it ?Are you printing from within your browser? Try saving to your PC, opening in Adobe, then printing. Haven't tried it, but first try isolating any browser problems from Adobe problems.

We got our mailing in N.Y. about the upcoming HD. At least it looks official now.

So, sorry for asking for a repeat of things already hashed out, but what's the big deal about this? Will FIOS be offering more (better PQ) HD channels from this change? Will they be adding an on-demand feature?
Last... what's the big downsides to FIOS?
Appreciate any/all info.
You should scan back through this thread and the other Fios sticky thread in the HDTV Technical & Recorders (Fios QIP6416 DVR) forums for details. I'll try to keep this short.

Fios does not add extra compression to the HD channels. What the SD or HD source sends out is what you get - unlike some cable & satellite companies who we will not name. The big upgrade we have all been waiting for is the expansion of the QAM channel capacity so Verizon can add more HD and SD channels. What Fios is doing is shutting down the limited set of up to 40 analog local channels they have been offering in most markets and replacing the channel slots with new digital QAM channels. Fios has plenty of bandwidth from the Central Office to the home. What Verizon did was to build out the TV system with only 54 QAM channels populated at the start and later COs with 63 QAM channels out of the 135 available in a 860 MHz system. I have only 56 QAM channels in use here in Sterling, VA for example. Verizon is doing 2 things: swapping out NTSC analog channels with digital QAM channels and building out the system to provide 135 QAM channels for the live TV channels. This will give them the capacity for 150+ full bandwidth national HD channels.

Verizon has VOD. They finally rolled out HD-VOD to all markets earlier this year, but the HD content is still rather limited. Verizon differs from cable in that the VOD and Guide data are sent via IPTV, so none of the QAM RF channels are taken up with VOD. The internet is sent via a separate fiber signal. Verizon recently made 50 Mbps download speeds available to all Fios subscribers if you are willing to pay for it (or need it).

Picture quality for SD and HD on Verizon Fios is excellent, but is only as good as the source from the cable or local broadcast station. Verizon does send all the local digital broadcast stations in the clear (not encrypted), so any TV or STB with a clear QAM tuner can get them. Useful for a kitchen or bedroom TV where you don't want to pay for another STB. All the national SD & HD channels with few exceptions are encrypted. The internet speeds match what you pay for.

Downsides? I think the DVR software is now pretty good, but it is still a work in progress. But the guide data is all too often lacking. The biggest single drawback, IMO, for HD viewers is the HD-DVR limited 160 GB hard drive recording capacity with no expansion options. The only fix is to get a HD Tivo which does work very well with Fios, but you have to lease 1 or 2 cable cards and buy the Tivo. Another downside for anyone coming from analog cable is that they have to accept the fact of life that they will need a STB/DVR (or QAM tuner & cablecard setup) for each TV to get the national cable channels. But the cable companies will be moving to all digital themselves in the near future.

Ok, that was a little longer winded than I intended when I started... :D

Are you printing from within your browser? Try saving to your PC, opening in Adobe, then printing. Haven't tried it, but first try isolating any browser problems from Adobe problems.

I downloaded file and then tried printing from Adobe. Wouldn't work for me.

You should scan back through this thread and the other Fios sticky thread in the HDTV Technical & Recorders (Fios QIP6416 DVR) forums for details. I'll try to keep this short.

Very helpful information deleted :)

Ok, that was a little longer winded than I intended when I started... :D

Thanks for getting me started. I understand what you were saying. I'll now make time to go back & read the thread(s) to get more details, but I appreciate you netting it out for me.

Looks like I'll be canceling my $180/mo C*cast and $90/mo phone bills and getting better PQ, with phone - from Verizon, for about half-price. Yea, the $$$ is important, but I am just fed up with the PQ from the big C.

Glad to hear FIOS is getting serious about adding more HD channels.

Very helpful information deleted :)



Thanks for getting me started. I understand what you were saying. I'll now make time to go back & read the thread(s) to get more details, but I appreciate you netting it out for me.

Looks like I'll be canceling my $180/mo C*cast and $90/mo phone bills and getting better PQ, with phone - from Verizon, for about half-price. Yea, the $$$ is important, but I am just fed up with the PQ from the big C.

Glad to hear FIOS is getting serious about adding more HD channels.

Agree with all he wrote and have to say the phone service is excellent. I would also highly recommend the internet service, none better available.

steve325 you might be saving more than half in southern california verizon is offering internet5/2 phone and fios tv for $104.00 a month!! if i wasnt stuck on a 2 year contract with directv i would jump on this deal i have been paying around $120.00 for directv and $79.00 for verizon phone and internet so just under $200.00 a month. and i believe that verizon$104 price includes over 40 premiumn movie channels of starz and showtime!!!

FIOS VOD is really sluggish - at least where I am. From the time you press a button to navigate around the VOD menu, until the time the system actually responds is agonizing. A lot of times I end up pushing the buttons 2x or more, becuase I am not sure if I pushed it hard enough or if the DVR received it. Then you end up with a mess when it processess two or three presses at once.

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

FIOS ever coming to NC?

FiOS to add RFD HD.

http://www.rfdtv.com/Press/Releases/HTML/Verizon_Agreement.asp

Surprised that no one has posted this, but Fort Wayne, IN did indeed get the major channel line-up overhaul and some new 23 + premium HD channels this morning. The reports are that they also got Versus/Golf HD and Big Ten Net HD which had been removed from the 1st posted PDF line-up. Posts from Fort Wayne in the Fios TV forum at dslreports. So, Verizon has finally begun the long awaited HD expansion, although it will take up to 3+ months to get to all the VHOs if the reported schedule is correct.

As for NC, depends on whether Verizon is the primary phone company in your area. Verizon plans to roll out Fios to all the suburban and urban markets in their territories. They have a build-out plan that goes to, what, 2012? The more rural areas are an open question of whether they will get fiber to the home or to a node with copper from there.

Rock on. I was wondering if it got rolled out, or if it was another date that came and went.

Good stuff with the Versus, too.

Thanks for the update afiggatt!

FiOS to add RFD HD.

http://www.rfdtv.com/Press/Releases/HTML/Verizon_Agreement.asp

Mmm... Dutch Oven and Camp Cooking!

steve325 you might be saving more than half in southern california verizon is offering internet5/2 phone and fios tv for $104.00 a month!! if i wasnt stuck on a 2 year contract with directv i would jump on this deal i have been paying around $120.00 for directv and $79.00 for verizon phone and internet so just under $200.00 a month. and i believe that verizon$104 price includes over 40 premiumn movie channels of starz and showtime!!!
No, premier does not include movie channels ( other than TBS, TNT, AMC, Fox,etc.)
Starz, Showtime, Encore and The Movie Channel are part of the "Movie" pack @ $12.99 / mo. Well worth it IMO, as opposed to the seprate HBO and Cinemax Packs...rehash of the same movies @ $15.99/mo each.

No, premier does not include movie channels ( other than TBS, TNT, AMC, Fox,etc.)
Starz, Showtime, Encore and The Movie Channel are part of the "Movie" pack @ $12.99 / mo. Well worth it IMO, as opposed to the seprate HBO and Cinemax Packs...rehash of the same movies @ $15.99/mo each.

They have a promotion(I think, maybe normal price) right now that includes, movies, sports, hbo, and cinemax for $29/month.

FiOS to add RFD HD.

http://www.rfdtv.com/Press/Releases/HTML/Verizon_Agreement.asp

do rural areas (the R in RFD stands for rural, apparently) even HAVE fios? what the heck?

I'd prefer the Amish channel myself.

FIOS VOD is really sluggish

I never have understood why this is, either. All of the program guide stuff, as far as I know, runs over the Internet. For instance, over the weekend I lost power for a few hours. When power returned, I had no program guide info and had to reset the black IP router by pressing the little button on the back of the router with a paper clip.

When I spoke to VZ tech support, he confirmed what I had thought all along, that the program guide is provided as a web service over the Internet. Slow response in the program guide and VOD system tells me VZ needs to invest in a few more web servers. The program guide and VOD services should never be slow unless there aren't enough servers on the back end to handle the demand. (I assume VZ isn't lacking in upstream bandwidth!)

... the "Movie" pack @ $12.99 / mo. Well worth it IMO

Another $3/month adds all the extra sports channels to the package, too, like the regional networks and The Golf Channel.

Verizon clearly has organized its programming into the most value-oriented packages of all the television providers. DirecTV's package structure is a frustrating scam, and Comcast's is just a ripoff.

Some people contend that Verizon is more expensive than Comcast, and that might be true if you want the bare bones $99 a month triple play. But if you want to max out your programming options, Verizon is cheaper by a mile.

Verizon clearly has organized its programming into the most value-oriented packages of all the television providers. DirecTV's package structure is a frustrating scam, and Comcast's is just a ripoff.

Some people contend that Verizon is more expensive than Comcast, and that might be true if you want the bare bones $99 a month triple play. But if you want to max out your programming options, Verizon is cheaper by a mile.
Okay, so what should I be paying for:

15/2
Phone
All TV, all premiums, except sports
8 Cable Cards 1 SD STB (no DVR)

?

I think I'm paying too much at $200.

Last I checked, Comcast charges $20 a piece for Showtime, Starz, and Encore, so that's $60 on top of their $99 triple play already. As I recall, they also charge more for HBO-Cinemax than does Verizon.

Does their $99 triple play include 15/2?

Okay, so what should I be paying for:

15/2
Phone
All TV, all premiums, except sports
8 Cable Cards 1 SD STB (no DVR)

?

I think I'm paying too much at $200.

Other than 15/2 (I have 5/1) and I have only 1 DVR, that is what I pay Comcast now. Hence, why I am looking to FIOS... I hope to get all that for under $150.

Okay, so what should I be paying for:

15/2
Phone
All TV, all premiums, except sports
8 Cable Cards 1 SD STB (no DVR)

?

I think I'm paying too much at $200.

Before my upgrade to 50/20(I had 30/5 prior)my bill was around $232 for all 4 services(cellphone, home phone, INternet, and TV), but I didn't have Cinemax and HBO is free(I pay for the movie package). I also have 8 cable cards for an extra $24 but I also have an HD STB(for HD VOD).

Last I checked, Comcast charges $20 a piece for Showtime, Starz, and Encore, so that's $60 on top of their $99 triple play already. As I recall, they also charge more for HBO-Cinemax than does Verizon.

Does their $99 triple play include 15/2?

the triple play includes only 10/2, and I think it's like $106 now.

Last I checked, Comcast charges $20 a piece for Showtime, Starz, and Encore, so that's $60 on top of their $99 triple play already. As I recall, they also charge more for HBO-Cinemax than does Verizon.

Does their $99 triple play include 15/2?


I was paying $23 for all movie channels except cinemax.I added cinemax,now I have all the movie channels for $29.99

Finally. Turned on TV tonight and it was there. :) I'm in a Comcast area.

Official Verizon Press Release on the addition of HD channels to the Fort Wayne, IN market: http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2008/verizon-adds-22-new-channels.html.

CNN-HD, TBS-HD, and others are now listed as "coming soon", sometime in July if I read it the release correctly. This despite these channels being included on the effective June 30 PDF channel line-up for Fort Wayne. Wonder if they will be added to Fort Wayne before July 21, so Portland will get all the new HD channels at once on July 21?

According to BBR they have been added in Ft Wayne

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r20719342-Verizon-Channels-are-Here-in-Fort-Wayne

Any word on the availability of NBA League Pass as part of the new channels being offered? I broke down and subscribed to E* (in addition to FIOS) during basketball season last year, but had hoped to get rid of it this year.

Joe (in Dallas)

the triple play includes only 10/2, and I think it's like $106 now.

In my zip code, the triple play is 8/2. And the "digital premier" package (which you get for $160 the first year but which later reverts to $200) doesn't even have many of the channels I get with Verizon.

Official Verizon release:

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2008/verizon-adds-22-new-channels.html

Any updates on the DFW area? When are we getting new HD channels??

Nothing is free. I expect that would result in a rate increase down the line.

well, there are some free HD movies, like f#$@ing lifetime movies, wtf! comcast had old but popular movies in HD for free, as well as a bunch of movies from starz, showtime, cinemax, and movie channel for free even if you didn't subscribe to those channels.

I would be happy with HD on demand from the movie channels that I'm paying for.

yes, defineately. although comcast never had an hbo hd on demand, probably an hbo issue, they had the ones i stated up top, and new movies too.

overall, i'm disappointed with FIOS since it's supposed to be the future of hdtv programming, and so far there is not much. why do i want three different HD ABCs, NBCs, PBSs, etc? do i really want to pay $4.99 for an HD version of Jodie Foster's Flightplan? was that just a s%&#load of compression i saw watching Meet the Robinsons in HD? can they're Customer Support get any worse? how can i get 2 different bills in the mail, and a different amount on each one, and a completely different amount due online? wasn't i told the HBO + Movies package was free for a year with a two year contract and now i'm being told there is no way they are going to honor that since i didn't get it in writing? i've got more but i'm done for now

was that just a s%&#load of compression i saw watching Meet the Robinsons in HD?


This is not the fault of FiOS. I've seen this on all broadcast HD since 2001. FIOS broadcasts whatever the content providers, like Starz gives them.
On every broadcast program I always see problems anytime there is a bright flash, fast movement or fast pans. This has always been the case since I started watching HD in 2001. And It hasn't changed on any of the 3 providers I've used or from OTA.

comcast had old but popular movies in HD for free, as well as a bunch of movies from starz, showtime, cinemax, and movie channel for free even if you didn't subscribe to those channels.

I think if you compare the cost of the FiOS and Comcast for similar services FiOS will be cheaper. Therefore those "free" movies are not really free. The cost is passed on to you somewhere.

Any word on the availability of NBA League Pass as part of the new channels being offered? I broke down and subscribed to E* (in addition to FIOS) during basketball season last year, but had hoped to get rid of it this year.

Joe (in Dallas)

I feel your pain.

Lack of NBA season pass is my only real sore point with FiOS, but it's pretty sore. :(

Verizon To Offer MSNBC [SD] In NY For Olympics

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6575570.html

god how i wish they would offer nba league pass so i could leave directv and get back to having tivo again as well.

I think if you compare the cost of the FiOS and Comcast for similar services FiOS will be cheaper.

When I decided to switch I sat down and did an Excel spreadsheet that figured out my cost for the two services over the next two years (the term of the FiOS contract). I'm saving about $800 over the two years by switching to FiOS. That takes into account the gift card I got for the Triple Play, it would be $600 without that, still nothing to sneeze at.

My only complaint with FiOS is the $24 I have to pay for my cable cards each month. When I had six cable cards with Comcast they cost zero. I currently have two cablecards with Comcast for zero.

The last 2 Sox series, on the road in Houston and last night's Yankees game have come across with DD 2.0 audio, not 5.1; anyone know if this is a function of the originating feeds or is there a NESN/FIOS problem?; the last Sox series from Fenway was OK with 5.1 audio...thanks

The last 2 Sox series, on the road in Houston and last night's Yankees game have come across with DD 2.0 audio, not 5.1; anyone know if this is a function of the originating feeds or is there a NESN/FIOS problem?; the last Sox series from Fenway was OK with 5.1 audio...thanks

It would be the originating feed. FiOS simply passes along the signal it is given, they would not be re-encoding the audio(or the video).

My only complaint with FiOS is the $24 I have to pay for my cable cards each month. When I had six cable cards with Comcast they cost zero. I currently have two cablecards with Comcast for zero.

I agree with you on this one, but at the same time when I was on BHN they charged a $1 per card than FiOS does.

Recently i switched from TiVo to Vista Media Center so now I only need two CableCARDs and I can still watch them on every TV in the house using extenders.

The other thing I'm going to do because I'm super cheap is to turn in the CableCARDs, then request them again using the digital transition number to save the $3.

The other thing I did because I'm super cheap is to turn in the CableCARDs, then request them again using the digital transition number to save the $3.
Could you be more specific here. Are you talking about the Digital Solutions phone #, and getting cablecards in lieu of the Digital Adapter @N/C ?
(BTW, CC in my area are $3.99 ea)

Yes shadowcaster.
My letter said I could get a CableCARD in lieu of a digital adapter. Someone posted a copy of the Tampa letter here.
http://www.tampahdtv.com/tpahd-vb/showthread.php?t=27094

I haven't tried this yet, but I was going to this week. Going back and reading my post, I admit that it sounds like I did it already. I'll edit it.

Thanks bdraw !

Edit : If I click on that link however, I read it to say that the DA is the only thing you can receive free.
But you say that your letter specifically stated you could also choose a CC ? Would you mind posting a quote of that ?

Thanks, kes601, probably just a matter of $$ why it's only 2 channels insted of the 5.1?

I just wish that I could replace my 4 single stream cable cards with 2 multi stream cards, when is Verizon going to get updated equipment?

I just wish that I could replace my 4 single stream cable cards with 2 multi stream cards, when is Verizon going to get updated equipment?

Me too, except I have 8 SS cards I want to replace!

Me too, except I have 8 SS cards I want to replace!


I have eight also, but six of thsoe are on Series 3 TiVos which only handle single stream, while only two are on a TiVoHD.
Even if they offer multistream I will be keeping the single stream. Unless the tech visit is free which is unlikely. I'm sure they would try and charge too much for a tech visit to make it worthwhile for me to change two single streams to one multistream.

Does anyone know what the charge is for a tech visit?

Hey Folks,

Haven't use the PPV yet on my, had fios for ~ 1 year already.

The boys want to come over and watch UFC 86 tonight, but I don't see it in the VOD area, am I missing something? Is it going to be aired on FiOS? I see some OLD UFC stuff, but no the fight tonight?
Thanks.

I have eight also, but six of thsoe are on Series 3 TiVos which only handle single stream, while only two are on a TiVoHD.
Even if they offer multistream I will be keeping the single stream. Unless the tech visit is free which is unlikely. I'm sure they would try and charge too much for a tech visit to make it worthwhile for me to change two single streams to one multistream.

Does anyone know what the charge is for a tech visit?

I bet they'll charge twice as much for the multi stream card anyway!

Hey Folks,

Haven't use the PPV yet on my, had fios for ~ 1 year already.

The boys want to come over and watch UFC 86 tonight, but I don't see it in the VOD area, am I missing something? Is it going to be aired on FiOS? I see some OLD UFC stuff, but no the fight tonight?
Thanks.

It is not VOD, it is PPV, check channel 701.

It is not VOD, it is PPV, check channel 701.

Doh!
Thanks :o

I have eight also, but six of thsoe are on Series 3 TiVos which only handle single stream, while only two are on a TiVoHD.
Even if they offer multistream I will be keeping the single stream. Unless the tech visit is free which is unlikely. I'm sure they would try and charge too much for a tech visit to make it worthwhile for me to change two single streams to one multistream.

Does anyone know what the charge is for a tech visit?

Yeah, well, 4 of mine are in S3s also... I just wanted to show off that I have 4 Tivo HD/S3s...

I have a question a bit on the periphery of this thread....for owners of Samsung series 650 or 750 LCDs who also have FiOS: when you click on the FiOS DVR button, and the first screen appears, the blue background is gradated. The center is a lighter blue and then above and below the blue gradates darker. The question is, do you see this gradation as perfectly smooth or in horizontal bands?

Or, if you don't have those TVs, any comments about this gradation on your own TV would be appreciated. I'm trying to determine if my 650 is not performing correctly, or not optimally.

Thanks

Yeah, well, 4 of mine are in S3s also... I just wanted to show off that I have 4 Tivo HD/S3s...

I actually have seven boxes:D(four are TiVoHD boxes, three Series 3), 4 boxes on FiOS, 1 box on Comcast, and 2 boxes are OTA only.
Of course once FiOS adds the extra HD channels I'll have one box too many since I'll be able to dump Comcast.

I have a question a bit on the periphery of this thread....for owners of Samsung series 650 or 750 LCDs who also have FiOS: when you click on the FiOS DVR button, and the first screen appears, the blue background is gradated. The center is a lighter blue and then above and below the blue gradates darker. The question is, do you see this gradation as perfectly smooth or in horizontal bands?

Or, if you don't have those TVs, any comments about this gradation on your own TV would be appreciated. I'm trying to determine if my 650 is not performing correctly, or not optimally.

Thanks


Everything is only 8 bit, all BD, Broadcast, DVD, HD DVD etc. content is only 8 bit. So just like banding that can occur from the content, maybe the banding is from the box since it might use a lower color palette.

Got the letter about the conversion in the mail today (NoVa). Says we have until 7/24 to order a free digital adaptor box (1-888-GO Digital) with the "transition to an all-digital service beginning in September. Shortly after this transition, you'll see even more great content from Verizon". The letter doesn't say what exactly that "great content" will be. I'm hoping that MASN-HD will be a part of that. :)

Got the letter about the conversion in the mail today (NoVa). Says we have until 7/24 to order a free digital adaptor box (1-888-GO Digital) with the "transition to an all-digital service beginning in September. Shortly after this transition, you'll see even more great content from Verizon". The letter doesn't say what exactly that "great content" will be. I'm hoping that MASN-HD will be a part of that. :)

We got that same letter back in April here in SoVA -- "shortly" still has not come :-)

Has Verizon updated the Channel Line-up page?

For some reason, I'm seeing to older version that only has Ft. Wayne (6/30) & Portland (7/21). It must be the provider... I'm on vacation, and using some WiFi I found...

Has Verizon updated the Channel Line-up page?

For some reason, I'm seeing to older version that only has Ft. Wayne (6/30) & Portland (7/21). It must be the provider... I'm on vacation, and using some WiFi I found...

Nope, I would look for an update on Friday.

Has Verizon updated the Channel Line-up page?

For some reason, I'm seeing to older version that only has Ft. Wayne (6/30) & Portland (7/21). It must be the provider... I'm on vacation, and using some WiFi I found...

Nope, I would look for an update on Friday.

Has the website changed? I only see Ft. Wayne & Portland, not NNJ, NY & Pittsburg that I saw the other day... To me, it looks like it did about 2 weeks ago...

Has the website changed? I only see Ft. Wayne & Portland, not NNJ, NY & Pittsburg that I saw the other day... To me, it looks like it did about 2 weeks ago...

Yep, it has changed(on the 27th), it has Pittsburgh and Northern NJ on it as well.

Yep, it has changed(on the 27th), it has Pittsburgh and Northern NJ on it as well.

Yeah, I saw those the other day... in fact, I check it every day hoping that Richmond & Tidewater will be on the official schedule. I've seen the 3 new sites, but for some reason, not today.. No idea why not.. :confused:

Yeah, I saw those the other day... in fact, I check it every day hoping that Richmond & Tidewater will be on the official schedule. I've seen the 3 new sites, but for some reason, not today.. No idea why not.. :confused:

That happened to me one day, and the next it was fine. BTW, I sent you a PM over on DSLReports with a contact you might be able to try to find out the timing of Richmond/Hampton Roads. He was helpful when I was trying to find out when our locals would be in HD, but I think I emailed him too many times :-)

I feel your pain.

Lack of NBA season pass is my only real sore point with FiOS, but it's pretty sore. :(

lack of NFL Sunday Ticket is my sore point.

lack of NFL Sunday Ticket is my sore point.

Yes, but there is not anything Vz can do about that since it is an exclusive contract between NFL / D*. Vz can(and will) carry NBA League Pass and MLB Extra Innings because there are no exclusive contracts that prohibit it.

lack of NFL Sunday Ticket is my sore point.and this is why I have FiOS Internet and landline but not FiOS TV...

What about N.H.L. Center Ice?

lack of NFL Sunday Ticket is my sore point.

Send a letter to the NFL and tell them not to sign another exclusive deal with D when the contract is up this time, or you'll boycott the NFL.

Q&A: FiOS TV’s Terry Denson

George Winslow -- Multichannel News, 7/1/2008 10:03:00 AM

With the recent announcement that Verizon is planning to add 25 HD channels to its FiOS TV lineup this July, the company will be offering some 60 HD channels. But as FiOS TV’s vice president of content and programming Terry Denson explains, that is only the beginning of the company’s expansion. While the FiOS announced plans earlier this year to have 150 HD channels by the end of 2008, Denson stresses that their goal is not to reach a specific number but to “be the clear categorical leader” in HD programming by “any measure.” And edited transcript follows:

Q: What are you plans for expanding your HD offering this year?

A: I don’t think there is a lot of strategic magic what we are trying to do. We simply plan to be the leaders in HD and we expect achieve that by the year end.

A lot has been made of actual channel counts but we don’t obsess over channel counts. We obsess over being the leader in HD and making sure that we are leaders in the category.

And, leadership in the category is more than just channels. It mean that you are serving a number of diverse demographics.

I think one of the earlier missteps -- why the early adoption of HD was been slower than expected -- was that the interesting parties -- the consumer electronics industry, the content providers and distributors -- targeted a narrow demographic.

Today, if you look at the content that is available, it is a far more diverse offering than there was a year ago. It is important not just that we have more content. It’s notable that the content is more diverse.

So leadership goes beyond channel counts. You have to have the deepest and most diverse content offering available and that is an important part of our content strategy.

But we expect to be the categorical leaders by any measure.

Q: In the past, Verizon executives have said FiOS would reach 150 HD channels by year-end. Is that still your target?

A: The important thing is that we expect to be the categorical leader. We are on our way. We haven’t arrived yet and we are still negotiating some agreements, which is why I want to shy away from mentioning specific channels. But we expect to have more than 1000 HD VOD titles by the end of the year and in term of channels we will be the leaders by the end of year as well.

If you are satellite or cable, you have significant limits with respect to capacity. The beauty of fiber to the home is that capacity is not as much an issue for us as it is for satellite and cable provider.

Even so, channel counts are a little tricky. When DirectTV made an announcement about having capacity for 150 channels, everyone was scrambling to figure out what that means.

It doesn’t mean anything except that if there were 150 channels that DirectTV was willing to carry, then they would have the capacity to carry them. There are other issues, however, beyond capacity, to consider -- customer experience, the quality of the content, the nature of the business terms, etc. I don’t think that any distributor in the industry is going to offer HD content on reasonable terms just so they can fill capacity.

Q: So you are saying that 150 HD channels isn’t a fixed target?

A: If 150 HD channels were a fixed target and DirecTV or Dish or Comcast offered 165, where we sit? So, our beacon can’t be 150 channels. Our goal is categorical leadership and that is what we will achieve.

Q: Beyond the obvious categories -- movies, sports, etc. -- are there some other types of HD content that you’re particularly interested in?

A: Multicultural is one key point of acquisition for us. I think Dish has done a terrific job in the multicultural area and DirecTV has quietly has a done a great job of expanding their multicultural offering.

Because of bandwidth limitations, cable has not do as much. They are really forced to program based on the demographics of their market place. Time Warner has done very well in Southern California and Cox has done very well in Arizona targeted the Hispanic market. But other groups aren’t getting content they want.

Because of our delivery system and our content strategy, we look to program without regard to the demographics [of a particular area] to ensure the content is available for anyone.

So multicultural is important and we are talking to a number of content providers about multicultural HD content.

Q: Right now, there isn’t a lot of multicultural content available right now in HD. Do you currently offer any and if not, how soon do you hope to have some?

A: You’re right. There isn’t a lot available right now. It is very difficult right now for the niche provider, the multicultural provider to incur the cost of developing HD content and get a reasonable return on that investment in the near term.

We are hoping that our strategy will encourage the development of that content and I think that will help the whole market place. We don’t mind if others are fast followers because that will create a greater market of additional content and more diverse HD content, the kind of content that might be 3 or 4 rings outside of what people might identify as a bulls eye for HD content.

We currently do not have multicultural content in HD but we expect to have some by the end of the year.

Q: On the competitive side, there have been a lot of claims about what various platforms are offering. Satellite has been talking about their 150 linear channels and Comcast has been emphasizing their plan to have 1,000 HD choices by year end. How difficult is it to get consumers to understand the relative merits of these competing marketing claims?

A: You nailed it. The challenge is speaking to the customer. DirecTV only said that they would have the capacity to offer 150 channels but in a short period of time, the capacity to offer 150 channel was translated by consumers and the media into the idea that they had a superior offering.

I think Comcast quickly tried to step into the space and redefine what how to quantify an HD offering and what makes the best HD offering.

I have to say their approach is far more difficult to convey but ultimately it is the right approach. As VOD becomes mainstream, consumers will be making a decision [on the value of different HD offerings] on basis of the HD linear content and the HD VOD content.

Satellite doesn’t want to engage in that sort of dialogue.

But it is a complicated message to effectively impart to a potential consumer. It is lot of easier for a consumer to say this provider has 150 channels and this one has 100 channels so I’ll choose the one with 150 channels.

That’s an easier decision then the contemplative approach of choosing a provider with 100 HD channel and 500 HD programs available at anyone time on demand. If you think about it, that means you have 100 linear choices and 500 on demand choices, which adds up to 600 HD choices at any one time. So instead of choosing among 150 choices you are to choosing among have 600.

It is a hard message to communicate. But ultimately there will be a time, as on demand usage increases and it becomes a more mainstream experience, when this message will be easiest and most effective to communicate.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6575106.html?nid=2387&source=link&rid=

categorical leader? sounds like "moral victory". just give me sci fi hd and fx hd, okay?

It is showing up in my guide on channel 829. I can't tune to it yet, but the guide info is there.

And, leadership in the category is more than just channels. It mean that you are serving a number of diverse demographics.

I think one of the earlier missteps -- why the early adoption of HD was been slower than expected -- was that the interesting parties -- the consumer electronics industry, the content providers and distributors -- targeted a narrow demographic.


And which "demographic" was that? Those with sufficient resources or interest to be early adopters of HDTV? Is this discussion about "diverse demographics" and "multicultural" programming a polite way to talk about class and ethnicity without actually talking about them? I suspect this whole discussion is about whether there are HD offerings for African-Americans and Hispanics; if so, why not say so?

I hate mealy-mouthed "marketing speak."

But we expect to have more than 1000 HD VOD titles by the end of the year and in term of channels we will be the leaders by the end of year as well.

How many of those 1000 titles will be free, or at least free if you subscribe to particular packages?

If you think about it, that means you have 100 linear choices and 500 on demand choices, which adds up to 600 HD choices at any one time. So instead of choosing among 150 choices you are to choosing among have 600.

Well, if the per-viewing cost of the 100 channels is effectively zero, since they're bundled into the package, but the other 500 choices each cost $5 to view, is that really a fair comparison?

(I hope Mr. Denson's command of spoken English is better than the transcription -- "you are to choosing among have 600???")

Maybe Mr. Denson could drop by this forum every now and then and talk to us?

Yeah, that interview was all spin. I would've asked him why for the past year the supposedly most advanced content delivery network in the country, has had the worst HD lineup in the country. And why didn't they plan for more QAM channels out of the gate?

There aren't going to be 150 HD channels that FiOS can offer by year's end. DirecTV gets to count all RSNs; Verizon doesn't. It will always be "behind" in that regard.

That said, it's going to take a lot more than the initial 15 HD additions to become the "categorical leader" by year's end.

Here is a list of the currently available HD channels.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_cable_and_satellite_television_network s_in_High_Definition

There are around 80 not counting regional sports networks or the Voom channels. Plus the premium movie channels have several HD channels which also add more to the total.

And dozens of other channels are supposed to go HD sometime in the next 6 to 9 months.

I get Food Network West on my C-Band system, is there a HD version of the west feed available? Or do people on the west coast get the East HD channel?

I get Food Network West on my C-Band system, is there a HD version of the west feed available? Or do people on the west coast get the East HD channel?


I think they only have one HD channel. At least I can't find any info about an East and West version HD channel.

There aren't going to be 150 HD channels that FiOS can offer by year's end. DirecTV gets to count all RSNs; Verizon doesn't. It will always be "behind" in that regard.

That said, it's going to take a lot more than the initial 15 HD additions to become the "categorical leader" by year's end.

They could probably count MLB Extra Innings games if they added that with all available HD feeds. But that's apparently not a priority.

I think they only have one HD channel. At least I can't find any info about an East and West version HD channel.


If there was and verizon could provide it, that would make me drop my subscription to C-band. I like having the convenience of choosing East/West on my channels.

My question, and maybe someone can answer it...cuz I have called Verizon and if I talked to 12 different people, I'd get 12 different answers.

Fort Wayne, Indiana got a new channel roll out of the Big Ten Network. When will that channel be rolled out to Northern DE? Will it be on basic or will I have to get the sports package?

Also, Verizon seems to be behind in updating the new channels into the packages. Comcast, DirectTV, Dish all offer TBS HD, Versus HD, ESPNews HD...Verizon does not.

I am just a little bit confused as to how one market gets an update but the other markets do not.

Fort Wayne, Indiana got a new channel roll out of the Big Ten Network. When will that channel be rolled out to Northern DE? Will it be on basic or will I have to get the sports package?

Also, Verizon seems to be behind in updating the new channels into the packages. Comcast, DirectTV, Dish all offer TBS HD, Versus HD, ESPNews HD...Verizon does not.

I am just a little bit confused as to how one market gets an update but the other markets do not.
Don't know if Verizon will put the Big Ten Network in the Sports Package in all or some markets. IMO, that is the proper place for such a specialized sports channel so the rest of us don't have to pay for it in an more expensive Premier package, but not everyone will agree with that. Fort Wayne did get Versus/Golf HD as well so that channel is coming.

Verizon is behind in adding more HD channels because they made a major mis-calculation 2-3 years ago on how many QAM channels they needed to provide. There is plenty of bandwidth from the CO (Central Office) to the house, but they only installed 54 to 63 QAM channels out of the 135 they could have. They got caught unprepared for the rapid expansion of new HD channels which was orchestrated by DirecTV with their new satellite last year. Verizon is in the process of shutting down the up to 40 analog channels in each markets and upgrading the VHOs (Video head Offices) and COs to provide 135 QAM channels. This upgrade is being done by market and started back in the spring. Fort Wayne, IN is the testbed market as it was one of the last to start up, was digital only from the start and is probably Fios TV's smallest VHO in current subscriber base.

The schedule for the first round of HD expansions that has been made public so far is:
6/30 Fort Wayne IN
7/21 Portland. OR
7/23 NY
7/30 Northern NJ
8/06 Pittsburgh

The Philadelphia VHO (SE PA, southern NJ, northern DE), Richmond & SE VA VHO and Massachusetts VHO are probably getting the channel re-alignment and HD expansion in mid to late August, but that has not been confirmed.

But you can't say Comcast has added all these HD channels. Depends on where you are. The Comcast national channel line-up can vary from county to county and city to city. Comcast, like Time Warner, is cobbled together from 100s (thousands?) of franchises they brought up over the years, each with a different Video Head End to support. A HD channel roll-out on Comcast has taken months or years to get to every system that has HD in the past. I think there are still some more rural Comcast franchise areas that don't have any HD at all.

You know, we need a FAQ on this in the first post of this thread. Or start a new Fios TV thread with the first 3-4 posts reserved for info updates.

The Philadelphia VHO (SE PA, southern NJ, northern DE), Richmond & SE VA VHO and Massachusetts VHO are probably getting the channel re-alignment and HD expansion in mid to late August, but that has not been confirmed.



Richmond and Hampton Roads are set for August 13/14, I know it is not officially posted, but unless something happens to deter it, that is the "official" date.

Last I heard for the Philly market is 8/25.

Don't know if Verizon will put the Big Ten Network in the Sports Package in all or some markets. IMO, that is the proper place for such a specialized sports channel so the rest of us don't have to pay for it in an more expensive Premier package, but not everyone will agree with that. Fort Wayne did get Versus/Golf HD as well so that channel is coming.

Verizon is behind in adding more HD channels because they made a major mis-calculation 2-3 years ago on how many QAM channels they needed to provide. There is plenty of bandwidth from the CO (Central Office) to the house, but they only installed 54 to 63 QAM channels out of the 135 they could have. They got caught unprepared for the rapid expansion of new HD channels which was orchestrated by DirecTV with their new satellite last year. Verizon is in the process of shutting down the up to 40 analog channels in each markets and upgrading the VHOs (Video head Offices) and COs to provide 135 QAM channels. This upgrade is being done by market and started back in the spring. Fort Wayne, IN is the testbed market as it was one of the last to start up, was digital only from the start and is probably Fios TV's smallest VHO in current subscriber base.

The schedule for the first round of HD expansions that has been made public so far is:
6/30 Fort Wayne IN
7/21 Portland. OR
7/23 NY
7/30 Northern NJ
8/06 Pittsburgh

The Philadelphia VHO (SE PA, southern NJ, northern DE), Richmond & SE VA VHO and Massachusetts VHO are probably getting the channel re-alignment and HD expansion in mid to late August, but that has not been confirmed.

But you can't say Comcast has added all these HD channels. Depends on where you are. The Comcast national channel line-up can vary from county to county and city to city. Comcast, like Time Warner, is cobbled together from 100s (thousands?) of franchises they brought up over the years, each with a different Video Head End to support. A HD channel roll-out on Comcast has taken months or years to get to every system that has HD in the past. I think there are still some more rural Comcast franchise areas that don't have any HD at all.

You know, we need a FAQ on this in the first post of this thread. Or start a new Fios TV thread with the first 3-4 posts reserved for info updates.


You mean the bean counters got ahold of it. DirecTVs HD plans had been in the works for years. All this HD is no surprise to anyone. Verizon knew about it but decided to spend less upfront money and decided to deal with it down the road which is now..

I am in Fort Wayne so I can comment on the Big Ten Network placement. I am getting the Big Ten Network and I don't have any of the subscription packages. I have the basic package plus HD content. My guess is that BTN would also be part of the basic package in other markets but I could be wrong. I currently cannot view TBS HD, Versus HD, and ESPNews HD. I think TBS HD is supposed to be added later but I don't know about the other two.

One correction to afiggatt's statement. Fort Wayne was not all digital from the start. We had the analog channels until April of this year.

bpeck

Verizon's press flack has confirmed for me that no spots tier subscription is required for the Big Ten Network for either HD or SD. It is part of the Premier pack.

Verizon Takes FiOS TV To Work

Service Aimed at Small and Midsize Companies Available in 13 States

By Todd Spangler -- Multichannel News, 7/10/2008 11:18:00 AM

Verizon on Thursday launched FiOS TV for Business, a subscription TV service aimed at small and midsize businesses such as doctors’ waiting rooms, building lobbies, restaurants and bars.

Pricing for the commercial FiOS TV service starts at $49.99 and is available in areas of the 13 states where the consumer service is offered: California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.

“The introduction of FiOS TV for Business brings an extraordinary TV experience to the commercial viewing space,” Monte Beck, Verizon’s vice president of business marketing, said in a statement. “Judging from the positive consumer response we've had to FiOS TV, it can give a competitive advantage to businesses that offer TV viewing to their customer.”

As part of the service launch, Verizon is offering an online rebate of $409 to business customers who commit to a one-year contract for both FiOS TV for Business and FiOS Internet for Business.

Existing FiOS Internet for Business customers are eligible for a $170 online rebate when they order FiOS TV for Business with a one-year agreement.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6577399.html

When I recently bought my first HD TV, I compared upgrading my DirecTV system to HD to switching to FIOS (with HD). I switched to FIOS, like it very much, but have one complaint. The Info on programs, current and future, is useless on many stations. For example, DirecTV displayed guests and/or topics on the news and business channels. FIOS provides the same bland statement about these programs every night. This makes program selection and planning impossible. Does anyone have any idea if this will change?

When I recently bought my first HD TV, I compared upgrading my DirecTV system to HD to switching to FIOS (with HD). I switched to FIOS, like it very much, but have one complaint. The Info on programs, current and future, is useless on many stations. For example, DirecTV displayed guests and/or topics on the news and business channels. FIOS provides the same bland statement about these programs every night. This makes program selection and planning impossible. Does anyone have any idea if this will change?

Get a TivoHD.

When I recently bought my first HD TV, I compared upgrading my DirecTV system to HD to switching to FIOS (with HD). I switched to FIOS, like it very much, but have one complaint. The Info on programs, current and future, is useless on many stations. For example, DirecTV displayed guests and/or topics on the news and business channels. FIOS provides the same bland statement about these programs every night. This makes program selection and planning impossible. Does anyone have any idea if this will change?

This is a weak point in the FIOS DVR's. As noted by AbMagFab, there is a choice in Tivo with its own benefits and minuses. One of the benefits is a much richer guide. Believe it or not, the current guide information is better than it was previously; hopefully it will improve.

Speaking of TivoHD. Is there any news on when or ever M-Card will be available?

I assume they are in use now since Verizon's integrated security waiver expired on July 1st. I just ordered a DVR, so we'll find out next Saturday if they are complying. I'm a little ashamed to say that I hope that they don't bring me a new box with a M-Card in it, so I can report them to the FCC.

But the real question is did they buy any new CableCARDs with the box, or if you order a new one now they just bring you an old S-Card.

Yesterday's word from Verizon's Fiber Solution Center (VFSC) was the M-Cards are being deployed in the new receivers (FCC's seperable security requirement), but the S-Card will continue to be installed in TiVo, etc.

When I called to order Cablecards for my newly order TiVo this morning, I was given the option of a) paying $74.99 for a Verizon Tech to install the card(s) in my TiVo or b) save the $74.99 by having the card(s) shipped to my address and installing/activating it myself. I opted by B, however Verizon's stale-of-the-art billing/ordering system would not complete my order since I am pending receipt of my one free digital set-top-box; cannot place a 2nd order until I receive and activate the set-top box in my 1st order, plus wait until the following business day.

I didn't know Verizon was permitting Cablecard self-installs...and I didn't know rolling a truck costs $74.99? Anyway, take it for what it's worth...

Well at least this is progress. There used to be no option for a self install and you had to pay the service fee for them to come out.

Well at least this is progress. There used to be no option for a self install and you had to pay the service fee for them to come out.I am still a little skeptical about the "self-install" option quoted by the Verizon CSR, but we'll see.

You can now see the following lineups and dates:

Hampton Roads VA effective 8/14
Massachusetts effective 8/20
New York effective 7/23
Northern New Jersey effective 7/30
Pittsburgh effective 8/6
Portland Metro OR effective 7/21
Rhode Island effective 8/21
Richmond VA effective 8/13

on:
http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

Thanks to the two of you who replied to my complaint (Post #6735) about FIOS' weak Guide. The TiVo HD sounds like a solution -- but what I really hope is that Verizon would recognize, and correct, this glaring deficiency, Certainly if DirecTV and TiVo can do it, Verizon can (if they're interested). Right now I have no recorder, have little need, and have no interest in spending more money just to get the Guide that should already be in the product.

Yep, Verizon updated the channel line-up webpage again late Friday night or overnight. Now we have the upgrade dates for the Richmond & Hampton Roads VA market (VHO9 & 9a) and MA & RI combined market (VHO6). After the first 2 VHOs, the pattern is 1 VHO or 1 VHO and their subset VHO a week on Wednesday/Thursday. If they stick to the pattern, Philadelphia might be added to the website in 2 weeks for a August 27 upgrade (but do NOT consider this a sure thing).

The PDF line-ups need to be fixed. The Richmond line-up has Mojo HD, the MA line-up does not. HBO HD is at 851 which makes no sense.

The upgrade schedule sorted by date as of July 12 on Verizon website:

6/30 Fort Wayne IN
7/21 Portland OR
7/23 New York
7/30 Northern NJ
8/06 Pittsburgh
8/13 Richmond VA
8/14 Hampton Roads VA
8/20 Massachusetts
8/21 Rhode Island

The PDF line-ups need to be fixed. The Richmond line-up has Mojo HD, the MA line-up does not. HBO HD is at 851 which makes no sense.



looks like someone assumed HBO-HD should be ch 900-until they saw that ch 900 is VOD access. probably have to revamp the premium HD movie listings.

we need to keep an eye on Ft. Wayne & see what happens in Portland in 2 wks.-there are chs listed that Ft. Wayne is still not getting AFAIK(i.e. TBS-HD, Mojo-HD, CNN-HD). still a work in progress.

looks like someone assumed HBO-HD should be ch 900-until they saw that ch 900 is VOD access. probably have to revamp the premium HD movie listings.

we need to keep an eye on Ft. Wayne & see what happens in Portland in 2 wks.-there are chs listed that Ft. Wayne is still not getting AFAIK(i.e. TBS-HD, Mojo-HD, CNN-HD). still a work in progress.

My guess is that VOD will be moved to 999(this is where it originally was listed on the new lineups). I say this because they still list HBO-West HD is listed as 901. Would not make since to go from 851-901 for 2 HBO HDs(of course this is Vz so who knows). The HDs are supposed to be the SD + 500.

that would be the easiest fix kes but as you say this is Vz.

at least the HD upgrade is going along as(almost) scheduled. :)

we need to keep an eye on Ft. Wayne & see what happens in Portland in 2 wks.-there are chs listed that Ft. Wayne is still not getting AFAIK(i.e. TBS-HD, Mojo-HD, CNN-HD). still a work in progress.
The Verizon July 1 press release for the Fort Wayne IN upgrade did state that more HD channels would be added in July: http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2008/verizon-adds-22-new-channels.html. If that press release is still correct, those adds should fill in the missing channels in the current PDF line-ups. Question is whether those channels will be added in the next week, so the new national HD channel set is in place for Portland on July 21. We shall see what the reports are from Ft Wayne.

Another fun question is how long will take for Verizon to fix all the new PDF channel line-ups, so they at least agree on the national channels? :rolleyes:

that would be the easiest fix kes but as you say this is Vz.

While Verizon has its problems, I find their channel lineup the most organized of all the providers, aside from ESPN and ESPN2 not being back-to-back.