Anyone with a Tivo get these channels in the guide yet?

I think Verizon added Cars.tv and comedy.tv to the Washington Metro market on Thursday. The two .tv channels are on QAM 100, so it appears (I have not done a full QAM channel scan & survey yet) that the 6 .tv HD channels are taking up 3 QAM channels. If Verizon runs out of QAM channel space in the next year and can't add a more useful & watched HD channel because of contractual requirements to carry the 6 [stupid, lame, crappy, enter your description here] .tv channels, they will have only themselves to blame.

They can always reallocate channels between the QAMs later to fit more channels in, as the cable systems have done for years. And, as we've discussed here, there's little to be gained from keeping any of the movie channels at two per QAM because none of them are sending more than 12-13 Mbps. Many of them are already broadcasting in MPEG4 and Verizon's plan is to transition to MPEG4 one day anyway, which means it could carry 4 channels per QAM without any drop in quality.

Plus, I think we've more or less estimated capacity at or above 150 national HD channels under Verizon's current architecture. That means even if Verizon added every available HD channel that it doesn't have (about 25 between announced but not added and unannounced channels), it would still have capacity at two channels per QAM for another 20-25 HD channels.

Insiders have stated we're getting an announcement around June for the launch of more channels. My guess is Verizon would like to end the year with "over 130 HD channels" to avoid any confusion that they are the HD leader, even above DirecTV and Dish (who both claim 130 HD channels, even if that's inflating their actual HD lineup by half thanks to RSN carriage).

Has anyone had problems getting MLB HD today? When I tried to tune it in at about 6:30PM EDT, I got a black screen message that it wasn't available.

Anyone with a Tivo get these channels in the guide yet?

Got them here in Texas on my TivoHD.

Has anyone had problems getting MLB HD today? When I tried to tune it in at about 6:30PM EDT, I got a black screen message that it wasn't available.

MLB HD is working in Richmond.

Just noticed we have all 6 .TV HD channels up and running in the Seattle metro area.

We have them in the DC area but something is strange. They show up in the guide and I can manually tune to them by punching in the channel number. But if I'm on one particular channel and hit the channel up/down button it passes right over them. What's causing that?

Bill-
You don't have your channel surfing set to "Favorites" do you? If so, that'd be why you're skipping over them.

The ".TV" channels have arrived in Central PA today. It looks like I can finish all the episodes and such by this afternoon ! At least, the material that's interesting to me.

Anyone with a Tivo get these channels in the guide yet?

Anyone? My cable-cards have them, but Tivo has yet to actually add them.

Tivo really blows at updating their channel lineup... I am dreading June 12th and all the RF changes...

The ".TV" channels have arrived in Central PA today. It looks like I can finish all the episodes and such by this afternoon ! At least, the material that's interesting to me.

We got em here in Seattle too but I gotta say their logos are huge and ugly :mad:.

Anyone? My cable-cards have them, but Tivo has yet to actually add them.

Tivo really blows at updating their channel lineup... I am dreading June 12th and all the RF changes...
I have them in the guide here in NNJ, but only information that is showing is "To Be Announced"

I have them in the guide here in NNJ, but only information that is showing is "To Be Announced"


Then you don't have them in the guide. You probably have your guide set to "all channels", so they show up as soon as the cable cards see them.

You are incorrect. I manually added them, after seeing the channels appear on my Verzion STB.

You are incorrect. I manually added them, after seeing the channels appear on my Verzion STB.

Okay, either way same thing - they are on the CC, not in the guide (for real).

That was my point. Obviously if you manually added them, Tivo hasn't done anything yet.

I have them in the guide here in NNJ, but only information that is showing is "To Be Announced"

+1. Mine has been like that since a day or two before the channels were added. Which is excellent for them to be in the channel list before they go live. Although I haven't checked this weekend to see if the guide data was populated yet.

Anyone? My cable-cards have them, but Tivo has yet to actually add them.

Tivo really blows at updating their channel lineup... I am dreading June 12th and all the RF changes...

They have been on the ball around here. My concern with June 12th is having to rescan OTA signals on my seven TiVos. I don't expect major problems with the channel lineup. Although you never know.

Okay, either way same thing - they are on the CC, not in the guide (for real).

That was my point. Obviously if you manually added them, Tivo hasn't done anything yet.

Why did so many people have problems when the channel lineup switched. The info and channel line up was based on the zipcode. Until the lineup was correct for the zipcode it wouldn't show up properly in the guide. I entered a zip code in Maryland to get my guide data correct until it was right for my zipcode.

+1. Mine has been like that since a day or two before the channels were added. Which is excellent for them to be in the channel list before they go live. Although I haven't checked this weekend to see if the guide data was populated yet.
Adding to the channel list is a cable card/FIOS function, and has nothing to do with Tivo.

They have been on the ball around here. My concern with June 12th is having to rescan OTA signals on my seven TiVos. I don't expect major problems with the channel lineup. Although you never know.

Tivo? No they haven't. It takes them days/weeks to add new channels on their side, long after they've been added to the cable cards.

Why did so many people have problems when the channel lineup switched. The info and channel line up was based on the zipcode. Until the lineup was correct for the zipcode it wouldn't show up properly in the guide.

We don't need to rehash this, and just go back and look at the dozens of posts, but Tivo took days (in some cases weeks) after the programming was in Tribune, Zap2It, etc., to get those changes out to customers.

Tivo has recently been sucking badly at updating their guide, even for very well publicized changes, and even after it's been updated in Tribune.

June 12th falls into that same category, and if the past is any indication, Tivo will blow it, yet again.

The channels are on in the Philadelphia area. I can't really imagine ever watching them however judging what I have seen so far and what is in the guide,. The PQ is also not all that impressive.

I got a look at the .TV channels over the weekend, and I have to admit that I was ready to dislike them, but was not horrified. We watched the destination, recipe and ES channels, did not check out the pets channel.

I was expecting either a stretched displays, or bad SD. I was pleasantly surprised to see all HD shows (maybe I just timed it right). My mother in law took to the recipes channel right away, I liked the destinations show that I saw and one recycling / renovation show on ES.

It doesn't compete with HDNet or some of my other favorites, but look like fairly solid channels for periodic browsing. Maybe I expected disaster and was pleasantly surprised by mediocrity, but they weren't bad. The PQ was not (again) HDNet or ESPN quality, but I didn't think it was bad.

I think the real problem is that there isn't enough content to fill out one channel let alone 6. Maybe there will be someday, but really what's the difference between a network that upscales most of their content and has a handful of HD programming and a network that has only a handful of programming total (even if it's all in HD)?

It just seems like odd priorities to add a bunch of specialty HD channels (when specialty HD channels are in a general decline) when you don't have all the market has to offer in simulcast channels. So what if those channels only have a small percentage of their programming in HD, it's no worse than a channel that only has 2 or three shows total.

More than anything though, I would like to know the internal politics that led to these channels showing up to begin with and what they are costing us subscribers. I mean, how did they manage to sell a group of channels to verizon with virtually no product to speak of?

The channels are on in the Philadelphia area. I can't really imagine ever watching them however judging what I have seen so far and what is in the guide,. The PQ is also not all that impressive.

Yes, and across the river here in South Jersey. Active today for VHO-8.

Yes, and across the river here in South Jersey. Active today for VHO-8.


what channels are they on?

The channels are on in the Philadelphia area. I can't really imagine ever watching them however judging what I have seen so far and what is in the guide,. The PQ is also not all that impressive.

JWhip-

I must totally agree with you. Especially on Pets.tv - the macroblocking during fast action is very evident.

Also - the "logos" they place on the screen are not only HUGE - they are half-way in the middle of the screen.

On Cars.tv - the logo covers up half of the car they are showing.

And on Comedy.tv, not only do they have the huge logo in the lower right - they then have a 2nd logo in the lower left with the name of the show!

Byron - you are failing miserably with these channels.

My vote overall goes to Recipe.tv - the shorts are good, however after every 2 minute short, they go to a 3 minute commerical! :eek:

this may be a stupid question, but do you have to pay for the .tv channels? I can't recieve them and get a message that I'm not subscribed.

They are showing up in my guide but I couldn't watch them. I received a "Guide Error" message.

this may be a stupid question, but do you have to pay for the .tv channels? I can't recieve them and get a message that I'm not subscribed.
The *.tv channels are the opposite of premium channels. No one in their right mind would pay extra for them. The .tv channels were added to the Washington DC market last week, but we had the same not subscribed message for a day or two. You will get the .tv channels once Verizon updates the guide and de-encryption codes for the STBs and DVRs. Maybe later today or tomorrow.

They are part of the Extreme HD package - so if you're not on that bundle, you will not receive them.

Has anyone recently heard anything about NASA-TV HD or SD on FIOS?

Not only do we not get the NASA Channel, we do not get the NASA Channel-HD. They were announcing NASA channel HD broadcast schedules last night. How did I know? I watched the NASA channel on the internet. It's almost as good as the RF output from a VCR. Then, I see a feed on the evening news. No comparison. :(

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

I'll trade you all the *.tv channels for 1 NASA channel in SD. I'll get the better deal. :p

A Verizon said on their forums that NASA tv is not slated for this year.

It doesn't matter, because by next year around this time there will be very little to watch on NASA-TV anyways.:(

They had to have gotten the suite of .tv channels for next to nothing. I really don't think it's like it was with Comcast where they have to choose an HD channel over another though. I like to see whatever they can get added in HD. Hopefully the NASA channel will be added sometome soon, though.

Isn't the NASA channel provided for free?

Not only do we not get the NASA Channel, we do not get the NASA Channel-HD. They were announcing NASA channel HD broadcast schedules last night. How did I know? I watched the NASA channel on the internet. It's almost as good as the RF output from a VCR. Then, I see a feed on the evening news. No comparison. :(

http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html

I'll trade you all the *.tv channels for 1 NASA channel in SD. I'll get the better deal. :p

Oh, I agree completely. I guess my reaction to the .tv channels was more in line with a kid getting a shot and not having it kill as much as expected. I'd trade the whole batch in for a NASA-HD channel.

One thing I've noticed about the .tv channels, is the HD camera equipment that's being used is not the best (or they're compressed out of the box...not by FIOS). Compare their camera outputs to those you see from HDNet. No comparison.

Bill-
You don't have your channel surfing set to "Favorites" do you? If so, that'd be why you're skipping over them.

I do, Matt. Went into set up and manually added them. It's fine now,

Thanks.

To all you FIOS subs -- do they offer a high capacity DVR, or is it the typical Motorolla fare with only 20 or so hours of HD? I know you can use an HDTivo, but I'm specifically referring to the DVRs provided by FIOS. (In northeast NJ btw, if that matters.) Thanks.

Sangs-

Right now - the only DVR is the 160MB version - good for about 20hrs of HD programming.

There are new DVR's rumored to come out this fall / winter that will either double or triple the capacity.

Thanks Jeep. That's a deal breaker for me I'm afraid. I've D* and there is much more recording capacity on the DVRs (even though I don't love them). The FIOS people keep harrassing the heck out of me with the $94 triple play deal so I thought I'd finally look into it. Maybe when the new DVRs come out I'll revisit.

It's easier and cheaper to get a TiVo. Then you can upgrade the hard drive or just transfer the content over your network to a PC. And on the PC you can transfer it to a TiVo on your account or burn it to DVD or BD. You get basically unlimited storage capacity by being able to transfer the content to a PC.

I have four TiVos on my FIOS account and three TiVos with just OTA. ANY recording I make on FIOS can be transferred to any of my TiVos or the PC. All my TiVos have a 750GB or 1TB hard drive and I also have around 20TB of storage space on my network for shows transferred to my PC running TiVo Desktop.

Wish we had the option of FIOS. :( TWC is going to drop the HDNets at the end of the month in order to give their long-suffering customers "more choice" - i.e. a few more niche channels nobody wants or asked for. Don't you love corp-speak? It's so positively Orwellian.

...I've D* and there is much more recording capacity on the DVRs....
While their drives are larger, I suspect the "capacity" is much about their compression. I noticed that my brother-in-law's Dish DVR stated something like 110 hours of recording in HD. I doubt that drive is 1TB!

While their drives are larger, I suspect the "capacity" is much about their compression. I noticed that my brother-in-law's Dish DVR stated something like 110 hours of recording in HD. I doubt that drive is 1TB!

Well, whatever. I'm not here to debate compression and compare the two PQs. I'm very happy with D* HD PQ. I have a 72-inch DLP, D* looks pristine on it and I can get close to 50 hours of HD material recorded before I have to start deleting. Which means I rarely have to delete.

Back when I had Comcast and the space constrained Motorolla DVRs that FIOS uses, I was deleting or having things get deleted nearly every day. I'm not ready to deal with that again. And I'm certainly not ready to set up a PC-based system that only I'll be able to figure out how the hell to use. I think the poster that suggested that wants my wife to leave me.

So when the FIOS DVRs get upgraded, somebody fire up a post in here so I can check them out. Of course, by that time they probably won't be offering this great price deal, which means the allure might be gone anyway.

Thanks for the input everybody.

It's easier and cheaper Since you started it- I will debate you on the "easier and cheaper" part, especially after you're all said and done with buying the device, upgrading the harddrives, and buy subscription to Tivo, renting the cable cards, etc, getting the company to set it up. That's a lot of time and money (well over $500) to me, and frankly I don't want to bother. I'd rather just stick with the company's box regardless of its drawbacks. So saying it's "easier and cheaper" is just a point of view.

If you want to learn more about it there's a long thread about Tivos over in the HDTV recorder forum. Please let's not get into it anymore here.

Well what I heard was they are looking at adding and external Hard Drive to supplement the existing Hard Drive in the DVR. This is all I know but I think details will be made available before the year is over.

Wish we had the option of FIOS. :( TWC is going to drop the HDNets at the end of the month in order to give their long-suffering customers "more choice" - i.e. a few more niche channels nobody wants or asked for. Don't you love corp-speak? It's so positively Orwellian.

All of this while TWC files appeal after appeal to keep MASN off of its North Carolina systems because they claim that no one wants it. The only thing I see that both of these things have in common is that they are independent channels that they don't want to deal with.

...Of course, by that time they probably won't be offering this great price deal, which means the allure might be gone anyway....
Be careful with that "deal". While it sounds like you will be able to get more for less, you need to add up all the ancillary costs to see where you come out. Each cable box is an additional cost, and at my home, those charges come out to be as much as the service.

Since you started it- I will debate you on the "easier and cheaper" part, especially after you're all said and done with buying the device, upgrading the harddrives, and buy subscription to Tivo, renting the cable cards, etc, getting the company to set it up. That's a lot of time and money (well over $500) to me, and frankly I don't want to bother. I'd rather just stick with the company's box regardless of its drawbacks. So saying it's "easier and cheaper" is just a point of view.

If you want to learn more about it there's a long thread about Tivos over in the HDTV recorder forum. Please let's not get into it anymore here.

I'm aware of the thread. But even if FIOS, DirectV, Comcast etc, gave me all their programming and INternet free for life, I would not take them up on their offer and use their DVRs. I would rather pay for my programming and Internet and use my seven TiVos I currently have. I've tried the boxes from those other providers and they are just terrible.

i'm aware of the thread. But even if fios, directv, comcast etc, gave me all their programming and internet free for life, i would not take them up on their offer and use their dvrs. I would rather pay for my programming and internet and use my seven tivos i currently have. I've tried the boxes from those other providers and they are just terrible.

+100

Tivo? No they haven't. It takes them days/weeks to add new channels on their side, long after they've been added to the cable cards.They added them today, here -- as "Local Origination". :mad: Apart from the notification this provides for those who don't follow AVS Forum or DSLReports, it's worse than the nothing that they had before, since at least we got to see the names (as provided by the CableCards), where now it just says "LOOR0558", etc.

The whole "Local Origination" thing in general pisses me off. If they can't be bothered to provide guide data for the channels, there's no reason they can't at least have the damn names. (I've tried reporting some of them as lineup errors, but gotten nowhere so far.)

I'm aware of the thread. But even if FIOS, DirectV, Comcast etc, gave me all their programming and INternet free for life, I would not take them up on their offer and use their DVRs. I would rather pay for my programming and Internet and use my seven TiVos I currently have. I've tried the boxes from those other providers and they are just terrible.

Ummm... it's... just... Television. How much can you ingest?

I'm aware of the thread. But even if FIOS, DirectV, Comcast etc, gave me all their programming and INternet free for life, I would not take them up on their offer and use their DVRs. I would rather pay for my programming and Internet and use my seven TiVos I currently have. I've tried the boxes from those other providers and they are just terrible.In your case that's fine. But I just think it's misleading to say TivoHDs are"easier and cheaper" than the cable company boxes when I think to most people they're clearly not.

In your case that's fine. But I just think it's misleading to say TivoHDs are"easier and cheaper" than the cable company boxes when I think to most people they're clearly not.

Most people don't know what a TiVo is. they call their DVR a TiVo which it is not. And going from a VCR to a TiVo is a big difference. Compared to a VCR a DVR is great. But with no frame of reference with a TiVo, they don't know any better.
Everyone I know who got a DVr from their service provider thought it was excellent, even with all the missed recordings which they thought is normal. Then when they see the TiVo they see how much better a box it is than what their service provider gave them. And in 8 years using TiVos I've missed as many recordings as some people I know miss in a month.

most people don't know what a tivo is. They call their dvr a tivo which it is not. And going from a vcr to a tivo is a big difference. Compared to a vcr a dvr is great. But with no frame of reference with a tivo, they don't know any better.
Everyone i know who got a dvr from their service provider thought it was excellent, even with all the missed recordings which they thought is normal. Then when they see the tivo they see how much better a box it is than what their service provider gave them. And in 8 years using tivos i've missed as many recordings as some people i know miss in a month.

+1000

It's easier and cheaper to get a TiVo. Then you can upgrade the hard drive or just transfer the content over your network to a PC. And on the PC you can transfer it to a TiVo on your account or burn it to DVD or BD. You get basically unlimited storage capacity by being able to transfer the content to a PC.

I have four TiVos on my FIOS account and three TiVos with just OTA. ANY recording I make on FIOS can be transferred to any of my TiVos or the PC. All my TiVos have a 750GB or 1TB hard drive and I also have around 20TB of storage space on my network for shows transferred to my PC running TiVo Desktop.
Another vote for easier, more capability, but probably not cheaper once you add the up front, subscription and cable card cost (even lifetime.)

That said, I broke down and got one. The final straw was storage and WAF.

They added them today, here -- as "Local Origination". :mad: Apart from the notification this provides for those who don't follow AVS Forum or DSLReports, it's worse than the nothing that they had before, since at least we got to see the names (as provided by the CableCards), where now it just says "LOOR0558", etc.

The whole "Local Origination" thing in general pisses me off. If they can't be bothered to provide guide data for the channels, there's no reason they can't at least have the damn names. (I've tried reporting some of them as lineup errors, but gotten nowhere so far.)

That's likely due to the guide provider. Go to zap2it, and check out the channels. What do you see? They're all listed as local origination. Not sure why that is, but it wouldn't surprise me if TiVo used the same guide data.

Guys, please stop talking about TivoHD in this thread!!! It totally derails it. It's meant to be used to discuss Verizon HD programming specifically. If you want to discuss your HDTV recorder go to the HDTV recorder forum or start another thread.

guys, please stop talking about tivohd in this thread!!! It totally derails it. It's meant to be used to discuss verizon hd programming specifically. If you want to discuss your hdtv recorder go to the hdtv recorder forum or start another thread.

+1

It's meant to be used to discuss Verizon HD programming specifically.The 'problem' is that people keep bringing up the issue of program information. On its own equipment, Verizon uses FYI Television which is notorious for incomplete and unreliable program information. Despite repeated criticism, Verizon has said it will remain with their existing provider for the foreseeable future. The only solution for the guide data issue is a new box that obtains its program information from a different source (ex: Tribune).

As for actual programming news, we should have some of that next week.

Guys, please stop talking about TivoHD in this thread!!! It totally derails it. It's meant to be used to discuss Verizon HD programming specifically. If you want to discuss your HDTV recorder go to the HDTV recorder forum or start another thread.

So when is FIOS going to add more HD channels to their current 115+ HD channel lineup?

It's certainly a long ways from 2001 when I only had a handful of HD channels from DirecTV and my OTA HD channels to watch.

As for actual programming news, we should have some of that next week.

:confused:

So when is FIOS going to add more HD channels to their current 115+ HD channel lineup?....
Has Recipes.TV not provided you with what you need? :D At this point, I think we may have been saturated with programming, although there are some channels that I may like to view on the high def level.

NASA would be nice.

Yes. It would be nice. Especially since the shuttle Will be retired next year. It would be nice to get the channel before the shuttle is decommissioned.

AMC HD is the one remaining channel I wish FIOS would get. But I am not holding my breath.

Most people don't know what a TiVo is. they call their DVR a TiVo which it is not. And going from a VCR to a TiVo is a big difference. Compared to a VCR a DVR is great. But with no frame of reference with a TiVo, they don't know any better.
Everyone I know who got a DVr from their service provider thought it was excellent, even with all the missed recordings which they thought is normal. Then when they see the TiVo they see how much better a box it is than what their service provider gave them. And in 8 years using TiVos I've missed as many recordings as some people I know miss in a month.

I have 2 Fios DVR's. One as a back up. Just a couple of weeks ago, with both units set up to record The Tudors, one recorded it, the other didn't. With no reason why.

NASA would be nice.
would be awesome

I'm going over to help a friend with this, and I have some quick questions (I use Tivo, so want to understand better):

1) Main question: How do you "connect" from an HD/SD slave box to the Home Media DVR?

2) Can you watch live TV on each of the slave boxes without using a connection to the Home Media DVR?

3) How many tuners does the Home Media DVR have?

4) Can you upgrade the HDD, or add an external drive to it?

5) Can you only watch HD DVR programs on the HD slave boxes, or will it downconvert to the SD slave boxes?

6) I'm pretty sure you can only set up recordings directly from the Home Media DVR, and not from any of the slave boxes?

7) Is the photo/music app worth it? Can you do photos/music to any of the slave boxes as well, or just the Home Media DVR directly?

8) Anything else I should be aware of or concerned about?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I have 2 Fios DVR's. One as a back up. Just a couple of weeks ago, with both units set up to record The Tudors, one recorded it, the other didn't. With no reason why.

I am on my 3rd Fios motorola HM DVR ( 2-6416, 1 7216 in 6 months)and have to get it replaced after less than week as it keeps cutting out the picture to snow then green. This happens with both HDMI and Component connections. I also can't hook any of them up to my Pioneer Sc07 with HDMI as it will only show the picture for 20-30 seconds before the screen goes all green. I have to cycle through the inputs to get the picture back but it does the same thing.
For what I/we pay each month this is completely unacceptable. We ahve programs recorded that we want to save that have not come up again and then you have to set up all the programming and season passes again. Then because it's a new box it records the repeats as first run only.
If this can't be resolved shortly this is going to be a deal breaker as I shouldn't have to put up with sub par equipment. I love everything else, except customer annoyance, and can deal with some issues but in 6 months thay still haven't gotten my bill right once!! Not Once!!
SO that is why so many Fios customers get Tivo's and talk about it hear as to me it is part of the Fios HDTV and issues they have with their product, aslong as it is HDTV related.
Sorry for the long post but I needed to vent a bit and let possible customers know about the issues. I left D* due to the crappy DVR's failing but I must say that their's beat these at the rate/bad luck I have had.
This is a known issue with the Motorolas( according to a couple of techs and CS people) but Verizon decided to continue with the units instead of fixing the issues before rolling them out. Just FYI

... and can deal with some issues but in 6 months thay still haven't gotten my bill right once!! Not Once!!
SO that is why so many Fios customers get Tivo's and talk about it hear as to me it is part of the Fios HDTV and issues they have with their product, aslong as it is HDTV related.


Don't get me started on FIOS billing. I dropped HBO and picked Showtime over 2 months ago. Both monthly billing statements I have received since then have been over fifty dollars more than what it was before I made the change. And keep in mind that the Showtime package is cheaper than the HBO package, AND that when I made the change, the CS rep also said that he give me one of my standard STB's for free for the next 6 months (which is indicated on the new bills).

$50 is better than the $200 increase my bill saw after dropping my Premium movie channels and my HD STB. I've been dealing with billing issues since I dropped my landline at the end of OCtober. Things are almost straight now. I'm hopeful my June bill will finally be right.

Just in time for me to make my change from the 50/20 tier to the 75/25 tier next month.

$50 is better than the $200 increase my bill saw after dropping my Premium movie channels and my HD STB. I've been dealing with billing issues since I dropped my landline at the end of OCtober. Things are almost straight now. I'm hopeful my June bill will finally be right.

Just in time for me to make my change from the 50/20 tier to the 75/25 tier next month.

I hear you! But $50 or $200, there is just no excuse for this kind of crap. And calling 'customer-no-service' is of very little help, for it seems they always can give a reason for it, and you end up having no choice but to except it because the way thier charges and billing is laid out, it's completely incomprehensible. The first month, they said it was for a partial month, plus an entire month ahead. The second month, they said it was to bring the wireless charges up to date. In response to this, I had them 'unbundle' my wireless billing from the FIOS billing. But I told them it still didn't make any sense because I hadn't missed any payments and that my bill had been consistant for over 3 years. However, since I couldn't point out specifically what was wrong, I was hosed.

I'm going over to help a friend with this, and I have some quick questions (I use Tivo, so want to understand better):This is supposed to be a programming thread, but I answered the questions in your FIOS Home Media DVR / 7216 - quick Q's (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1150782) post.

I'm going over to help a friend with this, and I have some quick questions (I use Tivo, so want to understand better):

1) Can you upgrade the HDD, or add an external drive to it?

2) Is the photo/music app worth it? Can you do photos/music to any of the slave boxes as well, or just the Home Media DVR directly?

3) Can you delete a show from a slave box?

4) Anything else I should be aware of or concerned about?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I know this is all probably well documented but I have to express my dissatisfaction with FIOS. When I put together my HT I had D*, and all I read was negative stuff on here about D*. I was excited to hear about the superior technology and PQ of FIOS before it was available in my area. Even though I had no problems with D*, I planned to switch because I wanted the highest quality available. I've had FIOS for almost a year now and I must say that I'm completely unimpressed!

1) The picture quality doesn't seem any better to me than the D* mpeg4. Also, I get alot more glitches with the fios.

2) The Pay Per View is aweful!!! Before I had FIOS, all I heard was how good the pay per view selection was going to be. Well it's great. That's if you are watching an old regular T.V. If your like 99% of those who have FIOS, who have a HDTV, you don't want to boether with a PPV movie in standard def. So what good is all these movies in PPV when only a handful are available in HD? It's not about the capacity either because I have the option to watch countless movies that have been out for ages on DVD, Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, etc. Why is that? I have no idea. I don't know who is paying 4 bucks to watch Signs these days. Unfortunately now that I want to watch Taken and Valkrye, I'm S.O.L. This is the case more often than not when new movies come out. Unfortunately for us HT buffs, there isn't a decent place to get new releases in HD unless you want to just go ahead and buy a copy of every major new release. Blockbuster, netflix and every Brick and mortar company is completely retarded when it comes to stocking Blu-Rays. They are ALWAYS out of the Blu-ray copies while there are thousands of DVD copies piled up all over the store. I guess that's why they will all be out of business in no time. Can't say I'll miss em.

3) The DVR SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had Tivo way back when when D*, had a contract with them and it was great before they switched to the HR20. The HR 20 was a pain and was never a comparrason to TIVO. However compared to the motorola junk that FIOS has, the HR20 is great! The DVR that FIOS gives you is almost enough for me to cancel the service all together. The capacity is well below what is advertised and seems different for every particular box. It freezes up constantly and has to be rebooted all the time. The menus and options are horrible. I can't say one good thing about it. I constantly have problems and question if it's worth it to stay with FIOS.

Pretty soon I might be moving to a bigger house and designing a newer and bigger HT. I probably won't make the mistake of going with FIOS again. I will go wtih D*.

Well, I guess we all have our point of view. I was with D* for 11 years and was so glad to finally ditch it in favor of FIOS. I don't do PPV because the cost is way too high, so I can't comment on that. But the PQ on HD is every bit as good as D*, plus, I don't lose the HD signal in a slight rain shower, nor do I have to clear snow of the dish anymore, nor do I have to pay extra for Fox Soccer Channel and Gol, nor do I pay as much as I used to with D*. Now, granted, the DVR is inferior to D*; it's the only thing I miss about D*, but other than that, in my opinion, FIOS is the better service.

Topics merged.

Great merger Ken. I have been following these threads as FIOS is now on my street, and they offer a pretty nice initial cost. My conclusion, however, is that I will stick with D* based on what I have read here. I have concluded that D* has the better DVR and customer service. FIOS may be ahead on PQ and HD selection except for NFL Season Ticket which is exclusive to D*. The latter may not matter if the BROWNS continue to suck.

AMC HD is the one remaining channel I wish FIOS would get. But I am not holding my breath.

Spike HD & NBATV HD are my top requests, but it's already shattering my local TWC lineup to be honest. Too bad the DVRs are likewise 160GB & $16/month, with different looking albeit less reliable software.

1) The picture quality doesn't seem any better to me than the D* mpeg4. Also, I get alot more glitches with the fios.Some A/V glitches can be caused by signal issues, stemming from defective splitters or improperly terminated connections.

Other glitches are specific to the Motorola box. For example, Verizon's Motorola STB and DVRs exhibited A/V glitches (intermittent stutter and dropouts) with 720p channels for a better part of the last year. Most of those were resolved with the IMG 1.6.2 update, though some audio glitches may persist.

2) The Pay Per View is aweful!!! Before I had FIOS, all I heard was how good the pay per view selection was going to be. Well it's great. That's if you are watching an old regular T.V. If your like 99% of those who have FIOS, who have a HDTV, you don't want to boether with a PPV movie in standard def. So what good is all these movies in PPV when only a handful are available in HD?Netflix?

3) The DVR SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had Tivo way back when when D*, had a contract with them and it was great before they switched to the HR20. The HR 20 was a pain and was never a comparrason to TIVO. However compared to the motorola junk that FIOS has, the HR20 is great! The DVR that FIOS gives you is almost enough for me to cancel the service all together.If you are not satisfied with the FiOS' Motorola DVR, you always have the option of buying your own Moxi or TivoHD ($250) for a DirecTV-like DVR experience with FiOS.

Verizon recently eliminated their CableCard "truck roll" fee, so it no longer costs anything to get a CableCard installed in a Moxi or TiVo. Verizon has standardized on M-CARDs in all service areas, so you'll never need more than one card to support dual tuners.

The capacity is well below what is advertised and seems different for every particular box.

Later this year, Verizon plans to release a new multi-room DVR that will address the need for added capacity / expansion. If you want a chance at testing it later this summer, sign up right here (https://www36.verizon.com/MM/Protected/TestTrack/SignIn.aspx).

For those frustrated about the lack of programming news, you won't have to wait much longer.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Verizon-Asks-FCC-to-Prevent-prnews-15371277.html?.v=2

Anybody have any other info other than the above link?

October my DirecTV contract expires and October is when my Rangers play again. Will FIOS have MSG HD by start next season?

It might happen. When the Dolans are in the grave.

is anyone else getting periodic freeze/video breakup during the nba games on tnt hd and espn hd?

in socal with 64xx hddvr

I have 2 Fios DVR's. One as a back up. Just a couple of weeks ago, with both units set up to record The Tudors, one recorded it, the other didn't. With no reason why.

I watch them in HD on the VOD section!

Verizon recently eliminated their CableCard "truck roll" fee, so it no longer costs anything to get a CableCard installed in a Moxi or TiVo.

When did this happen?
Is that for all areas?

From the Verizon.com forums (http://forums.verizon.com/vrzn/board/message?board.id=FiOS_TV_Entertainment&thread.id=1973):


MTV HD 710
VH 1 HD 717
CMT HD 721
Nick HD 752
Spike HD 554
Comedy Central HD 690
These should be live by the end of June.

When did this happen?
Is that for all areas?
I believe that started in late April. As far as I know, it applies to all service areas.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Verizon-Asks-FCC-to-Prevent-prnews-15371277.html?.v=2

Anybody have any other info other than the above link?

October my DirecTV contract expires and October is when my Rangers play again. Will FIOS have MSG HD by start next season?
That would be perfect. Finallllyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!

Unless I'm missing something and actual data is being dropped, but the proof is in the pudding, and my favorite channel, HDNet, still looks as crisp as ever.

Wonder how you feel today as your favorite channel, HDNET/Movies, has had the bitrate dropped and now has audio drops since early Saturday? HDNET is aware of the issue and believes they are statmuxing (not remuxing) the signal downstream.

Wonder how you feel today as your favorite channel, HDNET/Movies, has had the bitrate dropped and now has audio drops since early Saturday? HDNET is aware of the issue and believes they are statmuxing (not remuxing) the signal downstream.

Feel pretty good today, thanks.

As far as HDNet, I've watched a couple of movies (Godfather 1&2) over the weekend (I think) and didn't see the audio drops or PQ compromised. If threre's an issue and they're working on it, that's fine - if I see an issue, I'll complain. As you mention though, it has nothing to do with the "remuxing" we discussed earlier.

Feel pretty good today, thanks.

As far as HDNet, I've watched a couple of movies (Godfather 1&2) over the weekend (I think) and didn't see the audio drops or PQ compromised. If threre's an issue and they're working on it, that's fine - if I see an issue, I'll complain. As you mention though, it has nothing to do with the "remuxing" we discussed earlier.

wait, what is fios doing exactly?

The old FiOS TV Premiere package is no longer available. Now you have three choices:
Local Service ($12.99/mo) - SD and HD locals only for $12.99/mo


Essentials ($47.99/mo) - 160+ SD channels, plus locals in HD


FiOS HD Extreme ($57.99) - 180-200 SD channels and ~60 HD channels

I'm not sure whether you can get Verizon's DVR service with the $12.99/mo locals. You should be able to, but their system may not be setup to handle that.

Most people just choose option #3, because you can get it in a bundle with 20/5 Internet for just $79.99/mo. Here's a copy of my bill for December (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=15431833&postcount=8912).

You are renting 2 M cards? One for each of your Tivo HD boxes?

Wonder how you feel today as your favorite channel, HDNET/Movies, has had the bitrate dropped and now has audio drops since early Saturday? HDNET is aware of the issue and believes they are statmuxing (not remuxing) the signal downstream.
They need to drop that worthless garbage anyway.:rolleyes:

I'd rather they drop the ESPN channels and lower my bill. I watch the HDNet channels literally five hundred times as much as the ESPN channels each year.

i'd rather they drop the espn channels and lower my bill. I watch the hdnet channels literally five hundred times as much as the espn channels each year.

+1

+1
i think it's actually kind of funny. i live up in harford county.md way out in the county and the phone people called and said i can have fios give me a special discount and lock in the price for 2 yrs.

I'd rather they drop the ESPN channels and lower my bill. I watch the HDNet channels literally five hundred times as much as the ESPN channels each year.

To bad for you literally five hundred times more people watch the ESPN channels than HDNet each year.

wait, what is fios doing exactly?

Nothing as far as I can see. The problem was that in an earlier discussion, the transmission of the video stream was generating warnings for empty packets. A bit more research found that this is a normal thing in the transmission of a stream, and that these packets are not error packets, but correctly identified as empty, to be discarded at will somewhere along the pipe.

AFAIK, HDNet is doing fine, but I say this purely on my viewing experience, having experienced no dropouts of any kind. I leave it to better equipped members to track whether the bitrate for HDNet has dropped, to my point of view it's been just fine.

To bad for you literally five hundred times more people watch the ESPN channels than HDNet each year.

I enjoy the heck out of both of them, so any deletion would cut me to the quick. I just watched the Champions League final (soccer) on ESPN, a great broadcast for PQ, and then dove into Godfather I & II in sequence on HDNet.

To bad for you literally five hundred times more people watch the ESPN channels than HDNet each year.

How is that too bad for me? I'm not on Time Warner, I'm on FIOS. FIOS still has HDNet and HDNet movies.
My only complaint is how much ESPN costs since I rarely watch them. It's the most expensive non premium channel.

Wonder how you feel today as your favorite channel, HDNET/Movies, has had the bitrate dropped and now has audio drops since early Saturday? HDNET is aware of the issue and believes they are statmuxing (not remuxing) the signal downstream.

Well, then, as the Fanatic, you need to work with Fios and HD Net to get these issues resolved. I'm having Fios installed tomorrow, so get on this and fix the problem. Thanks so very much.

They need to drop that worthless garbage anyway.:rolleyes:

Switch to time warner. they dropped it for you already.

To bad for you literally five hundred times more people watch the ESPN channels than HDNet each year.

Probably because most cable systems carry ESPN but don't provide HDNet.

So where are all these new HD channel announcements people have been talking about for the last couple of weeks?

Six Viacom channels (Comedy Central, Spike, Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, CMT) by the end of the month.

It's interesting that BET, BET J, and Logo were not also announced. Can't say I'll miss them though.

Six Viacom channels (Comedy Central, Spike, Nickelodeon, MTV, VH1, CMT) by the end of the month.

It's interesting that BET, BET J, and Logo were not also announced. Can't say I'll miss them though.

Eh... where's AMC!?!? And Toon and G4 for that matter...

AMC HD is presumably the same place that MSG HD is...being (allegedly illegally) withheld by the Dolans.

The Dolans can't withhold AMC. It is possible, however, that Verizon refuses to carry Rainbow Media's HD networks until the Dolans cave on MSG HD, which they are entitled to withhold.

So where are all these new HD channel announcements people have been talking about for the last couple of weeks?From my post (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=16564536&postcount=9837) on June 1:

MTV HD 710
VH 1 HD 717
CMT HD 721
Nick HD 752
Spike HD 554
Comedy Central HD 690

How is that too bad for me? I'm not on Time Warner, I'm on FIOS. FIOS still has HDNet and HDNet movies.
My only complaint is how much ESPN costs since I rarely watch them. It's the most expensive non premium channel.

Then your problem is not with ESPN, it's with the inability for a la carte cable programming. We all pay for channels we have no desire to watch and never will. That's just the nature of the beast.

When will Fios add TCM HD. This is perhaps the most anticipated HD channel, now finally available. Fios should add this right away. But will they?

The Dolans can't withhold AMC. It is possible, however, that Verizon refuses to carry Rainbow Media's HD networks until the Dolans cave on MSG HD, which they are entitled to withhold.

What are the other Rainbow nets?

Switch to time warner. they dropped it for you already.
I predicted years ago that once HD explodes with carriers HDnet would be dropped and eventually die off. I still think it will happen.

What are the other Rainbow nets?AMC, IFC, MSG, WE tv, Fuse TV, Sundance Channel...

When will Fios add TCM HD. This is perhaps the most anticipated HD channel, now finally available. Fios should add this right away. But will they?

Is it available? There's another thread in this forum stating that there are no plans for TCM HD. I just looked on the TCM site, and couldn't find any mention of it.

It would be nice...!

Doug

Edit: Well, again I put my foot in my mouth before checking latest news. The thread here at AVS is reporting that it's available. Strange that the actual TCM site has no info...

Edit: Well, again I put my foot in my mouth before checking latest news. The thread here at AVS is reporting that it's available. Strange that the actual TCM site has no info...

Considering that a TCM HD channel has been one of the most desired hopes among film fans, I'm surprised that, if it is truly available, the announcement has been so low-key!

i'd heard this was coming up (june 5-7, '09) so i set my tivo for several movies over this weekend, but when i flipped on the tv this morning, the channels were not showing (at least the HD ones), was this just for certain markets or maybe i'm missing something altogther...any insight is appreciated, thanks!

i'd heard this was coming up (june 5-7, '09) so i set my tivo for several movies over this weekend, but when i flipped on the tv this morning, the channels were not showing (at least the HD ones), was this just for certain markets or maybe i'm missing something altogther...any insight is appreciated, thanks!Free previews often start the evening of the first day.

i'd heard this was coming up (june 5-7, '09) so i set my tivo for several movies over this weekend, but when i flipped on the tv this morning, the channels were not showing (at least the HD ones), was this just for certain markets or maybe i'm missing something altogther...any insight is appreciated, thanks!

Not that I know of (Just checked 340 and it is still encrypted)

Maybe the reason we don't have Cartoon Network yet is because it seems Time Warner is launching what appears to be several new channels--TCM, allegedly TruTV, probably HLN soon as well--so they just lumped all that into one contract negotiation.

Perhaps...but if I had a wish list, TCM HD, MSNBC HD, and Tru TV HD would come to Fios by the end of June. Since Cartoon Network HD shows very little content in true HD, opting for the much maligned stretchovision, I could care less about that channel. I also want BBC America HD and HLN HD when they make their official debuts.

Perhaps...but if I had a wish list, TCM HD, MSNBC HD, and Tru TV HD would come to Fios by the end of June. Since Cartoon Network HD shows very little content in true HD, opting for the much maligned stretchovision, I could care less about that channel. I also want BBC America HD and HLN HD when they make their official debuts.

I could care less for more news networks, we already have FOX ,CNN and TWC which pretty much covers everything. Give me more channels with different content that we already don't have too much of.

Perhaps...but if I had a wish list, TCM HD, MSNBC HD, and Tru TV HD would come to Fios by the end of June. Since Cartoon Network HD shows very little content in true HD, opting for the much maligned stretchovision, I could care less about that channel. I also want BBC America HD and HLN HD when they make their official debuts.

BBCA-HD and CNN HLN HD would get my vote. I'll take those over most other choices.

BBCA-HD and CNN HLN HD would get my vote. I'll take those over most other choices.

+1

And AMCHD... I can't bring myself to watch Mad Men until it's in HD, and it's supposed to be a great show.

Now that Comedy Central is on the announced list, the top of my wanted list is MSNBC. Having had AMC HD on Comcast, I could care less if Verizon ever adds it. It's one of the worst HD channels available.

Maybe the reason we don't have Cartoon Network yet is because it seems Time Warner is launching what appears to be several new channels--TCM, allegedly TruTV, probably HLN soon as well--so they just lumped all that into one contract negotiation.


Hey. Where did you hear about Tru TV HD possibly launching soon [and HLN]? I'm a Tru TV fanatic. : ) Thanks URFloorMatt. Your always so knowledgable.

HLN will presumably launch whenever CNN's Atlanta upgrade is complete, which they mention on CNN Newsroom every so often and which would seem to be on track for completion sometime later this year, given that CNN's upgrade has been going on for years now.

Per the TMC HD thread, TruTV HD was spotted in the wild at the same time that TMC HD was.

HLN will presumably launch whenever CNN's Atlanta upgrade is complete, which they mention on CNN Newsroom every so often and which would seem to be on track for completion sometime later this year, given that CNN's upgrade has been going on for years now.

Per the TMC HD thread, TruTV HD was spotted in the wild at the same time that TMC HD was.

The Mux that will supply TMC-HD, TruTV-HD and HLN-HD in DVB-S2 MPEG4 have been live since early last month on Galaxy 14 transponder 17.

Thank-you! URFloorMatt and HDTVFanAtic.

MTV HD 710
VH 1 HD 717
CMT HD 721
Nick HD 752
Spike HD 554
Comedy Central HD 690

The first of these channels will debut on June 24 (subject to change), with the rest to be added over the following week.

what to u mean when bfdtv when u say The first of these channels will debut on June 24 (subject to change), with the rest to be added over the following week all 6 on the 24 and more to follow later tks

what to u mean when bfdtv when u say The first of these channels will debut on June 24 (subject to change), with the rest to be added over the following week all 6 on the 24 and more to follow later tks

Actually, bfdtv's post seemed clear to me, but I'm confused about what you're asking. A little punctuation might help.

Doug

Anyone with more knowledge have any real info about this guy's VZ HD Net bitrate post? :

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22532365-FiOS-Now-ReEncoding-HDNET-MoviesLowers-Bitrate

Lowrider-
What BF means is that the rollout will occur over a 4-day period. The first VHO's will receive the channels on 6/24

MTV HD 710
VH 1 HD 717
CMT HD 721
Nick HD 752
Spike HD 554
Comedy Central HD 690

The first of these channels will debut on June 24 (subject to change), with the rest to be added over the following week.

good info.
In the Hampton Roads area the Viacom channels are the only channels Vz i missing that the competition has.

1) Does the central dvr setup allow for HD recording

2) how is the hd vod content.

Thanks

1) Does the central dvr setup allow for HD recording

2) how is the hd vod content.

Thanks
1 - Yes.
2 - Good.

1) Does the central dvr setup allow for HD recording

2) how is the hd vod content.

Thanks

Only 160GB though, so only about 20 hours of HD. Lame, IMO.

Other than that, the DVR->STB streaming works well, and is quick. The FF/RW is awful compared to something like Tivo, but it's functional.

Anyone with more knowledge have any real info about this guy's VZ HD Net bitrate post? :

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22532365-FiOS-Now-ReEncoding-HDNET-MoviesLowers-Bitrate

I think it may be rubbish because I still see 19mbps on HDNet all the time!

I recently switched from DirecTV to FiOS. Overall, I like the FiOS TV service, but I was curious about the Guide and how it lists programs. Why no "first air date" in the FiOS program descriptions? With DirecTV, this always helped me determine if the show was first run or rerun. Is there some like indication in the FiOS TV program guide and I'm just missing it?

Carlton-
There should be a little "NEW" flag next to the ratings, etc - if a show is first-run.

I recently switched from DirecTV to FiOS. Overall, I like the FiOS TV service, but I was curious about the Guide and how it lists programs. Why no "first air date" in the FiOS program descriptions? With DirecTV, this always helped me determine if the show was first run or rerun. Is there some like indication in the FiOS TV program guide and I'm just missing it?It is a nice feature...

Heads up! The next shuttle launch is scheduled for early Saturday AM. Broadcast on HDNet. NASA channel coverage starts at 2 AM ET Saturday. Weather looks good.

Sat, Jun 13 - 7:00 AM ET
4:00 AM PT NASA on HDNet - LIVE!
Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-127 Launch - Live coverage, from the Kennedy Space Center, of the launch of Shuttle Endeavour, as Commander Mark Polansky leads his crew on a mission to the International Space Station.

Sat, Jun 13 - 7:00 PM ET
4:00 PM PT NASA on HDNet
Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-127 Launch - Live coverage, from the Kennedy Space Center, of the launch of Shuttle Endeavour, as Commander Mark Polansky leads his crew on a mission to the International Space Station.
Special Encore Presentation

Shuttle Info (http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html)

Shuttle Mission Schedule (http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/mission_schedule.html) (download the PDF)
Standard-Definition NASA TV satellite coordinates are available at: http://www1.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/digital.html.

High -Definition NASA TV Channel #105 is broadcast at 720p @ 59.94 fps, carried on an MPEG-2 digital signal on satellite AMC-6, Transponder 17C, at 72 degrees west longitude, 4040 MHz, vertical polarization.

A Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) - compliant Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) with modulation of QPSK/DBV, data rate of 36.86, symbol 26.665 and FEC 3/4 will be needed for reception.

Mission Audio can be accessed at: http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. Clients actively participating in Standard-Definition on-orbit interviews, interactive press briefings and satellite interviews must use the LIMO Channel, accessed via satellite AMC-6, 72 degrees west longitude, transponder 5C, 3785.5 MHz, vertical polarization.

A Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) - compliant Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) with modulation of QPSK/DBV, data rate of 6.00 and FEC 3/4 will be needed for reception.No NASA Channel, SD or HD, on FiOS. :mad:

I complain about this all the time. I watch plenty of Sports. A little "Live" in the description would be nice.

I'm recording the World Cup Qualifiers" now and the guide is full of no descriptions and it will continually record repeats. The guide needs much more accurate data and a 28 day rule like TiVo. I'd be happy with a 7 day rule. PLEASE!!!


I recently switched from DirecTV to FiOS. Overall, I like the FiOS TV service, but I was curious about the Guide and how it lists programs. Why no "first air date" in the FiOS program descriptions? With DirecTV, this always helped me determine if the show was first run or rerun. Is there some like indication in the FiOS TV program guide and I'm just missing it?

Anyone with more knowledge have any real info about this guy's VZ HD Net bitrate post? :

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22532365-FiOS-Now-ReEncoding-HDNET-MoviesLowers-BitrateI cannot confirm what is happening in that user's market. I can confirm that no such changes have been made at the VA/MD VHO.

Wonder how you feel today as your favorite channel, HDNET/Movies, has had the bitrate dropped and now has audio drops since early Saturday? HDNET is aware of the issue and believes they are statmuxing (not remuxing) the signal downstream.I tried to send you a PM, but your mailbox is full.

You posted that you believe your VHO is now re-encoding HDnet Movies. How does your Hdnet Movie video bitrate compare to that below from the VA/MD VHO?

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/small/beetlejuice.jpg (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/beetlejuice.png) http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/small/happygilmore.jpg (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/happygilmore.png)

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/small/stepintoliquid.jpg (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/stepintoliquid.png) http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/small/wargames.jpg (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/wargames.png)

Click any image for larger.

If you have TiVo or some other means to download recordings to your computer, then I would be willing to record the same program at the same time on a specific channel so we can compare the numbers for your VHO and the VA/MD VHO.

I recently switched from DirecTV to FiOS. Overall, I like the FiOS TV service, but I was curious about the Guide and how it lists programs. Why no "first air date" in the FiOS program descriptions? With DirecTV, this always helped me determine if the show was first run or rerun. Is there some like indication in the FiOS TV program guide and I'm just missing it?

It's on my Tivo on FIOS.

I tried to send you a PM, but your mailbox is full.

You posted that you believe your VHO is now re-encoding HDnet Movies. How does your Hdnet Movie video bitrate compare to that below from the VA/MD VHO?

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/small/beetlejuice.jpg (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/beetlejuice.png) http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/small/happygilmore.jpg (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/happygilmore.png)

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/small/stepintoliquid.jpg (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/stepintoliquid.png) http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/small/wargames.jpg (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/FiOS/VideoRedo/wargames.png)

Click any image for larger.

If you have TiVo or some other means to download recordings to your computer, then I would be willing to record the same program at the same time on a specific channel so we can compare the numbers for your VHO and the VA/MD VHO.


My mailbox is full and not accepting messages.

As noted, they are doing this one VHO at a time - it started several weeks ago. Clearly your VHO has not been converted yet.

My results are no longer as high as yours.

You can tell very easily by looking at the header. When its converted, your header will drop from 65 MBps to 19.39 Mbps and your video rate will drop (Though it appears you are pulling a MPEG2 off a TIVO so I am not sure you can view the header info). You will also find a large number of PCR errors that will start once they start re-encoding at your VHO.

Enjoy your higher rate while you have it.

Feel pretty good today, thanks.

As far as HDNet, I've watched a couple of movies (Godfather 1&2) over the weekend (I think) and didn't see the audio drops or PQ compromised. If threre's an issue and they're working on it, that's fine - if I see an issue, I'll complain. As you mention though, it has nothing to do with the "remuxing" we discussed earlier.

Actually, it has EVERYTHING to do with it. They don't change what they were doing without having a reason for.

Take the Dish thread on HDNET from 3 years ago and you could basically just change the Dish to FiOS and its ending up identical.

It's on my Tivo on FIOS.

I wish people would stop throwing Tivo out in answers when they obviously are talking about their Fios STB. Yes, you have Tivo. Yes, we know it's great. Good for you. This can cover AbMagFab and the guy with 8 Tivos that mentions it in every post.

Anyway, I have noticed in the Fios guide it does show the recording date for some shows.

I recently switched from DirecTV to FiOS. Overall, I like the FiOS TV service, but I was curious about the Guide and how it lists programs. Why no "first air date" in the FiOS program descriptions? With DirecTV, this always helped me determine if the show was first run or rerun. Is there some like indication in the FiOS TV program guide and I'm just missing it?As discussed throughout this thread, Verizon uses a little known guide data provider for its own boxes which does not provide the same level of information (episode numbers, original airdates, etc for all programs) as the more established guide data providers used by DirecTV, Dish Network, and TiVo. Verizon's guide data provider will also label new episodes as repeats and/or repeat episodes as new; this occurs more on some channels than it does on others.

Verizon said in recent months that it has no plans to change guide data providers. They do plan to offer some improved interactivity, such as allowing users to vote/rate programs. They also plan to offer a 16:9 guide interface late this year or early next, although it won't necessarily be on the existing hardware.

The other day, someone asked me why Comcast didn't mention Verizon's incomplete and often unreliable guide [information] as part of their new advertising campaign. Had Comcast done so, it would give more credence to their comparisons. Unlike most of the other claims made by Comcast in recent weeks, incomplete and/or unreliable guide data is a real issue for users of Verizon's own equipment.

Billing issues too!:(

Box issues too. I am on my second QWIP 72xx in 2 weeks and this one doesn't work either. The HDMI pic keeps cutting out to snow and some colored screen. Verizon tried to tell me that the boxes are fine but the HDMI cables don't work right.
Now I have to spend 2 hrs on the phone to get them to replace it and then stay home for 1/2 a day as they do not ship the 72xx HMC in the mail. Plus when watching in the bedroom form the DVR the pic and voice is off and it strts then freezes then stars again.
How can they put thi scrap out and expect us to be happy with it. I have been a fios tv customer for 6 months and am going on my 5th box. That is absoulutely absurd and criminal.:mad:

Thanks for the vent.

ON IN,

The QIP7216 has some known interoperability issues. Swapping one 7216 for another is not going to make a difference until that issue is addressed in software. You might want to request the QIP6416, as it offers better HDMI compatibility.

ON IN,

The QIP7216 has some known interoperability issues. Swapping one 7216 for another is not going to make a difference until that issue is addressed in software. You might want to request the QIP6416, as it offers better HDMI compatibility.

This is so very true. Have had Fios for a week now. The 7216 lasted a few days before it demonstrated the HDMI issues. A replacement box was sent. It was supposed to be another 7216. Fortunately it was the 6416. No more problems. Also, with the 7216, using FW to record to my DVHS unit was problematic. With the 6416, no more problems with recording HD to my JVH DVHS via Firewire.

I recently moved to a new place and had my FiOS transfered. When the tech came to set it up at the new location, he couldn't get the STB I had to activate at the new location, so I was given a new box. I don't remember the model of the box I had before (it had the composite input on the front of the box), but the new one is a 7216 1 and is nothing but trouble. When I turn it on, it won't respond to remote inputs for a good 2 minutes unless I stand there and just mash on buttons. After like 100 presses, then I can start to use the remote, but even then, it's hit or miss, again, for about 2 minutes. This on it's own is annoying, but I can live with it as once it starts working, it works fine. But thats not all. Every now and then, if I change channels, the box will show that the channel has changed, I'll get an updated info panel giving me the show details, but the picture remains on the previous channel. In order to fix this situation, I have to go up two channels before the picture shown will change to a new channel. It's annoying enough where I'm going to brave the vast labyrinth that is FiOS tech support on the phone, but I am wondering if this is a problem with this particular box model, or if I just have a stubborn box acting up all on it's own. Also, is it possible to request which box model they send you? If so, is there one I should be asking for? Thanks for the help, as always, you guys are a great resource.

- Jeremy

They just laid down FIOS in my neighborhood last week, so I assume I'll be offered service shortly.

Started researching it but basically quit when I got to the 20 hour HD DVR capacity. That's probably the biggest reason (but not the only) that I left Comcast for DirecTV in the first place. Can you hook up an external HDD to it or anything to expand the capacity or announcements of new hardware? I can't go back to a 20 hour limit.

I still have a few months left on my DirecTV contract anyways, but still am interested in this....just disappointed that I've waited a few years for it to find out the DVR sucks.

...is it possible to request which box model they send you?....
Just request the QIP6412 DVR, telling them you don't want the 72xx series box until they resolve the problems. Stevec just did that and it cleared up the problems he was having with the HDMI interface...although his came through with a partially dead front display!

So did any of those new Viacom channels actually launch?

So did any of those new Viacom channels actually launch?Rollout doesn't begin until June 24.

They just laid down FIOS in my neighborhood last week, so I assume I'll be offered service shortly.

Started researching it but basically quit when I got to the 20 hour HD DVR capacity. That's probably the biggest reason (but not the only) that I left Comcast for DirecTV in the first place. Can you hook up an external HDD to it or anything to expand the capacity or announcements of new hardware? I can't go back to a 20 hour limit.

I still have a few months left on my DirecTV contract anyways, but still am interested in this....just disappointed that I've waited a few years for it to find out the DVR sucks.
No way to increase the capacity. You can always go the Tivo+CableCard route though.

Be sure to record Smallville at 5:30 AM, which is what the IMG shows. :p

Wed, Jun 17 - 5:30 AM ET
2:30 AM PT NASA on HDNet - LIVE!
Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-127 Launch - Live coverage, from the Kennedy Space Center, of the launch of Shuttle Endeavour, as Commander Mark Polansky leads his crew on a mission to the International Space Station.

Wed, Jun 17 - 5:30 PM ET
2:30 PM PT NASA on HDNet
Space Shuttle Endeavour STS-127 Launch - Live coverage, from the Kennedy Space Center, of the launch of Shuttle

They just laid down FIOS in my neighborhood last week, so I assume I'll be offered service shortly.

Started researching it but basically quit when I got to the 20 hour HD DVR capacity. That's probably the biggest reason (but not the only) that I left Comcast for DirecTV in the first place. Can you hook up an external HDD to it or anything to expand the capacity or announcements of new hardware? I can't go back to a 20 hour limit.

I still have a few months left on my DirecTV contract anyways, but still am interested in this....just disappointed that I've waited a few years for it to find out the DVR sucks.

The DVR doesn't suck for me, but space is not a huge issue. Go Tivo, that will give you the space and guide you want and you can get the FIOS PQ and AQ as well.

Yeah, the Guide has been off with more than just that. The new HBO show, Joe Buck Live, wasn't listed for recording, and the show that was on the Guide was a two hour listing starting the hour before. I don't remember ever seeing the launch listed for that channel.

Has anyones power bill gone up 30 dollars a month after getting FIOS. I just read on another site that it costs a dollar a day to run their box??????????

Has anyones power bill gone up 30 dollars a month after getting FIOS. I just read on another site that it costs a dollar a day to run their box??????????

That's rediculous. There's no way that box is using more than 10% of the total power in my house.

Let's think clearly folks - that sounds like a Comcast marketing guy talking.

Has anyones power bill gone up 30 dollars a month after getting FIOS. I just read on another site that it costs a dollar a day to run their box??????????

Propaganda by some D* subscribers jealous of all our HD channels; the boxes DO NOT cost a dollar a day to run; my elec bill has been the same or less since I began to get FIOS in March.

Propaganda by some D* subscribers jealous of all our HD channels; the boxes DO NOT cost a dollar a day to run; my elec bill has been the same or less since I began to get FIOS in March.The guy is pretending to be a FIOS sub then:

The FiOS ONT does consume alot of power. Mine draws about 250w at all times.



So here in NE, it costs about $0.04/hour at all times, or $1/day.



Many have complained to FiOS about the cost for the power.

My Fios install is coming soon.

Okay, so, if the service costs a nickel per hour, what is it actually doing? It's keeping the back-up battery charged. I doubt that it costs that much, but what other service provides that service? Of course it will cost more to do that...it doesn't do it on solar power! While this may be a "green" time in our world, there are other circumstances that contribute to energy usage. You just need to be the judge of what those "extras" are worth. I doubt that the charger consumes that much!

The ONT only consumes between 12 and 18 watts depending on whether or not it's charging the battery.

There's no way in hell it consumes 250watts.

You are looking at maybe $2 worth of power consumption a month.

Replace an often used lightbulb with a CFL and you'll come out ahead for the month.

The ONT only consumes between 12 and 18 watts depending on whether or not it's charging the battery.

There's no way in hell it consumes 250watts.

You are looking at maybe $2 worth of power consumption a month.

Replace an often used lightbulb with a CFL and you'll come out ahead for the month.

Doesn't it use low voltage with a step down transformer at the outlet? I agree there is no way it would use a lot of power.

The guy is pretending to be a FIOS sub then:



My Fios install is coming soon.

Or he's just lying. I'm thinking he's a comcast/directv marketing guy, doing a bad job at spreading FUD.

Here's the conversation:

Marketing Guy 1: "Hey, FIOS is beating us on every angle - what can we do?"
Marketing Guy 2: "Can we beat them on channels?"
MG1: "Nope, they have more current channels and more capacity... and we compress the crap out of ours."
MG2: "Okay, so that rules out quality. How about tech support?"
MG1: "No, we outsource all our tech support to recent graduates and drunks, and they just have to say the alphabet to get certified."
MG2: "Hmmm... How about support?"
MG1: "We've been trying that for years, and just saying that some car company evaluator thinks we have the best support doesn't seem to help the fact that our support actually sucks."
MG2: "Gosh, this is hard. I know! Can we pick something that most people can't even measure, but they'll be scared of? How about power! Can we blame them for global warming or something?"
MG1: "That's it! I'll start by using social-networking, and posting on bulleting boards, because I'm cool!"

Mystery solved.

Has anyones power bill gone up 30 dollars a month after getting FIOS. I just read on another site that it costs a dollar a day to run their box??????????As bull3964 mentioned the ONT takes about 11-12 watts to run, this has been accurately measured by folks with KillAWatt devices, etc (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r17729439-Monthly-electric-cost-for-ONT-and-BBU)

Has anyones power bill gone up 30 dollars a month after getting FIOS. I just read on another site that it costs a dollar a day to run their box??????????

It only uses a few watts. I don't remember exactly, I would need to check it again. I've had my ONT for almost 2 years.

Now the persons bill may have gone up $30 because they had so many HD choices that they had their TVs on many, many hours everyday. that would easily explain a $30 jump in the electric bill. Plus if they use any STB or DVR, like from Motorola, they are using the same amount of power whether on or off. The Motorola HD STB I used to have used 39 watts whether on or off. My TiVos, when writing/reading four HD streams only uses 37 watts.

As bull3964 mentioned the ONT takes about 11-12 watts to run, this has been accurately measured by folks with KillAWatt devices, etc (http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r17729439-Monthly-electric-cost-for-ONT-and-BBU)Some use less. No ONT deployed by Verizon should consume more than 15 watts on average (i.e. somewhere between $1/mo and $2/mo).

Total FUD. Probably part of all the attack ads I'm seeing by Comcast on FIOS. So far I'm supposed to be worried about

1. My lawn.
2. Lying about number of channels.
3. Pushy salesmen.

Now power costs?

They must be getting desperate, spending money on this instead of just competing well.

The ONT only consumes between 12 and 18 watts depending on whether or not it's charging the battery.

There's no way in hell it consumes 250watts.

You are looking at maybe $2 worth of power consumption a month.

Replace an often used lightbulb with a CFL and you'll come out ahead for the month.good. I just rebutted him. I wish that site would delete flat out lies like AVS will.

good. I just rebutted him. I wish that site would delete flat out lies like AVS will.

Frankly, common sense is all that was needed to deal with this entire absurd issue. Sorry.

In New Jersey we have channel 1 and 501 active. The channel is called FiOS 1. Looks like it will be locally produced New Jersey news.

I am making the assumption this is to directly compete with NEWS 12 NJ which is on Comcast and Cablevision in my area but not on FiOS.

Comcast has been broadcasting some very sleazy ads about FiOS in the Washington area and elsewhere. Eric Rabe of Verizon has already contacted Comcast and asked them to stop.

http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2009/06/08/daily28.html

Here they are. Judge for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zwo4G-dUTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSbRByfXNWU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRp8T8XQEfI

Nice, huh? Number two is especially disgusting. Comcast shows their true colors.

Comcast has been broadcasting some very sleazy ads about FiOS in the Washington area and elsewhere. Eric Rabe of Verizon has already contacted Comcast and asked them to stop.

http://philadelphia.bizjournals.com/philadelphia/stories/2009/06/08/daily28.html

Here they are. Judge for yourself:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zwo4G-dUTY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSbRByfXNWU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRp8T8XQEfI

Nice, huh? Number two is especially disgusting. Comcast shows their true colors.They run those ads everywhere. If Comcast was truly better they wouldn't need to run a sleeze campaign get customers back. They're obviously scared, and for good reason.

All you need to do is search YouTube for FiOS and find several videos by customers pleased with their FiOS service. The first search for Comcast is an entry "Comcast Sucks." I think that tells the real story.

I've had friends post videos that got more than 9,000 hits, so clearly this campaign is working well for Comcast.

So for kicks and giggles I went to that getallthefacts.com website that Comcast has set up. It's laughable.

First question was cost. They claim that after promotional pricing ends, Fios is $400 more a year - all for fewer HD On Demand services and shows. They then spent the next question again pointing out that they have more HD on Demand.

So the best point they could come up with is that they have more HD on Demand. That's it. Well I would also believe in a free market, you pay more for a superior service. Call me crazy.

They then had an installation comparison and state that Fios installation can involve digging up your yard with big construction equipment and bolting a large box to the side of the house.

Ok I have never met online or in person a Fios subscriber that had heavy construction equipment in their yard. Anyone? Secondly, Comcast has to put a box on the outside of the house as well. But dont mention that. (In fact at my house Comcast put 2 boxes, 1 on each side of the house because they couldn't fix my problem for 6 months before I dumped them).

Then they claim some independent survey shows the picture quality is the same. Laughable. How much did Comcast pay them for that result.

They are really, really scared, and it shows.

Total FUD. Probably part of all the attack ads I'm seeing by Comcast on FIOS. So far I'm supposed to be worried about

1. My lawn.
2. Lying about number of channels.
3. Pushy salesmen.

Now power costs?

They must be getting desperate, spending money on this instead of just competing well.Good post...

They then had an installation comparison and state that Fios installation can involve digging up your yard with big construction equipment and bolting a large box to the side of the house.

Ok I have never met online or in person a Fios subscriber that had heavy construction equipment in their yard. Anyone? Secondly, Comcast has to put a box on the outside of the house as well. But dont mention that. (In fact at my house Comcast put 2 boxes, 1 on each side of the house because they couldn't fix my problem for 6 months before I dumped them).I had Verizon put the ONT in my garage and "ripped" off the old cable box off the house... :D

It's called... advertising, folks. And, it's for TV ! We're not talking about condoning genocide here. And, our politcal process set the standard for sleazy, negative advertizing, so why complain about TELEVISION ADS???????

Personally, I find the ads hysterical.

It's pretty good scripting and exaggerates a lot of the nuances with FIOS. i.e. they did have to dig up my lawn to instal the fiber.... that was a non-event. But, they did have to dig up the lawn. And, yes - the ONT is pretty f-ing huge!!! Mine is out of sight in my basement, though. So, it's a who cares for me. And, the bill on a forklift??? - LOL :) You gotta admit, that is pretty funny. WTF should I get bill for TV that is 8 pages, with 6,545 independent billing lines.

I cannot wait to see the FIOS rebuttal ads. If you think, for one nanosecond, that Comcast is gonna pull these ads now - after Verizon cried like a little girl to them and asked them to "please stop" - you got another thing coming. When that doesn't stop - I will be expecting to see Verizon's return volley.

I dumped Comcrap a long time ago. It seems like more people are jumping on that bandwagon. Sit back and enjoy the ads :)

I'll just use the slogan "truth in advertising". There's great exaggeration in the ad about installation. But like I said, if you go to the site they suggest, all Comcast really says is they offer more HD on demand content.

Who picks a cable provider based on HD on demand content? Nobody. I get a chuckle out of that. Whoever is in marketing at Comcast is out of touch with the consumer, because I would guess most folks never even watch the on Demand content. most watch the HD channels or use the DVR.

Comcast may have more OnDemand offerings, but it's not as if Verizon has only a tiny amount. V has plenty of OnDemand offerings, so if you really need to see DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES or LOST OnDemand, you're covered. Premium channels OnDemand are covered too! PALLADIA, NAT GEO, DISCOVERY, etc, etc....Hell, they even have (exorbitantly-priced) Porn in HD OnDemand! But for me...I'm just happy to have HDNet Movies.

Yeah, the only real way that Verizon falters for the VOD is the availability of free HD movies on demand. However, since they have so many HD movie channels, I have yet to notice it.

I used to troll VOD for Comcast when i had it for lack of anything else in HD to watch, I don't have that issue with Verizon.

The FIOS fiber installers did "accidentally" cut through our existing Comcast cable (Central NJ). They claimed someone would be by shortly to fix it (which never happened). I used a short piece of cable as a patch for the few days we had to wait for the final install. For us, FIOS is cheaper and offers more. I don't miss Comcast although I really had no particular problem with their service, only the lack of HD in their TV offering. The commercial with the backhoe is kind of funny...

So are we going to hear about any new channel agreements during Monday's conference call besides the already leaked Viacom channels?

I've said this elsewhere and I say it here: the biggest problem with this ad is naming Verizon Fios by name. Fios has a lot of ads with a generic cable guy. They never name a specific company. Comcast could have run an ad deriding phone companies who try to provide TV service.

The problem with an ad like this is that if Fios wanted to push it, they could probably go to court and get this ad pulled off the air. It is false advertising. It is defamatory of Fios. It was clearly done with malice. By naming Fios in the ad, Comcast will have to back up the claims in these ads. They can't do that. Had they not mentioned Fios by name, they wouldn't be in a position to have to defend an indefensible ad.

Very foolish - and VERY desperate. When we had Fios installed at my home 3 years ago, the installer told me they were being run ragged because so many people wanted to dump Comcast for Fios. Verizon greatly underestimated the number of people who wanted their service here. Since then, I have seen about half the homes on my block switch from either Comcast (which is now Time Warner) or a satellite service to Fios. It has been a huge success.

As soon as we ditched Comcast, the calls started. Comcast called us 3 or 4 times trying to get us to switch back. The first couple of calls sounded like they were from a big call center somewhere. The next couple of calls sounded like a manager at a local office calling. The last call was downright sad, she wanted to know what she could do to get us to switch back. They were offering all kinds of huge cut-rate deals, free box rentals, etc. once we went with Fios. My response to the lady from Comcast was simple: provide a better service than you've demonstrated so far and do it for a much better price. She couldn't respond to that.

As soon as we ditched Comcast, the calls started. Comcast called us 3 or 4 times trying to get us to switch back.Though our neighborhood has just 16 homes, 25% have FiOS... Pretty good...

So are we going to hear about any new channel agreements during Monday's conference call besides the already leaked Viacom channels?
I suspect Verizon will soon announce an agreement with ION Media to carry the ION HD channel in appropriate areas. The SD ION subchannels have been moved to the normal HD local channel locations, and the HD channel is already available in clear QAM here in Dallas. Not quite BBC America or TCM HD, but it's still one more in the plus column.

I'm just thinking, won't this be the conference call where Verizon announces its end of year plans for FiOS? I would think, given the satellite competition, they'd want to promise 130 HD channels by year end, which would leave another 5-7 unannounced channels for the year, probably the missing A&E networks and perhaps the Time Warner or Comcast channels? Or what about MSNBC?

Maybe I'm just projecting what I'd like to hear.

...As soon as we ditched Comcast, the calls started. Comcast called us 3 or 4 times trying to get us to switch back...

Not the case here. Not one single call. I think maybe I was on their "pain in the arse" list, I'd called them so many times complaining about their lack of HD channels (and their lies about when they were adding them).

...all Comcast really says is they offer more HD on demand content...

That's all they can say, and it's incredibly misleading to an unsuspecting public, which I continually find know nothing about HD (and Comcast knows it).

any info when the rest of showtime hd channels coming to fios they said 1st quarter and it is going on to the 3rd guarter any new info on this thanks and aslo any info on ion hd coming to fios .... tks

No. The Showtime channels aren't even available yet.

If you are in Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, Buffalo, or the OR/WA area - check to see if your Viacom HD's are live this morning..

Whispers were they may go live in these areas today.

nothing in Boston

OTOH I can wait till Wednesday

Up and running in the Harrisburg, PA area!

Pittsburgh here. I can confirm that something was on channel 690 this morning, but I didn't leave it on long enough to see if it was comedy central. There was no guide information and the channel was identifying itself as some call letters or something (don't remember what it was.)

The channel didn't even show up in the HD guide listing, I had to direct tune. I don't know if it would have been there had I opened it up to all channels.

All six are up and running here in Seattle

will check on the Viacom six in Manassas Va this evening.

I don't see anything new in the DC Metro area yet.

All the Viacom HD channels are working in Fort Wayne. They show up in the guide only on one of my HD boxes so far, although I can tune them in directly on any box.

Yup, confirmation for Pittsburgh. Even SD material on these stations looks orders of magnitude better than the normal stations.

I've been a 10 year DirecTV customer, mostly because of NFL Sunday Ticket.

I've had Verizon internet/phone service for the past two years and have blown off the repeated calls to bundle the TV services.

But their current offer is intriguing. They are offering bundling all services with a free year of HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, the Home Media DVR, 2 HD boxes, 2 SD boxes, faster internet service (25 down/15up instead of 10/2) plus the netbook laptop for $65 less than I'm paying per month.

As much as I liked NFL Sunday Ticket, I usually end up watching the local Cowboy game. And over the years the price has creeped up for $179 to almost $350 for the ST/Superfan package to get the games in HD. That's pretty much $20 a week to occasionally surf another game.

My main concern is how the FIOS DVR/Programming compare to DirecTV.

I would appreciate anybody who has made the plunge weighing in on their experience.....

Thanks!

I don't see anything new in the DC Metro area yet.

Here's a list of the VHOs from DSL Reports. It looks like VHOs 10-15 all lit up today. VZ Mark there says everyone will have them active by Thursday morning, and JeepMatt says five more VHOs are scheduled to go live tomorrow, California/VHO3 among them.

VZ Mark also says BET wasn't apart of the initial contract but should be added "soon."

vho 1 Carrolton, TX
vho 2 Temple Terrace, FL
vho 3 Pomona, CA
vho 4 Silver Spring, MD
vho 5 Queens, NY
vho 6 Burlington, MA
vho 7 Freehold, NJ
vho 8 Philadelphia, PA
vho 9 Richmond, VA
vho 9a Norfolk, VA
vho 10 Fort Wayne, IN
vho 11 Pittsburgh, PA
vho 12 Portland, OR
vho 13 Seattle, WA
vho 14 Harrisburg, PA
vho 15 Buffalo, NY

Source: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r22535256-The-Viacom-HD-Channels-add-Date~start=60

HD it isn't, but holy CRAP is there a marked improvement in quality for The Daily Show on the HD channel.

no showtime here as well.

I've been a 10 year DirecTV customer, mostly because of NFL Sunday Ticket.

I've had Verizon internet/phone service for the past two years and have blown off the repeated calls to bundle the TV services.

But their current offer is intriguing. They are offering bundling all services with a free year of HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, the Home Media DVR, 2 HD boxes, 2 SD boxes, faster internet service (25 down/15up instead of 10/2) plus the netbook laptop for $65 less than I'm paying per month.

As much as I liked NFL Sunday Ticket, I usually end up watching the local Cowboy game. And over the years the price has creeped up for $179 to almost $350 for the ST/Superfan package to get the games in HD. That's pretty much $20 a week to occasionally surf another game.

My main concern is how the FIOS DVR/Programming compare to DirecTV.

I would appreciate anybody who has made the plunge weighing in on their experience.....

Thanks!

Sounds like a great deal. I made the switch from D* to FIOS. I went from SD to HD in the same switch, so I can't talk to the HD vs. HD, but the DVR seems to me to be equivalent. The SD PQ was greatly improved; the HD is great, better than the MPEG-2 channels on D*, but probably equal to the MPEG-4 HD channels. As to the price, my expense went down by at least a third for more channels.

The only setback I've heard is the DVR. I had an old DirecTivo and loved it, but I was forced off it by the new D* DVR's. If you want a Tivo or a large hard drive, you might skip the FIOS DVR and go with the Tivo / cable cards.

I watch a real football team :D ) ( the Pats ) and find that I get plenty of the great game. It'd be nice to get the sunday ticket, but I can live without it.

I watch a real football team :D ) ( the Pats ) and find that I get plenty of the great game. It'd be nice to get the sunday ticket, but I can live without it.

By definition, a team that cheats cannot be called a "real" football team. At least you have a "real" baseball team, something we in Pittsburgh have not seen since the early 90s and may never see again. Ah well, I'm not sure we can take another champion's parade this year anyway; I think we've run out of champaign, balloons, confetti, etc....at least until the next Super Bowl!

Viacom HD channels are live on VHO1 (North Texas). No listings or even entries in the guide, but they're up and working.

By definition, a team that cheats cannot be called a "real" football team. At least you have a "real" baseball team, something we in Pittsburgh have not seen since the early 90s and may never see again. Ah well, I'm not sure we can take another champion's parade this year anyway; I think we've run out of champaign, balloons, confetti, etc....at least until the next Super Bowl!


If you think the "stealers" haven't "cheated" your insane..........at minimum deluded. It's called gamesmanship and it's done by every team in the league.

PS I can't believe you've run out of Champaign, IL. Maybe you boys in PA just aren't smart enough to know the difference.

5 more VHO's should launch today..

CA, TX, FL, Northern NJ (not NYC) and the Richmond / Hampton Roads, VA areas.

As UR posted - everyone should have them by Thursday.

By definition, a team that cheats cannot be called a "real" football team. At least you have a "real" baseball team, something we in Pittsburgh have not seen since the early 90s and may never see again. Ah well, I'm not sure we can take another champion's parade this year anyway; I think we've run out of champaign, balloons, confetti, etc....at least until the next Super Bowl!

That's Ok, we'll get you guys some extra duck boats, you can come as the ladies' auxiliary at the back of the Pat's victory parade :eek:

Just kidding - I've got a friend who is a Steelers fan at work, has the helmet rug, the lamp, the whole deal - we are working on an intervention.

FL went live this morning with the Viacom channels.

The new channnels are up. But, there's still no program guide data on my TiVoHD !

If you think the "stealers" haven't "cheated" your insane..........at minimum deluded. It's called gamesmanship and it's done by every team in the league.

PS I can't believe you've run out of Champaign, IL. Maybe you boys in PA just aren't smart enough to know the difference.

Cheaters are so defensive; have you noticed that, ha, ha. And sorry the the misspelling; we don't drink the stuff here. Only pretty boy Patsie fans drink it.

That's Ok, we'll get you guys some extra duck boats, you can come as the ladies' auxiliary at the back of the Pat's victory parade :eek:

Just kidding - I've got a friend who is a Steelers fan at work, has the helmet rug, the lamp, the whole deal - we are working on an intervention.

Lol, someone needs an intervention, and I don't think it's your friend. Go Red Sox!

Cheaters are so defensive; have you noticed that, ha, ha. And sorry the the misspelling; we don't drink the stuff here. Only pretty boy Patsie fans drink it.

True, and there were never any fans more defensive than stealers ones after the SB victory over seattle. ;)

anyway, we should get back on Topic, afterall this is the FIOS thread!

The new channnels are up. But, there's still no program guide data on my TiVoHD !

Where are these channels located?

not here in north NJ yet.

assume 190 comedy central will be supplemented with 690 for HD channel,
using same +500 rule for SD/HD channel numbers

MTV HD 710
VH 1 HD 717
CMT HD 721
Nick HD 752
Spike HD 554
Comedy Central HD 690

The first of these channels will debut on June 24 (subject to change), with the rest to be added over the following week.

@ Joel Clemons: Here you go.

I thought I saw them this morning. But there was no guide info but could punch in the number and it would go.

not here in north NJ yet.

assume 190 comedy central will be supplemented with 690 for HD channel,
using same +500 rule for SD/HD channel numbers

you are correct mark........i see 690 for comedy HD on my cable box (northernNJ)

i still cannot tune 690 on my cablecard tv set though, which is why
i thought it wasn't turned on yet.

do i need to call VZ to get them to refresh my cable card (again) or should i assume that it will follow on at some point automatically?

you are correct mark........i see 690 for comedy HD on my cable box (northernNJ)

i still cannot tune 690 on my cablecard tv set though, which is why
i thought it wasn't turned on yet.

do i need to call VZ to get them to refresh my cable card (again) or should i assume that it will follow on at some point automatically?

You need to tune to the channel number before the new ones and press the channel up button and it will lock in the channel after a few seconds. If you go to the new channel directly by inputing the number on the remote, it will come up as not available. It needs to manually tune in by doing the above and after that initial setup, you will be able to access it anyway you want.

You need to tune to the channel number before the new ones and press the channel up button and it will lock in the channel after a few seconds. If you go to the new channel directly by inputing the number on the remote, it will come up as not available. It needs to manually tune in by doing the above and after that initial setup, you will be able to access it anyway you want.

doesn't seem to work for me..........i tried 685 (bravo) and channel up takes me to 699 (abc family)

also fails going directly............when i added MLB extra innings baseball package in the spring, i couldn't tune them and had to pull/re-insert my cablecard (vz tech support suggestion).........apparently they couldn't re-initialize the card solely from their end and i had to get behind the set to pull the cablecard (hope i don't have to do that again)

do they have to update the cablecard the same way they do the cablebox?
does the tv set have to be on to push new f/w to the cablecard?

doesn't seem to work for me..........i tried 685 (bravo) and channel up takes me to 699 (abc family)

also fails going directly............when i added MLB extra innings baseball package in the spring, i couldn't tune them and had to pull/re-insert my cablecard (vz tech support suggestion).........apparently they couldn't re-initialize the card solely from their end and i had to get behind the set to pull the cablecard (hope i don't have to do that again)

do they have to update the cablecard the same way they do the cablebox?
does the tv set have to be on to push new f/w to the cablecard?

Try shutting all power to the TV, then turn it back on and manually surf all the HD channels with the up button starting with 502 and see if that works.

I have never had to do that but if that fails, I would then re-insert the CC and then go through the above steps once again.

power off with remote or do i have to unplug the set (not easy)?

edit: guess it has to be the latter since tv has been powered off with remote on/off today
already with no success

Vz just increased their price. triple bundle is now $120/month.

The new Viacom channels are up in the Northern VA area as of this morning. However they still say WLTA and dont have any program information.

confirmed in Manassas VA as well

Up and running with no guide info in NY as well.


Edit: Guide and program info updated at approx. 11:00 am.

Working in Baltimore MD :D

Vz just increased their price. triple bundle is now $120/month.

Yes, but you get a free pony.

Oh, never mind, I guess it's just a Compaq mini netbook.

Viacom HD channels are on VHO9 (Richmond, VA). Of course, it looks like there's no HD content yet, but I wasn't expecting it now.

South Park and Reno 911 were in HD on Comedy Central tonight, plenty of CSI in HD on Spike, etc.

Real World: Cancun was HD tonight on MTV. I flipped past some HD program on Nickelodeon this afternoon as well. Sarah Silvermann is also HD on Comedy Central.

In Comedy Central's case, the initial press release indicated 200 hours of HD programming in 2009, which comes out to only about 6 hours per week. I'm sure that will jump significantly in 2010, but mostly on the backs of the four hours of Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert everyday. There will also be 20-some new episodes of Futurama next year, which should be HD just like the movies. I believe others have reported that the new episodes derived from the DVDs were presented in HD this year.

I will be counting down the days until the Daily Show and the Colbert Report go HD, since that will mark the end of regular SD viewing for me.

The new HD's are finally live out of VHO-8 here in DE.

The new HD's are finally live out of VHO-8 here in DE.

Showed up in the guide within the last hour or so. Could tune them manually earlier this morning. Actually found some HD programming on a couple of them.

Now, for TCM...

I will be counting down the days until the Daily Show and the Colbert Report go HD, since that will mark the end of regular SD viewing for me.

Regardless, Comedy Central HD is such a marked improvement over the SD channel on even SD material, it's worth it for that alone. The same can be said for Spike! as well. Viacom's SD channels are really crappy quality.

I was watching some older Futurama episodes on CC HD and they looked nearly as good as the DVDs and actually look a ton better than Fox's upconverted SD animated cartoons (Family Guy, American Dad) which are usually filled with jaggies and shimmering/dancing areas.

This is one of the reasons why I was clamoring for CC HD. Cartoon Network HD I can take or leave at this point since I know Adult Swim isn't shown in HD and Cartoon Network's SD channel is probably one of the best SD examples on FIOS. Even if Turner did away with their awful fisheye stretching, I don't know if there can be much room for improvement on SD material on the HD broadcast where Cartoon Network is concerned. The same couldn't be said of Comedy Central which looked almost as bad as youtube sometimes.

I will be counting down the days until the Daily Show and the Colbert Report go HD, since that will mark the end of regular SD viewing for me.

Has there been a definite date set for the HD transition?

Why is NBA tv showing up on NHL Network? Is this only for the draft?

Noticed in Northern Virginia that channel 25, WHAG, an NBC affiliate in Hagerstown showed up in HD on Fios Channel 515 yesterday.

Noticed in Northern Virginia that channel 25, WHAG, an NBC affiliate in Hagerstown showed up in HD on Fios Channel 515 yesterday.

I came here to post the same thing, rather odd:eek:. Compared it to NBC4 (504) and the picture was softer on WHAG.

They were also running the same Jeopardy that WUSA (509) was running at 7:30, however, not in HD. Is this because Jeopardy is a CBS program? Just curious, I really don't know.

I came here to post the same thing, rather odd:eek:. Compared it to NBC4 (504) and the picture was softer on WHAG.

They were also running the same Jeopardy that WUSA (509) was running at 7:30, however, not in HD. Is this because Jeopardy is a CBS program? Just curious, I really don't know.
Jeopardy is a syndicated program, not affiliated with any of the networks. WJLA 7 in DC has Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in HD, not WUSA 9. It was a big deal several years when WJLA added Jeopardy and WOF in HD, because those two programs were the first syndicated programs to be made available in HD.

WHAG NBC 25 has no SD sub-channels, so I am hoping they are providing the full bandwidth to the HD feed, but I have not done much comparison of the OTA broadcasts of WRC 4 and WHAG 25 since WHAG finally got to their post-transition broadcast power of 575 kW last week. I was not expecting Verizon to add WHAG 25 because it is in Hagerstown, MD, not DC. But Hagerstown is a subset of the Washington DC DMA and the improved WHAG digital broadcast signal can now be picked up over much of the northwestern part of the DC metro area. So I guess Nexstar Broadcasting, the owners of WHAG, must have been able to talk Verizon into adding the channel to the DC line-up (and probably not making WRC happy).

Verizon should be adding the local Ion stations to the HD local line-ups, now that Ion has gone HD in most major markets. They have not added WPXW Ion 66 HD to the DC market yet. Has Verizon added Ion to the HD locals in any market yet?

Jeopardy is a syndicated program, not affiliated with any of the networks. WJLA 7 in DC has Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in HD, not WUSA 9. It was a big deal several years when WJLA added Jeopardy and WOF in HD, because those two programs were the first syndicated programs to be made available in HD.

WHAG NBC 25 has no SD sub-channels, so I am hoping they are providing the full bandwidth to the HD feed, but I have not done much comparison of the OTA broadcasts of WRC 4 and WHAG 25 since WHAG finally got to their post-transition broadcast power of 575 kW last week. I was not expecting Verizon to add WHAG 25 because it is in Hagerstown, MD, not DC. But Hagerstown is a subset of the Washington DC DMA and the improved WHAG digital broadcast signal can now be picked up over much of the northwestern part of the DC metro area. So I guess Nexstar Broadcasting, the owners of WHAG, must have been able to talk Verizon into adding the channel to the DC line-up (and probably not making WRC happy).

Verizon should be adding the local Ion stations to the HD local line-ups, now that Ion has gone HD in most major markets. They have not added WPXW Ion 66 HD to the DC market yet. Has Verizon added Ion to the HD locals in any market yet?

Thanks afiggatt!! I've learned so much from your posts I should buy you a beer, too bad they closed Old Dominion Pub:mad:!!

Not sure why I said WUSA instead of WJLA!