JWhip, Any word on when Fios TV will offer the professional sports packages? I know they cannot get the NFL, but I'm a huge baseball fan and I need my fix of the Padres.


The Padres appear infrequently on the MLB EI package. Their homes games are broadcast (infuriatingly almost all in HD) by Cox and they are not available to non-cable entities.

(They do show up fairly regularly on InHD2, but with that disappearing, who knows what the future will bring.)

Padres games appear on MLB EI only when the opponent broadcasts them.

The New Season
Can Telcos Really Survive?
Liberty Media chief: Telecoms could take big hit in cable wars
By Leslie Cauley USA Today

NEW YORK — John Malone, the chairman of Liberty Media, says the coming cable-phone wars could turn out to be a bloodbath for AT&T and Verizon.

"Cable guys right now have a huge advantage," Malone told USA TODAY.

AT&T and Verizon are spending a bundle to recreate the wheel (cable TV) he says. If they're lucky, he adds, they'll wind up as the fourth provider in any given market — behind the cable incumbent and satellite carriers DirecTV and EchoStar's Dish Network.

He also says cable TV, unlike the new video technology being adopted by AT&T, is "mature" and understood, meaning it has few technical bugs.

And forget about trying to launch a surprise attack on cable. AT&T and Verizon must dig trenches to get their broadband networks built, he notes.

"Cable guys know where they're coming a year in advance," Malone says, "And they are well positioned to respond."

Connected to cable

It's no surprise that Malone supports cable. He helped to create and shape the industry, primarily at Tele-Communications Inc. which was the No. 1 cable operator in 1999 when he sold it to AT&T.

But Malone, who began his career as an engineer, says that cable operators — unlike phone companies — "only have to make expenditures as demand shows up."

Cable operators aren't taking any chances. They're racing to add voice to their service bundles. Some of the bigger cable operators also plan to offer wireless.

AT&T and Verizon are using vastly different technical solutions to get them into the video game.

AT&T, based in San Antonio, is using IPTV, short for "Internet Protocol TV." The technology has been used successfully for years in small deployments. But nobody has ever tried to scale an IPTV system for many customers.

Standing in lines

The problem? Nobody knows how IPTV will hold up under the strain of millions of simultaneous users.

That includes AT&T, which plans to launch its IPTV product — sold under the U-verse brand name — to 15 to 20 markets later this year.

Verizon is running fiber-optic lines straight to the home, giving it almost unlimited speed — 100 megabits per second or more — and capacity. (In the digital world, capacity is directly related to "data rates," or speed.)

Malone says both plans have advantages and pitfalls.

AT&T, he notes, is saving money by running broadband over its copper phone lines, which are being upgraded with digital subscriber line technology to make them high-performance. The network is expected to top out at about 40 megabits per second.

Malone says DSL isn't sufficient to handle "heavy video," particularly high-definition television, which eats up a lot of capacity. For that reason, primarily, he thinks AT&T could find itself in a tough spot once HDTV takes off.

DSL "makes AT&T competitive against cable for high-speed data" customers, Malone says. "But it doesn't get them into video in a meaningful way."

He also says the DSL plan will force AT&T to hang on to its 100-year-old copper network, which is "expensive to maintain."

Those costs are increasing as consumers continue to dump local phone service in favor of VoIP and wireless.

Chris Rice, executive vice president of network, planning and engineering for AT&T, says its DSL technology has plenty of capacity for video. He adds that AT&T can install other equipment to effectively double the speed — to 80 megabits per second — if it needs to later.

"We have all the bandwidth we need," he says flatly.

Rice also doesn't think AT&T's copper network is a problem. "Maybe he just doesn't understand how phone networks operate, or are maintained," he says.

Verizon's plan also has soft spots, Malone says.

On a positive note, he says Verizon's fiber-to-the home approach "is technically superior," in that it will leave Verizon with unlimited capacity and blinding speeds.

Who needs speed?

But he also thinks a lot of that muscle isn't worth the cost.

"It's like having an American car that can go 200 miles per hour when the speed limit is 65," he says. "You can sell those cars, because people have big egos, but it really doesn't matter."

In a statement prepared for USA TODAY, Verizon said: "We firmly believe speed, capacity and rich interactive services are killer capabilities that customers will increasingly demand and will find ways to use. In the final analysis, the market will decide the outcome."

Time is another critical issue, Malone says.

If Verizon hews to its plan, it will have to rewire every customer in its territory. That could take decades.

Malone says he hopes AT&T and Verizon stick it out.

"They haven't made any meaningful dent" in the video business, he says. "But I hope they do. They're great customers."

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-10-09-malone-usat_x.htm

Aside from having to run new trenches to customer's homes, the Verizon scenario isn't portrayed as being too unfavorable in this article.
AT&T's solution isn't the best and relies on a system currently in place and isn't all that dis-similar to the current cable infrastructure but the wiring is MUCH older.

When the cable companies wired every home with coax, they had to expend the costs to do it, albeit 20-30 yrs ago. No different now with the telecoms...they were going to have to spend the money somewhere along the line anyway, might as well be now.

One thing Verizon will have an advantage on is having homes wired with Fiber for tons of bandwidth where cable companies are still relying on cable for the last mile of run. They will max out and have to go the fiber route eventually...

I was wondering if Jwhip also could also ask about what I was told this morning by Verizon cs for Mass. They said they are in negotiations W/NESN to carry their signal in HD(they currently carry in SD). I am a little confused as to why they would carry an HD channel only in SD (or only be allowed to carry in SD by NESN).

I'm suspicious that they really have a technical issue to put NESN in their HD tier, that is, make room for it in the 800 numbered channels. I've contacted NESN to try to confirm Verizon's story, but as of yet have no reply.

I didn't feel like reading through 50 pages of posts and the search function didn't help. Does fios (or anyone for that matter) carry hbo on demand in hd? the cs on the phone said that if an episode was broadcast in hd, then it should be available on demand in hd. I just got fios (switched from d*) and don't see it available.


I read somewhere that Verizon is moving from BPON to GPON on their fiber network. I understand that their on demand is streamed to the receiver and the GPON network will allow them to stream HD content. I believe GPON stands for Gigabyte Passive Optical Network. I guess the regular channels are not streamed at this time. I believe they expect to have GPON capabilities by end of year. If I can find a link I'll post it here.

http://www.cedmagazine.com/article/CA6357410.html

The Padres appear infrequently on the MLB EI package. Their homes games are broadcast (infuriatingly almost all in HD) by Cox and they are not available to non-cable entities.

(They do show up fairly regularly on InHD2, but with that disappearing, who knows what the future will bring.)

Padres games appear on MLB EI only when the opponent broadcasts them.

I've had the MLB package for about 10 years. The number of games has increased each year because more and more games are being shown on RSNs.

Correct, 1234. Back in 2003 I believe there were only 51 Padres games on MLB EI. This year the number had grown to, as I recall, 76.

I am a little confused as to why they would carry an HD channel only in SD.

Because channels want to be compensated twice for the same programming.

Because channels want to be compensated twice for the same programming.

Ah, ha! That just may explain it. I hope Verizon doesn't play those devious marketing games.
Its a great alternative to Comcast. A 100% better picture. After 3 years, I never knew my HD-TV could look this good! I can wait for the on-demand to catch up (its not close to Comcast's), but trying to get an extra $5- $10 for the sports programing teir I already pay extra for will send me right back to Comcast (which by the way has been contacting me weekly with offers since I switched).

I was wondering if Jwhip also could also ask about what I was told this morning by Verizon cs for Mass. They said they are in negotiations W/NESN to carry their signal in HD(they currently carry in SD). I am a little confused as to why they would carry an HD channel only in SD (or only be allowed to carry in SD by NESN).

I'm suspicious that they really have a technical issue to put NESN in their HD tier, that is, make room for it in the 800 numbered channels. I've contacted NESN to try to confirm Verizon's story, but as of yet have no reply.

Bandwidth shouldn't be an issue at all. But sports blackouts might be. That was what held up the addition of HDNet to FiOS. HDNet movies went on first and it was a while before HDNet popped up.

Verizon's a little screwed up sometimes with blackouts. Instead of a blank screen, the channel disapears altogether. They botched a Nationals blackout in September when they believed the game was airing on a local channel. I guess they're new at this.

Bandwidth shouldn't be an issue at all. But sports blackouts might be. That was what held up the addition of HDNet to FiOS. HDNet movies went on first and it was a while before HDNet popped up

Yes I know FIOS has plenty of bandwidth. But setting up a new HD channel I still think is an issue.

When Comcast first put Red Sox & Bruins games on in HD, they used one of the INHD channels to feed the NESN telecast. It was 3 years before they dedicated an 800 channel exclusively to NESN (coincidentally just when FIOS-TV came to the area). I've asked Verizon why they can't do the same...use an existing HD channel to feed the games. But no answer.

it is my understanding that Comcast Sportsnet Philadelphia will not be offered as part of the package. Until it is in HD no less, I will not be switching.

CSN Philly will be on Verizon. Comcast can't use the "terrestrial loophole" with another terrestrial-based system.

Now, the HD feed, I'm not sure about.

I searched but can't find any talk abou the HD DVR boxes Verizon FIOS uses for its service. So here are my questions:

What HD output setting do most people use? Meaning, 720p for a 720p tv or would 1080i for a 720p look better? I did not find anything on the scaling on this unit.

What SD output setting do most people use? Again, 480i, 480p?

Thanks in advance.

I spoke with several reps of Verizon's FiOS service yesterday at Digital Life in NYC. They confirmed what I was already told by Comcast that CSN-Philly will be in HD on their systems here in November at roll out. Thay also told me that it would be included in their premier package of around 180 channels which goes for either $39.95 or $34.95. They use the Motorola 6412 160 gig hard drive DVR which is $12.95 a month and the 6200 non DVR at $9.95 a month. These are alittle pricy. They are also able to stream SD content from the DVR to other boxes in the house but not HD yet. They claim that will be added in hopefuly 6 months. The firewire ports are active for archiving onto D-VHS. I was also advised to expect between 6 and 10 new HD channels in the next several months. With FiOS broadband and video service, doing a quick calculation without knowing the local and state fees, FiOS should be about $30.00 cheaper per month that Comcast is for me. THis should prove interesting. It will be great to see Comcast offer reduced prices on thier products with a level playing field due to CSN being on.

I also forgot to mention that NESN will be offered in HD sometime in the next several months. While FiOS has a ton of VOD, they have no HD VOD yet but are working on it.

...THis should prove interesting. It will be great to see Comcast offer reduced prices on thier products with a level playing field due to CSN being on.
Exactly. VZ will enter markets and offer reduced pricing. Comcast will either match the lower pricing or lose subscribers. In the meantime, D* will launch two more birds in 2007. Competitive pressure is coming.

Mickey

I searched but can't find any talk abou the HD DVR boxes Verizon FIOS uses for its service. So here are my questions:

What HD output setting do most people use? Meaning, 720p for a 720p tv or would 1080i for a 720p look better? I did not find anything on the scaling on this unit.

What SD output setting do most people use? Again, 480i, 480p?

Thanks in advance.

It depends on your set and the combination of the STB and the set together.

Verizon uses Moto boxes which are similar to the one I have with Comcast. I have switched back and forth between 720p and 1080i but don't see much of a difference. I have a 720p set. For SD, I send a 480i signal. The deinterlacer in my set is better than the one in the box.

To access the configuration menu, have the TV on but turn the box off. The press the menu button.

I also forgot to mention that NESN will be offered in HD sometime in the next several months. While FiOS has a ton of VOD, they have no HD VOD yet but are working on it.

Thanks for getting an answer about NESN for me JWhip.

Here in MA, Comcast has not lowered their price in the competition w/FiOS. But has added more programing to HD tier & more free content to their on-demand. There will have to be a bigger dent to their customer volume for them to actually lower prices.

Curious if any one saw the program on PBS last night regarding FiOS. It was quite informative.

Fibre optic cable has no loss of data over many miles, (I think up to 10 miles) while coaxial cable must be boosted every mile, due to signal loss. FiOS cable has a glass interior coating that transmits the light signal (which carries the data). Coaxial cable is copper wire that not only looses signal strength, but cannot carry nearly the amount of data that FiOS can.

Pretty much explains why Comcast (in my area anyway) has such an inferior picture than FiOS. They just strung cable...no boosting.

here in my township I have been shocked at how may people will drop Comcast as soon as FiOS is ready to be installed. It is a lot.

Now that I know NESN HD is going to be offered here in the Boston area I may be the 1st in my town when it is available which I was told early next year. I have had it with D* and can't wait to dump them

I searched but can't find any talk abou the HD DVR boxes Verizon FIOS uses for its service. So here are my questions:

What HD output setting do most people use? Meaning, 720p for a 720p tv or would 1080i for a 720p look better? I did not find anything on the scaling on this unit.

What SD output setting do most people use? Again, 480i, 480p?

Thanks in advance.

For HD output I use 1080i for both of my 1080P and 760p TVs. I tried 760p but could not really tell any difference.

For the SD 4:3 override, I use 480i for a new 1080p TV and 480p for the 760p TV (that one didn't work well with 480i). I used "stretched" before but that created ghosting on the SD channels on the HD TVs.

Curious if any one saw the program on PBS last night regarding FiOS. It was quite informative.

Fibre optic cable has no loss of data over many miles, (I think up to 10 miles) while coaxial cable must be boosted every mile, due to signal loss. FiOS cable has a glass interior coating that transmits the light signal (which carries the data). Coaxial cable is copper wire that not only looses signal strength, but cannot carry nearly the amount of data that FiOS can.

Pretty much explains why Comcast (in my area anyway) has such an inferior picture than FiOS. They just strung cable...no boosting.
Missed it! Sounds interesting.
As mentioned earlier, cable companies also use fiber, for the most part. (Both of our cable companies raised prices a couple of bucks each year for the last 5 years or so... each year citing fiber upgrades as the reason.) Typically fiber comes to the neighborhood, or group of neighborhoods, then becomes coax for the last mile or so. FiOS is fiber to your house... and that should make quite a difference. Nearly all of the problems we've had with cable over the years have been coax or amplifiers in the neighborhood.... usually taking weeks or months to get fixed.
Oh and we have a lot more amplifiers than one per mile (in the 'hood.) Seems there's a big square box about every 20 houses, in addition to pedestals every 4-5 homes.

Thanks for getting an answer about NESN for me JWhip.

Here in MA, Comcast has not lowered their price in the competition w/FiOS. But has added more programing to HD tier & more free content to their on-demand. There will have to be a bigger dent to their customer volume for them to actually lower prices.

When Fios was offered in my town last Spring, I called Comcast and asked what they would do to keep me as a customer. (I had no intention of switching until Verizon offered NESN in HD) They immediately lowered my extended basic from $49.40 down to $29.99 and lowered my internet from $42.95 down to $29.99. If Verizon FIOS is available in your town call Comcast and take advantage of lower pricing. I will switch as soon as NESN-HD is up and running on FIOS as they will still be cheaper than Comcast.

When Fios was offered in my town last Spring, I called Comcast and asked what they would do to keep me as a customer. (I had no intention of switching until Verizon offered NESN in HD) They immediately lowered my extended basic from $49.40 down to $29.99 and lowered my internet from $42.95 down to $29.99. If Verizon FIOS is available in your town call Comcast and take advantage of lower pricing. I will switch as soon as NESN-HD is up and running on FIOS as they will still be cheaper than Comcast.
When they offered the lower pricing, did they say it was only for a limited number of months?

Mickey

When they offered the lower pricing, did they say it was only for a limited number of months?

Mickey

They discounted me in March and never put a time limit on it. I am still getting the discount.

They discounted me in March and never put a time limit on it. I am still getting the discount.

In Plano, Texas they did much the same thing. They actually called me several times after we had made the switch - begging for us to come back for a much lower rate. What I fail to understand is why Comcast didn't just up and announce a massive rate cut for everyone in an effort to undercut Verizon. It would have worked to a point. Now it's too late. Verizon's probably taken 25% of Comcast's business on my street alone. (of course now it's Time Warner) While that's by no means a definitive look at how the two are doing in all of Plano, it does tell you that the incumbent cable company was not well liked and was ripe for competition.

In Plano, Texas they did much the same thing. They actually called me several times after we had made the switch - begging for us to come back for a much lower rate. What I fail to understand is why Comcast didn't just up and announce a massive rate cut for everyone in an effort to undercut Verizon. It would have worked to a point. Now it's too late. Verizon's probably taken 25% of Comcast's business on my street alone. (of course now it's Time Warner) While that's by no means a definitive look at how the two are doing in all of Plano, it does tell you that the incumbent cable company was not well liked and was ripe for competition.
Any type of across-the-board rate decrease would cut into the cable company’s earnings, which Wall Street would deal with quickly and severely. Instead, it looks like they will try to stop each Sub on their way out the door. It’s clear they are banking on their Subs staying put. But if Verizon is able to get authorized in a large enough number of towns/cities/states, and then buy new Subs with low rates on bundled packages, it will definitely improve the competitive landscape.

Mickey

Any type of across-the-board rate decrease would cut into the cable company’s earnings, which Wall Street would deal with quickly and severely. Instead, it looks like they will try to stop each Sub on their way out the door. It’s clear they are banking on their Subs staying put. But if Verizon is able to get authorized in a large enough number of towns/cities/states, and then buy new Subs with low rates on bundled packages, it will definitely improve the competitive landscape.

Mickey

Oh I certainly understand the concerns of Wall Street. I would think the bigger concern for Comcast shareholders would be losing 20% of their business in a market like this. They could have helped their bottom line by cutting the rates in Plano and other Verizon areas to keep people from switching. As it is, they're making the offer after people have left. (as they did in my case) Getting those people back is next to impossible.

Oh I certainly understand the concerns of Wall Street. I would think the bigger concern for Comcast shareholders would be losing 20% of their business in a market like this. They could have helped their bottom line by cutting the rates in Plano and other Verizon areas to keep people from switching. As it is, they're making the offer after people have left. (as they did in my case) Getting those people back is next to impossible.

Comcast is suppose to be loading TiVo software on their boxes. If TW did the same I would consider switching.

When can I get this in my area?

Ive had FIOS internet for over a year.

When can I get this in my area?

Ive had FIOS internet for over a year.

When it's approved by what ever group of officials in your area that oversee the cable companies. Could be the city or county council.

I wish verizon would add tivo software to their boxes, then maybe i could switch from directv since they'll eventually stop using tivo.

I wish verizon would add tivo software to their boxes, then maybe i could switch from directv since they'll eventually stop using tivo.
Rumers abound that there will be a major software upgrade to Verizon DVRs end of '06 - begining of '07. One poster was told by a Verizon exec that it would be a "bad idea" to buy a Series3 TiVo until the software upgrade was pushed out. Sounds interesting enough to wait until after the holidays when the Series3 should drop in price anyway.

Rumers abound that there will be a major software upgrade to Verizon DVRs end of '06 - begining of '07. One poster was told by a Verizon exec that it would be a "bad idea" to buy a Series3 TiVo until the software upgrade was pushed out. Sounds interesting enough to wait until after the holidays when the Series3 should drop in price anyway.

Yeah, they may have a major software upgrade but I doubt it will be nearly as good as a TiVo. With the number of errors I found after a couple of hours using the 6416 it is hard to see Verizon to release a product that works. I could totally see them releasing the new software and say that they are still working on the series manager. And of course charge you full price while it takes them 6 months to get out of beta. Look at series manager and the episode list for any given show and tell me that the next show is not going to be recorded on 10/1 or 10/2. Go to the IPG and record a show on 10/25 without looking at a calendar, good luck cuz there are no dates on it. It is like MS saying wait until Vista for a good OS.

The Business of TV
Verizon Hiring FiOS CSRs
By Steve Donohue MultiChannel News 10/19/2006

Verizon Communications said Thursday that it is hiring 320 new customer-service agents to support its new FiOS Internet and FiOS TV products.

As the company expands the rollout of its fiber-delivered high-speed-data and pay TV products, Verizon said it will add customer-service positions at its Fiber Solutions Centers in Dallas; Hampton, Va.; Oxnard, Calif.; Providence, R.I.; Syracuse, N.Y.; and Everett, Wash.

Verizon projected that it will count 725,000 FiOS Internet and 175,000 FiOS TV customers by the end of 2006.

http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleid=CA6383077

Wife called this morning to say Verizon was laying the fiber today in my neighborhood. I'm in Medford, NJ (Springhouse Development).

Anybody else notice that HdNet is no longer in the FiOS channel guide. I checked both my FiOS HD DVR and the HD receiver, no HdNet!!!

I live in Northern Virginia.

In Tampa, FL HDNet is still listed.

-Jody

Anybody else notice that HdNet is no longer in the FiOS channel guide. I checked both my FiOS HD DVR and the HD receiver, no HdNet!!!

I live in Northern Virginia.I'm still getting HDNet and HDNet Movies (including guide info) in Nothern Virginia.

It's still in mine too.

Ken, what has your experience been with FiOS. They are starting installs in my township here in a couple weeks and I am very interested in checking it out as the savings over Comcast appear to be substantial. I get to keep Comcast Sportsnet in HD too but no INHD.

Anybody else notice that HdNet is no longer in the FiOS channel guide. I checked both my FiOS HD DVR and the HD receiver, no HdNet!!!

I live in Northern Virginia.

You might want to check the channel guide settings. There's a way you can delete things from your regular program guide (and add them back too)

Hit the menu button, then select settings, then select channel list and favorites, then click the change channel list. All the channels that appear in your program guide will have a check by them. Those that don't will not appear in your channel guide. Scroll down and see what the story is on HDNet.

You might want to check the channel guide settings. There's a way you can delete things from your regular program guide (and add them back too)

Hit the menu button, then select settings, then select channel list and favorites, then click the change channel list. All the channels that appear in your program guide will have a check by them. Those that don't will not appear in your channel guide. Scroll down and see what the story is on HDNet.

It could also be a hockey blackout thing. FIOS's way of blacking out channels is to just temporarily delete them.

Can anyone tell me more about the FiOS VOD offerings? I'm specifically interested in what is offered on the Kids VOD channel. Do they change on a weekly basis?

Thanks

Can anyone tell me more about the FiOS VOD offerings? I'm specifically interested in what is offered on the Kids VOD channel. Do they change on a weekly basis?

Thanks

Free Kids
Discovery Kids
Disney
Nickelodeon
Kids Unlimited

Not sure how often they are updated, definitely monthly. Discovery Kids is a bit limited, Dis. and Nick have a good variety. Kids Unlimited gets 0 viewing time in my household with an 11 year old and 5 year old.

curious if you know off the top of your head, whether or not thomas the tank engine is shown on any of those? thanks again.

curious if you know off the top of your head, whether or not thomas the tank engine is shown on any of those? thanks again.

Not that I recall.

curious if you know off the top of your head, whether or not thomas the tank engine is shown on any of those? thanks again.


I believe Thomas is shown on PBS Kids and that is not offered unfortunately on Verizon FIOS. I have put a request into them that they add the channel. Everyone who would like them to add it as well should call up and put in a request.

if FiOS in your area offers the full local PBS multicast then PBSKids would available that way.

if FiOS in your area offers the full local PBS multicast then PBSKids would available that way.

What is Multicast? I had PBS Kids with Directv but not with FIOS.

The Business of TV
FiOS TV Subs Double in 3Q
By Todd Spangler MultiChannel News October 30, 2006

Verizon Communications more than doubled the number of FiOS TV customers in the third quarter of 2006, adding 63,000 new subscribers during the period to stand at 118,000 as of Sept. 30, the company said in reporting quarterly financial results Monday.

The company said FiOS TV was available to 1.2 million homes across all of its markets at the end of the third quarter, meaning that the service has about a 10% rate of penetration.

Verizon offers FiOS TV in nine states, and it has obtained rights to deliver television service to 3 million homes.

Verizon also ended the quarter with 496,000 customers for the DirecTV service bundle it sells, having added 64,000 net new customers during the quarter. For the first nine months of 2006, Verizon added 170,000 DirecTV subscribers.

The company said, "New broadband and video sales have more than made up for a reduction in primary wireline voice access lines of customers who turned to wireless, cable or Internet-protocol services."

The telco's primary residential access lines decreased by 419,000 during the third quarter of 2006 compared with the previous quarter, while it added 539,000 residential broadband and video customers over the same period.

AT&T, meanwhile, said last week that it has signed up 3,000 subscribers for the fledgling U-verse IPTV service. The company began deploying U-verse TV in June in San Antonio, and it expects to roll out the service to 15 markets by the end of 2006.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6386511.html?display=Breaking+News

I believe Thomas is shown on PBS Kids and that is not offered unfortunately on Verizon FIOS. I have put a request into them that they add the channel. Everyone who would like them to add it as well should call up and put in a request.if FiOS in your area offers the full local PBS multicast then PBSKids would available that way.Just as a point of clarity ... "PBS Kids" covers alot of ground ...

1.) There's the "PBS Kids" and "PBS Kids Go!" branding.

PBS brands shows aimed towards younger 3-10 year old kids ("PBS Kids") and older schoolage kids ("PBS Kids GO!"). PBS provides "PBS Kids" and "PBS Kids GO!" programming blocks in their feeds sent to affilaites. There's also additional "PBS Kids" and "PBS Kids GO!" branded content available to local affiliates via other PBS distribution methods.

Verizon, PBS, and APTS reached a deal where Verizon will carry the majority of PBS stations OTA channels (including multicasted channels). So, chances are if it's on PBS OTA in your area ... it's on Fios TV. Then again, there's limits and non-reptitive clauses and not all PBS affiliates are APTS members and what-not so ... check your local channel lineups. Here in DC Verizon seems to carry every OTA PBS channel and multicast available.

However, "PBS Kids" and "PBS Kids Go!" aren't really properly described as their own channels ...

2.) There's the "PBS Kids Sprout" channel.

This is a national 24/7 cable / dbs linear channel along with VOD content. Yes, much of the content on "PBS Kids Sprout" is also available from your local PBS OTA affiliate (on their main channel or multicasted). But ... there's also alot of content on "PBS Kids Sprout" that isn't available from your local affiliate. "PBS Kids Sprout" is carried by DirecTV and many cable companies (most notably Comcast and Cox). "PBS Kids Sprout" is not currently carried by Verizon Fios TV, and it wouldn't be accurate to say that it's available (on Fios) via PBS multicasts.

"PBS Kids Sprout" isn't without its controversies. In 2005 "PBS Kids Sprout" replaced the commercial-free "PBS Kids Channel". The "PBS Kids Channel" was also a national cable / dbs channel that had been up since 2000 but it was commercial free and while it was funded by carriers (mostly DirecTV) it was still owned and controlled by PBS. DirecTV decided not to renew its licensing deal which led to "PBS Kids Sprout" in 2005. "PBS Kids Sprout" is a partnership owned by Comcast (40%), HIT Entertainment (30%), PBS (15%), and Sesame Workshop (15%). Yup ... only 15% ownership by PBS. "PBS Kids Sprout" airs commercials. "PBS Kids Sprout" also (not too surprisingly) seems to heavily favor shows from HIT and Sesame.

3.) There's the (now defunct) "PBS Kids Channel" (see above).

4.) There (was) the idea of a national "PBS Kids GO!" channel.

This was announced earlier this year to start in October. PBS was going to expand the "PBS Kids GO!" programming block to a full-time feed available to local affilaites (similar to "PBS Create" and other similar PBS initiatives). This would have been carried on PBS multicasts by local affiliates (that chose to do so). Through the Verizon / PBS / APTS deal (see above) it would have been carried by Verizon in markets where the local affiliates carried it. However, very few PBS affiliates signed up for it and the idea of a full-time "PBS Kids GO!" channel has been postponed.

5.) There's various "Kids" or "Family" branded channels (or programming blocks) from local PBS affiliates.

A local PBS affiliate (or group of affilaites) may produce their own "Kids" or "Family" subchannel based on the various content available to them. Many have (ie, "WETA Family" or "WMPT Kids"). Again, through the Verizon / PBS / APTS deal (see above) most of these should end up getting carried by Verizon. However, these can be very different affiliate to affiliate. Then again, since they're pulling from alot of shared content they can be very similar ...

Clear as mud?

Verizon cable on more Del. TVs? State may decide Tuesday
By AARON NATHANS, The News Journal
Posted Monday, October 30, 2006 at 10:31 am

The state Public Service Commission is expected to rule Tuesday on Verizon's application to provide cable television to Delaware’s unincorporated areas.

Verizon, the nation’s largest phone company, is working to challenge cable giant Comcast, which is dominant in Delaware cable. A large portion of Verizon’s fiber-optic network of cable lines is already set up, passing in front of tens of thousands of Delaware households.

Verizon has already secured franchise agreements in several incorporated areas of the state.

The commission held public input sessions on the application in late August.
Contact Aaron Nathans at 324-2786 or anathans@delawareonline.com.

from: http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061030/NEWS/61030016

http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061031/BUSINESS/61031034

Verizon gets green light to offer TV service in Del.
By AARON NATHANS, The News Journal
Posted Tuesday, October 31, 2006 at 3:02 pm
A Verizon lineman connects fiber-optic cable to a home in North Bellmore, N.Y., last spring. Verizon offers fiber-optic cable service in New York, Virginia and California. The company nationwide has 118,000 fiber-optic cable television customers. AP file

The Public Service Commission gave unanimous approval today to a franchise agreement that would allow Verizon to offer television to unincorporated parts of the state.

One of the major issues of contention was whether Verizon could pick and choose specific areas of the state to offer service, leaving the door open to pinpoint wealthy areas. Members of the PSC agreed they could penalize Verizon for failing to provide fair service.

Read more about Tuesday's PSC meeting in Wednesday's News Journal.

The Business of TV
Verizon Sees Progress With FiOS TV Rollout
By David Goetzl Media Post Publications October 31, 2006

VERIZON CFO DOREEN TOBEN SAID Monday the company is making "steady progress" with the rollout of its FiOS TV service. The "telco TV" offering is now in 118,000 homes--10% penetration within its footprint of 1.2 million homes. "Customer acceptance in video is ahead of plans," she said.


However, on the third-quarter earnings call, Toben said Verizon plans to be in 175,000 homes by the end of the year--the same projections it has offered before.

She said churn is under 1.5% per month, showing consumers are happy with the service--while new features are coming soon.

Advertisers are watching the progress of telco TV carefully to gauge whether it becomes a viable competitor to cable, providing a new outlet for local spots. AT&T's U-verse is also in the market. With Verizon and AT&T eager to ramp up, they could offer lower ad rates as a way to compete with cable's local sales efforts.

Verizon added 63,000 FiOS TV homes in the third quarter, compared to 35,000 last quarter. The service is available in parts of seven states, and the company has been making an effort to grow adoption in the New York DMA, via TV spots in the pricey market.

The company has considerably wider distribution than AT&T, which is in a mere 3,000 homes in San Antonio--although the U-verse service also has a 10% penetration rate out of a 30,000-home footprint.

AT&T says it plans on a growth spurt over the next two months--with service in Houston rolling out next month, leading to a total of 15 markets by the end of the year. All customers will have the option of HD service.

Telecom companies want to offer TV service to compete with cable companies that have successfully moved into their turf with triple play offerings that include phone service. The telecoms, however, could potentially offer a quadruple play, with TV, phone, wireless and Internet service.

FiOS is a modest--but closely watched--part of Verizon, which saw third-quarter revenues rise 25.8% to $23.3 billion over the same period a year ago.

http://publications.mediapost.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Articles.showArticleHomePage&art_aid=50402

I'm looking to sign up for FIOS and I have read several posts but I still had a few specific questions for current FiOS subscribers in the Northern VA Area, I live in Ashburn, I have read that in this area the SD PQ can be poor:

1) How is the SD PQ via a SD-STB? Is it better in No VA than DirectTV, Dish and Adelphia as others around the country have stated?

2) How is the SD PQ via a HD-STB?

3) How is the Multi-room DVR option? How is the PQ? Can you only watch SD recorded shows? or can you watch HD and it downconverts? Can you manager the recordings via a remote STB? schedule and delete?

4) How is the music playlist and slideshow option? is it simple to setup and use?

EDIT:
I plan to get a multi-room HD-DVR, and 3 SD-STB. I need the SD PQ on the STB to be good as my wife will be watching this and via Adelphia and TV tuner is pretty good currently.

I know with adelphia and other cables companies the SD PQ can be very poor via a HD-STB, that is not my main concern but do want to be able to watch CSN on the HD-STB

#1 - people rave about the PQ on all, including SD - D* is highly compressed compared to others
#3 - I can tell you you can only watch HD content on the HD box...it does NOT downconvert

Here is a good forum with lots of talk specifically on Fios, you will probably be able to search out your answers there:
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/vzfiber

I'm looking to sign up for FIOS and I have read several posts but I still had a few specific questions for current FiOS subscribers in the Northern VA Area, I live in Ashburn, I have read that in this area the SD PQ can be poor:

1) How is the SD PQ via a SD-STB? Is it better in No VA than DirectTV, Dish and Adelphia as others around the country have stated?

2) How is the SD PQ via a HD-STB?

3) How is the Multi-room DVR option? How is the PQ? Can you only watch SD recorded shows? or can you watch HD and it downconverts? Can you manager the recordings via a remote STB? schedule and delete?

4) How is the music playlist and slideshow option? is it simple to setup and use?

EDIT:
I plan to get a multi-room HD-DVR, and 3 SD-STB. I need the SD PQ on the STB to be good as my wife will be watching this and via Adelphia and TV tuner is pretty good currently.

I know with adelphia and other cables companies the SD PQ can be very poor via a HD-STB, that is not my main concern but do want to be able to watch CSN on the HD-STB

I have three HD-STBs for my three HD TVs and three SD-STBs for three non-HD LCD TVs. The SD channels on the three non-HD LCD TVs are better than D*TV, the HD channels on the HD TVs are aslo better than D*TV, but I would say the SD channels on my HD TVs are about the same as D*TV. I know everyone has different experience but that's my observation.

I have Comcast, Verizon FIOS TV and RCN in my region. I see no compelling reasons to switch to Verizon FIOS. Verizon boasts of fiber and 'unlimited' bandwidth but does not differentiate from the other two providers in a major way. The number of channels are approximately the same ( both SD and HD). Comcast scores over RCN and Verizon with enormous VOD content. RCN scores with relatively inexpensive broadband service. Inspite of having 'unlimited' bandwidth and signed contracts for HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD , Verizon does not transmit the channels. I am going to switch to RCN for the best price. I am not too happy with Verizon customer service. RCN is not any better but offers a similar service for a lower price.

Do any of you have FIOS in your apartment? FIOS sounds great and much cheaper than comcast, and I am hoping it will come to the SF Bay Area soon, BUT can I get it in my apartment? Thanks.

I have Comcast, Verizon FIOS TV and RCN in my region. I see no compelling reasons to switch to Verizon FIOS. Verizon boasts of fiber and 'unlimited' bandwidth but does not differentiate from the other two providers in a major way. The number of channels are approximately the same ( both SD and HD). Comcast scores over RCN and Verizon with enormous VOD content. RCN scores with relatively inexpensive broadband service. Inspite of having 'unlimited' bandwidth and signed contracts for HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD , Verizon does not transmit the channels. I am going to switch to RCN for the best price. I am not too happy with Verizon customer service. RCN is not any better but offers a similar service for a lower price.

And your point for posting this in the FiOS forum is?????

I have Comcast, Verizon FIOS TV and RCN in my region. I see no compelling reasons to switch to Verizon FIOS. Verizon boasts of fiber and 'unlimited' bandwidth but does not differentiate from the other two providers in a major way. The number of channels are approximately the same ( both SD and HD). Comcast scores over RCN and Verizon with enormous VOD content. RCN scores with relatively inexpensive broadband service. Inspite of having 'unlimited' bandwidth and signed contracts for HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD , Verizon does not transmit the channels. I am going to switch to RCN for the best price. I am not too happy with Verizon customer service. RCN is not any better but offers a similar service for a lower price.
Thanks for the post. I find it fully relevant to this thread. This is not a cheerleading forum (though many try to turn it into one).

Having a choice is a great thing. Many folks don't have the same choice you have in terms of providers. I'd love to be in your position.

And your point for posting this in the FiOS forum is?????

The point is , the promise of price wars or increased offerings due to the presence of multiple providers has not really occured in my area. IF you count D* and E* , we have a choice of 5 providers. When Verizon came to the area , they promised better offerings and better prices as compared to Comcast and RCN. That has not really occured.

In any case , if you do not have anything useful to offer , do not chime in just to increase your post count .

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6387733.html?display=Breaking+News

Born to Run

"In its initial filing, Verizon is seeking authorization to offer its Verizon FiOS TV service in 316 communities in New Jersey, covering 2.1 million households. The company said that represents 70% of the homes in the state."

* More info through Link, above.

I have Comcast, Verizon FIOS TV and RCN in my region. I see no compelling reasons to switch to Verizon FIOS. Verizon boasts of fiber and 'unlimited' bandwidth but does not differentiate from the other two providers in a major way. The number of channels are approximately the same ( both SD and HD). Comcast scores over RCN and Verizon with enormous VOD content. RCN scores with relatively inexpensive broadband service. Inspite of having 'unlimited' bandwidth and signed contracts for HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD , Verizon does not transmit the channels. I am going to switch to RCN for the best price. I am not too happy with Verizon customer service. RCN is not any better but offers a similar service for a lower price.

The biggest advantage is the chance to play one off the other. As soon as I called to cancel Comcast, they naturally offered me a huge discount. I chose to swtich to FiOS because I was just sick of them and I wanted Washington Nationals games. Of course, they won't lower their overall rates, but there's a discount to be had if you're in a Verizon area.

Inspite of having 'unlimited' bandwidth and signed contracts for HGTV-HD and FOOD-HD , Verizon does not transmit the channels.Yeah, what's up with that?

The biggest advantage is the chance to play one off the other. As soon as I called to cancel Comcast, they naturally offered me a huge discount. I chose to swtich to FiOS because I was just sick of them and I wanted Washington Nationals games. Of course, they won't lower their overall rates, but there's a discount to be had if you're in a Verizon area.

Can you tell me what part of Arlington you're in? I'm in South near Glebe and I-395 and the web still says not avaliable, even thought they pulled the fiber to the curb a year ago. Thanks.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6387733.html?display=Breaking+News

Born to Run

"In its initial filing, Verizon is seeking authorization to offer its Verizon FiOS TV service in 316 communities in New Jersey, covering 2.1 million households. The company said that represents 70% of the homes in the state."

* More info through Link, above.

Why hide it? Show it off! ;)

The New Season
Verizon Files to Offer TV in Garden State
By Todd Spangler Multichannel News November 2, 2006

Verizon Communications said Thursday that it expects to file the first application for a video franchise in New Jersey under the state's newly enacted video-franchise law.

The company said if New Jersey's Board of Public Utilities approves its application, it expects to begin offering television service to some communities in the state as soon as the second half of December.

In its initial filing, Verizon is seeking authorization to offer its Verizon FiOS TV service in 316 communities in New Jersey, covering 2.1 million households. The company said that represents 70% of the homes in the state.

"We will soon serve more communities in New Jersey than any of the current cable-TV operators have served in the past three-and-a-half decades," Dennis Bone, president of Verizon New Jersey, said in a prepared statement.

Earlier this week, Verizon reported having 118,000 FiOS TV customers as of Sept. 30, more than doubling its subscribers (www.multichannel.com/article/CA6386511.html).

Verizon currently offers the service in seven states: California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Virginia. The company said it has secured rights in nine states covering 3 million households in 200 markets; New Jersey would be the 10th. The two states where Verizon has franchises but hasn't launched yet are Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Separately Thursday, Verizon said it began offering FiOS TV service to consumers in parts of the Lee Hill district of Spotsylvania County, Va.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6387733.html?display=Breaking+News

I currently have Comcast with a HD receiver for my Plasma, and three analog TV's and a SlingBox. The TV's and Slingbox are direct feeds and get channels 2-99. I have had FIOS phone and internet for over a year, and we are told we may get TV in the next couple of months, however, I was told I need to rent a STB for each of my sets. Having 4 STB's in addition to the HD box is alot of added expense.

Can I continue to feed the analog stations into the TV sets and SlingBox without boxes?

Thanks

Can I continue to feed the analog stations into the TV sets and SlingBox without boxes?While you may want to get confirmation from people in your area with Verizon ...

In general, Verizon carries analog versions of channels 2-49. This generally includes the OTA locals, PEGs, and a few things like weatherscan, TVGuide, etc. it does not include the larger 'expanded' cable line-up (CNN, MTV, Discovery, etc.) like you usually get with cable.

So, in general, you can get channels 2-49 without an STB (from Verizon) ... ie, plug directly into an analog TV or Slingbox or Tivo or whatever.

The above holds true for Fios TV in Northern Virginia ... should hold true for other markets but (obviously) I can't be 100% definitive on that.

Does anybody have any info on why Verizon hasn't picked up NBA-TV yet? I keep bugging them about it but they don't have any info. I really want League Pass as well and they don't have any info on that. Is there an exclusive deal that is keeping them from carrying any NBA channels?

Yeah, what's up with that?
Maybe the agreement starts after a certain date or when they have 'x' number subscribers.

Does anybody have any info on why Verizon hasn't picked up NBA-TV yet? I keep bugging them about it but they don't have any info. I really want League Pass as well and they don't have any info on that. Is there an exclusive deal that is keeping them from carrying any NBA channels?Earlier this week, Verizon reported having 118,000 FiOS TV customers as of Sept. 30...I think that about says it all. It's all about the economics. I just don't think they have enough subs yet. Who knows what the tipping point will be for more HD content. According to the NBA's website, you should call your cable company and ask for NBA-TV. The problem is that there is no effective way to call Verizon and ask for it. I sent an email to nba.com asking them if they could perhaps ask Verizon but I don't expect anything to come of it. The problem with League Pass--and the other professional sports subscriptions--is that the rights are held by In Demand, a consortium of Comcast, Cox and Time Warner. I would guess they're asking for too much. I'm afraid we're going to have to write off NBA-TV and League Pass for this year. :(

I've searched all over the Verizon website, but can find nothing about future areas scheduled to receive FIOS. I know that NJ is about to greenlight FIOS, but I wanted to check on my specific town. Anybody know where to look? Thanks.

I've searched all over the Verizon website, but can find nothing about future areas scheduled to receive FIOS. I know that NJ is about to greenlight FIOS, but I wanted to check on my specific town. Anybody know where to look? Thanks.Here's a little reading material for you: http://www22.verizon.com/about/community/nj/. You might want to bookmark it and check back periodically as they begin to roll it out.
Some of the Verizon state sites have their FiOS construction schedule. For a specific state, type in, for example, www.verizon.com/virginia. Good luck.

Can anyone tell me more about the FiOS VOD offerings? I'm specifically interested in what is offered on the Kids VOD channel.Free Kids
Discovery Kids
Disney
Nickelodeon
Kids Unlimitedcurious if you know off the top of your head, whether or not thomas the tank engine is shown on any of those?PBS Sprout showed up in my Kids "On Demand" section for Fios TV (Northern Virginia) last night. Includes "Thomas & Friends". See the following for what else they carry:
http://www.sproutletsgrow.com/schedule/index.html#whatsOnTv

I didn't see the linear channel anywhere in the guide, hopefully that's coming soon too.

i really wanted verizon to get nba league pass this year so i could switch from D* now i'm stuck with D* till next summer when the nba season ends, of course by then directv will have tons of HD channels which means i'll probably stay with directv , which of course means verizon just lost me as a customer ( for fios tv anyway)

to those that asked about nba league pass on verizon, i spoke with a csr and she tried to tell me you could watch every game this year on ESPN,TNT,and ABC. i tried to explain NBA LEAGUE PASS to her and she said only DIRECTV carried that, of course we all know this is not true as DISH,COMCAST,CHARTER, and other cable companies carry nba league pass. she even said she had just had a meeting on this. unfortunately the csrs or managment (whom i blame for this lack of knowledge are clueless) maybe next year they will know what their talking about.

Do any of you have FIOS in your apartment? FIOS sounds great and much cheaper than comcast, and I am hoping it will come to the SF Bay Area soon, BUT can I get it in my apartment? Thanks.
I live in an apartment and have FIOS internet/phone/TV all in one package.

I've had FiOS internet for a year now and couldn't be happier with it, so I was excited when Acton approved FiOS TV. Within a couple of weeks, Verizon offered it, and I ordered.

First, a very important point: Verizon (VZ) FiOS TV is a better deal than Comcast in that you get more channels for your money. Some content is missing from Verizon (in New England NESN HD (I'm giving up Red Sox HD :( ) as well as IFC, and a few others). Even with that, I consider FiOS TV a better deal than Comcast.

My FiOS TV install was this past Monday (10/30), and here is my story:

Installer arrived on time and got right to work. Since I already had my ONT, and had RG6U cable throughout my house, I expected a quick install. But the installer replaced all my coax connectors and splitter, measured signal quality, and then installed the Actiontec wireless router, required to provide the STBs with LAN service. Then he set up each STB (2 SD boxes and one HD DVR box). The whole thing took about four hours. No complaints so far. Installer was professional and cleaned up after himself. He spent time to go through all the functions and features. I was missing Video on Demand for the movie package which I had ordered, as well as the corresponding HD channels 810 - 823. VZ's billing system was down, so he couldn't fix it while he was there. He called in a repair ticket and left.

After he left, I noticed my VoIP (from ViaTalk) was down. I spent the rest of the day pouring through the VoIP and FiOS forums and messing around with the router and the Linksys phone adapter. I finally got it working by unplugging the Linksys from the Actiontec router and plugging it into a secondary hub I have. No idea why this should make a difference, but it's been OK since. BTW, the Actiontec router takes a long time (~2 minutes) to reboot and reconnect. It has a plethora of configuration settings that you don't need to touch, but if you're a tinkerer, you could have a field day.

I've been on the phone with VZ every day this week. It took until Friday (four days after install) for the Video On Demand to be fixed. Convinced I'd be OK, I cancelled my Comcast service.

The missing HD channels are still missing as of today, Saturday. The tech I was on the phone with today finally gave up and said someone would call me Monday, and they may need to come out and check wiring or swap out the box. Verizon is clearly still working out some bugs with order management.

As for the service itself, HD picture quality is excellent, maybe a tad better than Comcast, which had noticeable pixelation in fast motion scenes. SD PQ is noticeably better than Comcast on the SD boxes, but, well, different on the HD box with an LCD HDTV. Comcast SD picture was blotchy with lots of artifacts, particularly in dark scenes. FiOS picture is much better in dark scenes, but appears grainy around image edges at all light levels, especially when there is motion or scene changes. I'm guessing that Verizon and Comcast use different compression schemes. My wife rates the FiOS SD image on the HD box worse than Comcast, but I disagree. I think it's just a trade off of one kind of annoying artifact with another. She also rates the FiOS TV menu scheme as more cumbersome than Comcast's, and I agree with her on that.

One other thing. The Motorola STBs were delivered with Scientific Atlanta remotes, which I find to be junky and awkward to use. VZ says they have been having trouble getting the Motorola remotes, but will switch to them when they are available. Comcast STBs came with Motorola remotes which were much better than these SA remotes. I'm going to call VZ from time to time to see if I can swap the remotes, or I may break down buy my own - I hear you can get them on eBay.

Oh yes, and you can't turn off the clock on the front panel of the STB. It's shines pretty brightly in my dark bedroom at night - a minor annoyance.

All in all, I'm initially slightly disappointed with FiOS TV but my expectations were very high. I know I'll be happier when the service is completely up and running.

I'll update this review when I've had more experience ...

I was surprised to hear a radio ad today for Verizon offering DirecTV...go figure.

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2006/verizon-combines-its-home-and-1.html

Verizon's FiOS TV offers more than 30 high-definition channels and over 3,000 on-demand movie titles. In areas where FiOS TV is not yet available, Verizon offers DIRECTV with access to more than 250 channels of all-digital TV programming, more than a dozen high-definition channels, local channels in 142 markets, as well as all the popular premium channels, pay-per-view offerings and its exclusive NFL SUNDAY TICKETTM subscription package.

For more information about Verizon Complete Freedom, visit www.verizon.com/verizoncompletefreedom.

Bell South and Verizon have deals with DirecTV to offer their service. As Verizon brings up the Fios network and get video franchises, they are still offering D* in areas where they aren't ready. They are then trying to convert those customers after Fios is wired in thier areas.

as per Fioswatch.com:

"New HDTV channels coming in November
One of my executive contacts at Verizon informed me today that 2-3 new high-definition channels are coming to the FiOS TV service by the end of November.

While they would not confirm the names of the channels, I was told that high-definition versions of regional sports networks are coming to markets that don’t yet have them. That’s good news for fans of YES-HD, MSG-HD, and CSN-HD."

SNY-HD showed up today at 815 on the channel grid - when I tried to access it, I got the ''You are not subscribed to this channel'' message. Anyone have any info on this? I try to avoid calling FIOS customer service unless I have a lot of time.
Thanks

I've had FiOS internet for a year now and couldn't be happier with it, so I was excited when Acton approved FiOS TV. Within a couple of weeks, Verizon offered it, and I ordered...

daslled - I also live in Acton and just had FIOS TV installed yesterday (11/7). I was previously using DirecTV (actually still am as my wife "trials" the Moto DVR). My install went very smoothly although it took about 5 hours. They ran new coax to all 3 boxes (2 DVR's, 1 SD box). One of the DVR's is setup as Multi-Room which seems to work very nicely. It will be great if/when Verizon gets the Mulit-Room to stream to HD boxes (currently only streams to SD receivers).

The tech's for my install were very professional, easy-going guys. They listened to my requests and were very reasonable. There were a couple of nit-picky things they didn't get right (like the fact that I can use the Media Manager features to stream pics/music from my PC since I pay for Multi-Room, they insisted it was a separate fee for Media Manager. It's just a free download and install on a WinXP box and it's up and running).

The FIOS quality seems good overall to me. I think the SD channels are better than my DirecTV. I can only compare the HD to my OTA reception and find the OTA is better (less pixelation in fast motion video scenes). The On Demand stuff works well and my kids are enjoying the free stuff (my son loves the NFL weekly replays). I think the only tough sell on this for me is that my wife is such a DirecTivo devotee that she's finding it tough to accept the Motorola DVR - maybe in time.

Oh - and I really hope they're telling the truth when they say NESN-HD will go up by end of November.

LarryCow I just started a new topic about SNY. I am not sure why we must "subscribe". I think maybe the channel isn't active yet. I think they will add YES-HD as well.

One other thing. The Motorola STBs were delivered with Scientific Atlanta remotes, which I find to be junky and awkward to use. VZ says they have been having trouble getting the Motorola remotes, but will switch to them when they are available. Comcast STBs came with Motorola remotes which were much better than these SA remotes. I'm going to call VZ from time to time to see if I can swap the remotes, or I may break down buy my own - I hear you can get them on eBay.


Forgot to mention I also got the Sci-Atlanta remotes. They're lousy. Bad response and poor key layout I think. I had the same story from my installer that Verizon is having trouble getting the Moto remotes in sufficient quantity. I think it's poor that the receiver help videos only reference the Moto remotes so they're not much help. Not that it's that difficult to figure out by my wife was less than impressed.

Also - someone here mentioned PBS-Sprout showed up in the Kids On-Demand. I don't see it in mine. That's one of my daughter's favorite channels and I was sorry to see it missing from the FIOS TV lineup. Is the On-Demand listing regionalized? I'm surprised it would show up in some areas but not in others.

Also - someone here mentioned PBS-Sprout showed up in the Kids On-Demand. I don't see it in mine. That's one of my daughter's favorite channels and I was sorry to see it missing from the FIOS TV lineup. Is the On-Demand listing regionalized? I'm surprised it would show up in some areas but not in others.It was there for a couple days ... then dissapeared.

tmembrino I came from the DirecTiVo to FiOS back in April and still hate the 6416. Not nearly as dependable as the TiVo or as easy to use (has missed a handful of shows). I am hoping the rumors about Verizon working on new software for the box is true and works. My wife wants to just go out and buy the TiVo S3.

tmembrino I came from the DirecTiVo to FiOS back in April and still hate the 6416. Not nearly as dependable as the TiVo or as easy to use (has missed a handful of shows). I am hoping the rumors about Verizon working on new software for the box is true and works. My wife wants to just go out and buy the TiVo S3.

I was using the "trick-play" (pause, rewind, etc) stuff on Live TV last night with the Moto box. It locked up on me (couldn't get out of pause without switching channels). First time I used it and it locked up - not a good sign. I figured at the very least the box would be stable - maybe not a great UI but stability should be a no-brainer for a product like this.

I'm actually thinking we might keep DirecTV in tandem with the FIOS. My wife and kids only want the SD stuff anyway so the DirecTivo is fine for them. I can cut out the DirecTV movie channels and keep those on FIOS since I'm the one who uses them the most. We'll see...

If the Tivo S3 wasn't so pricey I would've jumped on that with FIOS. I read you lose the On-Demand functionality when using CableCards in the S3 on FIOS but I could live with that if I got all the functionality of the Tivo. Plus the addition of having OTA tuners in the DVR would be very nice.

I would've gone with DirecTV for my HD actually except I have no chance of getting a stable signal given the tree coverage in my area. Pluse I wasn't looking forward to the stability issues with the HR-20 HD DVR and the rumors of poor quality HD on DirecTV.

Does Verizon push out periodic updates for the Motorola DVRs?

Also anyone know how often the On-Demand stuff is updated? My wife asked me last night and I had no idea.

my comcast provided Moto DVR did the same thing to me last night...don't blame VZ, blame Moto and their weak boxes. Comcast will be out on Saturday to deal with the box issue...they love me - installed on Saturday and I called them 10 times for all sorts of issues with their triple play install.

The Moto box has no where near the speed or functionality of my 3 yr old Hughes made D* SD tivo

Last night I was watching NFL replay in HD on NFL-HD with my son (Pats-Colts game). I saw this game live on NBC and the quality of the replay was very bad in comparison. Lots of pixelation. Then after about 10 minutes the video got VERY gittery - almost unwatchable it was so annoying. I was recording something in HD at the same time.

Is this an issue with the DVR or a programming quality issue with the NFL-HD feed? I'm pretty disappointed with this - not what I thought I was paying for when I signed up for FIOS. Is there a good number to call Verizon with PQ complaints like this?

MSG, FSN, AMC, IFC...any word on these?

right now i'm seeing on all the hd channels a problem with the video where the picture looks like it is stuttering...like it is being fast forwarded but at regular speed. it is not breaking up but the frames don't seem like they are all being played at the same speed. i just got fios and this is the first time that i notice this.

Last night I was watching The Wire on HBO-HD on FIOS and it was 4:3 for the whole episode. Does anyone know if this is an HBO issue or a FIOS issue? I've never had HBO-HD previously so I'm not sure what programming they broadcast in 16:9 but I assumed their original programming would all be widescreen. I don't believe this is an issue with my TV setup since I receive plenty of 16:9 programming on the other HD channels.

I'm a little concerned since I'm a big fan of most of HBO's original programming and was expecting it to be all in widescreen.

*EDIT: found the answer myself on the HBO forums. Apparently The Wire is filmed in 4:3 format on purpose. It's the producer's choice.

Also - someone here mentioned PBS-Sprout showed up in the Kids On-Demand. I don't see it in mine. That's one of my daughter's favorite channels and I was sorry to see it missing from the FIOS TV lineup. Is the On-Demand listing regionalized? I'm surprised it would show up in some areas but not in others.It was there for a couple days ... then dissapeared.PBS Sprout is back in my Kids on Demand menu (Northern Virginia). Still no PBS Sprout linear channel that I can find.

Shows up ... goes away ... shows up ...

My guess is they're testing / getting ready for launch. Hopefully it stays and the linear channel shows up.

PBS Sprout is back in my Kids on Demand menu (Northern Virginia). Still no PBS Sprout linear channel that I can find.

Shows up ... goes away ... shows up ...

My guess is they're testing / getting ready for launch. Hopefully it stays and the linear channel shows up.

Yup, I noticed the PBS Sprout in the Kids On Demand yesterday myself. Not alot in there but it's nice to see they're working on it. My Kids are definitely enjoying the On Demand stuff so far.

I'm glad to see PBS Sprout too.

Shwan12341234 I have the same issue here in NY. Many of the HD stations above 809 are stuttering. I had a guy previously come and he said it was my TV, which was a Samsung DLP. I have since got a Sony XBR2 and noticed again tonight pretty bad. I might call them again and inquire.

Anyone else have this? I sure people do.

Shwan12341234 I have the same issue here in NY. Many of the HD stations above 809 are stuttering. I had a guy previously come and he said it was my TV, which was a Samsung DLP. I have since got a Sony XBR2 and noticed again tonight pretty bad. I might call them again and inquire.

Anyone else have this? I sure people do.


I have two QIP6416 boxes and when I hooked up my other box to my 1080i TV having the problem, the stuttering appears to have gone away. It would seem that it is a problem with the box, but when I hooked the box with the problem to my 780P TV I did not see the stuttering during the brief period that I was watching it...both boxes are setup to output 1080i. Perhaps, resetting the box makes the stuttering go away for awhile?

MSG, FSN, AMC, IFC...any word on these?
There was a rumor a couple days ago saying Verizon would be soon adding the RSNs in HD.

I had a problem with stuttering a couple of weeks ago on all the HD channels at 801 and above. Called CSR and they reset the box and it fixed it. The vid almost looked as if you were watching it on the net.

There was a rumor a couple days ago saying Verizon would be soon adding the RSNs in HD.

Verizon has a channel in North Texas devoted to HD content on Fox Sports Net. It only shows programming when FSN has HD programming. Otherwise it's just colorbars.

Verizon has a channel in North Texas devoted to HD content on Fox Sports Net. It only shows programming when FSN has HD programming. Otherwise it's just colorbars.
How new is this channel? I suspect the FSNs would be easier for them to add than the Comcast/CableVision-controlled RSNs.

BTW, here's a list on what RSNs there are to add:

New York City Area
FSN New York: _____Carriage Agreement, not yet available_________CableVision
MSG: _____________Carriage Agreement, not yet available________CableVision
SportsNet New York: HD Feed "Testing"__________New York Mets, Time Warner, Comcast
YES Network: ______SD Only_________________New York Yankees, Goldman Sachs

Southern California
FSN West: ________SD Only__________________NewsCorp
FSN Prime Ticket: ___SD Only__________________NewsCorp

Philadelphia
CSN Philly: ________HD Feed Carried___________Comcast

North Texas
FSN Southwest: ____HD Feed Carried (Part-Time)_NewsCorp

Boston
NESN: ____________SD Only_________________Boston Red Sox, Boston Brunes

Washington/Baltimore Metro Area
CSN Mid Atlantic: ____SD Only________________Comcast
MASN: ____________No HD Available__________Peter Angelos, Washington Nationals

Florida
FSN Florida: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast
Sun Sports: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast

right now i'm seeing on all the hd channels a problem with the video where the picture looks like it is stuttering...like it is being fast forwarded but at regular speed. it is not breaking up but the frames don't seem like they are all being played at the same speed. i just got fios and this is the first time that i notice this.

If you can, try changing your TV's input to another one and then switch back to the FIOS input. This problem is particularly obvious with HDMI connections. On some occasions it's poor wires somewhere in the chain and at other times it seems like it's a synch issue of some kind with HDMI. Interestingly, my TV with the new Tivo S3 has never had this issue, so I'm sure it is somehow related to the FIOS box.

If you can, try changing your TV's input to another one and then switch back to the FIOS input. This problem is particularly obvious with HDMI connections. On some occasions it's poor wires somewhere in the chain and at other times it seems like it's a synch issue of some kind with HDMI. Interestingly, my TV with the new Tivo S3 has never had this issue, so I'm sure it is somehow related to the FIOS box.


i tried various permutations of this with no avail...finally, i switched my 2 hd boxes and the problem went away...maybe i just needed to reset the box, which is something that i initially tried but it did not work either.

This appears to happen on my hd box as well. It comes periodically and then goes away. I don't have an HDMI connection so I wonder if this is strictly a box issue?

I tried component and HDMI with the same results.

right now i'm seeing on all the hd channels a problem with the video where the picture looks like it is stuttering...like it is being fast forwarded but at regular speed. it is not breaking up but the frames don't seem like they are all being played at the same speed. i just got fios and this is the first time that i notice this.I had something similar to this once.

Details here:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=8866518#post8866518

It was doing the same thing on the component connections too.

I tried various things ... nothing worked ... rebooted the box and haven't had the problem since.

This was with a DVR ... but the effect was with both live and recorded TV. Seemed like a problem in the MPEG decoder ... recorded content that was funky before the reboot was just fine after the reboot.

I just checked on FIOS's web site and it looks like FIOS TV is now available in parts of Wayne, PA. I live on North Wayne Ave. in Wayne and just today the FIOS TV website reports that TV is now available. I checked yesterday and it wasn't available, so something changed today. I haven't called yet, but this is exciting new for anyone in Wayne.

SJKurtzke, CSN in Philly is being carried in HD also.

Was watching Letterman for about 10 minutes last week through my Comcast Moto DVR STB. The image was slightly jerky, as if every other frame or every third frame was being dropped. Anybody see or notice this? Cause?

Was watching Letterman for about 10 minutes last week through my Comcast Moto DVR STB. The image was slightly jerky, as if every other frame or every third frame was being dropped. Anybody see or notice this? Cause?

Yea, I mentioned in an earlier post on this page seeing the same thing on NFL-HD a few days ago. Several others here are also complaining of stuttering video on HD channels. It's not clear to me yet if this is a DVR issue or a FIOS issue.

(Hey - you mentioned Comcast Moto DVR - did you mean Verizon or are you posting in the wrong thread?)

Opps. Lost track of threads. I was posting in wrong thread. Sorry. Hopefully in about another six months this will be my home HDTV programming thread.

Oops. Lost track of threads. I was posting in wrong thread. Sorry. Hopefully in about another six months this will be my home HDTV programming thread.

Last night I was watching NFL replay in HD on NFL-HD with my son (Pats-Colts game). I saw this game live on NBC and the quality of the replay was very bad in comparison. Lots of pixelation. Then after about 10 minutes the video got VERY gittery - almost unwatchable it was so annoying. I was recording something in HD at the same time.

Is this an issue with the DVR or a programming quality issue with the NFL-HD feed? I'm pretty disappointed with this - not what I thought I was paying for when I signed up for FIOS. Is there a good number to call Verizon with PQ complaints like this?
on Comcast, the NBC feed live was like this...this was NBC's issue, not any provider

on Comcast, the NBC feed live was like this...this was NBC's issue, not any provider

Ok - that does make me feel better. I forgot that when I was watching the game live I saw the 1st half in SD (at a neighbor's house). I watched the 2nd half in HD at my place (OTA) and it looked great.

The part I saw on NFL-HD replay with the skipping issue was the first half - so maybe this was just a bad NBC feed..

I just checked on FIOS's web site and it looks like FIOS TV is now available in parts of Wayne, PA. I live on North Wayne Ave. in Wayne and just today the FIOS TV website reports that TV is now available. I checked yesterday and it wasn't available, so something changed today. I haven't called yet, but this is exciting new for anyone in Wayne.

Thanks for the info Walter. I live in Saint Davids and had been checking the Verizon site regularly with no luck. I even filled out the 'please notify me when available' online form and had not heard a thing. But when I put in my address today into the site, it seems it is available. My mission soon will be to call Comcast and see what kind of response they have for me.

Just saw this over at Broadband Reports.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061116/nyth154.html?.v=64

Just saw this over at Broadband Reports.
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/061116/nyth154.html?.v=64

No mention of VOOM in the agreement. Is this a bad sign?

No mention of VOOM in the agreement. Is this a bad sign?

Nah, not bad news.

I've had DISH since March (and will switch to FIOS TV when it launches in DE) if they add Food HD and HGTV HD.

The VOOM channels really are not that great. Literally, I think I can count on my hands the number of times I watched them in 8 months.

Nonetheless, having an overall agreement with Rainbow probably helps things along if they try and add them at a later time.

i agree completely. progress is progress. this may give Rainbow a way to gauge FiOS-TV's market potential. they can sure use the revenue a VOOM carriage deal with Vz would bring.


Jim

if they add Food HD and HGTV HD.
.
Yeah, what's the holdup on those? I thought they already had an HD carriage agreement.

BTW, the list of HD RSNs has been updated to reflect the agreement:
New York City Area
FSN New York: _____Carriage Agreement, not yet available_________CableVision
MSG: _____________Carriage Agreement, not yet available________CableVision
SportsNet New York: HD Feed "Testing"__________New York Mets, Time Warner, Comcast
YES Network: ______SD Only_________________New York Yankees, Goldman Sachs

Southern California
FSN West: ________HD Feed Carried___________NewsCorp
FSN Prime Ticket: ___HD Feed Carried___________NewsCorp

Philadelphia
CSN Philly: ________HD Feed Carried___________Comcast

North Texas
FSN Southwest: ____HD Feed Carried __________NewsCorp

Boston
NESN: ____________SD Only_________________Boston Red Sox, Boston Brunes
FSN New England___Carriage Agreement, not yet available_CableVision

Washington/Baltimore Metro Area
CSN Mid Atlantic: ____SD Only________________Comcast
MASN: ____________No HD Available__________Peter Angelos, Washington Nationals

Florida
FSN Florida: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast
Sun Sports: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast

Yeah, what's the holdup on those? I thought they already had an HD carriage agreement.

BTW, the list of HD RSNs has been updated to reflect the agreement:
New York City Area
FSN New York: _____Carriage Agreement, not yet available_________CableVision
MSG: _____________Carriage Agreement, not yet available________CableVision
SportsNet New York: HD Feed "Testing"__________New York Mets, Time Warner, Comcast
YES Network: ______SD Only_________________New York Yankees, Goldman Sachs

Southern California
FSN West: ________SD Only__________________NewsCorp
FSN Prime Ticket: ___SD Only__________________NewsCorp

Philadelphia
CSN Philly: ________HD Feed Carried___________Comcast

North Texas
FSN Southwest: ____HD Feed Carried (Part-Time)_NewsCorp

Boston
NESN: ____________SD Only_________________Boston Red Sox, Boston Brunes

Washington/Baltimore Metro Area
CSN Mid Atlantic: ____SD Only________________Comcast
MASN: ____________No HD Available__________Peter Angelos, Washington Nationals

Florida
FSN Florida: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast
Sun Sports: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast


No FSN New England in the list, Rainbow Media channel. HD feed was part of carriage agreement, no idea when the channel in SD & HD will appear for those in the Boston area.

Yeah, what's the holdup on those? I thought they already had an HD carriage agreement.

BTW, the list of HD RSNs has been updated to reflect the agreement:
New York City Area
FSN New York: _____Carriage Agreement, not yet available_________CableVision
MSG: _____________Carriage Agreement, not yet available________CableVision
SportsNet New York: HD Feed "Testing"__________New York Mets, Time Warner, Comcast
YES Network: ______SD Only_________________New York Yankees, Goldman Sachs

Southern California
FSN West: ________SD Only__________________NewsCorp
FSN Prime Ticket: ___SD Only__________________NewsCorp

Philadelphia
CSN Philly: ________HD Feed Carried___________Comcast

North Texas
FSN Southwest: ____HD Feed Carried (Part-Time)_NewsCorp

Boston
NESN: ____________SD Only_________________Boston Red Sox, Boston Brunes

Washington/Baltimore Metro Area
CSN Mid Atlantic: ____SD Only________________Comcast
MASN: ____________No HD Available__________Peter Angelos, Washington Nationals

Florida
FSN Florida: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast
Sun Sports: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,16124634
This thread from Broadband Reports seems to indicate that FSN West and FSN Prime Ticket HD games have been carried since May. It would be nice to get some verification of that from a CA FiOS TV sub. I must have missed the news that the FL RSN HD games were available. Apparently Verizon's deal with NewsCorp was across the board.

We have had ch 815 FSN W and 816 FSNPT in So Cal for a few months. However, they only show certain games in HD. The next one on FSN West is Nov 18 at 9am, FSNPT is TBA.

FSN NE will be carried in both SD and HD...now let's hope for NESN HD for the Mass. subs

I apologize for posting a non-HD topic in this area but I couldn't find a non-HD FIOS forum.

Where is MSNBC? I know Fios used to carry this but I just got FIOS TV installed a couple of days ago and there is no MSNBC. They have CNBC but no MSNBC. Does anyone have the scoop on why MSNBC was taken off FIOS?

I apologize for posting a non-HD topic in this area but I couldn't find a non-HD FIOS forum.

Where is MSNBC? I know Fios used to carry this but I just got FIOS TV installed a couple of days ago and there is no MSNBC. They have CNBC but no MSNBC. Does anyone have the scoop on why MSNBC was taken off FIOS?The following quote was taken from this thread at Broadband Reports: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17266385My FIOS installer told me Cablevision had some deal with MSNBC that prevented Verizon from showing the channel. I don't know any more details.

We have had ch 815 FSN W and 816 FSNPT in So Cal for a few months. However, they only show certain games in HD. The next one on FSN West is Nov 18 at 9am, FSNPT is TBA.Thanks for providing the info! You should be getting the Oklahoma-Baylor football game tomorrow (Nov 18) at 9am. Here is a link taken from the FSN Bay Area website that lists the complete college football HD schedule: http://fsnbayarea.com/Sched_CollegeHD.jsp

Sucks, that Comcast (from what I've heard) charged so much that Programming in the Philadelphia area costs at least a $1 more for everything --- $3 more for the Premier Package, alone.

Funny, how they insist that CSN not be placed in a Sports Package - considering how they and other Cable companies want to treat the NFL Network.

Some other commentary here: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17211940~start=20

must have missed the news that the FL RSN HD games were available. Apparently Verizon's deal with NewsCorp was across the board.
Nothing on the official channel list, but on their web site under "See FSN Florida in HD" or something like that, they listed the FiOS channel number for FSN Florida/Sun Sports. We should probably get confirmation from a sub though.

So, we're just waiting on CSN Mid Atlantic, YES, and NESN in HD.

Quote:
My FIOS installer told me Cablevision had some deal with MSNBC that prevented Verizon from showing the channel. I don't know any more details.

Yeah, just to confirm, only in the NYC area will you not get MSNBC.

Thanks for the info on MSNBC. I don't see how Cablevision would have the legal authority to do that. Sounds like I may have to so some research. I just quit Cablevision and switched to FIOS for various customer support reasons. I guess they are getting me back!!!

Anyone else get a survey from Verizon with questions about raising the cost of "FiOS TV Premier"? The survey asked about what services I had and which ones I would keep if they raised the cost of the Premier package to $42.99/month. I guess it would not be to bad if the questions about having a discount to go along with it. $5 off a month if you get two additional features (DVR, additional box, HD programing package, movie package, sports package, etc). Or $7 off a month if you order 3 additional services.

Overall the survey seemed very poorly written and very confusing. I guess Verizon knows who to hire to make things confusing for us. I should be getting a $10 check for taking the survey though.

Here is a screen shot from the survey. Read the HD package description. http://static.flickr.com/107/299807459_f69ad39a83_o.jpg

Since PA has those prices now, hopefully we'll also be able to get all the possible discounts.

I have to wonder about that HD package ? It reminds me of Cable.

Anyone else get a survey from Verizon with questions about raising the cost of "FiOS TV Premier"? The survey asked about what services I had and which ones I would keep if they raised the cost of the Premier package to $42.99/month. I guess it would not be to bad if the questions about having a discount to go along with it. $5 off a month if you get two additional features (DVR, additional box, HD programing package, movie package, sports package, etc). Or $7 off a month if you order 3 additional services.

Overall the survey seemed very poorly written and very confusing. I guess Verizon knows who to hire to make things confusing for us. I should be getting a $10 check for taking the survey though.

Here is a screen shot from the survey. Read the HD package description. http://static.flickr.com/107/299807459_f69ad39a83_o.jpg
I got a statement from Verizon saying the rates were going up on 1/14/07. It said that my rates would never go up on existing services but anything I order new after that date would be at the new rate. They suggested I order anything I was considering getting before then to lock in the old rate.

I got a statement from Verizon saying the rates were going up on 1/14/07. It said that my rates would never go up on existing services but anything I order new after that date would be at the new rate. They suggested I order anything I was considering getting before then to lock in the old rate.

Same here. No survey, but a statement detailing the rate increases and a suggestion that if I was planning on ordering any new services, do it before 1/14/07 to lock in the current rate.

Multichannel News article

"Verizon Sets First FiOS Rate Hike"

Link:
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6393559.html

My summary:

Effective Jan 14 in Virginia, Jan 1 in other markets

FiOS TV Premiere $39.95 -> $42.99
FiOS TV Local $12.95 -> $12.99
Premium Channels + $1.04 increase (not sure exactly what that means, read article)

Existing FiOS TV Premiere customers will (initially) continue to get the $39.95 rate but could eventually see the same price increase.

First I've heard of a 'Local' service/package. That certainly would be a killer way to bring in the cost conscience (cheap bastard) consumer.

First I've heard of a 'Local' service/package. That certainly would be a killer way to bring in the cost conscience (cheap bastard) consumer.From their web site ...
http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/packages+and+prices/packages+and+prices.htm

Local service package also available. FiOS TV Local provides access to local TV channels, community and educational programming for $12.95/month.It's also in all their press / availability releases ...
http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2006/verizon-expands-fios-tv-11.html

FiOS TV Local, with access to 15-35 local broadcast, weather and community channels for $12.95 per month. The service is digital with a set-top box, which also provides access to on-demand programming. FiOS TV Local is also available as an analog service that does not require a set-top box for viewing.But no ... Verizon certainly doesn't push or talk about the Local package very much. Much like (traditional) cable companies ...

Cool... I know at least three people who want Internet and would be happy with $13 Local TV !

* We are in a bad OTA area.

http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/business/briefs/s_481081.html


FiOS TV on horizon (for Pittsburgh)

By staff and wire reports
Thursday, November 23, 2006

Verizon will announce an "investment" Monday toward launching its FiOS TV cable service in Western Pennsylvania -- possibly a hub office and equipment needed to bring programming to viewers. Verizon Communications Corp. spokesman Lee Gierczynski wouldn't give details Wednesday, but said fiber-optic lines for voice and data have been laid in 77 Pittsburgh-area communities, with more to be announced early next year. A FiOS TV launch would require special equipment to distribute a TV signal, a center to collect programming and franchise deals with local municipalities, he said. Legislation that would allow statewide TV franchises stalled this fall, and Gierczynski said no agreements are being sought yet in this region. Verizon has 94 franchises in the Philadelphia area, though, and could start service there within weeks. FiOS TV currently is in 60 markets, in seven states.

* funny how Hummelstown in central PA was first with the Internet Service but now last with TV. I hope all foot dragging local Officials get kicked out of Office.

Does anyone have information on when Verizon FIOS TV for Ma. will offer NESN HD ? I had FIOS installed at my house last year and enjoyed a year of faultless internet DSL service, I've patiently waited for town approval for TV service which we now have. Unfortunately the present HD offering does not include NESN HD. Being a Red Sox Fan, this omission is a deal killer. :(

Does anyone have information on when Verizon FIOS TV for Ma. will offer NESN HD ? I had FIOS installed at my house last year and enjoyed a year of faultless internet DSL service, I've patiently waited for town approval for TV service which we now have. Unfortunately the present HD offering does not include NESN HD. Being a Red Sox Fan, this omission is a deal killer. :(
I was told it would be available sometime soon.

I am getting my FIOS TV install done on Monday and I have a couple of questions for people who have gone through this process already. I tried calling FIOS TV customer support to get some of these answers, but I got such inconsistent responses that I don't know if I can trust them. My first question is whether they give you an HDMI cable if your STB and TV support that connection. I have 2 new HDTV's and both can support HDMI. The prices in electronic stores for HDMI cables are outrageous. I have seen prices of $200 for four foot cables. (As an aside - does anyone know if a gold plated HDMI cable will actually provide a better picture. I thought HDMI was a pure digital connection. I use cheap DVI cables for my PC's to their monitors and never had a problem. I think the HDMI is a similar digital connection to DVI right? Also, is HDMI necessarily better than component or does that depend on the TV?)

Also, do both the HD STB and DVR STB have HDMI ports? Also, when you watch live TV on the DVR, can you bypass the hard drive and watch the video straight from the tuner? I am wondering if it records the live TV first and then plays from the hard drive on the fly and if that does that result in any degredation of the picture? The only reason I ask, is that I have an older ReplayTV and watching live TV on it does result in picture degredation. Of, course that is an analog system and ReplayTV first converts the analog signal to digital to store on the hard drive and then plays back the signal from the hard drive live. I imagine it must be different when you are dealing with all digital signals from FIOS TV. But I do wonder if the DVR compresses the digital signal more when it stores it on the hard drive. I guess I could just compare the picture from the DVR and HD box and see for myself. Has anyone done that?

Thanks for your help

Hey Walt, I would love to see the set up when it is done and it would be even better if I could see the work being done! You do not need to spend alot of money on an HDMI cable. You scan get them from forum sponsers for a fraction of what they sell in stores. You do not need a gold plated HDMI cable at all. Save your money. It is my understanding that the Motorola FiOS box works the same as the one from Comcast. You can stop and replay a live broadcast because it stores the program streeam in a buffer. When watching live, you are watching live. There is no further compression used at all. I have the Comcast 6412 and the 6200 and the picture looks identical. I am sure the same is true of the FiOS boxes. SEnd me a PM when you get the chance!

My first question is whether they give you an HDMI cable if your STB and TV support that connection.


I had an install this past Monday and was provided both HDMI and optical audio cables.

Also, do both the HD STB and DVR STB have HDMI ports?


The DVR has an HDMI port. I can't help on the HD STB since I don't have one.

I am getting my FIOS TV install done on Monday and I have a couple of questions for people who have gone through this process already. I tried calling FIOS TV customer support to get some of these answers, but I got such inconsistent responses that I don't know if I can trust them. My first question is whether they give you an HDMI cable if your STB and TV support that connection. I have 2 new HDTV's and both can support HDMI. The prices in electronic stores for HDMI cables are outrageous. I have seen prices of $200 for four foot cables. (As an aside - does anyone know if a gold plated HDMI cable will actually provide a better picture. I thought HDMI was a pure digital connection. I use cheap DVI cables for my PC's to their monitors and never had a problem. I think the HDMI is a similar digital connection to DVI right? Also, is HDMI necessarily better than component or does that depend on the TV?)

Also, do both the HD STB and DVR STB have HDMI ports? Also, when you watch live TV on the DVR, can you bypass the hard drive and watch the video straight from the tuner? I am wondering if it records the live TV first and then plays from the hard drive on the fly and if that does that result in any degredation of the picture? The only reason I ask, is that I have an older ReplayTV and watching live TV on it does result in picture degredation. Of, course that is an analog system and ReplayTV first converts the analog signal to digital to store on the hard drive and then plays back the signal from the hard drive live. I imagine it must be different when you are dealing with all digital signals from FIOS TV. But I do wonder if the DVR compresses the digital signal more when it stores it on the hard drive. I guess I could just compare the picture from the DVR and HD box and see for myself. Has anyone done that?

Thanks for your help

Best deals and quality I've found are at monoprice.com - everything delivered and working as advertised.

I am getting my FIOS TV install done on Monday and I have a couple of questions for people who have gone through this process already. I tried calling FIOS TV customer support to get some of these answers, but I got such inconsistent responses that I don't know if I can trust them. My first question is whether they give you an HDMI cable if your STB and TV support that connection. I have 2 new HDTV's and both can support HDMI. The prices in electronic stores for HDMI cables are outrageous. I have seen prices of $200 for four foot cables. (As an aside - does anyone know if a gold plated HDMI cable will actually provide a better picture. I thought HDMI was a pure digital connection. I use cheap DVI cables for my PC's to their monitors and never had a problem. I think the HDMI is a similar digital connection to DVI right? Also, is HDMI necessarily better than component or does that depend on the TV?)

Also, do both the HD STB and DVR STB have HDMI ports? Also, when you watch live TV on the DVR, can you bypass the hard drive and watch the video straight from the tuner? I am wondering if it records the live TV first and then plays from the hard drive on the fly and if that does that result in any degredation of the picture? The only reason I ask, is that I have an older ReplayTV and watching live TV on it does result in picture degredation. Of, course that is an analog system and ReplayTV first converts the analog signal to digital to store on the hard drive and then plays back the signal from the hard drive live. I imagine it must be different when you are dealing with all digital signals from FIOS TV. But I do wonder if the DVR compresses the digital signal more when it stores it on the hard drive. I guess I could just compare the picture from the DVR and HD box and see for myself. Has anyone done that?

Thanks for your help

$200??? yea, I know....I have 2 40 foot HDMI cables connected through a HDMI connector and the signal in perfect..It's digital so either it's on or off. I got mine for about $70@ through our sponsor "Blue Jeans Cable." Work great. I got all my custom cables from them.

I am getting my FIOS TV install done on Monday and I have a couple of questions for people who have gone through this process already. I tried calling FIOS TV customer support to get some of these answers, but I got such inconsistent responses that I don't know if I can trust them. My first question is whether they give you an HDMI cable if your STB and TV support that connection. I have 2 new HDTV's and both can support HDMI. The prices in electronic stores for HDMI cables are outrageous. I have seen prices of $200 for four foot cables. (As an aside - does anyone know if a gold plated HDMI cable will actually provide a better picture. I thought HDMI was a pure digital connection. I use cheap DVI cables for my PC's to their monitors and never had a problem. I think the HDMI is a similar digital connection to DVI right? Also, is HDMI necessarily better than component or does that depend on the TV?)

Also, do both the HD STB and DVR STB have HDMI ports? Also, when you watch live TV on the DVR, can you bypass the hard drive and watch the video straight from the tuner? I am wondering if it records the live TV first and then plays from the hard drive on the fly and if that does that result in any degredation of the picture? The only reason I ask, is that I have an older ReplayTV and watching live TV on it does result in picture degredation. Of, course that is an analog system and ReplayTV first converts the analog signal to digital to store on the hard drive and then plays back the signal from the hard drive live. I imagine it must be different when you are dealing with all digital signals from FIOS TV. But I do wonder if the DVR compresses the digital signal more when it stores it on the hard drive. I guess I could just compare the picture from the DVR and HD box and see for myself. Has anyone done that?

Thanks for your help

FIOS HD STB does have an HDMI connection to the TV. I have one without the DVR and it does. They also gave me the necessary cables to utilize the best connection on my TV's depending on what that was, one HDMI for HDTV and one S video for an older SD tv. No component on the SD boxes, just S video or the old yellow plug.

Is every movie on FiOS a 2 star movie?

Yes, Starz is available !

I am getting my FIOS TV install done on Monday and I have a couple of questions for people who have gone through this process already (...)They gave me an HDMI -> DVI cable (which surprised me) but ... YMMV. I wouldn't be surprised if that's one of those "it depends" (on what's on the truck, phase of the moon, etc.) kindof things. In any case (and as others have noted) no need to spend big $$$ on HDMI cables. Many very good on-line retailers to be found (I've been very happy with monoprice).

The PQ on their DVRs for recorded content is the same as for live content (as you noted, because of the digital signal). Content is not re-compressed before recording or buffering.

Enjoy.

http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6392135.html?display=Breaking+News

sounds like if you don't already have fiostv, or if your city is not already in talks, it'll be at least the new year before the good stuff in CA....

Not to beat a dead horse, but...

Where are the new HD channels? I heard new HD channels before the end of November.

?

Yes, this is the county that Vz sued. The full County Council met today and voted unanimously to award Vz a franchise. Service should be available for areas already wired [fibered] by 1/1/08.

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsarticle.aspx?type=technologyNews&storyid=2006-11-28T192014Z_01_N28268263_RTRUKOC_0_US-VERIZON-VIDEO.xml&src=rss

This is great news for Montgomery county!

Prince George's County, Maryland, Awards Verizon Franchise for FiOS TV

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,27494.shtml

Washington Notebook
FCC hopes to speed phone companies' entry into TV
By Leslie Cauley USA Today Dec. 1, 2006

NEW YORK — Trying to spur competition and beat back cable TV prices, Federal Communications Commission Chairman Kevin Martin has proposed rules to make it easier for phone companies and others to jump into the video business.

The proposed order aims to streamline the video franchise approval process, FCC officials said. They declined to be named because the order has not been formally adopted. The other four FCC commissioners are reviewing it.

Martin is using the FCC's upcoming annual report on cable TV prices as ammunition. FCC officials say the report shows that satellite TV and cable TV operators have settled into a cozy duopoly, keeping prices in a steady, upward climb. It shows the average price of cable TV in 2005 was $43.33 a month. Where satellite TV also was available, the average was $43.34. But in markets with another "wired" video provider, the price was dramatically less: $35.94.

The upshot: Absent credible land-based rivals, cable TV prices will keep going up.

From 1995 to 2005, the survey shows, cable TV prices shot up 93%. The cable TV industry has blamed rising programming costs. But that does not explain the big difference in places with a second wired provider, one FCC official noted.

AT&T and Verizon are building advanced broadband networks so they can sell bundles of TV, voice, wireless and high-speed Internet services. But deployment of their video has been slow, in part because of the franchising process. There are thousands of local authorities, each with its own rules.

The proposed order would require the bodies to rule within 90 days on applications by phone companies and others with existing access to public rights-of-way. For others, it would be six months.

The order would also make it harder for localities to impose "unreasonable" requirements. In one case, the FCC says, a video provider was asked to build a recreation center and swimming pool. In another, a video applicant was asked to fork over $1 million and fund a $50,000 scholarship with annual contributions.

AT&T and Verizon have been trying to persuade lawmakers to pass a national franchising bill and pushing states to adopt statewide franchising laws.

So far, Congress has declined to take action. A number of states, including Texas, California and New Jersey, have passed statewide bills. But that leaves thousands of franchising bodies to contend with.

The result: More than two years after entering the TV business, Verizon has only about 300 franchise agreements. AT&T, which rolled out video in July, has around 24.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2006-12-01-fcc-martin-usat_x.htm

They did not mention the statue of the Mayor that one town wanted.

All this is happening because local Officials want something more.

During the Hearings in PA, Local Officials said that Verizon does not want to pay what Cable does - so Communities were in danger of losing revenues. The Verizon spokesman said they have asked in every negotiation, right up front, if they could simply get the same deal as Cable. They said they'd sign immediately if that was the case. When pressed, the Local Officials could provide no proof of any instance in PA or anywhere else that Verizon tried to pay less. They were red faced.

It's not hard to speculate that there's some behind the scenes deals or details that have these Officials looking for a little something extra - and I'm not talking build-out, right-of-way, service, extra Cable Access channels, or any other requirements like that.

That is how the deal in our township was reached. The board finally realized that Comcast's rates were rising way too fast and the citizens were complaining. The terms of the deal Verizon struck were the same as Comcast's. When neighbor called to cancel and told them he was going to Verizon, he was offered a great deal to stay, alot lower than his current bill. He left anyway. Yet, Comcast still had the gall to raise our rates significantly even though they knew Verizon was startimg their installs. It will be interesting to see how many switch before the end of the year. Fyom what I have been able to gleen, Veroion has been very busy with installs here, although is seems like it takes most of the day for the guys to do one house!

Well, Verizon is worthless to us. They advertise their FIOS television service every week. I think I've received about 25 solicitations from them in the last three months. And yet, every time I call, they say that it isn't available for me. Apparently, they're cherry-picking which developments in our town they're willing to provide service to -- even though they have already wired the entire town for fiber. (What's really strange is that they won't service us. Some of our condo units have sold for over $500K, more than most of the homes in our town. However, there are only 25 of us. The rest of this neighborhood is made up of low-priced coops and apartments.)

So as long as Verizon continues that tack, Comcast can raise rates with relative impunity.

Ye ol' Comcast vs Verizon story:

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/business/16149429.htm

* It's fairly long. The last time I posted one of this length it got chopped down
to an unreadable mess, so if you're interested please check out the Link.

Is every movie on FiOS a 2 star movie?
My wife and I noticed that as well. We recently switched from Comcast to FiOS and we're very pleased overall with cost and PQ, etc., but Comcast certainly had the edge on movie ratings and descriptions. And, I'd rate Comcast's menu user interface superior. Comcast's VOD selection is also better. And here's something to watch out for: sometimes a movie which you might get for free as part of a premium channel package is also listed in the PPV movies. You could end up paying $3.99 for a movie you could have seen for free.

Philadelphia (area) Freedom (of choice):

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/16149496.htm


FiOS TV service with Comcast SportsNet starts December 4th !

* They managed to keep the SportsNet away from DBS (lowest penetration in the Country) blunting any chance of real competition but, now, Verizon can make huge inroads against the former Comcast near-monopoly of Sports !

Installs actually started two weeks ago.

More info from a Company E-Mail:

FiOS TV is now available in parts of the following southeastern Pennsylvania communities:

Montgomery County

Ambler Borough
Horsham Township
Lower Gwynedd Township
Montgomery Township
Springfield Township
Upper Dublin Township
Whitpain Township
Hatfield Borough
Hatfield Township
Lansdale Borough
Towamencin Township
Upper Gwynedd Township
Upper Providence Township
Upper Merion Township

Chester County

Charlestown Township
East Pikeland Township
Schuylkill Township
Tredyffrin Township
Easttown Township
West Pikeland Township
Birmingham Township
East Bradford Township
East Goshen Township
Pocopson Township
Thornbury Township
West Bradford Township
West Chester Borough
West Goshen Township
Westtown Township

Bucks County

Hulmeville Borough
Bensalem Township
Langhorne Manor Borough
Lower Southampton Township

Delaware County
Thornbury Township
Radnor Township


New FiOS TV features that customers will see in 2007 include:

2D and 3D video games - interactive console-like games that customers will play on the TV.


An Internet portal to manage certain FiOS TV features such as channel favorites and parental controls. Customers will also be able to use their cell phones to program the DVR.


Home shopping - customers will use their remote control to buy products from home-shopping shows. They also will be able to use the remote to purchase products tied to shows and movies such as soundtracks and T-shirts.


Interactive game shows - customers will extend the TV viewing experience by using their remote control to answer game-show questions or vote for contestants.


DVD on Demand -- access to a library of DVD-based content, including games and how-to and educational titles that provide information-enriched content.


Enhanced search capability that makes it easy for customers to do a global search of titles, actors, singers and other information across the TV, DVR and video-on-demand content.


More international programming for Verizon's diverse customers. FiOS TV provides 16 international a la carte channels today, and it will triple the number of international channels early next year.

Philadelphia (area) Freedom (of choice):

http://www.philly.com/mld/philly/16149496.htm


FiOS TV service with Comcast SportsNet starts December 4th !

* They managed to keep the SportsNet away from DBS (lowest penetration in the Country) blunting any chance of real competition but, now, Verizon can make huge inroads against the former Comcast near-monopoly of Sports !


But what about CSN in HD??????????? Is that part of the deal or not?? Has anyone with FIOS TV actually received and seen CSN in HD?????? That would be the one reason I'd delay switching to FIOS TV from Comcast.

But what about CSN in HD??????????? Is that part of the deal or not??According to the press release, Comcast SportsNet-Philadelphia HD was part of the Verizon / Comcast carraige agreement:
http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2006/verizon-signs-agreements-with.html

CSN-HD is on FiOS in SE PA and will be in Delaware also and South Jersey. It is channel 829 and I have seen it myself as a neighbor now has the service. Verizon paid to run a fiber link into the plant at the Wachovia Center to take the feed.

Any news on its arrival in North NJ?

Hi new to the forum. I would like to switch to fios from directv. would like to know if Fios is will be getting any major sports packages like N.H.L.Center Ice. thanks for any info

Hi new to the forum. I would like to switch to fios from directv. would like to know if Fios is will be getting any major sports packages like N.H.L.Center Ice. thanks for any info

Like it is for all programming, content will be added as they strike deals with the provider. When you consider they have only been at it for a year, i think they have done a pretty good job with building there package. i am sure these items will be added at some point.

From Multichannel News:

Verizon Nets SportsNet Deal

Verizon FIOS TV viewers in the southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware markets will now be able to see live Philadelphia 76ers National Basketball Association and Philadelphia Flyers National Hockey League contests as part of a carriage deal between Verizon Communications and Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. The deal also includes Comcast’s other regional sports networks around the country, as well as those networks' respective HD channels, the network said.

They managed to keep the SportsNet away from DBS (lowest penetration in the Country) blunting any chance of real competition but, now, Verizon can make huge inroads against the former Comcast near-monopoly of Sports !Verizon is land line based, which is why they can get CSN, and why the two DBS providers can't.

I live in Fairfax County (just outside of DC) and get the following local sports channels on FiOS:

Comcast Sports Net Mid-Atlantic on channel 65
MASN on channel 66

I assume MASN is Mid-Atlantic Sports Network but could be wrong.

Anybody know when FiOS will deliver either/both of these in HD? I really would like to see some Wizards NBA games in HD and to a lesser extent, some Caps games in HD (especially when they are playing the Penguins).

Anybody know when FiOS will deliver either/both of these in HD? I really would like to see some Wizards NBA games in HD and to a lesser extent, some Caps games in HD (especially when they are playing the Penguins).MASN doesn't offer an HD channel. They (MASN) have talked about possibly offering HD for 2007 ... but AFAIK they haven't committed to it.

The article quoted above (http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6397097.html) mentions the Comcast / Verizon carriage deal covering the HD versions of Comcast's other RSNs so ... hopefully Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic HD is covered and will be carried soon ...

The HD versions are covered. It will be up to verizon to pay for and install the fiber line into the RSN's plant. This is what they did in Philadelphia.

I called Verizon today, the day after they made the announcement that FIOS TV would be available in Bensalem and they told me it was not available yet in my area. HUH? I work in Bensalem and all the people I work with with in Bensalem can't get Verizon TV yet either.

But what about CSN in HD??????????? Is that part of the deal or not?? Has anyone with FIOS TV actually received and seen CSN in HD?????? That would be the one reason I'd delay switching to FIOS TV from Comcast.

I just download the TV Channel listing for Penna and Comcast HD is listed. As well as WGN in Chicago!!

I got a letter in the mail with an offer to preorder for priority installation. I called yesterday and they took the details of what I wanted (equipment+package). I asked about when my "priority" date would be and they said they didn't have actual install information. Only that I would get a call on/about Jan 15 to schedule an installation date. I guess they are trying to guage customer interest? I don't really care since I waited this long, whats another month or so. I can't wait to ditch my D*. I have wanted to add HD to my service forever it seems but the cost of the D* HD DVR coupled with the premium charge for crappy HD has stopped me. The price they quoted me for Fios TV worked out to be about $15/mo cheaper than what I am paying D* plus I get HD included at no extra cost. Seems to be a no brainer to me.

anyone kniw how many/what chans you get on. tvs without stbs?

I have a bunch of tvs and 3 hd boxes with comcast 2 of which are dvr and the reg hd box is free. don't want to get/pay for more then 3 or 4 boxes and watch in kitchen a lot on tv without box. picture on the 26'' flat lcd in kitchen connected with coax looks almost hd and gets all the basic cable chans including espn cnbc , mtv etc. which I watch in there a lot.

if verizon only gets 12 chans on sets without box that is n.ot matching comcast and would be a major dealbreaker.

my other programming questions would be in how vz fios hd chans compare to comcast. same amount of hd chans or more?

also same or on demand content. I heard verizon doesn't have as much hd content as comcast. and what size hdd do the fios dvr boxes use? 160 I think I heard which while not as good as two 120's (if we were getting ine dvr box for free or at least no extra charge from comcast) is still better for single dvr box at 160 and the fact that it can play on the other non dvr hd boxes. at least that's what they said. is it true. can content recoreded on your hd dvr box play in other rooms on non dvr hd boxes?

how else does vz fios programming stack up against comcast?

Comcast has alot more HD on Demand from Comcast, at least for now. Comcast should be rolling out some HD on Demand from Disney and they have some CBS HD stuff and some free movies. There is no reason FiOS can't strike similiar deals. FiOS only carries the local broadcast channels in analog, about 14 or so I believe. The DVR has a 160 gig hard drive. Doing a comparison of the SD service on each, FiOS has a much better picture with much less noise and blocking. The HD PQ is about equal. If I had to give one an edge, it would be very slight in favor of FiOS but until I see it on my set, I will reserve jusdment. A neighbor has it on his 42" plasmas and it looks excellent. HDNet looks much better than it does on D*

anyone kniw how many/what chans you get on. tvs without stbs?

I have a bunch of tvs and 3 hd boxes with comcast 2 of which are dvr and the reg hd box is free. don't want to get/pay for more then 3 or 4 boxes and watch in kitchen a lot on tv without box. picture on the 26'' flat lcd in kitchen connected with coax looks almost hd and gets all the basic cable chans including espn cnbc , mtv etc. which I watch in there a lot.With FiOS TV, you can get channels 2-49 with an NTSC tuner. You can get the digital / HD locals with a (clear) QAM tuner. All other channels (including the 'extended basic' cable channels you mentioned like espn, cnbc, mtv. etc.) you either need their STB or a CableCard equiped host (TV, Tivo S3, whatever).

I got a letter in the mail with an offer to preorder for priority installation. I called yesterday and they took the details of what I wanted (equipment+package). I asked about when my "priority" date would be and they said they didn't have actual install information. Only that I would get a call on/about Jan 15 to schedule an installation date. I guess they are trying to guage customer interest? I don't really care since I waited this long, whats another month or so. I can't wait to ditch my D*. I have wanted to add HD to my service forever it seems but the cost of the D* HD DVR coupled with the premium charge for crappy HD has stopped me. The price they quoted me for Fios TV worked out to be about $15/mo cheaper than what I am paying D* plus I get HD included at no extra cost. Seems to be a no brainer to me.

What phone number did you call?

ok I'm on the mobile version of the site evn though my HTC Hermes pocket pc phone can handle thbe full site especially on wifi but I think the reg site freezes or crashes on mobile devices for some reason which is maybe why they offer the mobile link in the email notification which is very convenient/helpful and even on fast wifi the mobile site loads quicker and has less bloat as its more simplified.

anyway point is I can't see your msg that I'm tryin to quote here and just took a call but will try to remember.

bottom line is the situation with fios on tvs without box doesn't look good in comparison to comcast.

most important specifically for me and I'm sure others I end up watching a lot of tv in kitchen. on a 26'' flat lcd which has an almost hd like picture on sd chans just with coax plugged in. I don't really need hd in there or dvr on demand etc. I just watch live espn or cnbc mostly while eating breakfast in the morn. sometimes mtv or something in evening while eating something I don't feel like bringing in main living room with 60'' which incidentally is close enough (adjacent room with both tvs on same side of room though not touching corners)

point is I won't have those chans (espn, cnbc,mtv etc) on the tv in kitchen with fios without box it sounds like. I wonder what verizon will offer as a solution but if nothing that alone is a deal breaker.

I mean I still want to go ahead while installation is free and try it out figuring if we don't like as much as comcast we can switch back. does verizon make you sign a 1 year contract or anything? if so I should cancel. I don't want to be stuck with something that is inferior in aspects that are more important and only superior in ways that aren't as big of a deal.

speaking of fios being superior to comcast, it seems that is mostly in the area of sd picture. which is a great thing and one of ppls biggest gripes and problem with hdtvs especially larger ones is that the sd looks like garbage and then all you want to watch is the hd chans.

sounds like jury is still out on hd picture comparison between fios and comcast with fios maybe hav ing a slight edge.

I know its a newer technology and better format larger pipeline etc but it sounds like that is the only advantage on the tv side. the better sd pic, and at what cost?

no basic cable chans on tvs without boxes. less on demand hd content as mentioned in your post. that could be changed later as fios catches up to comcast in that and other depts. but for now is a downside to fios. to me hd content is king (even if sd looks better on fios) and the more the better. when nothing good is on the hd chans you can go to the on demand hd content which is also a nice way to show off/share hd with your guests with your choice of program from available choices instead of just whatever is on at the time.

I will be really interested to see what if anything verizon offers for my tvs without box as I'm not paying for more then 3. as it is I get an hd box free from comcast. I will see what they can do at time of installation and check all tvs not just the ones with boxes.

have 2 dvr boxes now with comcast but think they are 120 gb (couldnt be less could they) but with fios 160gb box that is networked to the others that you can supposedly play recorded content off main box on other non dvr boxes in other rooms enavles us to not really need the 2nd dvr box. but need it in main room and one in bedroom (3rd most watched tv/room after living room and kitchen).

which leaves up for grabs which room to put 3rd box. well you'd think if kitchen is 2nd most watched tv/room then put it there but problem is that the ed plasma in our office has no tuner and therefore needs a box (even though its mostly used for xbox). plus after finishin.g basement next month we will def want a box down there on the 60'' 720p/1080i tv.

I don't think tht tv has any qam tuner and def no cable card so prob will have 3rd box on that. maybe the samsung lnr (yes last years lnr series lcd which seem to have a much better sd pic through coax then the newer samsung lns series lcds I tried) lcd in kitchen has a qam tuner or something. I can. maybe get one of those x10 wireless receivers to share the cable box in room next to it as one solution.

and for office tv can maybe buy an hd tuner for the ed plasma with no built in tuner but not sure what chans I'd get on that. I'm assuming all basic cable chans just no extra hd chans or anything which would be fine I guess.

overall I just don't know that fios is going to be worth it just for better sd pic and at the expense of losing certain other things (basic cable chans on tvs w/o box and the more on demand hd content on comcast).

I still want to try it ans take advantage of free installation but hope I can cancel if we don't like it as much. I know comcast doesn't make you sign contract and you can cancel at any time so if verizon makes then its just not worth the risk of being stuck with it so I won't go through with installation.

There is no installation fee if you agree to a one year comittment but you can still cancel after 30 days if you are still unhappy. If you want to watch cable you need a box as their analog service consists of broadcast channels only. You should be advised that Comcast also eventually plans toi move most of thier analog channels to digital as well leaving the broadcast channels in analog only. THis is probably two years down the road.

PBS Sprout is back in my Kids on Demand menu (Northern Virginia). Still no PBS Sprout linear channel that I can find.PBS Kids Sprout (linear channel) showed up today for me on channel 222.

The kids will be happy ...

Those of you in the N.Y. area, great news, YES HD has been added to the FIOS channel lineup.

........ I still want to try it ans take advantage of free installation but hope I can cancel if we don't like it as much. I know comcast doesn't make you sign contract and you can cancel at any time so if verizon makes then its just not worth the risk of being stuck with it so I won't go through with installation. Again, half as long. :)

Would you ever watch the kitchen & living rm sets at the same time (on different channels)? If not, share the same box... use HDMI for one, component for the other. Or a component splitter if necessary... we use a 4:2 switch. Or if not living room, maybe the 3rd STB, with long cables. We're using 50' component cables with no significant loss in PQ or AQ (audio.) You might have to use an IR extender though, which can be a bit painful.

I just download the TV Channel listing for Penna and Comcast HD is listed. As well as WGN in Chicago!!
Say what?
WGN-DT is a Chicago station that only broadcasts HD CW programming, and the Chicago Cubs home games in HD. WGN Superstation (the feed that esentially everyone else gets, which excludes CW programming) is not HD.

Anything else to change to the chart?

New York City Area
FSN New York: _____HD Feed Carried_________CableVision
MSG: _____________Carriage Agreement, not yet available (Only covers SD!)________CableVision
SportsNet New York: HD Feed "Testing"________________________New York Mets, Time Warner, Comcast
YES Network: ______HD Feed Carried_________________________New York Yankees, Goldman Sachs

Southern California
FSN West: ________HD Feed Carried___________NewsCorp
FSN Prime Ticket: ___HD Feed Carried___________NewsCorp

Philadelphia
CSN Philly: ________HD Feed Carried___________Comcast

North Texas
FSN Southwest: ____HD Feed Carried __________NewsCorp

Boston
NESN: ____________SD Only_________________Boston Red Sox, Boston Brunes
FSN New England___Carriage Agreement, not yet available_CableVision

Washington/Baltimore Metro Area
CSN Mid Atlantic: ____Carriage Agreement, not yet available___________Comcast
MASN: ____________No HD Available_________________Peter Angelos, Washington Nationals

Florida
FSN Florida: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast
Sun Sports: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast

Anything else to change to the chart?

New York City Area
FSN New York: _____Carriage Agreement, not yet available_________CableVision
MSG: _____________Carriage Agreement, not yet available________CableVision
SportsNet New York: HD Feed "Testing"________________________New York Mets, Time Warner, Comcast
YES Network: ______HD Feed Carried_________________________New York Yankees, Goldman Sachs

Southern California
FSN West: ________HD Feed Carried___________NewsCorp
FSN Prime Ticket: ___HD Feed Carried___________NewsCorp

Philadelphia
CSN Philly: ________HD Feed Carried___________Comcast

North Texas
FSN Southwest: ____HD Feed Carried __________NewsCorp

Boston
NESN: ____________SD Only_________________Boston Red Sox, Boston Brunes
FSN New England___Carriage Agreement, not yet available_CableVision

Washington/Baltimore Metro Area
CSN Mid Atlantic: ____Carriage Agreement, not yet available___________Comcast
MASN: ____________No HD Available_________________Peter Angelos, Washington Nationals

Florida
FSN Florida: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast
Sun Sports: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast

oh no, MSG not available on fios? Your talking about the SD version, right?

Anything else to change to the chart?

New York City Area
FSN New York: _____Carriage Agreement, not yet available_________CableVision
MSG: _____________Carriage Agreement, not yet available________CableVision
SportsNet New York: HD Feed "Testing"________________________New York Mets, Time Warner, Comcast
YES Network: ______HD Feed Carried_________________________New York Yankees, Goldman Sachs

Southern California
FSN West: ________HD Feed Carried___________NewsCorp
FSN Prime Ticket: ___HD Feed Carried___________NewsCorp

Philadelphia
CSN Philly: ________HD Feed Carried___________Comcast

North Texas
FSN Southwest: ____HD Feed Carried __________NewsCorp

Boston
NESN: ____________SD Only_________________Boston Red Sox, Boston Brunes
FSN New England___Carriage Agreement, not yet available_CableVision

Washington/Baltimore Metro Area
CSN Mid Atlantic: ____Carriage Agreement, not yet available___________Comcast
MASN: ____________No HD Available_________________Peter Angelos, Washington Nationals

Florida
FSN Florida: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, Comcast
Sun Sports: _______HD Feed Carried__________NewsCorp, ComcastI think it needs a little more clarification vis-a-vis SD and HD in the following cases:
1) FSN New York and MSG will be carried but only in SD according to the terms of the agreement between Rainbow/Cablevision and Verizon.
2) FSN New England, once available, will be carried in both SD and HD.
3) CSN Mid Atlantic is SD only currently, although the just-announced carriage agreement gives Verizon the HD channel.
4) The NewsCorp-owned FSNs are event-only channels when HD games are shown. Not sure about the two Florida RSNs.
Kind of confusing, huh? ;)
The above four items are subject to confirmation.

BTW, Yes HD and FSN HD have just been added in NY. :) 816 & 815.

The DVR has a 160 gig hard drive.

Comcast has the 3416 now in my area.

Verizon hasn't even started construction in any area of Baltimore City, according to their online Maryland pages. Meanwhile, nearby counties have franchise agreements with them.

There is no installation fee if you agree to a one year comittment but you can still cancel after 30 days if you are still unhappy. If you want to watch cable you need a box as their analog service consists of broadcast channels only. You should be advised that Comcast also eventually plans toi move most of thier analog channels to digital as well leaving the broadcast channels in analog only. THis is probably two years down the road.

that is a good point and i think i've heard of that but in meantime thats 2 years of having all basic cable chans on my other low use tvs that dont have a box hooked up where as with fios i'll have nothing but just local chans which while ppl say is 2-49 or whatever is just like 12 local chans for most ppl like their abc nbc cbs then pbs and whatever other couple local chans.

hm so it is a one year contract. that is lame. comcast doesn't do it. seem verizon is trying to make you stuck like with their cell phone contracts.

oh well hopefully 30 days is enough time to try it out and we'll know if want to keep it or go back to comcast but i have a bad feeling my wife especially will ant to go back to comcast. for certain reasins

i wont mind for having all basic cable chans on other tvs without box and for having more on demand including more hd on demand content. and the other pluses of comcast over fios. hopefully i wont miss the better sd chan pic though.

Again, half as long. :)

Would you ever watch the kitchen & living rm sets at the same time (on different channels)? If not, share the same box... use HDMI for one, component for the other. Or a component splitter if necessary... we use a 4:2 switch. Or if not living room, maybe the 3rd STB, with long cables. We're using 50' component cables with no significant loss in PQ or AQ (audio.) You might have to use an IR extender though, which can be a bit painful.


yes sometimes i'm eating something and watching in kitchen while my wife is watching in living/family room and yes on a diff chan though actually she would prob like if i could watch the same thing shes playing in there in the kitchen tilli come in because a l ot of time shes watching something on the dvr and i cant in kitchen so i just watch wahtever till i get in there and catch up.

the living room and kitchen tv are semi close and same side of each room but opposite non touch corners. connecint them together means running a cable of som sort across a kitchen tile floor in front of a door out to deck with nowhere to hide it.

if verizon wants to fish wires and install all this just so i can share boxes and solve my no basic cable chans problem on kitchen tv where i'm not paying for another box for no matter what then fine, if not, there is just less and less reason to switch from comcast to fios.

i really want to try fios and excited for better pic on sd chans but just dont think that one redeeming benefit is worth all the trouble and at the expense of all these things this issue of basic cable chans on tv w/o box being the main thing is worth the switch unless fios is less then comcast but its not.

I was told when I called to preorder that installation was free and I got a discount on service ($3.95/mo) if I signed a 1 year contract.

I think it needs a little more clarification vis-a-vis SD and HD in the following cases:
1) FSN New York and MSG will be carried but only in SD according to the terms of the agreement between Rainbow/Cablevision and Verizon.
2) FSN New England, once available, will be carried in both SD and HD.
3) CSN Mid Atlantic is SD only currently, although the just-announced carriage agreement gives Verizon the HD channel.
4) The NewsCorp-owned FSNs are event-only channels when HD games are shown. Not sure about the two Florida RSNs.
Kind of confusing, huh? ;)
The above four items are subject to confirmation.

I'm very disappointed all the information regarding NESN, FSN, etc. comes from this forum rather than Verizon!! You can't get any sound information from them at all regarding when FSN & NESN HD WILL be available. I've had Fios-tv for several months and their refusal to specifically announce any firm dates for these additions are wearing on me! NESN-HD was supposed to be available at the middle of November...hasn't happened! At the very least they could tell us what the lead time would be after the "carriage" agreements to availability. I'm going to give it one more month! Very surprised that a company like Verizon has such terrible PR & CR regarding FIOS.

crap... i did month to month, cause the lady said it was 3 bucks cheaper. she never said anything about an installation fee. havent gotten the first bill yet...

oh no, MSG not available on fios? Your talking about the SD version, right?
Not yet. Verizon and the owner of MSG have recently signed a carriage agreement, but it only covers the SD channel. So, when it does show up, no HD. :(

(I'm so glad I don't care about sports, you guys really have to FIGHT for your channels ;) )

After being away from home for 4 days, I was surfing channels last night and much to my surprise the YES network was being broadcast in HD! This is great news for Yankee fans!

PBS Kids Sprout (linear channel) showed up today for me on channel 222.

The kids will be happy ...


Cooool! kids will be waay happy. I was wondering since they added some PBS kids content on VOD but they dont change it very much. I sure wish Verizon would at least send you an e-mail or something when they add channels.

Any word on if and when they will add the NASA channel?

Any word on if and when they will add the NASA channel?
Man, I'm wondering this myself, NASA... plus why no AMC? The fiber might not be passing by my house for another year or so, hopefully they'll add those by then!

I am in Lynbrook, NY and have Fios TV.

I have a 1 year old Pioneer 5060 plasma hooked up via HDMI. I have noticed since installation on 10/27 that the picture "jumps" on any channel every once in a while. It can happen within minutes and it can take longer at times. It is very subtle and there is no loss of video or audio. It's not pixelation. I did NOT have this problem with the Cablevision hookup.

To eliminate my hookup as the cause, I have used both component and HDMI. I have also had 3 STB's (HD-DVR).

Verizon came back and gave me a "home run" (direct run to the TV) and a new splitter.

None of these things has fixed the problem.

Do you notice this on your set up?

I'm very disappointed all the information regarding NESN, FSN, etc. comes from this forum rather than Verizon!! You can't get any sound information from them at all regarding when FSN & NESN HD WILL be available.I wouldn't be disappointed, nor would I expect any company to tell you about their future plans. Proprietary information is kept under wraps for a variety of reasons, and generally companies aim to provide information to the public in accordance with their marketing plans. It's hard enough competing in this environment as it is -- no sense in making it even harder by putting out information without any sense of control or strategy. While it would be great to have everything all worked out long in advance, the reality is that even in large companies, there isn't unlimited resources available for everything. Instead, people need to do their jobs as well as they can, nine-to-five, and when they're reached the point in their work when it is time to provide you the information you want, then that is the right time for them to provide it to you. Until then, if you get it from other means, they can still disclaim it, because they didn't provide it to you. You're basically taking full responsibility for the information when you obtain it that way, including for your disappointment if you get the information wrong or if they decide to change direction after you learn something through unofficial channels but before they public announce it.

I've (politely) asked Verizon when they'd stop cherry-picking within Burlington and offer me and my neighbors service, and they (politely) declined to answer, and I respect that. While I think it is wrong to promise the town that they'll provide service to-the-town but instead just provide service to the rich center of town, it isn't wrong for them to decline to tell me when they'll finally start offering us service here in the southeast.

I am in Lynbrook, NY and have Fios TV.

I have a 1 year old Pioneer 5060 plasma hooked up via HDMI. I have noticed since installation on 10/27 that the picture "jumps" on any channel every once in a while. It can happen within minutes and it can take longer at times. It is very subtle and there is no loss of video or audio. It's not pixelation. I did NOT have this problem with the Cablevision hookup.

To eliminate my hookup as the cause, I have used both component and HDMI. I have also had 3 STB's (HD-DVR).

Verizon came back and gave me a "home run" (direct run to the TV) and a new splitter.

None of these things has fixed the problem.

Do you notice this on your set up?


I get this same thing and I have mine connected via component. This happened a few weeks ago and was really noticable on the HD channels especially when you had a news crawl across the screen which was jerky. Video kind of looks like you would get over the net. I called a verizon CSR and they reset the box which fixed the problem but its comming back now. I noticed on an HD recording of American Chopper that the vid would stutter and its really anoying. I guess i will try a reset and see if it fixes the prob. Another gripe I have is the info on programing really sucks. Where does verizon get the programing info from?

I get this same thing and I have mine connected via component. This happened a few weeks ago and was really noticable on the HD channels especially when you had a news crawl across the screen which was jerky. Video kind of looks like you would get over the net. I called a verizon CSR and they reset the box which fixed the problem but its comming back now.

Had similar problems w/Comcast. The Motorola HD set top boxes are very finicky. Comcast replaced 5 of mine over a 3 year period. They tend to burn out. You'll notice they get really hot when in operation. Comcast technitian told me they replaced them all the time...he thought other brands were much better. They start to go w/a little jerkness on some channels...then more & more channels.

My HD set top box from Verizon (also a Motorola) has worked very well for several months, but to be honest, I've never gone more than 6 months w/out a burn out. Ask to have a new box from repair technitian...that'll fix it.

Hmm. This morning I noticed that NGHD is missing from my HD channel list and that there are three channels in the 800 range (821-823 I think) that saw "No Information". I assume this is a transition of new channels, but am surprised to see NGHD missing. Does anyone know what is up?

Edit: Nevermind. It turns out that all of the "No Information" channels are in fact WealthHD, NGHD, and MHD. Southwest Sports HD is also missing its guide info. Kind of irritating now vs. exciting when I thought I might be getting new channels.

Man, I'm wondering this myself, NASA... plus why no AMC? The fiber might not be passing by my house for another year or so, hopefully they'll add those by then!

AMC is owned by Cablevision. this was covered in the carriage agreement Verizon just signed with them so it should be added fairly soon.

For anyone with FIOS TV and HBO, how's the non-hd PQ of the boxing events?
The SD feed from Cablevision is full of macroblocking and digital artifacting.

Hmm. This morning I noticed that NGHD is missing from my HD channel list and that there are three channels in the 800 range (821-823 I think) that saw "No Information". I assume this is a transition of new channels, but am surprised to see NGHD missing. Does anyone know what is up?

Edit: Nevermind. It turns out that all of the "No Information" channels are in fact WealthHD, NGHD, and MHD. Southwest Sports HD is also missing its guide info. Kind of irritating now vs. exciting when I thought I might be getting new channels.

I had the same issue here in Plano. I suspect they're working on something. Perhaps getting ready to launch HGTV-HD and Food Network-HD.

I had the same issue here in Plano. I suspect they're working on something. Perhaps getting ready to launch HGTV-HD and Food Network-HD.

If they launch HGTV-HD, I'll never see my wife again.

Per HGTV.com:

Get more of what you want! Remodeled bedrooms will have more definition and landscapes more vibrancy when HGTV-HD launches April 10, 2006, with more than 300 hours of programming available.

Shows being produced in high definition for HGTV-HD include World's Most Extreme Homes; Small Space, Big Style; Design Remix and Decorating Cents. The new network will also be augmented by DIY Network's Barkitecture and FINE LIVING's The Wandering Golfer.

So, when will Verizon catch up and start showing HGTV-HD?

For anyone with FIOS TV and HBO, how's the non-hd PQ of the boxing events?
The SD feed from Cablevision is full of macroblocking and digital artifacting.

No problems with the fight last night.

AMC is owned by Cablevision. this was covered in the carriage agreement Verizon just signed with them so it should be added fairly soon.
Great to hear! :)
You'd think Verizon would have had NASA on at least in the Virginia/Maryland area, with all the gov't workers there. I remember friends of mine having it on cable down there since way back. Not sure whether it's still being carried now tho....

So, when will Verizon catch up and start showing HGTV-HD?

Verizon signed a deal with the owners of HGTV/Food network in 2005 that specifically said they would add the HD channels after they had launched. I checked with Verizon a while back and they confirmed that these two HD channels would be added "this fall." So far, that hasn't happened. I suspect that Verizon has to reach a certain subscriber level before they'll add the channels. I don't know that for a fact, but it would explain the delay.

for what it's worth, my installer in tampa said that they were doing 500 installs per day

is it just me, or is every movie listed as being rated 2 stars?

i recently saw one with 2 1/2 stars...but, it was probably just a mistake in the guide.

QUOTE: (I get this same thing and I have mine connected via component. This happened a few weeks ago and was really noticable on the HD channels especially when you had a news crawl across the screen which was jerky. Video kind of looks like you would get over the net. I called a verizon CSR and they reset the box which fixed the problem but its comming back now. I noticed on an HD recording of American Chopper that the vid would stutter and its really anoying. I guess i will try a reset and see if it fixes the prob. Another gripe I have is the info on programing really sucks. Where does verizon get the programing info from)



I'm in Plano, TX also and on Saturday night the movies on Starz and Showtime were so jumpy I was getting dizzy, with an HDMI connection. So I tried hooking up the box with my old component cables and the picture was better yesterday. Do you think they are starting to dilute the signals as more people are getting FIOS in our area, or any other ideas? Any comments on whether it's better or worse with HDMI vs Component?

is it just me, or is every movie listed as being rated 2 stars?Yes ... one of several guide (data?) issues ...

Can anyone in North Texas tell me if Verizon carries the "alternate" FSN channel? The satellite providers show both FSN Southwest, and FSN Houston when two Texas teams, like the Rockets and Mavs, or Astros and Rangers play at the same time. D* and E* both show these, but don't really advertise it.

If they do it, do they also show both HD channels? My committment with D* is about up and it will be decision time soon.

Thanks!

mes444,

I had the same problem with jerky screen with component connections, I don't have HDMI, so couldn't test that connection. It was during last saturday's ABC college football games. Only saw the problem with ABC. After reboot of DVR the image was fine. Haven't seen the problem again. I figured it was a bug in the DVR since rebooting fix it.

I'm in Plano too. AFAIK, FIOS does not provide the alternate FSN when there are two locally relevant games to be shown. They definitely do not show them both in HD. The majority of the time, the FSSW HD channel has a test screen with color bars. It only shows programming when they have an HD program going.

I had to go over to a friend's house who has DirecTV to watch the Aggie basketball game last week since the Mavs were on FSSW.

mes444,

I had the same problem with jerky screen with component connections, I don't have HDMI, so couldn't test that connection. It was during last saturday's ABC college football games. Only saw the problem with ABC. After reboot of DVR the image was fine. Haven't seen the problem again. I figured it was a bug in the DVR since rebooting fix it.

How did you reboot? Just unplug or did you have a CSR remotely reset the box?

How did you reboot? Just unplug or did you have a CSR remotely reset the box?

I just unplugged the DVR. I never called a CSR.

I just unplugged the DVR. I never called a CSR.

i had the same problem, except it kept coming back...once the csr reinitialized both my hd dvr boxes it went away for good

For anyone with FIOS TV and HBO, how's the non-hd PQ of the boxing events?
The SD feed from Cablevision is full of macroblocking and digital artifacting.

I get the macroblocking pretty bad on certain channels that are still in SD. Naturally, the worst ones are those that I'm paying extra for with the sports package. Depending on the foliage and water ripples on the channel the whole screen fills with blocks.

I've called and had techs out but they blame it on my TV being a DLP. I don't accept that excuse but not really sure what step to take next.

How did you reboot? Just unplug or did you have a CSR remotely reset the box?
After switching to component (I actually like the HD pic better over component than HDMI on my TV) I called and had the CSR reboot the box from their end. Looked very good last night, so here's hoping it stays good.

Here's a good read... A writer from PC Magazine had FIOS installed at his house.

Read the article (w/ slideshow) by clicking the link below...

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2071448,00.asp

According to sources, the Federal Communications Commission could consider local video franchise reform at its meeting next week, scheduled for Dec. 20. No official agenda has been released for the meeting expected to be the last open session of the year for the five-member commission.

Apparently the channels that were part of the Cablevision deal showed up today.

FUSE - channel 186
AMC - channel 201
IFC - channel 385
WE - channel 129

As well as part of the Comcast deal:
PBS Sprout - channel 222

Now they just need to add more HD! C'mon VZ - add it before next month when it becomes available!

I want to switch to FIOS but have a delema...I inject 4 in-house channels using ChannelPLus Modulators into my current cable system (Tivo, baby cam, etc). Will I be able to do this with FIOS? Are there unused channels I can use? Anyone else tried?

Any idea when new HD channels will be added. Verizon support does not have a clue and Verizon is not too good at sharing information. :mad:

david - I read something about this over on DSL reports...
Unless your modulators can broadcast on or below channel 49, you will take out some digital channels by using your modulator

Any idea when new HD channels will be added. Verizon support does not have a clue and Verizon is not too good at sharing information.
I had Adelphia in Loudoun county, Virginia, which had a grand total of 13 HD channels, for over a year prior to switching to Verizon FiosTV with 24 available HD channels (Washington DC lineup). So I am still happy with my recent increase in HD viewing choices.

But to discuss your question, some of the regional sport networks have been added recently to the HD tier. I am waiting for Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic to show up on the HD tier here, but I figure it will show up soon. It may be that Verizon has been concentrating on working on hashing out agreements on all the RSNs in recent months.

As of this point, which national HD channels are missing from Verizon FiosTV? Looking up the round up of current HD networks, I see:
A&E HD
Food Network HD
HGTV HD
INHD1 (InHD2 will be folded into InHD1 soon)
The Outdoor Channel 2 HD
The Voom channels

Am I missing any that are currently broadcasting? Of these, I would not mind seeing the Voom Channels added, but that is a lot of HD bandwidth, so I don't expect it soon. Food and HDTV in HD? Sure, I would take them, but those are not of great interest to me. If the A part of A&E still applied, I might be more interested in seeing their HD channel, but A&E bears little resemblance to it's earlier self. So I don't feel we are missing that much with the HD line-up Verizon currently has.

What I would like to see in History Channel, Sci-Fi, cable news in HD. History Channel has announced they will be starting a HD channel in 2007, so we may see that next year. But Verizon can't add Sci-Fi or CNN in HD until they exist.

david - I read something about this over on DSL reports...
Unless your modulators can broadcast on or below channel 49, you will take out some digital channels by using your modulator

Yea, I can do nearly any channel, would just need to find some open space. Will look at the lineup and see.

Looks like 15-21 (one spanish channel I can live without) can be used as long as I can find a notch filter to clean out that space. The filter might be the hard part as I'm sure it would have to be custom.

Yea, I can do nearly any channel, would just need to find some open space. Will look at the lineup and see.

Looks like 15-21 (one spanish channel I can live without) can be used as long as I can find a notch filter to clean out that space. The filter might be the hard part as I'm sure it would have to be custom.

When I did a scan of my Verizon FiosTv with my Sony DHG-HDD250 HD-DVR (which I got for OTA recording) recently, it found 33 analog channels. Some of those were test patterns, but the Verizon channel line-up shows space reserved for analog channels 2 to 49. Digital versions of these are all mapped in, but I would guess the digital version of those are stuck up into the digital tier. So there may well be unused cable channels under 49 if that is the extent of the analog channel space.

The Sony found a bunch of digital channels (111, IIRC); some were HD locals, some were music channels, some were SD digital, some were blacked out. But I could not tell you what digital QAM channels were in use from the Sony scan results with all the encrypted channels presumably on there.

Does anyone have a comparison between OTA HD, FiOS HD, and LiL HD from D* and E*?

Apparently the channels that were part of the Cablevision deal showed up today.

FUSE - channel 186
AMC - channel 201
IFC - channel 385
WE - channel 129

As well as part of the Comcast deal:
PBS Sprout - channel 222




Why would the WE channel be in "Shopping" section. Are you sure that 129 is correct?

Anybody using HD FIOS with a projector?

I'm using a Fios HD box to an Infocus 4805 via component. (My dvi connection is taken now via a bravo D2)

The problem is when I go from fios standard Def to HD channels, I'm getting a pause which kicks in a "setting up image" screen, and then after what seems like a loooong second I see the HD channel. I'm not switching sources, I'm just changing the channels on fios.

My comcast service did not do this. It was seamless like changing channels on regular TV.

Is there any way to get around this? Thanks for any advice.
Denm. Arlington Va

I checked the channel numbers, and those four new numbers are correct.

Anybody using HD FIOS with a projector?

I'm using a Fios HD box to an Infocus 4805 via component. (My dvi connection is taken now via a bravo D2)

The problem is when I go from fios standard Def to HD channels, I'm getting a pause which kicks in a "setting up image" screen, and then after what seems like a loooong second I see the HD channel. I'm not switching sources, I'm just changing the channels on fios.

My comcast service did not do this. It was seamless like changing channels on regular TV.

Is there any way to get around this? Thanks for any advice.
Denm. Arlington Va

Try setting 4:3 pass through to off (power off, then press menu).

Does anyone have a comparison between OTA HD, FiOS HD, and LiL HD from D* and E*?

I can't see any difference between OTA HD and FIOS broadcast channels HD. It was easy to see the difference with D*.

Anybody using HD FIOS with a projector?

I'm using a Fios HD box to an Infocus 4805 via component. (My dvi connection is taken now via a bravo D2)

The problem is when I go from fios standard Def to HD channels, I'm getting a pause which kicks in a "setting up image" screen, and then after what seems like a loooong second I see the HD channel. I'm not switching sources, I'm just changing the channels on fios.

My comcast service did not do this. It was seamless like changing channels on regular TV.

Is there any way to get around this? Thanks for any advice.
Denm. Arlington Va

Deja Vu

What about FSN? What number is that? Any other new HDs? I heard SNY and YES HD are 815 and 816.