Hello, guys just to give my two cents. I have a buddy who works for verizon and is currently in the FIOS department near the seattle area of wa. All these numbers that Im qouting are all subject to change and may not be a 100% since the FIOS on the west coast is still in testing and has not been rolled out yet. One difference people will notice right away is the huge jumps in 3x-4x bandwidth vs comcast or any other internet/cable provider out there. Verzion is currently planning for consumers 2.5gb/25subsribers of bandwidth for better streaming, etc. Now don't quote me on this but comcast is taking 300mb/35subsribers, and it could be even less. What does that mean for us? It means with fios you will see a huge improvement in signal pq, consistentley, and shouldn't get any macroblocking when viewing HD channels, etc. I can't wait until this is rolled out. This will open the door on a new generation on software devoplment/media software/vpn/video conferencing/voice over IP/Cable over IP.The internet/voice service should be avalible early next year, in limited areas of course. I'm not sure about other areas but the greater seattle area should have full service by the middle of next year.

These are some of the prices that are going to be offered by verizon for internet packages, not sure how the cable is going to be built into it.
These prices are not final and are subject to change.
29.99 = 5mbps/5mbps
49.99 = 15mbps/2mbps
120.00= 30mbps/5mbps (insane) you could download 6GB in 4-5min rip HD content in a heartbeat.

You get a choice of Dynamic or Static IP.
Also, this all supports Voice over IP and TV over IP
Verzion is going to flip the market. I just don't know how Comcast and dish providers can really compete. I know whenever it's layed down I will be getting rid of my comcast ASAP.

Now that Verizon has been approved for TV distribution in NJ, I am looking forward to switching from Cablevision. We have Fios internet in our town, therefore I hope we are among the first served.

Anyway, a question to those who have had Fios TV for a while. Do the non-HD movie channels in the movie packages (HBO, Starz/Encore, Showtime/TMC, Cinemax) broadcast in DD 5.1 when the movie is available as such?

On Cablevision, it seems only some of the SD movie channels will utilize it (none on the non-HD Cinemax channels). I don't know whether this is up to the cable provider or the limitations of the channels themselves.

Thanks!

Does anyone use a 4:3 HDTV with FiOS?

We've got this one that's a couple years old (~2004-5) and it's a Samsung CRT that's 1080i only. But, with the Motorola HD DVR, every time I set it to letterbox in 1080i, it letterboxes EVERYTHING. FX, USA, TBS, Weather Plus, CNN, etc. They all appear windowboxed.

Can someone tell me the correct settings to fix this? I've tried some of the 4:3 passthrough modes, but they're not working.

----
By the way, FiOS is distributing new remotes--perhaps in preperation for the new interface or a new box. They are SO much better. If anyone had a D* HD remote, it's like that (range-and-responsiveness-wise) Also, they have new buttons. An "aspect ratio" button, a "D" widget button, a "list" button, "on demand"<<<<none of which work right now.

By the way, FiOS is distributing new remotes--perhaps in preperation for the new interface or a new box. They are SO much better. If anyone had a D* HD remote, it's like that (range-and-responsiveness-wise) Also, they have new buttons. An "aspect ratio" button, a "D" widget button, a "list" button, "on demand"<<<<none of which work right now.

Is this the the philips one?

will the new interface be tivo?

No.

By the way, FiOS is distributing new remotesIs this it?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=70694

Thanks to jmcging for posting the image:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9220837&&#post9220837

I remember hearing a week or two ago that there was a carriage agreement signed for Comcast Sportsnet Midatlantic in HD. Does anyone happen to know when that channel is coming?

Does Comcast even offer this channel in HD yet? I have this channel on my Delaware Comcast package but it is not in HD like the Philly feed.

I remember hearing a week or two ago that there was a carriage agreement signed for Comcast Sportsnet Midatlantic in HD. Does anyone happen to know when that channel is coming?According to some other postings ... while CSN-MA HD is included in the carraige agreement ... Verizon still has some work to do to get the feed.

Today may be the day that the FCC makes the critical vote on Franchise Reform:

http://news.com.com/FCC+vote+could+speed+up+telco+TV/2100-1037_3-6144945.html

From letting Local Officials drag out Franchise negotiations for an average of 18 months to forcing them to decide within 90 days.

* Also posted in the AT&T Thread.

According to some other postings ... while CSN-MA HD is included in the carraige agreement ... Verizon still has some work to do to get the feed.

Good to hear, I suppose... now the question is: What sort of timeline are we looking at? Days, weeks, months, years?

All Verizon has to do to get the CSN-MA HD feed is pay to run the fiber line into the plant to get it. That should not take that long.

Look in the setup menu and try changing the 4:3 override setting.
If I change that setting for my 16:9 tv it will either fill the screen with non-hd picture or show it in 4:3 format.



Does anyone use a 4:3 HDTV with FiOS?

We've got this one that's a couple years old (~2004-5) and it's a Samsung CRT that's 1080i only. But, with the Motorola HD DVR, every time I set it to letterbox in 1080i, it letterboxes EVERYTHING. FX, USA, TBS, Weather Plus, CNN, etc. They all appear windowboxed.

Can someone tell me the correct settings to fix this? I've tried some of the 4:3 passthrough modes, but they're not working.

----
By the way, FiOS is distributing new remotes--perhaps in preperation for the new interface or a new box. They are SO much better. If anyone had a D* HD remote, it's like that (range-and-responsiveness-wise) Also, they have new buttons. An "aspect ratio" button, a "D" widget button, a "list" button, "on demand"<<<<none of which work right now.

FCC Gives Telcos Big Victory
By John Eggerton Broadcasting & Cable 12/20/2006

Video franchise reform went from being stuck in neutral in Congress to being thrown into overdrive at the FCC.

The FCC Wednesday granted telcos a big victory and what amounts to an FCC version of the sweeping video franchise reform legislation that failed to pass Congress over the issue of network neutrality.

In a 3-2 vote accompanied by long and sometimes heated statements, the commission's Republican majority approved an order that would put a shot clock on local franchise negotiations, limit build-out requirements and franchise conditions, and cap public and government access channel investments. changes telegraphed by FCC Chairman Kevin Martin over the past several weeks.

The Democratic commissioners who opposed the changes said they agreed that some video franchise reform could be helpful, but called the majority proposal an overreaching that would get smacked down by the courts. Even Republican Robert McDowell conceded lawyers were probably already on their way to the courthouse.

The Republicans argued that it was well within their authority--McDowell ticking off several sections of regulatory cover, to make the changes to prevent local franchising authorities from unreasonably delaying franchise grants and the rollout of price and service competion to cable.

The Commission teed up that decision with its annual cable price survey in the same meeting, which found rates had gone up by 5.2% in 2006, and 93% since the deregulatory 1996 Telecommunications Act.

Martin has pointed to "staggering" cable prices that the study found were not lowered by satellite competition in arguing for helping the telephone companies more easily compete in video and broadband.

The National Cable & Telecommunications Association at press time, even before the item had been voted, had already scheduled a press conference to respond.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleID=CA6401769

maybe this is the wrong thread but it is impossible to pay my verizon TV bill online. the account number on my bill is more digits than will fit (since they use your phone number for an acct number but if you just have TV its a different number) and their employees on the phone are clueless.

I finally got the acct number i was supposed to use but there is something wrong with their web server and I keep getting:

Internal Server Error - Read
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

:mad:

now i might have to go buy a freakin stamp

Washington Notebook
FCC: 90-Day Franchise Shot Clock

By Ted Hearn Multi Channel News 12/20/2006

Local governments will have 90 days to act on cable-franchise applications filed by AT&T, Verizon Communications and other entities with existing rights to access city-owned conduits, the Federal Communications Commission ruled Wednesday in an action that split the agency along partisan lines.

With support from major phone firms, FCC chairman Kevin Martin championed franchise reform as his proclaimed antidote for rising nominal cable rates and for spurring deployment of high-speed Internet-access facilities across the country.

AT&T senior vice president of federal relations Bob Quinn said, “The FCC has wisely determined that the pace of video competition and broadband deployment should not be held hostage to the administration of a franchising process created for monopoly cable providers.”

Because cable incumbents were not granted similar 90-day guarantees, the National Cable & Telecommunications Association called the FCC vote a rejection of a “level playing field” among cable providers. Needing more time to evaluate the FCC’s order in full, McSlarrow declined to promise that the trade group would take the agency to court.

“We have not made a decision. All we got today was a sketch,” McSlarrow said.

While fellow Republicans Deborah Taylor Tate and Robert McDowell backed Martin, Democrats Michael Copps and Jonathan Adelstein refused to go along, claiming that the commission was on shaky legal ground in thinking that it could boss thousands of cities and towns on how to charter new cable entrants.

The FCC’s ruling also included mandates related to the calculation of cable-franchise fees, network-buildout requirements, contribution of public-access channels and local oversight of noncable services, such as high-speed data and voice-over-Internet-protocol phone service.

More than anything else, Martin wanted to ensure that large phone companies could get cities to act promptly.

If no franchise is granted within 90 days, AT&T, for example, could provide cable service under an “interim authorization,” according to Rosemary Harold, deputy chief of the FCC’s Media Bureau. If the city were to reject the application later, AT&T’s interim authorization would sunset and the company would have to take the city to court, she added.

McSlarrow called the process “awkward” because a city could reject the application on “day 89” in order to move the process to court immediately and without triggering the interim authorization.

“It doesn’t necessarily encourage good-faith bargaining,” he added.

The new franchise rules are expected to take legal effect early next year. For the 90-day shot clock to toll, the applicant must make “a filing of some sort in writing,” Harold said.

Martin -- saying that cable rates had risen more than 90% in the past decade -- asserted that competition was “desperately needed” in local cable markets and that only the presence of a second cable company had caused the rates of the cable incumbent to decline, in some cases by as much as 17%.

Along with Copps, Adelstein insisted that the FCC was intervening based on little evidence that local governments had unreasonably refused to award competing cable franchises.

At one point, Adelstein mocked Martin’s plan as “faith-based rulemaking,” promising that it would “offend many in Congress” and likely face “rejection by the courts.”

Martin, however, did cite a few cases where cities had evidently sought unrelated and unreasonable in-kind contributions from would-be cable-service providers.

McDowell came to Martin’s defense by arguing that the FCC was “on safe legal ground” in attempting to check the excesses of local governments in cable negotiations.

According to McDowell, Martin promised to issue an order in about six months on whether cable incumbents should be entitled to the 90-day shot clock when seeking franchise renewals. The agency has tentatively concluded that they should be.

“No one can say how that’s going to turn out,” said McSlarrow, who has been putting heat on the Martin FCC for failing to meet deadlines established by Congress.

http://www.multichannel.com/index.asp?layout=articlePrint&articleid=CA6401838

maybe this is the wrong thread but it is impossible to pay my verizon TV bill online. the account number on my bill is more digits than will fit (since they use your phone number for an acct number but if you just have TV its a different number) and their employees on the phone are clueless.

I finally got the acct number i was supposed to use but there is something wrong with their web server and I keep getting:

Internal Server Error - Read
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

:mad:

now i might have to go buy a freakin stamp
Give them a call. I had the same problem. They're going to combine it with my Verizon FiOS Internet bill, which I have on-line access to through start.verizon.net.

maybe this is the wrong thread but it is impossible to pay my verizon TV bill online. the account number on my bill is more digits than will fit (since they use your phone number for an acct number but if you just have TV its a different number) and their employees on the phone are clueless.

I finally got the acct number i was supposed to use but there is something wrong with their web server and I keep getting:

Internal Server Error - Read
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

:mad:

now i might have to go buy a freakin stampI have the same issue since going with VoiceWing and "losing" my Verizon phone number. How did you determine what account number to use? Mine is too long as well.Give them a call. I had the same problem. They're going to combine it with my Verizon FiOS Internet bill, which I have on-line access to through start.verizon.net.I've played the customer service shuffle and am now patiently waiting while they work it out. Ken, please post if they are successful combining your Internet and TV bill because I've been trying to get them to combine mine since September 1.

To find out my 10 digit account number, I had to call them up a few times... the first wave of people will say they are aware of the problem and they will transfer you to someone with step by step instructions. Of course the person that answers is clueless, but finally she looked at my account and found a 10 digit number and had me use that. Normally your account number is your phone number (with area code) so if you just have Fios TV they make one up. Now, i dont have FIOS internet so maybe that is why I'm still stuck. It's either that or their web server is FUBAR (which is also possible because I would get the same error on other parts of the Verizon website).

Is this it?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attachment.php?attachmentid=70694

Thanks to jmcging for posting the image:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9220837&&#post9220837
YES! That's it.

All Verizon has to do to get the CSN-MA HD feed is pay to run the fiber line into the plant to get it. That should not take that long.
So, are we talking next week? It would be a good Christmas present to people.

Well, we're one step closer to getting FIOS TV. The Public Utilities Commission approved Verizon's application on the 20th - a couple more certificates to be issued but Verizon says the time period for up and running is April to June 2007. I can't wait to change from Cox. Hope their lineup is close to what is being offered in Mass. Am I correct in thinking that the national HD channels are carried on all systems?

Wahoo!!! Middletown delaware is opened up mine will be installed on 1-9-07
I am like the first 10 peeps in the area.

I cannot wait!

Now that Verizon has been approved for TV distribution in NJ, I am looking forward to switching from Cablevision. We have Fios internet in our town, therefore I hope we are among the first served.

Anyway, a question to those who have had Fios TV for a while. Do the non-HD movie channels in the movie packages (HBO, Starz/Encore, Showtime/TMC, Cinemax) broadcast in DD 5.1 when the movie is available as such?

On Cablevision, it seems only some of the SD movie channels will utilize it (none on the non-HD Cinemax channels). I don't know whether this is up to the cable provider or the limitations of the channels themselves.

Thanks!

Bump....thanks!

Wahoo!!! Middletown delaware is opened up mine will be installed on 1-9-07
I am like the first 10 peeps in the area.

I cannot wait!

Serialmike-
Congrats on the DE install. I'm waiting for them to roll it out to Talleyville in January. Surprised the install dates are so far out!

Hi newcomer here. Just droped D*. signed up today . Anything I need for install. Also I live in Tampa area. just wondering how happy people in this area are with fios. Thanks for any info

many ppl are saying they are not happy wiht fios and the dvr box especially and the interface.

i assumed it would be same or slight better then comcast but some are saying its worse and switching back to comcast.

i'm going to try but skeptical after hearing some bad reviews.
i'm canceling getting the internet cus its too much trouble to change email if i'm just going to switch back.

i figure i take advantage of free intall for fios so later when it gets better i can get it again easily as its already in place.

ii'm going to make my own decision and i can't imagine it being worse then comcast even dvr wise.

i thought themain benefit was better pq for std def chans and themain con was not getting all reg cable chans on tv without stb.

we'll see, i just wont cancel comcast or remoe the boxes until i'm sure i'm keeping fios or not but its not lookign good.

Hi newcomer here. Just droped D*. signed up today . Anything I need for install. Also I live in Tampa area. just wondering how happy people in this area are with fios. Thanks for any info

i'm happy coming from BHN...the main reason i switched was to get ESPN2HD, NFLNHD, and additional movie channels in HD. the HD dvr is better than BHN in some aspects, but worse in others. i think the PQ is much better, but verizon discovered that the main coax that was feeding a 4-way splitter was bad during my install (BHN never figured this out in several service calls) so that might be a factor in what i think about the PQ. the internet is better. VOD is worse for me because i always get audio drop outs playing movies. i think i'm getting more for less money too.

Having come from D*, I can attest to far superior picture quality on both HD and SD channels. There is simply no comparison.

This is a bit OT but does anyone know why most FIOS systems do not carry MSNBC?

In case anyone missed this, here is the new Rate sheet for FiOS TV:

http://www22.verizon.com/nroneretail/nr/rdonlyres/d343505f-9102-4ef2-a623-7203bb2116cd/0/multistateratecard.pdf

* Effective 01/22/2007

In case anyone missed this, here is the new Rate sheet for FiOS TV:

http://www22.verizon.com/nroneretail/nr/rdonlyres/d343505f-9102-4ef2-a623-7203bb2116cd/0/multistateratecard.pdf

* Effective 01/22/2007


I just looked at the rate sheet. Am I missing something or is there no Showtime? That would be a dealbreaker.

Not to worry, included in the Movies Package for $12.99

From the web site:

"44 top-notch movie channels
Includes Starz, Showtime, Encore, TMC, Flix and Sundance"

Not to worry, included in the Movies Package for $12.99

From the web site:

"44 top-notch movie channels
Includes Starz, Showtime, Encore, TMC, Flix and Sundance"

Thanks. Still patiently waiting for FiOS to come to my neighborhood.

Does anyone have any information on when FIOS might be available in Brooklyn, NY?

anyone know about FIOS TV for Manassas Va? VA has approved a franchise for Prince William County but since Manassas is an independent city in PWC they don't have to do squat as far as I know. Hoping for 2007 as the year of FIOS TV in Manassas. Comcast here is an 550mhz system so we all what that means...

Having come from D*, I can attest to far superior picture quality on both HD and SD channels. There is simply no comparison.

Having converted from Comcast, I do not see a marked difference in both HD and SD quality. I would say maybe 5% - 10% improvement on some channels. Comcast was that good after the ADS conversion. I was underwhelmed to say the least.

many ppl are saying they are not happy wiht fios and the dvr box especially and the interface.

i assumed it would be same or slight better then comcast but some are saying its worse and switching back to comcast.

i'm going to try but skeptical after hearing some bad reviews.
i'm canceling getting the internet cus its too much trouble to change email if i'm just going to switch back.

i figure i take advantage of free intall for fios so later when it gets better i can get it again easily as its already in place.

ii'm going to make my own decision and i can't imagine it being worse then comcast even dvr wise.

i thought themain benefit was better pq for std def chans and themain con was not getting all reg cable chans on tv without stb.

we'll see, i just wont cancel comcast or remoe the boxes until i'm sure i'm keeping fios or not but its not lookign good.


I'm waiting to switch. My understanding is that the guide and DVR are about the same as comast, Picture quality on SD is slightly better, HD is about the same but you get many more channels with FIOS for about the same price including a much better HD lineup. I think many of the DVR complainers are TIVO users but with TIVO, you have to buy the equipment and pay a significantly higher monthly fee. For basic stuff, the comcast DVR has worked fine for me and I expect that the FIOS box will work as well. plus it has a larger hard drive.

This is a bit OT but does anyone know why most FIOS systems do not carry MSNBC?We get it here in Northern Virginia.
http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,17266385

how much larger hard drive? comcast 6412 box is only 120gb i guess and i'm assuming that the moto 6416 that i think you get with fios is 160gb so that is nice slight improvement

i'm just worried there is less hd content including hd on demand, but they are working on tht and iwll improve. somehow i barely use hd on demand anyway and just scroll through the hd chans only mostly when chan surfing and i record stuff on hd and non hd chans so hoipefully i wont notice the less on demand content.

should watch some free hd on demand movies on comcast this weekend maybe.

just was on hold with fios for like 45 min and then the guy says he can't give me a credit to waie the 20 install fee for 4th box as i was going to get a std def box free for a year with promotion since i need a box to get chans in kitchen. ugh

he said he couldnt do it becasue the way they gave us the other promotiion for the 5 off movie package for a year they gave us a one time credit and more or less towards our hbo which is more then movie package anyway. that movie package is a great deal with showtime and starz and everythign for less then hbo plus 5 off/mo for a year making it like 8/mo

anyway.... what box can one buy that will work with fios without having to pay a monthly fee to t hem. i only paying for 3 boxes from comcast as coax in kitchen is fine with comcast but wont be with fios.

i refuse to pay for mor ethen 4 boxes when i only need 3 now.

there has to be a box we can get that works for all the reg chans at least and not pay monthly fee.

ppl hae said tivo box works but you pay tv monthly in addiotn to your fios bill.

i thought there were hd digi stboxes you can get like samsung made one. was thining of getting for my old ed plasma which doenst have a tuner and therefore needs a box.

Thanks for the info I really appreciate it ! Been with D* along time , but lately cs stinks & after hearing all the problems with the HR20Dvr it was time to change. Thanks again

Last night (or the night before) my 6416 box choked at around midnight. Apparently tried 3 times (because there were 3 recording entries - one for 20 minutes, one for 8 and one for 0) to record Brazil on UHD along with Volcanoes of the Sea on Discovery HD (recorded for 4 minutes).

Any ideas? Is that a box or network issue?

This is a bit OT but does anyone know why most FIOS systems do not carry MSNBC?
It's carried everywhere except NYC, due to a dispute with CableVision.

Any updates on CSN MA HD?<<That probably is the most abbreviation ever for a TV channel

how much larger hard drive? ....

just was on hold with fios for like 45 min and then the guy says he can't give me a credit to waie the 20 install fee for 4th box ...

.... what box can one buy that will work with fios without having to pay a monthly fee to t hem. i only paying for 3 boxes from comcast as coax in kitchen is fine with comcast but wont be with fios.
...

Yes, 160G. It seems to hold more than just the 33% increase for some reason... as if the compression is better. I compared my record times... 5.75 hours of HD on the 120G Comcast box and it's 44% full (implies 12.5 hours HD capacity), and 5.5 hrs of HD on the 160G FiOS DVR is 27% full... for a total HD capacity of 20.3 hrs.

20 bucks for install? That's not bad... Comcast charged us more for the DVRs, and about the same for a non-DVR. (Go figure.... both were HD.) And they didn't waive charges for any of the boxes.

There is no 3rd party box that will get you more channels than analog... unless you get something that supports a cable card (like TiVo), but yes, you'd have to pay a couple of bucks per month for the card. (The clear QAM channels are about the same as what's available via analog.)

there has to be a box we can get that works for all the reg chans at least and not pay monthly fee.


Quatre-
How about stop trying to manipulate the system and deal with the $4.95 for a STB?

Don't get a box at all....you still get channels 2-49.

Since FIOS is the big bad bandwidth machine, what happened to all the supposedly promised HD additions in "the fall of '06?"

There were to be 4 new ones in '06 - five more in the 1st quarter of '07 - doesn't look to be much of anything so far...

Since FIOS is the big bad bandwidth machine, what happened to all the supposedly promised HD additions in "the fall of '06?"

There were to be 4 new ones in '06 - five more in the 1st quarter of '07 - doesn't look to be much of anything so far...

I agree, although there are only three channels currently available for FIOS to add right now, HGTV, Food and OLN. Not sure if INHD 1 & 2 will be available to them by the cable companies. Hopefully 2007 will yield a lot of new HD channels, there seems to have been a real critical mass with HD tv's these last few months. I have three co-workers who I wouldn't have expected to jump out and buy 40" LCD HDs. I've been on the HD bandwagon since summer of 2004 and have been very disappointed with the HD national channel programming. Let's hope channels like History, Bravo, BBCAmerica, Spike, Comedy Central, Animal Planet all take the HD plunge in the next year or so.

-Rob

Since FIOS is the big bad bandwidth machine, what happened to all the supposedly promised HD additions in "the fall of '06?"

There were to be 4 new ones in '06 - five more in the 1st quarter of '07 - doesn't look to be much of anything so far...
I was wondering the same thing.

I do remember it being reported that there would be new ones added before the end of the year. I am hoping to see NESN before the Red Sox start.

I live in Montgomery County, Md and have had FIOS internet access for about a year. Has anyone (in the county) been solicited by Verizon for FIOS tv yet? The county council approved their franchise license back in November, but I have not heard of anyone as having been contacted by them yet.

I live in Montgomery County, Md and have had FIOS internet access for about a year. Has anyone (in the county) been solicited by Verizon for FIOS tv yet? The county council approved their franchise license back in November, but I have not heard of anyone as having been contacted by them yet.

Yes, I live in Kensington, MD and have FIOS TV. It was installed a week ago. My mom who also lives in Kensington, MD also has it and was installed a couple weeks ago. It seems to work great. Check the Verizon website to see if your home qualifies.
-Rob

I was wondering the same thing.

I do remember it being reported that there would be new ones added before the end of the year. I am hoping to see NESN before the Red Sox start.

For the seemingly 'unlimited' bandwidth, they have yet to offer :

a) HD on Demand ( This should have been a killer feature for FIOS.)
b) NESN-HD and FSNNE-HD
c) HGTV-HD, FOOD-HD and A&E-HD.

Yes, I live in Kensington, MD and have FIOS TV. It was installed a week ago. My mom who also lives in Kensington, MD also has it and was installed a couple weeks ago. It seems to work great. Check the Verizon website to see if your home qualifies.
-Rob


Thanks Rob. I live in Olney and would expect them to move up to our area fairly soon. They spent all last winter in most of the Olney area laying fiber optic.

Don't get a box at all....you still get channels 2-49.

well they are coming tomorrow and i'm getting 2 hd dvr boxes and one hd box (non dvr)

what channels 2-49? thats still just local chans right? so it wont include espn or cnbc or mtv etc right?

i dont use, need or want a stb in my kitchen for 26" lcd but i do watch those channels mentioned and others on that tv since comcast gets all basic cable channels on tvs without stb's.

if i can't do this with fios its probably not going to be worth keeping fios. especially not just for some improvement of std def pq.

some say hd is better too while some say std def and hd are no better on fios then comcast. so speculation and review on that issue is all over the place and if thats the only plus of fios then no way.

the negatives or cons seem to be too many on fios compared to comcast.

the latest thing i find out is that on top of there being no swap button therefore when you switch channel you can't rewind etc. because there is no buffer where as on comcast dvr when you hit swap and even if your not recording you can rewind a certain amount of the program using the auto buffer.

it just seems like in everything i've read and wha ti understand there is like 1 or 2 speculative or minor improvements of fios over comcast but at the cost of losing many more definitive factual and more important features, 2 of which i mentioned.

i dont think i'm going to be able to justify the switch. i will try it out though and figures its good to get the free install and that the fiber will be in place for when fios gets better in the future and catches up to comcast in other ways.

also maybe the fiber being in place will improve my comcast picture? if i cancel fios and continue with my fios then what line and i'm getting my comcast on at that point. the same fiber line from outside i'm sure. they aren't going to leave the coax cable line there and lay fiber next to it are they? they replace the line into your house wiht an improved fiber optic line right?

so technically my comcast pq could improve after having the fios install t hen canceling it

For the seemingly 'unlimited' bandwidth, they have yet to offer :

a) HD on Demand ( This should have been a killer feature for FIOS.)
b) NESN-HD and FSNNE-HD
c) HGTV-HD, FOOD-HD and A&E-HD.


no HD on Demand at all? i knew Comcast had more hd on demand and on demand in general t hen fios but i thought fios had some hd on demand. if none then wow that is another deal breaker.

i really wanted fios to be better but it doesnt' seem to be better then comcat at anything other then std def pq and some say not even that.

yet all these ppl are wishing it was in their area. belive me i dont love comcast but if you have that and think you ae missing out on something if you dont have fios in your area yet then stop worrying/complaining that you dont because comcast still sounds like its the better option right now of the 2 for several reasons.

btw i love how the one guy told me to stop trying to manipulate the system and just pay 4.95/mo for a stb. first of all , the option to be able to buy a stb instead of paying verizon fios a monthly fee is not manipulating the system. in fact there should be a law passed that allows us to buy our own box, the monthly fee is ridiculous. you can buy your own cable modem to use with comcast instead of paying monthly to them for one.

plus i am talking about a box just to get all the basic cable channels on not the extra digi or hd stuff or anything. so essential having to pay money for a box just to get on fios what i get for free on tvs without stbs now with comcast. still think i'm manipulating the system? i'm looking for something i would have to spend money on just as reason/excuse not to have to cancel fios and go bck to comcast.

i'm sure if there was a box like this fios woluld love to let me know if it was the difference between me keeping them or going back to comcast.

furhter you say 4.95 but thats for a std def stb. for my kitchen tv the main one i watch daily on that doenst' have a stb and i have no need for one as the basic calbe chanson that are fine is an hdtv with hdmi so if i have to get a box i mine as well get an hd one and that is more hten 4.95

bottom line your arguement of just pay really has no weight. and there is noone that would pay extra for additonal boxes in this scenario when i just need espn , cnbc, mtv etc on the kitchen tv then just keep comcast.

t hen some including fios phone rep will argue that analog will be sh ut off in a couple years. yeah that 2 years plus coulc be delayed more and i'm sure by then companies like comcast will have a solution in place for getting all basic cable chans on tvs w/o stbs even if it means free std def stb because thats one of the many things that comcast has over fios now and ppl will want that so they will offer something by then i'm sure

so the common arguement of analog will be shut off in 2 years holds no weight to me either because thats still 2 years.

do you know how much 2 years of paying fot extra stbs per month for all the side rooms i have that i dont need stbs including kitchen where basic cable is all i need there.

and dont think i'm a cheap non stb person. again i have and am getting 2 hd dvr and on hd box. i would go 4 at most especially for basment about to be finished but not more then that. so i'm not cheap, in fact i spend too much

its called side rooms like guest bedroom etc where paying a monthly fee for stb for a tv that rarely rarely ever gets used would be pure stupidity even for the richest person. yet having all the basic chans on those seldeom used tvs/rooms is a nice feature.

and dont say well if you never watch in those then why do you need even basic cable in them, sn't local enough. no i just said i watch basic cable chans on kitchen tv every morn and dont need or want a stb taking up space.

i will see first hand tomorrow but already it seems comcast is currently and for the forseeable future better then fios even if i wanted the opposite to be true.

good thing is that hopefully the compeition keeps the price of both down.

i guess in the end i could keep some type of basic cable plan from comcast for cheap just for those tvs w/0 stbs but fios plus that is still more costly then having just comcast.

Spotsylvania, VA here.

I just cancelled Adelphia/Comcast today after Verizon finished installing FiOS. I've noticed marginal picture quality improvements on HD and serious picture quality improvements on SD digital and analog.

The catch is, as everyone has said, you have to pay for more boxes, but the boxes are so much cheaper than Adelphia that I ordered twice as many boxes and a higher tier of Internet speed and still came in less than Adelphia/Comcast. And, naturally, you get the added benefit of all channels--digital and HBO--on all TVs with boxes. With Adelphia, I only had HBO on my two STBs and my HDTV. Now I've got it on all the TVs.

The decision was basically a no-brainer for me. The existing Adelphia/Comcast offering is incredibly antiquated and Comcast has been piss-poor at updating its services, so I just gave up waiting. Perfect example: they were supposed to drop INHD2, HDNet and HDNet Movies to add TNT-HD, ESPN2 HD, and Discovery HD on December 14. As of today, it still hadn't happened when I finally disconnected their horrible service.

Frankly, I have been amazed at how much better the Verizon on-screen guide is compared to the old system that Adelphia had (though I believe Comcast's modern offering is similar to Verizon's, but only God knows when they'd get around to adding it to my system). Also, the new Motorola boxes are much more asthetically appealing than those ancient Scientific Atlanta STBs that Adelphia had been passing around, and the Verizon remotes for the STBs are actually responsive! The Adelphia remotes were attrocious; they took probably two seconds to respond to any input when they'd transmit the input at all.

On top of that, the customer service with Adelphia has always been frustrating around here, and it's not like any of that's going to change just because Comcast was taking over. They've still got the same employees.

Honestly, I think you really have to wonder what kind of service Comcast is dedicated to bringing. They knew that the Adelphia system in Spotsylvania has basically been dormant since the bankruptcy business, and they knew that Verizon was about to make a major push with its FiOS offering, and they did absolutely nothing to combat it. If my neighborhood is any indication, cable owners are dumping Adelphia/Comcast in droves around here.

well sounds like it was good for you then coming from what sounds like still more of an adelphia system then comcast.

comparing fios to a full comcast area especially in the philadelphia area which is comcast country where they have the most up to date of everything comcast deployed it will be tougher for fios to compete.

glad to hear the sd is better and hd is slight better which is on par with what has been said give or take (some saying more then a little improvement on hd and others say not much improve on either)

i just dont really see how you could come in cheaper with more boxes. i didn't notice fios charing less for boxes then comcast. seemed about the same and even if its a little less there is no way its cheaper or even equal when you have to pay for extra boxes. plus the $20 install fee for any box over 3 on initial install or after that. i dont remember comcast charing install like that when you add a box.

yes i know the benefit of getting all the digi chans and your hbo (thats the only prem chan we get also) is better then no stb, but i dont really need those on kitchen tv and def not on other side room tvs paying even 5 cents a month for those rooms like guest bedroom which will get watched only a few times a year isnt' worth it but it is great to have the basic cable chans. so i'm just not buying the whole its equal price with more boxes thing let alone ch eaper and yay i get digi and hbo in rooms i never watch in anyway. no matter how you spin it, its a dealbreaker.

also the latest bad thing ppl have brought ot attention is the no swap button and therefore not being able to rewind live tv that your not recording when you switch tuners like you can on comcast.

there are other cons to fios to compared to comcast all of which are much more important then the one benefit of improved std def pq which depending where you are and your connection etc. varies. some have a really udpated well installed direct comcast feed with great pq on everything.

i dunno i'm going to try it bu ti'm skeptical and already my wife is complaining that she has stuff recording on the comcast dvr boxes. i'm going to be plugging and unplugging between the 2 or uplugging the dvd player from hdmi 2 and have both comcast and fios on i guess which will be a great comparison.

i do have a bad feeling im goign to like it if i see like mtv , cartoon networkk and other non hd chans which i otherwise never want to watch suddenly looking better on fios.

i'll be teempted to figure out a way to justify it including maybe keeping comcast just for basic cable through coax and no stbs or hope i can get lucky and that part of it doenst' get disconnected or something.

that or hope that the fios install somehow improves my comcat std def pq even after i cancel it. that would be ideal too as comcast is prob the better more perfected service righ tnow for where we are and especially with all the extra rooms tvs with no stbs.

Has anyone noticed that the searching the "kids" category doesn't seem to find many kids programs? I've noticed this on both my HD DVR box and my SD non-DVR boxes.

With 3 youg kids, it's very common for us to use the search feature to look for kids shows. The current search feature only seems to find one or two shows. Paging through the program guide, I know that there are many, many more kids shows out there.

I'm not sure if this is just a defect in the "kids" search or if all of the category search features are broken.

I thought it made sense to post my comments that were originally posted on the "Philadelphia - HDTV" thread in this section. I converted from Comcast to FiOS on 12/29.



I live in Upper Dublin township and am getting my Verizon FiOS TV service installed tomorrow morning. I have been a FiOS internet and telephone subscriber for the past 8 months (6 of those 8 were in Blue Bell) - prior to using FiOS, I was a Comcast high-speed internet user.

I have been blown away by the speed, reliability, and associated customer service of FiOS internet as compared with Comcast - I have the 15/2 package. When I learned that FiOS TV was available in my area last week, and that they offered Comcast SportsNet in both digital and HD flavors, I called and made an installation appointment.

I have been a Comcast Cable subscriber since 1997. Currently, I have 3 DVR boxes, 1 HD TV, and a package including HBO, Showtime, and Starz on top of their Gold Plus package. Under the 2006 pricing, my monthly bill is ~$115 including tax.

FWIW, I also subscribe to D* - only for ST/Superfan. Outside of NFL football Sunday's, my D* H20 receiver is turned off. The HD quality of Comcast is far superior to D* IMHO.

With FiOS TV, I am getting a similar package to what I currently have with Comcast - HBO, Showtime, Starz, + 2 regular boxes and 1 Home Media DVR box. My monthly bill is slated to be ~$97+tax ($43 for Premeir + $13 for Movies + $16 for HBO + $20 for Home Media DVR + $5 2nd receiver + $5 3rd receiver - $5 for 1 year committment). Additionally, I negotiated a $50 rebate check and a $15 per month credit off of my Vz phone bill for the next 6 months.

In addition to the 3 receivers, I will be connecting a straight cable feed to my QAM tuner on my HDTV as well as to my analog kitchen TV.

I have very high hopes for the service and am anxious to have it activated. I will post again following the install.

I look forward to hearing from others in the area that have made the switch to FiOS.

As I previously posted, I had FiOS TV installed yesterday- here's my initial impressions:

1) INSTALL: The whole process took a while considering that I already have FiOS internet service installed in my home. The tech arrived around 10 and didn't leave until 3.

The install was going real smooth until the Multi-room HD/DVR box would not get any digital channels - The tech had to swap it with another at the local Vz office. Once he got the box working, I did not receive any of the "HD National" channels (ESPN-HD, TNT-HD, HDNet, etc) - this seemed odd as I was getting the HD Local and Premium channels ok. The install rep had me call VZ Customer Service - after getting transferred around and around, I finally got through to a CSR that was accurately able to troubleshoot/resolve the issue.

As it turned out, the rep who took my order did not 'tick the box in the system for the HD channels.' The rep that I got on the phone yesterday was able to make the change, though it took about 20 minutes for the update to propagate to my box.

The install rep was kind enough to split the FiOS cable feed to all TV's in my house - 3 where he installed the boxes, and the kitchen TV which only uses an analog tuner. Additionally, he checked and replaced/re-capped some older coax cables throughout my home where necessary - though most did not require any maintenance.

2) OFFERING/QUALITY - As others have reported previously, there is a noticeable improvement on the broadcast quality of the non-HD channels - on both my HD LCD Projection TV as well as on my standard CRT sets. The HD picture is also improved - not so much in the quality of the picture, but in the significant reduction in macro-blocking that I have become accustomed to in fast-moving sequences.

A good example/comparison of this is with the opening sequence for SportsCenter. With Comcast, I became used to the rapidly moving sequences digitizing frequently. Watching with FiOS last night, I barely noticed any blocking. From this standpoint, I'd say it was a 90% improvement over Comcast.

3) REMOTE CONTROL - The FiOS remote is cluttered an not as easy to use as the Comcast remote that it replaced. The good news is that Vz is in the process of replacing the remote with one that is very similar to the Comcast remote --- the tech gave me a brochure on the new remote and told me to call in and request replacement in mid-January as that is when they are expected to arrive.

3a) SET TOP BOX - The only thing worth mentioning here is that the Vz box is much more responsive than the Comcast box. I have not experienced any lag when scrolling through channel lists nor have I experienced any freeze-up with the controls when fast-forwarding/rewinding DVR/Live content.


4) CHANNEL OFFERING - For me as a sports fan, the most important channel offered by Vz is Comcast SportsNet (both digital and HD). IMHO, this channel alone puts Vz in a unique position of really being able to compete with Comcast as an entertainment/TV provider.

That said, one of the biggest differences here is that Vz still offers the "West" feeds of every movie channel provided - unlike Comcast which nixed most of the West feeds several months ago to save some bandwidth. Additionally, I was pleased to see that Fox-HD has been added to the channel offering - I was concerned as it was not listed on the channel guide on the VZ Website. According to the tech, it was just added in the past week and the website had not been updated with the new channel list as of yet. There is also a greater offering of HD channels as compared with Comcast - I believe the only HD channel that you lose in the switch is INHD.

Verizion's HD lineup currently includes:
NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS (WHYY), PBS (WNJT), CW, WPHL, TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, Comcast SportsNet, HD Net, HD Net Movies, Universal HD, Discovery HD, Wealth HD, National Geographic HD, MTV HD, HBO*, Cinemax*, Showtime*, TMC*, Starz*.

5) VOD (On-Demand) - My initial take is that Comcast offers a greater On Demand selection than Vz. One thing that is noticeably absent from Vz's VOD offering is the lack of any HD content - I am hopeful that this will be added in the near future. As for content, it seems that Comcast has some options that VZ does not - I did not see any CBS or NBC offerings - additionally, I did not notice any local content (Comcast SportsNet programming - no real surprise here, Eagles-specific content in NFL-network, Yo! Rocky - I miss this one, etc.) My 4 year old daughter was excited that Vz offers Disney On Demand - this was not available via Comcast. As I play with Vz VOD more, I will post additional info.

6) MORE INFO TO COME: For PIP purposes, I split the cable for my HDTV and ran one directly to the cable-in jack with the other to the Moto box. I did run the auto-program last night --- I believe it found ~30 analog channels with ~350 digital channels. As was previously reported, almost all digital channels are encrypted. The locals, their HD counterparts, and the music channels were the only ones that I could tune to in my initial attempts - though I did not try them all.

For the kitchen TV, the 30+ analog channels come in nicely - as most of you are aware, the analog offering does NOT include ESPN, Comcast SportsNet, CNN, etc. It does include all of the local channels plus WGN plus several others that I didn't take note of. For my family, this is sufficient for the kitchen TV.

7) COMCAST CANCELLATION - Shortly after the install was complete, I returned all 3 of my Comcast DVR boxes to their Ply Mtg location. From there, they were able to cancel my account effective yesterday, though the service will not be turned off until next Thursday. The cancellation went smoothly and the Comcast rep was even able to give me a credit for a 4th box that was incorrectly being billed to my account since early October ---- this was quite an accomplishment as I have spent many hours on the phone over the past 2+ months with various Comcast reps in attempt to resolve this issue with ZERO success and MUCHO frustration. For any of you experiencing similar challenges with Comcast, you may want to consider a drive to you local center.

All in all, so far I am very happy with my FiOS experience.

I am a current D* SD subscriber and am going to switch to FIOS in the next 2 weeks. I currently have 2 D* TIVO boxes and was wondering if the FIOS DVR has the functionality to keep 2 programs in the buffer like the TIVO does. Currently I can flip back and forth between 2 channels and both are kept in the buffer so I can pause and rewind both shows if I choose. I am not recording both shows just watching them live. I really like this feature especially for football games and would be sad to not be able to do it on the FIOS box. Thanks in advance.

Has anyone seen any updates on the status of FIOS in apartment complexes?

I noticed a website for a complex in Baltimore that claims to offer FIOS, and I hadn't heard that multi-dwelling places were available yet.

thanks.

There are some...
the Fios in a MDU depends on it being wired properly. If is is a new complex or was recently renovated, then it is entirely feasible that VZ would have run fiber to all dwelling units as it's telecom infrastructure.

I lived in an apartment complex that had VZ install a node for DSL back in 2001 in efforts to gain popularity in a mid-70's build complex with the younger out of college generation. Speeds were very quick and they were hot to get people to sign up offering $19.99 for 6 month deals.

I am perfectly willing to give up the swap button for a $30.00 decrease in my bill. I have several extra comcast remotes and will keep the 30 second skip. I will see if the swap feature still works.

I have several extra comcast remotes and will keep the 30 second skip. I will see if the swap feature still works.It doesn't. Verizon needs to add the functionality to the software before it's going to be supported by any remote.

Any word on new HD Channels or HD VOD... give me some HD.

I talked with a FIOS agent a few days ago, and they weren't able to tell me anything encouraging about the deal with Rainbow regarding FSN-New England. Is it possible that FIOS subscribers will miss the entire Celtics season?

The deal is several months old, I can't understand why they haven't at least announced a timetable to bring this content online (unless it's many more months away).

[QUOTE=jhav]I thought it made sense to post my comments that were originally posted on the "Philadelphia - HDTV" thread in this section. I converted from Comcast to FiOS on 12/29.

4) CHANNEL OFFERING - For me as a sports fan, the most important channel offered by Vz is Comcast SportsNet (both digital and HD). IMHO, this channel alone puts Vz in a unique position of really being able to compete with Comcast as an entertainment/TV provider. [QUOTE]

Maybe this is an East Coast anomaly but how/why does Comcast provide Verizon with what appears on the surface as proprietary content? Just curious.

Verizion's HD lineup currently includes:
NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS (WHYY), PBS (WNJT), CW, WPHL, TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, Comcast SportsNet, HD Net, HD Net Movies, Universal HD, Discovery HD, Wealth HD, National Geographic HD, MTV HD, HBO*, Cinemax*, Showtime*, TMC*, Starz*.

5) VOD (On-Demand) - My initial take is that Comcast offers a greater On Demand selection than Vz. One thing that is noticeably absent from Vz's VOD offering is the lack of any HD content - I am hopeful that this will be added in the near future. As for content, it seems that Comcast has some options that VZ does not - I did not see any CBS or NBC offerings - additionally, I did not notice any local content (Comcast SportsNet programming - no real surprise here, Eagles-specific content in NFL-network, Yo! Rocky - I miss this one, etc.) My 4 year old daughter was excited that Vz offers Disney On Demand - this was not available via Comcast. As I play with Vz VOD more, I will post additional info.



Verizon also has SNY HD, and YES HD. At least in NY.
As far as VOD, I know they have ESPN, Disney, Cartoon Network, and Nickelodeon
for FREE.
HBO On-Demand comes free with HBO Package.
Cinemax On-Demand comes free with Cinemax Package.
Starz, Showtime, TMC, and Sundance On-Demands all come free with the Movie Package.

FiOS Rocks! Message me if you live on Long Island, and want FiOS, I know D2D agents. ;)

Has anyone seen any updates on the status of FIOS in apartment complexes?

I noticed a website for a complex in Baltimore that claims to offer FIOS, and I hadn't heard that multi-dwelling places were available yet.

thanks.

Read somewhere that due to costs Verizon will only wire apartment complexes with copper. Fiber on the poles, copper systems throughout.
Why bother then, because in many large cities that's the same setup your established cable system has?
I would only go FiOS if it is the advertised fiber to the home.

i just dont really see how you could come in cheaper with more boxes. i didn't notice fios charing less for boxes then comcast. seemed about the same and even if its a little less there is no way its cheaper or even equal when you have to pay for extra boxes. plus the $20 install fee for any box over 3 on initial install or after that. i dont remember comcast charing install like that when you add a box.

With Adelphia, there was a $5 or $10 fee (I can't remember which) for ESPNHD, HDNet, HDNet Movies, INHD, and INHD2--basically, all non-locals (and keep in mind I never received WB, UPN, or even the CW from Adelphia for locals).

My STBs were $8. The HD box was $13. So I was spending roughly $40 for boxes and HD channels. With Verizon, my STBs are only $4, and the HD boxes are $10. I'm spending the same $40 since I'm getting 2 HD and 5 STBs, and I get all my HD channels included in other tier packages.

The $20 install fee was a concern, since that amounts to $80. However, Verizon is running a $15 a month reduction for three months for new FiOS Internet subscribers. For FiOS TV subscribers, the first month of HBO is free, and so is the first month of the Sports and Movies combo package. All told, I'm getting $75 in discounts to compensate for my $80 install fees.

I talked with a FIOS agent a few days ago, and they weren't able to tell me anything encouraging about the deal with Rainbow regarding FSN-New England. Is it possible that FIOS subscribers will miss the entire Celtics season?

The deal is several months old, I can't understand why they haven't at least announced a timetable to bring this content online (unless it's many more months away).

You are talking about the HD feed right? FSN is available on channel 66 in SD.

You are talking about the HD feed right? FSN is available on channel 66 in SD.

I actually didn't know that the standard def feed was available to me, and oddly neither did the technician that was helping me. I'll check that out- can you tell that I spend little time in the standard def channels? ;)

I thought it made sense to post my comments that were originally posted on the "Philadelphia - HDTV" thread in this section. I converted from Comcast to FiOS on 12/29.

4) CHANNEL OFFERING - For me as a sports fan, the most important channel offered by Vz is Comcast SportsNet (both digital and HD). IMHO, this channel alone puts Vz in a unique position of really being able to compete with Comcast as an entertainment/TV provider.

Maybe this is an East Coast anomaly but how/why does Comcast provide Verizon with what appears on the surface as proprietary content? Just curious.

Prior to FiOS, a sports fan living in Philadelphia was more or less forced to maintain a Comcast subscription in order to see the large majority of 76ers, Flyers, and Phillies games which are exclusively broadcast on Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia. Comcast was unwilling to make the rights to this channel available to D* which, in turn, pretty much eliminated D*'s ability to compete on a level playing field. As a result, Comcast has more-or-less operated as a monopoly 'entertainment provider' in the eyes of the Philadelphia sports fan living in Philadelphia.

I was under the impression that Philadelphia was the only city in this situation - as an example, I do believe that a D* subscriber living in Baltimore/Washington receives the local version of Comcast SportsNet. However, after reading your comments, perhaps there are other cities in a similar situation to that of Philadelphia.

In any event, Vz was somehow able to negotiate and secure the broadcasting rights for the Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia channel - something that D* has been unable to accomplish since their inception. The Vz rep that installed my FiOS internet service ~6-8 months back told me that Verizon or a subsidiary company manufactures a key component within the Moto STB that is used by both Vz and Comcast - they may have used this as leverage to play hardball --- I do not know this to be true, but whatever they did, it worked.

jhav, do you know of the firewire ports on your stb are enabled?

I was under the impression that Philadelphia was the only city in this situation - as an example, I do believe that a D* subscriber living in Baltimore/Washington receives the local version of Comcast SportsNet. However, after reading your comments, perhaps there are other cities in a similar situation to that of Philadelphia.

I had D* in Glasgow (Newark), Delaware. Considered a Philly market but being 2-3 miles from the MD border, we had CSN Mid-Atlantic in the sports channels in the 600s. It was buried in there but was there.
All this Comcast stuff goes way back to the late 70's when PRISM was broacasting a scrambled sports/ movie network on channel 57. It's main focus (that I remember as a little kid at least) was Phillies games but they may have held rights to a good number of Flyers and Sixers home games.
When Comcast bought out Spectacor, they assumed all the rights and made their own network via their cable system.

Disappointed to see IFC has been changed to a pay channel after being up for a week.

No additions in Boston for any HD channels. The novelty has worn off. FIOS is great reception wise, but the offerings are meager. Still no NESN or FSN in HD.

Comcast is calling with a great offer for bundled service. I think I may go back.

Verizon just not up to speed. The on-demand is a joke. I haven't used it since I've had Fios.

Looks like it's back to cable for me. Verizon customer service is so stupid and incompetent it's unbelievable :mad: I called to have the service transferred late Dec. since we were moving to a new house... I take the day off of work today because they're supposed to come and do the tv/internet/phone install, and I call today and the order got cancelled for some unknown reason (even to them). Of course, I didn't get a call from them or anything to say that the order ever got cancelled, and no one would be coming. :eek:

I spent the day going back and forth calling (literally), and all they can do is create a brand new order and the earliest install date is 1/18, talk about a F**KING joke. I did really like their tv/internet fios service, and for the $ you can't beat it, but their customer service is beyond bad. When I called they didn't seem like they gave a flying f*ck, and one dumb woman didn't even call me back to try and change the appt. when she said she would. Best of luck to anyone else that goes with verizon, but at this point that will be the last time for a very long time I will consider verizon for any service!

I live in Columbia, MD. Verizon has been available on the west side of town for some time. I live on the east side and Verizon has been installing the fiber optic cable since the summer. I asked one of the tech guys if he had any idea when FIOS TV would be available in my neighborhood. His guess was by Thanksgiving.

All I get when I go online and request a status is that FIOS TV is not available in my area. I called yesterday to see if there was any information. After being quizzed for my address, phone number and account number, I told them I was not a current Verizon customer. Reluctantly, they asked why I called. When I asked about FIOS TV, the response was, "We have no information on when it will be available."

I am a D* customer and was thinking that Verizon would be a good alternative, but even D* customer service beats Verizon's hands down. I actually had Verizon phone service years ago. Now I remember why I switched to a local provider.

Read somewhere that due to costs Verizon will only wire apartment complexes with copper. Fiber on the poles, copper systems throughout.
Why bother then, because in many large cities that's the same setup your established cable system has?
I would only go FiOS if it is the advertised fiber to the home.
Some newer buildings (currently under construction) are getting fiber to each unit. It all depends on how easy it is to pull fiber. Remember that even some units being built now were planned and got permits long ago... while FiOS was still a dream. So the infrastructure (i.e. conduit) is not there for fiber, and the building costs were developed with copper.

Signed up online for FIOS over a year ago but expect installation will arrive slowly in mid-town Manhattan. Plus, we already have two cable services (TWC, RCN) in our building. But, even though possible coaxial wiring to apartments would approximate current cable service technology, I'd go with FIOS if they maintained their current lead in HD sources delivered compared to both TWC and RCN. Even more of a FIOS/copper selling point would be confirmation that HDNet test patterns via FIOS provide ~1920 horizontal resolution compared to the ~1300 lines (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=5175424#post5175424) I'm now getting from TWC with two generations of STBs--about what many others report from various U.S. cable systems. So far haven't read any measurements here for HDNet's Sunday 6:50 am ET patterns via FIOS. -- John

I had D* in Glasgow (Newark), Delaware. Considered a Philly market but being 2-3 miles from the MD border, we had CSN Mid-Atlantic in the sports channels in the 600s. It was buried in there but was there.
All this Comcast stuff goes way back to the late 70's when PRISM was broacasting a scrambled sports/ movie network on channel 57. It's main focus (that I remember as a little kid at least) was Phillies games but they may have held rights to a good number of Flyers and Sixers home games.
When Comcast bought out Spectacor, they assumed all the rights and made their own network via their cable system.

omg i remember Prism. nice philly areas nostalgia.

I thought it made sense to post my comments that were originally posted on the "Philadelphia - HDTV" thread in this section. I converted from Comcast to FiOS on 12/29.




As I previously posted, I had FiOS TV installed yesterday- here's my initial impressions:

1) INSTALL: The whole process took a while considering that I already have FiOS internet service installed in my home. The tech arrived around 10 and didn't leave until 3.

The install was going real smooth until the Multi-room HD/DVR box would not get any digital channels - The tech had to swap it with another at the local Vz office. Once he got the box working, I did not receive any of the "HD National" channels (ESPN-HD, TNT-HD, HDNet, etc) - this seemed odd as I was getting the HD Local and Premium channels ok. The install rep had me call VZ Customer Service - after getting transferred around and around, I finally got through to a CSR that was accurately able to troubleshoot/resolve the issue.

As it turned out, the rep who took my order did not 'tick the box in the system for the HD channels.' The rep that I got on the phone yesterday was able to make the change, though it took about 20 minutes for the update to propagate to my box.

The install rep was kind enough to split the FiOS cable feed to all TV's in my house - 3 where he installed the boxes, and the kitchen TV which only uses an analog tuner. Additionally, he checked and replaced/re-capped some older coax cables throughout my home where necessary - though most did not require any maintenance.

2) OFFERING/QUALITY - As others have reported previously, there is a noticeable improvement on the broadcast quality of the non-HD channels - on both my HD LCD Projection TV as well as on my standard CRT sets. The HD picture is also improved - not so much in the quality of the picture, but in the significant reduction in macro-blocking that I have become accustomed to in fast-moving sequences.

A good example/comparison of this is with the opening sequence for SportsCenter. With Comcast, I became used to the rapidly moving sequences digitizing frequently. Watching with FiOS last night, I barely noticed any blocking. From this standpoint, I'd say it was a 90% improvement over Comcast.

3) REMOTE CONTROL - The FiOS remote is cluttered an not as easy to use as the Comcast remote that it replaced. The good news is that Vz is in the process of replacing the remote with one that is very similar to the Comcast remote --- the tech gave me a brochure on the new remote and told me to call in and request replacement in mid-January as that is when they are expected to arrive.

3a) SET TOP BOX - The only thing worth mentioning here is that the Vz box is much more responsive than the Comcast box. I have not experienced any lag when scrolling through channel lists nor have I experienced any freeze-up with the controls when fast-forwarding/rewinding DVR/Live content.


4) CHANNEL OFFERING - For me as a sports fan, the most important channel offered by Vz is Comcast SportsNet (both digital and HD). IMHO, this channel alone puts Vz in a unique position of really being able to compete with Comcast as an entertainment/TV provider.

That said, one of the biggest differences here is that Vz still offers the "West" feeds of every movie channel provided - unlike Comcast which nixed most of the West feeds several months ago to save some bandwidth. Additionally, I was pleased to see that Fox-HD has been added to the channel offering - I was concerned as it was not listed on the channel guide on the VZ Website. According to the tech, it was just added in the past week and the website had not been updated with the new channel list as of yet. There is also a greater offering of HD channels as compared with Comcast - I believe the only HD channel that you lose in the switch is INHD.

Verizion's HD lineup currently includes:
NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS (WHYY), PBS (WNJT), CW, WPHL, TNT, ESPN, ESPN2, NFL Network, Comcast SportsNet, HD Net, HD Net Movies, Universal HD, Discovery HD, Wealth HD, National Geographic HD, MTV HD, HBO*, Cinemax*, Showtime*, TMC*, Starz*.

5) VOD (On-Demand) - My initial take is that Comcast offers a greater On Demand selection than Vz. One thing that is noticeably absent from Vz's VOD offering is the lack of any HD content - I am hopeful that this will be added in the near future. As for content, it seems that Comcast has some options that VZ does not - I did not see any CBS or NBC offerings - additionally, I did not notice any local content (Comcast SportsNet programming - no real surprise here, Eagles-specific content in NFL-network, Yo! Rocky - I miss this one, etc.) My 4 year old daughter was excited that Vz offers Disney On Demand - this was not available via Comcast. As I play with Vz VOD more, I will post additional info.

6) MORE INFO TO COME: For PIP purposes, I split the cable for my HDTV and ran one directly to the cable-in jack with the other to the Moto box. I did run the auto-program last night --- I believe it found ~30 analog channels with ~350 digital channels. As was previously reported, almost all digital channels are encrypted. The locals, their HD counterparts, and the music channels were the only ones that I could tune to in my initial attempts - though I did not try them all.

For the kitchen TV, the 30+ analog channels come in nicely - as most of you are aware, the analog offering does NOT include ESPN, Comcast SportsNet, CNN, etc. It does include all of the local channels plus WGN plus several others that I didn't take note of. For my family, this is sufficient for the kitchen TV.

7) COMCAST CANCELLATION - Shortly after the install was complete, I returned all 3 of my Comcast DVR boxes to their Ply Mtg location. From there, they were able to cancel my account effective yesterday, though the service will not be turned off until next Thursday. The cancellation went smoothly and the Comcast rep was even able to give me a credit for a 4th box that was incorrectly being billed to my account since early October ---- this was quite an accomplishment as I have spent many hours on the phone over the past 2+ months with various Comcast reps in attempt to resolve this issue with ZERO success and MUCHO frustration. For any of you experiencing similar challenges with Comcast, you may want to consider a drive to you local center.

All in all, so far I am very happy with my FiOS experience.


i'm in a nearby area to you and have had an opposite and bad experience plus not satisfied with teh services at all compare to comcast. i went through a lot of mess and trouble with permanent damage and inconveniences still un fixed all for what amounts to be inferior inetnet and tv service to what i had with comcast and is more expensive and requires more stbs.

heres what i wrote in another thread or two and as long as it is still leaves out some negative details.

" I'm totally aggravated from my 2 day install of fios at this point.

the first day was an all day affair with 2 guys in and out of my house up and down in all rooms on all floors and attic. sometimes they'd wear the booties over their shoes but many times not and needles to say you get a lot of dirt.

i was super tired and they were there all day and even still when wife got home.

i told the guy from teh start not to disconnect the comcast aas we still had it and would want it in some rooms for the basic adn to plug in comcast dvr boxes to watch stuff we still had on them. they said they coldn't do that so i told him well i have comcast cable modem so make sure that is left alone as it was a direct shot from outside.

again it was an all deal ordeal and real pita. i hate having guys in my house and they check everything out and ask all these questions.

long story short they got 2 hd dvr boxes installed and one non dvr hd box in and working. but not without a lot of mess and aggravation etc. etc. only for me to find what i've already read and known to expect. a slightly better std def pq but a crappy remote and worse guide and dvr funcitons etc.

the vod is even less and worse then i thought it would be as well.

not till the next day do i notice my comcast cable modem isnt' working. they disconnected it. i spent a lot of time on the phone with a cust service rep and they get the same techs back to reconnect my comcast cable modem internet, check the non stb tvs to get the local chans working cus they had nothing but snow and get the smaller tv in kitchen to do full screen for non hd chans.

they guy messes with my tv remote and the box and couldnt' do it. it was like that on the other 2 tvs too but i didnt' mind as much on my big one and my one plasma has an auto stretch feature.

anyway they come back and they try to get the cable modem working again and can't only for the guy to realize that he took the amp comcast had on their off and threw it out and basically saying they dont have one and so i can't get comcast cable modem back on unless i prob would have had ot have comcast back out which would be who knows when and it wasn't their fault so they would have to charge someone probably me and theni would have to take up with verizon.

i needed internet back asap so thats how i was forced into getting verion fios internet, which supposedly is a clearer winner over comcast internet because its faster and doesnt' fluctuate due to trafic. meanwhile i'm not convinced of all that and i was getting fasters speeds with comcast then i am on fios with the 5/2 option. i think i just had a great comcast connection

so it was a whole ordearl to get that working and when i called earlier in the day they said they'd throw in another box but its prob just free for a year as part of the promotion and just a std def box so not a big favor they did.

they guy tried connected the hd box in kitchen with component thinking that would make it full screen and i dont know wha t he was thinking as i told him it would be same. i forgot what else he tired but we decided on just putting a std def box there. as the only way and at first he was going to connect it with coax till i told him thast the worst picture so then he brought rca and i looked at the std box and saw the best video it had was svideo so he got that for me.

it was now full screen but later i realize on other tv with hd box that all you have ot do is go into the menu of the box with box off and change the override from off to 480p or stretch. I can't believe how little these guys know and yet how they act its really annoying.

so now i'm pissed i tooka std def box over hd just to get full screen cus the stupid techs didn't know how to hit one button. then when i call verizon to see how to do it if its diff then comcast moto box i get this foreign guy who explained the simplest thing in most messed up way and isissted you had to do it on the box when you dont. bottom line was my box wasn't working to get hte menu up when off and i had to unplug it a few times and whatever else get signal sent and finally it was owrking like it should like comcast motos have by using remote to hit menu with power off.

What is better override choice though? 480p or stretch. i thought 480p as you dont just want to stretch the 4:3 image as it would look as much and rather set the res lower to fill screen but actually the benefit of stretch is that your tv doens't do the slow transisition between sd and hd and i think it looks about the same as 480p so stretch might be good.

so they got router in and inet working and got tv in same room as inet working which i moved the hd box up to though at first the guy acted like he wouldn't be able to do that that night until he realized he could with no problem.

the phone support person though i should have locals on another tv with no stb but he said he would have to run a line to even though there is already a coax there and it was a lot of trouble and pain just for locals so basically making me have to accept snow.

i just didn't get if they were supposed to reconnect the comcast cable modem if he hadn't stupidly discarded their amp then i could have also hd comcast connection on other room to use my comcast dvrs for now and then possibly keep comcast for basic cable chans on a couple tvs that might even still work after i canceled comcast which would be ideal and good for fios cus i would keep them and still have my comcast basicas on a couple tv without stb.

then with the crappy large actiontec router i called up and the guy said yes when i asked if it was a/b/g and sure enough its just b/g. also i get a weaker signal form it on xbox 360 then i did with a cheap netgear b/g router.

and the fios actiontec router has a bad NAT that wont allow xbox live. i called up tech support and was on with a guy for awhile who did all types of crap by logging onto my comptuer which i hate. its scary letting them control your computer andwatch them move your mosue around and do crap. i'm not helpless i dont know why they cna't just tell you what to do for an educated tech savy custoemr like myself.

the guy couldn't get the nat better for the actiontec nad he couldn't connect the netgear router ot the actiontec after spending a ton of time on my pc and then on my laptop .

first day they set some stuff like external boxes in garage and had to use an extension cord of mine until i can have an electrician add an extra outlet box there instead of just putting everything by the one. then 2nd day they broke the access panel to my attic.

what a mess and ordeal. now i wonder whats entailed in at least getting comcast tv back. i figured i would be better off for the new wiring in plance but actually i think comcast will have to come out and re do everything and re add amps etc. because all verizon did is mess all that up.

in the end totally aggravated , far from satisfied, wasted lots of time and had my house turned upside down only for an inferior service to comcast and ot have to switch back anyway. sucks.

also as another annoyance, since there were other fios installs in my neighborhood, guys kept coming to my door and asking for the guys working on my house. they didnt' need to help or be there for any reason they just wanted to be nosy and come in and check my house out and all my tvs. you couldn't really say no and be an ahole but i ended up feeling more pissed that i let them in. this was one of many minor and major annoyances for an install all for a service that ends up being inferior to what i had."

i'm in a nearby area to you and have had an opposite and bad experience plus not satisfied with teh services at all compare to comcast. i went through a lot of mess and trouble with permanent damage and inconveniences still un fixed all for what amounts to be inferior inetnet and tv service to what i had with comcast and is more expensive and requires more stbs.

It sucks that you had such a bad experience. When did your install occur? Obviously, since your planned environment involves both Comcast and FiOS services, the complexity level of your installation is much greater than my own. Relatively speaking, my install was simple as I already used FiOS phone and Internet (15/2) service, and was replacing Comcast TV with FiOS TV - e.g. at the end of my day, I had NO Comcast services remaining.

As an aside - you may want to visit http://myspeed.visualware.com/ to measure internet upload/download speeds. While the 5/2 FiOS plan may not always be as fast as Comcast on downloads, the upload speed should be significantly increased - additionally, I think that ther 5/2 plan is $10 less/month than the Comcast plan. As for the 15/2 plan that I have, it blows away the speeds that I was getting from my previous Comcast internet service on both the uploads and the downloads - this for the same $45/month that I was paying for Comcast internet. Rumor is that Vz is going to be increasing their speeds in the near future.

Additionally, my experience to-date with Vz customer support has been nothing short of exemplary. Twice I have contacted support and on both occasions a rep was dispatched the following morning to resolve my trouble.

My first call was because I was experiencing cross-talk between my primary and secondary phone lines - this was caused by existing poor quality lines within my home. The rep ran a band new line to my secondary phone to eliminate the problem ---- while I have inside wire insurance, my hunch is that Vz would have completed this work for free in attempt to ensure that "their prized FiOS customer" did not experience any problems whatsoever - even if they are obviously un-related to FiOS.

My second call occurred earlier this week as one of my PC's mysteriously and intermittently would lose internet connectivity despite still showing that it was successfully connected to the network. IMHO, this was caused by 1) A failure in the Actiontec router, or 2) A software issue potentially resulting from my recent upgrade from IE 6 to IE 7. After a single call to Vz support, they decided that the best way to rule-out the potentially faulty router was to replace it. The following morning, a rep replaced my router with a new one.

I mentioned to the rep how blow away I was with the level of service that I was receiving - he re-iterated that Vz is committed to doing everything possible to make their FiOS customers happy --- he joked that if a commit time is not met for a FiOS customer, alarms sound internally and things are escalated to higher levels. While I do not anticipate that Vz will be able to maintain the level of support that I have experienced to-date, it sure is nice while it lasts.

On a side note, the rep that came out to replace my router this week told me that the new TV remotes were slated to become available in early February and that VZ would be happy to replace the existing ones upon request. Additionally, I was told that they are testing new Moto DVR STBs with increased storage and capabilities - specifically, he mentioned that the newer boxes would eliminate the need for the router to be connected via coax. Specifics on the timing/specs of these new boxes was not available.

As for my TV experience, one week into FiOS TV I remain pleased. The DVR functionality is very similar to what I experienced with Comcast - there are certain aspects of the Vz interface that I like better, and certain things not as much. The response time of the Vz STB compared with the Comcast STB is significantly improved.

One great improvement is with fast-forwarding - the VZ programming is much better at re-starting the video when you push the 'play' button - with Comcast I would almost always overshoot the desired 'play' time and have to rewind to where I wanted to be. While I have never been a TiVO user, I have been told that this is an area that TiVO handled much better than Comcast ---- my hunch is that VZ is able to do it as well as TiVO can.

As for VOD, in my household it is mostly used for kids shows - from this standpoint, VZ has an edge as it offers Disney on demand. However, from an adult perspective, I am hopeful that Vz will step up it's VOD offering to include HD content along with some of the other offerings that Comcast has - e.g. CBS, NBC. From what I can tell, the premium channel (HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc) on-demand offering between Comcast and Vz is identical - that is but for the lack of any HD on Vz.

jhav, do you know of the firewire ports on your stb are enabled?
Not sure as I don't use them --- I'll try to remeber to check the diagnostics window the next time I'm in front of the TV.

I will say that while the techs that were in my house offered exemplary service as far as being helpful, knowledgeable, friendly, and profesional, the techs in the FiOS call center have left something to be desired.

I've only called twice, both on the install day because of problems we were having, but the guy was basically a condescending ass the whole time. Maybe I was just unlucky and kept getting the same guy, but the tech on-site wasn't too pleased with the guy in the call center either, as his stupidity basically added two hours onto my install.

Just got Fios TV installed on 01/02. I've been a Fios Internet customer for over a year and I've been very happy with it. The tech had some problems getting program guide info to my sets, but after he swapped out my DI-624 for an Actiontec, everything showed up.

I spent the next 2 days on the phone with the Fiber Solutions Center and Encore (billing/sales) trying to get a problem with my subscription VOD channels cleared up. Basically, I was not able to access any of the premium VOD channels (HBO, Cinemax, SHO, etc.), though I subscribe to those channels. After 2 days and several different technicians, finally someone (thanks Quinn in Dallas) got my problem solved, and now everything is up and running properly.

There are still some growing pains as billing, tech support, and operations are 3 separate entities; but, all in all, I'm satisfied; and everyone I spoke to while trying to get this problem resolved was friendly and genuinely trying to help.

The DVR box has some quirks. For example, when no channel guide is on the screen, the directional buttons (arrows that surround the "ok") control the DVR rather than bringing up the mini guide. I am able to use the right one, though, to skip ahead, which I couldn't do with Comcast.

I get all the premium movie channels, more HD, and a dedicated channel for YES HD for about 5 dollars more per month than I was paying with Comcast. And while I will miss my buddy Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, I'm happy.

One thing, though, the printed channel lineup says that SNY-HD (another key for me during baseball season) should be channel 829, but it's currently not in my guide and I can't tune to it.

The DVR box has some quirks. For example, when no channel guide is on the screen, the directional buttons (arrows that surround the "ok") control the DVR rather than bringing up the mini guide.


You might already know this but pressing the OK button when no channel guide is on the screen brings up the mini-guide. At that point the directional buttons work as expected on the guide.

But you're right - the DVR box definitely has some "quirks"

New Install in Monmouth Co., NJ

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Just got Fios TV installed on 01/02. I've been a Fios Internet customer for over a year and I've been very happy with it. The tech had some problems getting program guide info to my sets, but after he swapped out my DI-624 for an Actiontec, everything showed up.

I spent the next 2 days on the phone with the Fiber Solutions Center and Encore (billing/sales) trying to get a problem with my subscription VOD channels cleared up. Basically, I was not able to access any of the premium VOD channels (HBO, Cinemax, SHO, etc.), though I subscribe to those channels. After 2 days and several different technicians, finally someone (thanks Quinn in Dallas) got my problem solved, and now everything is up and running properly.

There are still some growing pains as billing, tech support, and operations are 3 separate entities; but, all in all, I'm satisfied; and everyone I spoke to while trying to get this problem resolved was friendly and genuinely trying to help.

The DVR box has some quirks. For example, when no channel guide is on the screen, the directional buttons (arrows that surround the "ok") control the DVR rather than bringing up the mini guide. I am able to use the right one, though, to skip ahead, which I couldn't do with Comcast.

I get all the premium movie channels, more HD, and a dedicated channel for YES HD for about 5 dollars more per month than I was paying with Comcast. And while I will miss my buddy Keith Olbermann on MSNBC, I'm happy.

One thing, though, the printed channel lineup says that SNY-HD (another key for me during baseball season) should be channel 829, but it's currently not in my guide and I can't tune to it.

I have the exact same problem with the Premium VOD channels, and Verizon doesn't know why yet! What did Quinn in Dallas figure out, do you know?

I have the exact same problem with the Premium VOD channels, and Verizon doesn't know why yet! What did Quinn in Dallas figure out, do you know?

I also am not getting the Premium VOD channels and the techs can't figure it out.
-Rob

I also am not getting the Premium VOD channels and the techs can't figure it out.
-Rob


Basically, after determining that Encore (billing) had my order correct -- that is it included premium VOD -- and verifying that the order had "flowed through" correctly to the Fiber Solutions Center (tech support), the tech that finally helped me made a two minute call to the department that actually handles video on demand to make sure that they had the correct information in their systems. They didn't, so he had them correct that and premium VOD appeared virtually instantly.

I'm sorry I can't be more specific about the final step, but he put me on hold and claimed that he spoke to a group that actually runs the video on demand service. All I know is that, after that, 2 days of frustration ended in what appeared to be a simple fix.

What I was told throughout is that something with the online ordering process doesn't automatically place VOD on the order as it should. My dad ordered his over the phone and didn't have any problems.

Hope this helps.

Basically, after determining that Encore (billing) had my order correct -- that is it included premium VOD -- and verifying that the order had "flowed through" correctly to the Fiber Solutions Center (tech support), the tech that finally helped me made a two minute call to the department that actually handles video on demand to make sure that they had the correct information in their systems. They didn't, so he had them correct that and premium VOD appeared virtually instantly.

I'm sorry I can't be more specific about the final step, but he put me on hold and claimed that he spoke to a group that actually runs the video on demand service. All I know is that, after that, 2 days of frustration ended in what appeared to be a simple fix.

What I was told throughout is that something with the online ordering process doesn't automatically place VOD on the order as it should. My dad ordered his over the phone and didn't have any problems.

Hope this helps.

Thanks jimap,
I ordered mine online too and when they installed I didn't get the HD national channels at all as well as the VOD premiums. They said the exact same thing, someone didn't include those in my online order and billing was able to easily add it. Sounds like Verizon has some bugs to work out of their ordering system. Hopefully I can get this resolved on Monday. No tech support on the weekends or evenings though is pretty lame.
I appreciate your response.
-Rob

Thanks jimap,
I ordered mine online too and when they installed I didn't get the HD national channels at all as well as the VOD premiums. They said the exact same thing, someone didn't include those in my online order and billing was able to easily add it. Sounds like Verizon has some bugs to work out of their ordering system. Hopefully I can get this resolved on Monday. No tech support on the weekends or evenings though is pretty lame.
I appreciate your response.
-Rob

Rob,

The Fiber Solutions Center at 888-553-1555 is 24/7. Not sure, however, whether anyone else that could help with this will be available before Monday. Good luck.

Had another issue last night of the guide not matching up to actual content, this time on MTV (wife was trying to tape Real World---don't judge.) Any ideas how/why this occurs??

Typically, it is because the network (MTV) provided erroneous information to the program listings provider, or made schedule changes and didn't provide information about those changes in a timely manner to the program listings provider.

Yes, yes... I know I've asked before, but it's been a few weeks now so I figure I'll ask again. Any updates on the availability of Comcast Sportsnet Midatlantic HD on Anne Arundel Co., MD FiOS? I'd like to sign up before the rate hike goes into effect this coming weekend, but I'd also like to be able to follow my Caps in HD.

Unfortunately, zap2it still doesn't list the channel. Looks like the HD channels are in the 800s. I'm glad it has both the Baltimore and Washington locals though... I can't stand WBAL for NBC! It's the only NBC that Comcast sends in "HD" in my area, and it's even worse than TNT-HD!

Yes, yes... I know I've asked before, but it's been a few weeks now so I figure I'll ask again. Any updates on the availability of Comcast Sportsnet Midatlantic HD on Anne Arundel Co., MD FiOS? I'd like to sign up before the rate hike goes into effect this coming weekend, but I'd also like to be able to follow my Caps in HD.

Unfortunately, zap2it still doesn't list the channel. Looks like the HD channels are in the 800s. I'm glad it has both the Baltimore and Washington locals though... I can't stand WBAL for NBC! It's the only NBC that Comcast sends in "HD" in my area, and it's even worse than TNT-HD!
Nope, it's not there yet.

Verizon to provide a new local channel (FiOS1) starting in Washington DC market:
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/070109/nytu177.html?.v=63

Round the clock local traffic and weather, local news and community sports ... ala various other local news cable channels ...

Interesting though:It will also televise original features shot and produced by citizen journalists using high-definition camcordersObviously 'shot' in high definition does not necessarily mean produced / edited / broadcast / etc. in high definition. But anyway ...

My wife and I bought a 42" LCD for my in-laws for Christmas. We didn't realize until too late that it was an HD monitor and therefore has no tuner or close-captioning capability. Mother-in-law needs captioning as she is hard of hearing, but father-in-law wants it turned off when he watches alone.

Then I found out that the HD STB has built-in captioning and I got all excited. In-laws have the regular SD box now but I'd pay to upgrade it if it solved the problem. Unfortunately (confirmed by FiOS customer support), the "CC" button on the FiOS remote cannot control the STB captioning - it will only toggle captioning on a regular TV. Captioning on the HD STB can only be turned on/off through the front panel menu. Unfortunately I think that's too much to ask of my in-laws (father-in-law is a stroke victim with limited mobility).

If anyone has any other ideas, please share.

Ok, It is installed and running since around 1pm or so........



WAHOOOOOOOO i can hardly contain myself.

Here is my little review after a few hrs of watching the programming.....

1. WOW thats a lot of channels.

2 The HD of it........again WOW DTV Buhahahahaha not even close, the HD on Fios is so far and above the hd i got from dtv its humorous. Im not trying to start a war, its the truth. It is alot better than the atlanticbb cable hd in that there is NO digital breakup or macroblocking from fast motion it is absolute perfection as i remember from hd demos almost 10 yrs ago before companies started with compression and bandwidth limiting. Even the comcast signal while it has the resolution it just is NOT as smooth and clean at least in the delaware PA area.

3 The SD of it.......once again WOW. It is 100 percnet better than the picture of DTV or cable. The picture now looks like DTV did back in 96 when i first was a member and the quality was better than cable before they went digital and was comparable to a laserdisc. very very nice. It is so good i think that some of you maybe making the mistake of saying that your tv's arent good at sd television conversion and it may actually be the source. SD is now a viewable and viable source on my HD set again. I havent watched the SD stuff in a LOOOONG time.

I cant say this enough, when you get it.......GET IT! do not hesitate DO NOT!

No NASA and no sports packages. No deal.

hehe, the nasa ill give up for the hd shuttle launches on hdnet :) that i lost with cable.

and i was an EI subscriber for the last like 8 yrs or so. The picture is so good i dont care :)

that right ill give up baseball till they get it, and they will


btw im not sure what else they have but you can buy full court according to the guide

Well, here's hoping Verizon is ready to step up to the bar and get carriage rights for the host of new HD channels announced today: USA, FX, TBS, CNN, Sci-Fi, Speed, and Cartoon Network.

Any word on the HD versions of Food Network, HGTV, A&E, or, perhaps most importantly, Golf/Versus HD? Any likelihood that Comcast is going to put up road blocks to keep Golf/Versus HD exclusive to Comcast systems?

Verizon's HD offering is far superior to my previous Adelphia system, but it is by no means comprehensive.

My wife and I bought a 42" LCD for my in-laws for Christmas. We didn't realize until too late that it was an HD monitor and therefore has no tuner or close-captioning capability. Mother-in-law needs captioning as she is hard of hearing, but father-in-law wants it turned off when he watches alone.

Then I found out that the HD STB has built-in captioning and I got all excited. In-laws have the regular SD box now but I'd pay to upgrade it if it solved the problem. Unfortunately (confirmed by FiOS customer support), the "CC" button on the FiOS remote cannot control the STB captioning - it will only toggle captioning on a regular TV. Captioning on the HD STB can only be turned on/off through the front panel menu. Unfortunately I think that's too much to ask of my in-laws (father-in-law is a stroke victim with limited mobility).

If anyone has any other ideas, please share.
I agree that it's frustrating that captioning can only be turned off via the "User Settings" menu, but you can actually access that menu using the remote (at least I can on my HD DVR STB). If I press the menu button twice, right after powering off the STB (all from the remote), the user settings menu comes up and I can enable/disable captioning.

Unfortunately it's still not nearly as convenient as pressing a single button to toggle it on/off, but at least it can be done without having to use the buttons on the front of the STB.

No NASA and no sports packages. No deal.

Can't please everybody! I've got MSG HD, YES HD & SNY HD...so I'm very happy with the FIOS sports! :)

Well, here's hoping Verizon is ready to step up to the bar and get carriage rights for the host of new HD channels announced today: USA, FX, TBS, CNN, Sci-Fi, Speed, and Cartoon Network.

Any word on the HD versions of Food Network, HGTV, A&E, or, perhaps most importantly, Golf/Versus HD? Any likelihood that Comcast is going to put up road blocks to keep Golf/Versus HD exclusive to Comcast systems?

Verizon's HD offering is far superior to my previous Adelphia system, but it is by no means comprehensive.


Well, announced by D*, but not by the networks mentioned...at least to the best of my knowledge.

Hmm, if I'm misreading the news postings in this thread, please correct me.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=784284

Mother-in-law needs captioning as she is hard of hearing, but father-in-law wants it turned off when he watches alone.I make many small sacrifices for my wife, and one of the least significant of them is living with the captioning on, all the time, even when I'm watching television alone.

The Motorola DVRs have a feature whereby the background for the captioning can be transparent. I found that to be least obtrusive, yet my wife finds it perfectly readable.

Can't please everybody! I've got MSG HD, YES HD & SNY HD...so I'm very happy with the FIOS sports! :)

You've got MSG HD and SNY HD?? Where are you? In Monmouth County, NJ we don't have either one yet.

i wonder when fios will be moving into hudson county, nj...... probably never....

I wonder when, if ever, they will come to NYC, in particular Queens. Even more specifically, Woodside, Queens. :(

Is there any good publicly available information on where and when Verizon plans to roll this out?

Eternally yours,

FIOS-less in Brooklyn

FiOS needs NESH-HD too! They might get more peopel in the New England area if they can start that channel before the Red Sox season begins.

There is Fios strung outside my housing development on the major road. But my contact in VZ Delaware says 1Q2008 for services to be run, completed and available....I have to suffer with Comcrap for another year...

This stinks big time...

You've got MSG HD and SNY HD?? Where are you? In Monmouth County, NJ we don't have either one yet.
I think that may be a typo. SNY-HD is available on Long Island (ch 815), but I don't believe MSG-HD is on the system yet. Ken, if I'm wrong, please set me straight!

FiOS needs NESN-HD too! They might get more peopel in the New England area if they can start that channel before the Red Sox season begins.

Boy, that is the truth. Verizon is due to start FIOS TV service in my area starting in April, but no NESN-HD will be a deal breaker.

http://facilities.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=95387

Verizon Upgrading FiOS TV Service

By The Associated Press
(TWICE) _ Las Vegas Verizon announced plans here to upgrade its fiber-optic FiOS TV service and revealed new details of its first-quarter launch of V Cast Mobile TV service for cellphones.

Verizon's second-generation FiOS TV service will come with PC-networking capability and an enhanced media guide, which will enable an integrated search for specific video programs on broadcast TV channels, ondemand TV channels, Verizon's Home Media DVR and networked PCs.

In other second-generation changes announced on the eve of International CES, FiOS channels will be grouped by genre for simpler access, and local traffic and weather updates will stream along the bottom of the TV screen while programs play. The service will also enable DVR programming from the Web browser of a remote PC and from a cellphone.

Many of the features will be available in the first quarter, with PC-networking, Internet radio and DVR programming by cellphone coming later in the year. The year-old FiOS TV service is available in 10 states.

- more info about the V-Cast service through the Link, above.

I think that may be a typo. SNY-HD is available on Long Island (ch 815), but I don't believe MSG-HD is on the system yet. Ken, if I'm wrong, please set me straight!

No, my mistake, no MSG HD. Sorry.

........

Now that Verizon has been approved for TV distribution in NJ, I am looking forward to switching from Cablevision. We have Fios internet in our town, therefore I hope we are among the first served.

Anyway, a question to those who have had Fios TV for a while. Do the non-HD movie channels in the movie packages (HBO, Starz/Encore, Showtime/TMC, Cinemax) broadcast in DD 5.1 when the movie is available as such?

On Cablevision, it seems only some of the SD movie channels will utilize it (none on the non-HD Cinemax channels). I don't know whether this is up to the cable provider or the limitations of the channels themselves.

Thanks!

Some do, but not most. I want to say the starz/encore had the most and a few of the HBO channels SD will broadcasti n 5.1, but unfortunately most do not.

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

This doesn't sound abnormal, when I had an old Samsung HD CRT hooked up (it is like a 1st gen HDTV) there would be a pause as the TV reset it self from 480 to 1080 or vice versa.

Does anyone use a 4:3 HDTV with FiOS?

We've got this one that's a couple years old (~2004-5) and it's a Samsung CRT that's 1080i only. But, with the Motorola HD DVR, every time I set it to letterbox in 1080i, it letterboxes EVERYTHING. FX, USA, TBS, Weather Plus, CNN, etc. They all appear windowboxed.

Can someone tell me the correct settings to fix this? I've tried some of the 4:3 passthrough modes, but they're not working.

----
By the way, FiOS is distributing new remotes--perhaps in preperation for the new interface or a new box. They are SO much better. If anyone had a D* HD remote, it's like that (range-and-responsiveness-wise) Also, they have new buttons. An "aspect ratio" button, a "D" widget button, a "list" button, "on demand"<<<<none of which work right now.

I tihnk your SOL, it did same thing to my old Samsung HDTV (its from 2002 so we're talking 1st gen). I had to constantly click on aspect ratio button on the fios remote (first click TV to switch device control, then aspect).

maybe this is the wrong thread but it is impossible to pay my verizon TV bill online. the account number on my bill is more digits than will fit (since they use your phone number for an acct number but if you just have TV its a different number) and their employees on the phone are clueless.

I finally got the acct number i was supposed to use but there is something wrong with their web server and I keep getting:

Internal Server Error - Read
The server encountered an internal error or misconfiguration and was unable to complete your request.

:mad:

now i might have to go buy a freakin stamp

Yes, I pay my online but its not through the normal portal or interface for phone services. I use the portal for their internet service or their netmail. Try this url and see if it works, I login using my verizon fios internet username/pw http://netmail.verizon.net/webmail/servlet/HttpNimletDriver?nimlet=LoginNimlet&site=C

Go to my account and to billing section.

I had Verizon phone service being automatically paid from my checking acct before Fios. After my FiOS install, they just tacked the FiOS bill on top of that. My billing switchover actually went pretty smoothly.

I tihnk your SOL, it did same thing to my old Samsung HDTV (its from 2002 so we're talking 1st gen). I had to constantly click on aspect ratio button on the fios remote (first click TV to switch device control, then aspect).

change the 4:3 passthrough setting to none from the setup menu (power off, then press menu quickly)

http://facilities.broadcastnewsroom.com/articles/viewarticle.jsp?id=95387

Verizon Upgrading FiOS TV Service
local traffic and weather updates will stream along the bottom of the TV screen while programs play.


I hope that's something you'll be able to turn off.

I hope that's something you'll be able to turn off.

They may have just lost a potential customer

I hope that's something you'll be able to turn off.
We already have these local weather info bars available at the bottom of the screen. It can be turned off with one of the letter buttons on the remote control, I forget which because I have not used this feature since day 1 or 2 after I got FiosTV. Maybe this is an improved version, but I did not find it very useful.

I hope that's something you'll be able to turn off.Poorly worded article ...

How about:

TV customers will be able to stream local traffic and weather updates along the bottom of the TV screen on request while programs play.

Yes, it can be (quickly, one-click) turned on / off.

Does anyone know why Fios does not offer ANY HD on demand? I've had FIOS since the first week it was offered in the Tampa area. I definately like the SD channels better then BHN. But the selling point for me was the understanding that the fiber network had the bandwidth to offer more HD content. There are only slightly more HD channels but no HD OnDemand. I also don't like the added cost for all of the set top boxes which has basically cancelled out the savings I have on programming.

I'm considering the trade off of getting NFL package on D*** vs Fios. If there was more HD content I would go without the football, but feels like a lot of promises and hype for virtually same line up as cable.

Yes, I pay my online but its not through the normal portal or interface for phone services. I use the portal for their internet service or their netmail. Try this url and see if it works, I login using my verizon fios internet username/pw http://netmail.verizon.net/webmail/servlet/HttpNimletDriver?nimlet=LoginNimlet&site=C

Go to my account and to billing section.

that's the problem, since i only have the TV service, i dont have an internet username...

stamps it is

They may have just lost a potential customer

Don't panic. It's something you have to turn on and off with a button on your remote. It's a very nice service.

I just wish they would get NH up and running with TV. I have internet, but they are fighting with the state about TV

Could some one explain to me exactly what "carriage rights" are? My focus is the confusion between a service carried only in SD by Fios, but available in HD. I read in these postings that Verizon is negotiating "carriage rights" to carry certain content in HD. Why do they need further "rights" to carry the HD content of networks they already broadcast in SD?

TV as You've Never Seen It Before: Verizon Launches FiOS TV in 106 New Jersey Communities

Company Begins Offering FiOS TV to 250,000 Households in Eight Counties; Service Will Expand to More Than 100 Additional Communities Within Months

Next Generation of Verizon's FiOS, Including New Interactive Media Guide, to Be Launched First in New Jersey

http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2007/tv-as-youve-never-seen-it.html

Could some one explain to me exactly what "carriage rights" are? My focus is the confusion between a service carried only in SD by Fios, but available in HD. I read in these postings that Verizon is negotiating "carriage rights" to carry certain content in HD. Why do they need further "rights" to carry the HD content of networks they already broadcast in SD?

because broadcasters(who own the chs. or OTA signals) treat SD cable chs or analog OTA as seperate properties from HD or digital OTA chs. and apparently the FCC allows this.
in my area Verizon is the ONLY provider with rights to air our local NBC & Fox affiliates in digital/HD. these stations are owned by Lin Broadcasting & this agreement also applies to Lin-owned stations in other markets.
Cox, on the other hand, can only offer the local CBS & PBS stations in digital(as can Vz).

for now NO provider in our market can re-air the ABC(Belo), CW(Viacom/CBS), MyTv(Sinclair) or i(Paxson) affiliates' digital signals.

in another example Sinclair has pulled their Richmond, Va Fox affiliate digital from Comcast, their position being pay up or lose it.


Jim

So much for those new HD channels....

not neccessarily. Vz got the Lin stations here because apparently they were willing to do what Cox is resisting-they paid up.
in any case getting carriage rights is just the 1st step. Vz has to get the tech side active-there's more involved than just flipping a switch.

Jim

Vz has to get the tech side active-there's more involved than just flipping a switch.

I think the tech side is more of an issue here in Boston. They have the carriage agreements in place,(so they say?) but loooong delays getting on air. My hope is that they would "fast track" the tech side & get these promised offerings to market.

Any word on new HD Channels or HD VOD... give me some HD.Perhaps some HD VOD on the way ...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=786563
ESPN HD VOD "Test" spotted in the VOD menus.

I hope that's something you'll be able to turn off.

A version is already available. It's just a widget. You access it through the Menu. Of course you can turn it off. More aptly, you have to turn it on to even use it, and you have to access it through the Menu whenever you want to pull it up.

Unfortunately, for whatever reason, Verizon decided that the widget feeds should not overlay on the TV frame, so it resizes (and in the process, window-boxes the HD signal inside a 4:3 frame). Maybe the new widget will overlay just like the on-screen guide?

I assume this upgrade will at the very least make the Widgets accessible through the Widget button on the remote.

Unlike most, those of us in Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania are stuck with the Washington Metro channel lineup, and that means the Washington Metro feed for The Weather Channel. As such, the widget is the only way to get actual local weather on your TV currently.

I assume this upgrade will at the very least make the Widgets accessible through the Widget button on the remote.

.

The Widgets have been accessible from the remote since they came out last spring. Press the "A" triangle button above the number 1 button on the Verizon supplied remote. That's the way it has been working here in MA, in your part of the country it maybe different? I have noticed that not all of Verizon is on the same page, so to speak :eek: .

Fios TV is here...Finally...

I have a question that I searched for and didn't find and answer for...

What does verizon run from their box outside to the STB??? Coax or Fiber? I'm re-doing some wiring and if they do fiber, i'll just leave a pull string for them, otherwise I already have the coax and will install it.

Scheduled for Jan 26th Install...can't wait...

What does verizon run from their box outside to the STB???

Coax from the ONT to the STB.

The Widgets have been accessible from the remote since they came out last spring. Press the "A" triangle button above the number 1 button on the Verizon supplied remote. That's the way it has been working here in MA, in your part of the country it maybe different? I have noticed that not all of Verizon is on the same page, so to speak :eek: .

It sounds like we have different remotes. I have the Phillips.

http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/customer+support/customer+support.htm

Actually, according to the PDF link on that page, the Widgets button will be activated for future use, so this will probably happen then.

EDIT: But apparently the A triangle works right now. Cool. Thanks.

Coax from the ONT to the STB.

thanks

Fios TV is here...Finally...

I have a question that I searched for and didn't find and answer for...

What does verizon run from their box outside to the STB??? Coax or Fiber? I'm re-doing some wiring and if they do fiber, i'll just leave a pull string for them, otherwise I already have the coax and will install it.

Scheduled for Jan 26th Install...can't wait...

They run or use the existing RG6 from the cable co to the set top box. they also split it and run a line to the router if you have their broadband service which then would need a run of cat5 from the ONT to the router.

Verizon FiOS is making some channel lineup changes next month. Look for the new channel lineup card in your mail.

Among the new channels is CSN-HD (in DC/VA/MD) on 2/20/07.

Verizon FiOS is making some channel lineup changes next month. Look for the new channel lineup card in your mail.

Among the new channels is CSN-HD (in DC/VA/MD) on 2/20/07.

Fantastic news! Got a source? (Not trying to question, just looking to verify.) This and the upcoming Golf/VS HD channel are basically what's holding me to Comcast. Gotta have my hockey!

Fantastic news! Got a source? (Not trying to question, just looking to verify.) This and the upcoming Golf/VS HD channel are basically what's holding me to Comcast. Gotta have my hockey!Customers were sent a flyer this week with the new lineup.

Customers were sent a flyer this week with the new lineup.

Have ye a scan of said flyer? I'm not yet a customer, just a potential customer. Basically been waiting on CSN-HD before making the jump.

Possible BAD news for NH, Maine and Vermont residents:

Verizon to Merge Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont Properties with FairPoint

Verizon today announced a plan to spin-off the local exchange and related business assets in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, and to merge the new entity into FairPoint Communications.

Verizon shareholders will own approximately 60 percent and FairPoint investors will own approximately 40 percent of the combined company. The transaction is valued at $2.715 billion.
Approximately 3,000 employees – those whose primary job at the close of the transaction would be to support the local phone business that is spun off – would continue employment with FairPoint after the merger. Approximately 300 Verizon company employees in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont who provide national or regional support services would remain with the Verizon company that currently employs them. Employees in these states were notified of the company’s plans at meetings early this morning.

FairPoint, based in Charlotte, N.C., is a telecommunications provider with 31 local exchange companies in 18 states, serving the unique needs of customers in rural and small urban markets. FairPoint provides an array of services, including local and long-distance voice, data, Internet and broadband.
Verizon’s Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont properties currently serve about 1.5 million access lines, 600,000 long distance customers and more than 180,000 DSL customers.
The transaction includes Verizon’s switched and special access lines in the three states, as well as Verizon’s Internet service, enterprise voice CPE (customer premises equipment) accounts, and long-distance voice and private line customer accounts (for customer private lines with beginning and ending points within the three states) that Verizon served in the region before the 2006 merger with MCI.

The transaction does not include the services, offerings or assets of Verizon Wireless, Verizon Business (former MCI), Federal Network Systems LLC, Verizon Network Integration Corp., Verizon Global Networks Inc., Verizon Federal Inc. or any other Verizon businesses in these states.

“These properties, and the people who work in them, have played an important role in Verizon Telecom’s success over the years, and we are incredibly grateful for that contribution,” said Virginia Ruesterholz, president of Verizon Telecom. “This agreement with FairPoint provides a fair value for this property, in our view, and allows Verizon to focus more intently on operations in other markets. The transaction also ensures the fair and equitable treatment of employees in these New England states, who have performed outstanding work for our customers for many years.”

“We believe this transaction will create an opportunity for further investment in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, strengthen the region’s economy by creating jobs and improve service to customers through capital investment,” said Gene Johnson, chairman and CEO of FairPoint. “At the same time, we have accelerated FairPoint’s growth through a single transaction, creating a much larger company with increased financial strength and flexibility that will continue to focus on maximizing value for investors.”
FairPoint and Verizon will provide a smooth transition for employees. FairPoint will honor the union labor agreements in these states and expects to work constructively with union leaders. After the merger, FairPoint expects to add approximately 600 positions to the current employee base serving the three states. FairPoint will also strengthen the local operational presence and create new local service centers to deliver industry-leading customer service. Additionally, FairPoint plans to significantly increase broadband availability in the region within the first 12 months after the merger is completed.

The merger is targeted for completion within 12 months. It requires approval from FairPoint stockholders, certain state and federal regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

When the merger is completed, the combined business will be managed by FairPoint’s executive team. As a first step toward the merger with FairPoint, Verizon will create a new division composed of the local phone operations in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. Ed Dinan will become general manager for this new division and will report to Bob Mudge, executive vice president and chief operating officer - Verizon Telecom.

As president - Verizon Maine, Dinan has led the business in that state since 1992. He will be responsible for leading the implementation of the transition plan in the three states in preparation for the merger with FairPoint. After the merger closes, Dinan is expected to remain with the new company in this leadership position.

Polly Brown is being named regional president for the three-state area. An experienced telecom executive, Brown has served as regional president - Northern New England, with responsibilities for New Hampshire and Vermont, since January 2004. She will represent Verizon interests in the northern New England region until the merger with FairPoint is complete. She is expected to remain with Verizon.

A Verizon transition team will work with FairPoint in the coming months to ensure customer accounts, billing information and other assets from the operations are successfully transferred to FairPoint, and that the transition is seamless for customers and employees.

Customers were sent a flyer this week with the new lineup.

I rec'd said flyer in the mail today. One major area of concern is it lists only the Baltimore HD channels and not the DC channels. I'm hoping this is just an oversight.

I'm seen rumblings that verizon was looking to dump upstate NY in the past.

Looks like maybe they plan to dump their rural markets so that they can concentrate on going all fiber in the remaining areas...

anyone else have no sound to their receiver and surround sound speakers, not even the front right and left stereo speakers on the FUNimation channel 231?

I just use my tv speakers for this channel but some ppl dont use their tv speakers at all and jus use their surround sound.

What other chans dont give any sound out to the speakers connected to receiver. Dont think it makes a difference as it seems this chan just doesn't output sound to the receiver but i'm using an optical cable from verizon motorola 6416 hd dvr cable box.

any other channels have this problem?

anyone else have no sound to their receiver and surround sound speakers, not even the front right and left stereo speakers on the FUNimation channel 231?

I just use my tv speakers for this channel but some ppl dont use their tv speakers at all and jus use their surround sound.

What other chans dont give any sound out to the speakers connected to receiver. Dont think it makes a difference as it seems this chan just doesn't output sound to the receiver but i'm using an optical cable from verizon motorola 6416 hd dvr cable box.

any other channels have this problem?

No. You must have a setting incorrectly set.

I rec'd said flyer in the mail today. One major area of concern is it lists only the Baltimore HD channels and not the DC channels. I'm hoping this is just an oversight.

I noticed that too. However, the DC stations still appear in the 'Local' section (channels 4-50), and 'Local Plus' (channels 860-883) includes things like WJLA Weather Now and WETA's extra channels. Maybe it's just an oversight.

For JeffAnnapolis: Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic is channel 829.

thats good new about CSNMA-HD.

Now the only thing that really annoys me is the HD channel allotment. Why cant they make the locals the same channel number only with a 80 in front. I always go to channel 805 and expect Fox but its not there its on 801.

anyone else have no sound to their receiver and surround sound speakers, not even the front right and left stereo speakers on the FUNimation channel 231?

I just use my tv speakers for this channel but some ppl dont use their tv speakers at all and jus use their surround sound.

What other chans dont give any sound out to the speakers connected to receiver. Dont think it makes a difference as it seems this chan just doesn't output sound to the receiver but i'm using an optical cable from verizon motorola 6416 hd dvr cable box.

any other channels have this problem?

YES I have this issue! I get no sound with my HD-DVR and digital connection for this channel. It works over analog on the other boxes and my regular HD box.

Laters,
Jeff

thats good new about CSNMA-HD.

Now the only thing that really annoys me is the HD channel allotment. Why cant they make the locals the same channel number only with a 80 in front. I always go to channel 805 and expect Fox but its not there its on 801.
I don't like that either. They screwed up, especially since they reordered all the channels and didn't fix the one thing I hated about the lineup!

Have ye a scan of said flyer? I'm not yet a customer, just a potential customer. Basically been waiting on CSN-HD before making the jump.
I have the flyer, but not a scanner.
As for HD:
801--FOX 5
802--CBS 9
803--ABC7
804--WETA HD
805--My20
806--MPT HD
807--NBC 4
808--The CW Washington
825--TNT HD
826--ESPN HD
827--ESPN 2 HD
828--NFL Network HD
829--Comcast SportsNet HD
833--HDNet
834--HDNet Movies
835--Universal HD
836--Discovery HD Theater
837--Wealth TV HD
838--National Geographic HD
839--MTV HD
851--HBO HD
852--Cinemax HD
853--Showtime HD
854--The Movie Channel HD
855--Starz HD

Have ye a scan of said flyer? I'm not yet a customer, just a potential customer. Basically been waiting on CSN-HD before making the jump.

go to:
http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm
enter state and region, enables a printable version of channel line-up as well.

I have the flyer, but not a scanner.
As for HD:
801--FOX 5
802--CBS 9
803--ABC7
804--WETA HD
805--My20
806--MPT HD
807--NBC 4
808--The CW Washington
825--TNT HD
826--ESPN HD
827--ESPN 2 HD
828--NFL Network HD
829--Comcast SportsNet HD
833--HDNet
834--HDNet Movies
835--Universal HD
836--Discovery HD Theater
837--Wealth TV HD
838--National Geographic HD
839--MTV HD
851--HBO HD
852--Cinemax HD
853--Showtime HD
854--The Movie Channel HD
855--Starz HD

Interesting. I have FiOS in the Spotsy area, and I'm noticing that all the channel numbers above the local HDs have changed, even though the order remains the same.

Is that true for you as well, or do we have a different channel lineup? I was under the impression that, for now, Spotsy/Fredericksburg would just be apart of the Washington Metro region.

I'm only asking because it seems more channels allotted for HD can only be a great thing for us this year, given all the announcements.

I don't like that either. They screwed up, especially since they reordered all the channels and didn't fix the one thing I hated about the lineup!
Amen to that! Comcast does the same here in Maryland...their HD channels have no rhyme or reason.
Even in the VHF range, FioS moved Baltimore ABC 2 to channel 12! :confused:

The numbering bothers me too, but what bothers me most is that, for us in Washington Metro, NBC and The CW are so far away from the other broadcast networks. I would at least think that the five networks would be lined up right at the front before PBS and independents like WDCA.

The numbering bothers me too, but what bothers me most is that, for us in Washington Metro, NBC and The CW are so far away from the other broadcast networks. I would at least think that the five networks would be lined up right at the front before PBS and independents like WDCA.

At least you guys have all the locals in HD. Here in VA Beach we currently only have CBS, with Fox and NBC to be added soon, but no word on ABC or CW.

Interesting. I have FiOS in the Spotsy area, and I'm noticing that all the channel numbers above the local HDs have changed, even though the order remains the same.

Is that true for you as well, or do we have a different channel lineup? I was under the impression that, for now, Spotsy/Fredericksburg would just be apart of the Washington Metro region.

I'm only asking because it seems more channels allotted for HD can only be a great thing for us this year, given all the announcements.
That was just the future list for the DC metro area, I have the same lineup as you right now (810 as TNT HD, 822 for Nat Geo HD, etc)

go to:
http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm
enter state and region, enables a printable version of channel line-up as well.

Thanks -- I am aware of that site, but it is still displaying the old lineup as of 8:45PM EST. You'd think they'd keep that up to date, but hey... :)

Just got FIOS TV in South Riding, VA and love the HD channel selections over DTV.

I do notice a problem though that I had with DTV. On the HD channels, for some reason, some of the sound tracks are muted. I do hear the dialogue and what sounds like the baseline track because the subwoofer is going off. Other than that, there's nothing.
When I flip to the non HD version of the channel, I can hear all the sounds. I'm using the Optical cord to feed sound from the DVR to my receiver.

Has anyone experienced this?

I do notice a problem though that I had with DTV. On the HD channels, for some reason, some of the sound tracks are muted. I do hear the dialogue and what sounds like the baseline track because the subwoofer is going off. Other than that, there's nothing. Open audio preferences and disable dynamic audio compression. By default, it's set to the maximum to minimize the volume differences between content and commercial.

I just checked. It's already set to none.

This doesn't happen to all channels. I just looked at channel NBC HD and it was fine. I switched to ABC HD and no sound. DSC HD had just the dialogues.

I received a channel lineup in the mail from Verizon (supposed to be active the end of February). It lists Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia on channel 829. As I live in Northern Virginia (near Washington DC) I really hope they mean Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic ;)

No. You must have a setting incorrectly set.

a setting incorrectly set on what? other channels i watch all get the sound from the surround sound speakers and they always all did on comcast.

this is a channel specific thing i think and Funimation channel 231 does not play the sound to the receiver at all, just the tv.

theres no setting

YES I have this issue! I get no sound with my HD-DVR and digital connection for this channel. It works over analog on the other boxes and my regular HD box.

Laters,
Jeff

see. we should call verizon about this problem. using optical audio cable and possibly other digital connection to the stb. you get no sound to reciever from this chan. its a fact.

i wonder what other chans do this and what can be done.

basically anybody using a digital connection which is preferred using say an optical audio cable from hd dvr stb to receiver will get no sound for this channel from speakers

for some that use only their surround sound and keep the tv sound at 0 or muted will have no sound at all and will hae to turn up their tv sound as that is all you can get with this chan.

what gives?

I just noticed tonight that Verizon in Plano, Texas is FINALLY inserting local commercials into cable programming. Of course right now all they're running are promos for cable channels on Verizon. (it's better than all the horrible low-rent ads that the cable networks air in the local slots)

This might not seem like a good thing for the viewers, but it is. Verizon has probably been somewhat slow to roll out new channels until they could start to recoup more of the cost of their capital investment. Being able to run ads on all these channels will help them do that and be able to keep their rates competitive with the other local cable company.

Considering the FIOS only has 2 NOCs and delivers all the channels from those via fiber to the local market, I wonder where they are inserting the ads and if they even have the ability to do them on a local market by market (if not County by County or area by area) basis at this time.

I got a new channel line-up letter and listing from Verizon this week for changes occuring 2/27, and while they are adding some new channels (including Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic in HD), the new listing sheet no longer has the DC HD channels listed (this is for Howard/Ann Arundel counties in central Maryland). We currently get both the DC and Baltimore HD channels, being between the two cities. Anyway, I've spoken with three different Verizon offices, and they all tell me that we should continue to get the HD channels from both cities. I hope they're right...we'll see. If they are, they spent a lot of money of an incorrectly printed channel listing.

I got a new channel line-up letter and listing from Verizon this week for changes occuring 2/27, and while they are adding some new channels (including Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic in HD), the new listing sheet no longer has the DC HD channels listed (this is for Howard/Ann Arundel counties in central Maryland). We currently get both the DC and Baltimore HD channels, being between the two cities. Anyway, I've spoken with three different Verizon offices, and they all tell me that we should continue to get the HD channels from both cities. I hope they're right...we'll see. If they are, they spent a lot of money of an incorrectly printed channel listing.

The old sheet I got when my install was done didn't have the DC HD channels listed either.

I received a channel lineup in the mail from Verizon (supposed to be active the end of February). It lists Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia on channel 829. As I live in Northern Virginia (near Washington DC) I really hope they mean Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic ;)


Has anybody else gotten this from Verizon in Northern Virginia?

Has anybody else gotten this from Verizon in Northern Virginia?

Yep. I got the card 2 days ago, and I'm in Potomac Falls. Mine lists the Philly station as well on 829. I'm guessing there's a mixup.

I just noticed tonight that Verizon in Plano, Texas is FINALLY inserting local commercials into cable programming. Of course right now all they're running are promos for cable channels on Verizon. (it's better than all the horrible low-rent ads that the cable networks air in the local slots).

Oh my God, now I have to look at that stupid ad for "its Darion" and Winstar casino, or for the "Texas Hammer"??? I only hope they balance the sound better then TW did. When it went from a HD feed to these ridiculous local analog commercials the audio went up about 20 db and nearly blew out my speakers. I would never use any of these products just to protest the stupid ads.

Considering the FIOS only has 2 NOCs and delivers all the channels from those via fiber to the local market, I wonder where they are inserting the ads and if they even have the ability to do them on a local market by market (if not County by County or area by area) basis at this time.


curious- does that include the new video hub they built in Freehold NJ?

it might just be to service NJ but maybe it lighten's the load on the other places?

curious- does that include the new video hub they built in Freehold NJ?

it might just be to service NJ but maybe it lighten's the load on the other places?


see:
http://newscenter.verizon.com/press-releases/verizon/2006/page.jsp?itemID=30078455

Verizon is building a major video hub office in Freehold.

This high-tech video control center will be the primary facility to transmit all video services in most of the state. The multi-million-dollar center will collect the video feed off the company's national fiber-optic video ring and then blend in local channels (network affiliates, PEG channels, etc.) to complete the overall FiOS TV product within the region.

Yep. I got the card 2 days ago, and I'm in Potomac Falls. Mine lists the Philly station as well on 829. I'm guessing there's a mixup.

I hope so. I'm a Wizards fan and would like to see their games in HD.

a setting incorrectly set on what? other channels i watch all get the sound from the surround sound speakers and they always all did on comcast.

this is a channel specific thing i think and Funimation channel 231 does not play the sound to the receiver at all, just the tv.

theres no setting

I miss read sorry.

Verizon's SHE / VHO / VSO / NOC architecture is described in several places ... for example, see their cable franchise applications:
Laurel Hollow New York - http://www.laurelhollow.org/files/Laurel%20Hollow%20Application,%20Submitted%206.9.2006.pdf
Fairfax County Virginia - http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/cable/regulation/verizon/application.pdf
Etc.

In a nutshell ...

They have 2 SHEs (Super Head-Ends). One in Temple Terrace, Florida and another in Bloomington, Illinois. The SHE is where all the national content gets aggregated and then distributed to the VHOs. There's a primary SHE and a secondary SHE for redundant backup.

The VHO (Video Hub Office) is the 'local' or 'metro' point of aggregation. Takes all the content from the SHE, adds local channels and PEGS, grooms and multiplexes, and distributes everything on to the VSO. Local ad insertion can be done (for all channels) at the VHO.

Then there's the VSO (Video Serving Office). Basically, this is your CO (if you know where your old telephone CO is). Combines the video services with voice and data to send on to your house (ONT). Local content (like a local PEG for a small town) can also be inserted at the VSO.

The NOCs (Network Operation Centers) are the central places where people control the (largely automated) functions of the SHEs / VHOs / VSOs.

So anyway, ad insertion is done at the VHO.Video Hub Office (VHO)

The VHO serves as the metro or local point of aggregation. The VHO location is based on a combination of technical factors, metro fiber/IOF availability, local channel reception characteristics, and municipal regulations (e.g., zoning ordinances).

Under current network design plans, the anticipated functions of the VHO include:
WAN Interface for Cable television Transport
Ad Insertion
PEG Content
Signal Grooming and Multiplexing
Emergency Alert Service
Interactive Program Guide
Conditional Access
Local Content

I got a new channel line-up letter and listing from Verizon this week for changes occuring 2/27......

I'm getting the same message here in N.Y. and I'm wondering if they're preparing to add a bunch of new HD channels. Anyone have any info?

May have been posted before, but this pdf gives a little insight to what is ahead for fios tv.

One pic I noticed was the pda and cell phone with the DVR guide pulled up. Would not need my slingbox anymore!

PDF (http://www.metroplextbc.org/downloads/20061117_wegleitner.pdf)


Also looks like they will offer movielink downloads and totalvid downloads and HD on demand is listed......who knows how long until we see any of this.

I noticed one real interesting "future" enhancement: Personal Broadcasting.

Wonder what on earth that's going to be?

I got a new channel line-up letter and listing from Verizon this week for changes occuring 2/27, and while they are adding some new channels (including Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic in HD), the new listing sheet no longer has the DC HD channels listed (this is for Howard/Ann Arundel counties in central Maryland). We currently get both the DC and Baltimore HD channels, being between the two cities. Anyway, I've spoken with three different Verizon offices, and they all tell me that we should continue to get the HD channels from both cities. I hope they're right...we'll see. If they are, they spent a lot of money of an incorrectly printed channel listing.

Can you detail any national channels they might be adding on that date? I have yet to receive such a letter here in Texas. I'm just wondering if that's when they're going to finally add Food-HD and HGTV-HD which they initially said would be added in fall 2006.

I just read (at a forum where a vz tech posted) that NESN and FSNE HD are set for a march 2007 launch in the boston area :D

can't wait

I noticed one real interesting "future" enhancement: Personal Broadcasting.

Wonder what on earth that's going to be?Check out the Verizon Investor Fios Briefing Session from back in September:
http://investor.verizon.com/news/20060927/

Shadman Zafar (SVP, Architecture and Services) talked a bit about a 'Studio TV' product ... you upload content ... others can access it (via the STB). Examples given were a personal 'family channel' (ie, share videos with grandparents) ... a community / school 'channel', etc.

dt-dc

do you have a news clipping service or something? How in the world do you keep up on everything. You'll like a walking encylopedia!

thanks for the info and links.

Can you detail any national channels they might be adding on that date? I have yet to receive such a letter here in Texas. I'm just wondering if that's when they're going to finally add Food-HD and HGTV-HD which they initially said would be added in fall 2006.

Arnold-
I have received confirmation via emails from Verizon press folks that we will see Food HD and HGTV HD and "others" in Q1. But they would not give me any dates whatsoever. They seem to be very tight-lipped about it for some reason.

But they really do need to start adding more HD soon. Comcast is beginning to pass them on # of HD channels available.

Arnold-
I have received confirmation via emails from Verizon press folks that we will see Food HD and HGTV HD and "others" in Q1. But they would not give me any dates whatsoever. They seem to be very tight-lipped about it for some reason.

But they really do need to start adding more HD soon. Comcast is beginning to pass them on # of HD channels available.

May I ask who you emailed your questions to? I want to see if I can find out when they are going to add te NBC and Fox HD feeds in VA Beach. An agreement was reached 3 weeks ago that allows them to air it.

Thanks.

I just read (at a forum where a vz tech posted) that NESN and FSNE HD are set for a march 2007 launch in the boston area can't wait

Can you post the forum you saw that? Every month they say it will be next month, and that has been the case for almost 6 months! Seems strange that now it is March (start of spring training)when they know most subsribers will be clamoring for Red Sox in HD! Will March become April, May.....? For me, March will be the drop dead date. If they aren't ready by then, I'll get it from Comcast!!

You wouldn't be a mole from Verizon?????

May have been posted before, but this pdf gives a little insight to what is ahead for fios tv.

One pic I noticed was the pda and cell phone with the DVR guide pulled up. Would not need my slingbox anymore!

PDF (http://www.metroplextbc.org/downloads/20061117_wegleitner.pdf)


Also looks like they will offer movielink downloads and totalvid downloads and HD on demand is listed......who knows how long until we see any of this.

instead of all this future stuff can they just work on improving the current service starting with at least matching the functions that comcast offers before they can even attempt to beat comcast they have to match them and so far they aren't. tthey are just claiming a lot of false facts and claiming comcast internet is only 3mbs even though I and others get up to 19mb/s

Arnold-
I have received confirmation via emails from Verizon press folks that we will see Food HD and HGTV HD and "others" in Q1. But they would not give me any dates whatsoever. They seem to be very tight-lipped about it for some reason.

But they really do need to start adding more HD soon. Comcast is beginning to pass them on # of HD channels available.

Yes once again Verizon needs to stop acting like they are better and work on first matchign Comcast everystep of the way. They have not done this so far and comcast beats fios in every way so far especially dvr funcionality and remote etc. except slight better std pq with fios.

they need more on demand especially hd on demand of which embarassingly they have none and more hd chans in general to match adn then try to beat comcast in # of hd chans.

they talk all this game and about all these future features but right now they are nto as good.

they are too proud to copy comcast but they need to. There is no excuse that the swap button on the verizon remote does not work on the same moto boxes that cocmast has it working on.

The guide is horrible as it cuts off the name of the show. you have to hit info for every show to see what it is as it cuts off most of the name. what is with that? there is no excuse for that. on comcast you can clearly see the full name of the show whether just hitting ok once to see what you are watching, scrolling and see 3 or so at a time or hitting guide and have the full screen guide.

you would think there would be a way to change it smaller or something so that you see the full name of the show in the boxes for the time slots of the shows but you cn't that i know of. Comcast again you can see the full name of show. That is just one example of how the comcasat stb's interface is just better.

The comcast dvr also works better and i already mentioned the swap feature which is very important and useful.

I have yet to figure out a way to switch between the 2 shows you are recording. Even ifyou know what chan the other show you are recording is, you can't seem to type it in to switch to it and then use the last button to switch back and forth as someone once said. whenever i try to type in # of other chan recording it says it will stop the recording ont he current chan. its really annoying.

you have to go into recording programs and watch the show that is currently recording and then hitting last wil just bring you out to live tv so now you can't type in chan and use the last button in place of the swap button and even if you could you still have to know what other chan is recording and then enter it.

again they need to just copy comcast for all the tings that are and work better then worry about beating comcast. for now they just act like and think they are better but are falling short to comcast in many more ways then they are beating them.

How come Time Warner gets the Anime Network and Fios doesn't? Is Verizon aware that the Funimation channel does not emit sound from the optical output to receiver and connected surround sound. for those not using tv sound at all will get no sound for that chan. any other chans like this?

When are these updates, improvements, and new hd chans coming. so far i see the same poor interface, remote and problems and overall it has been a downgrade so far coming from comcast to fios when they claim the opposite.

For those who haven't heard, Verizon is grossly mismanaging the FIOS TV rollout in New Jersey. It is amazing that they are missing many installation dates, not adding the HD national channels when ordered, and making a lot of new customers VERY upset. They should have had everything in place for NJ a year ago and they still have databases that don't talk to each other, and reps that have no clue about what's going on. Just check out the dslreports site for the sad reports. No one seems to know what the h*** is going on. This should have been a slam dunk as many disgruntled cable customers are more than willing to move to FIOS TV, but they are simply screwing it up. They are the best at apologizing (I bet their reps say "I apologize" a million times a day), and are trying hard, but they just weren't ready for the demand.

Yes once again Verizon needs to stop acting like they are better and work on first matchign Comcast everystep of the way. They have not done this so far and comcast beats fios in every way so far especially dvr funcionality and remote etc. except slight better std pq with fios.


Call me lucky that I live in an area that has 3 cable systems to choose from along with sat.

Funny thing is none of the 3 are perfect and offer everything that I want. Kinda of like Chevy, Ford, and Chrysler. I just choose the one that best fits my needs and don't talk about how the one I didn't choose is so much better than the one I did pick. And just like cars, when a better model comes out I'll switch to it. :D

Yes once again Verizon needs to stop acting like they are better and work on first matchign Comcast everystep of the way. They have not done this so far and comcast beats fios in every way so far especially dvr funcionality and remote etc. except slight better std pq with fios.

they need more on demand especially hd on demand of which embarassingly they have none and more hd chans in general to match adn then try to beat comcast in # of hd chans.

they talk all this game and about all these future features but right now they are nto as good.

they are too proud to copy comcast but they need to. There is no excuse that the swap button on the verizon remote does not work on the same moto boxes that cocmast has it working on.

The guide is horrible as it cuts off the name of the show. you have to hit info for every show to see what it is as it cuts off most of the name. what is with that? there is no excuse for that. on comcast you can clearly see the full name of the show whether just hitting ok once to see what you are watching, scrolling and see 3 or so at a time or hitting guide and have the full screen guide.

you would think there would be a way to change it smaller or something so that you see the full name of the show in the boxes for the time slots of the shows but you cn't that i know of. Comcast again you can see the full name of show. That is just one example of how the comcasat stb's interface is just better.

The comcast dvr also works better and i already mentioned the swap feature which is very important and useful.

I have yet to figure out a way to switch between the 2 shows you are recording. Even ifyou know what chan the other show you are recording is, you can't seem to type it in to switch to it and then use the last button to switch back and forth as someone once said. whenever i try to type in # of other chan recording it says it will stop the recording ont he current chan. its really annoying.

you have to go into recording programs and watch the show that is currently recording and then hitting last wil just bring you out to live tv so now you can't type in chan and use the last button in place of the swap button and even if you could you still have to know what other chan is recording and then enter it.

again they need to just copy comcast for all the tings that are and work better then worry about beating comcast. for now they just act like and think they are better but are falling short to comcast in many more ways then they are beating them.

How come Time Warner gets the Anime Network and Fios doesn't? Is Verizon aware that the Funimation channel does not emit sound from the optical output to receiver and connected surround sound. for those not using tv sound at all will get no sound for that chan. any other chans like this?

When are these updates, improvements, and new hd chans coming. so far i see the same poor interface, remote and problems and overall it has been a downgrade so far coming from comcast to fios when they claim the opposite.


It would take much less of your time to call VZ and cancel your service than to bitch and whine on multiple threads. I'm glad you love Comcast. Keep it, dump VZ, and leave the rest of us alone.

It would take much less of your time to call VZ and cancel your service than to bitch and whine on multiple threads. I'm glad you love Comcast. Keep it, dump VZ, and leave the rest of us alone.

Your response to "Quatre" was unfair. He is making the same comments many are making. That we were sold a bunch of promises that have not come close to realization. That VZ has to in fact match Comcast and the other cable companies to remain competitive. I think its a forgone conclusion for many that VZ's tech is sorely lacking. If they are paying attention to forums such as AVS...perhaps they'll get the message.

And - for touting their "rich fiber network" - they really need to add these damn National HD channels. I don't know what the hold up is on this - and why they're being so secretive. They've had a deal in place with Scripps for over a year.

I think Comcast in Wilmington, DE has more HD stations right now than FIOS does.

For those who haven't heard, Verizon is grossly mismanaging the FIOS TV rollout in New Jersey. It is amazing that they are missing many installation dates, not adding the HD national channels when ordered, and making a lot of new customers VERY upset. They should have had everything in place for NJ a year ago and they still have databases that don't talk to each other, and reps that have no clue about what's going on. Just check out the dslreports site for the sad reports. No one seems to know what the h*** is going on. This should have been a slam dunk as many disgruntled cable customers are more than willing to move to FIOS TV, but they are simply screwing it up. They are the best at apologizing (I bet their reps say "I apologize" a million times a day), and are trying hard, but they just weren't ready for the demand.


It's my understanding that just this PAST WEEKEND they finally merged the Verizon Wireless back office systems that they were using from the old days when it was GTE and bell atlantic/nynex mobile and the like (what's that been 6 years since they all merged?). So dont expect the unionized division to fix their databases anytime soon....

Bummer really. I am in Flemington- no verizon here (sprint castoff embarq is our telco). But I was hoping the Fios rollout went well so that the cable company(patriot media) would have to respond to FIOS' offerings in the towns where they both served everyone and I would get some better cable for it.

Your response to "Quatre" was unfair. He is making the same comments many are making. That we were sold a bunch of promises that have not come close to realization. That VZ has to in fact match Comcast and the other cable companies to remain competitive. I think its a forgone conclusion for many that VZ's tech is sorely lacking. If they are paying attention to forums such as AVS...perhaps they'll get the message.

There may be many posts but it's the same 12 people posting. Seem to be many more satisfied customers posting. Add to that the fact that satisfied customers usually don't post. My sense is that some folks got bum installers or didn't do their homework up front. But most got the service they contracted for and are happy with it. I guess the only way we'll know for sure to hire a market research firm to do a statistically valid survey.

Jeepmatt -- Don't know about Delaware but in suburban Washington, Verizon carries at least 5 more National HD's than Comcast.

Does anyone in northern NJ have any info on ch. 829, SNY-HD? It's in the printed lineup that the tech left me, and it's listed online in the .pdf channel lineup, but we still don't have it. Have called VZ multiple times and I can't get an answer.

Seeing this in the online lineup was one of the major reasons I ordered when I did.

There may be many posts but it's the same 12 people posting. Seem to be many more satisfied customers posting. Add to that the fact that satisfied customers usually don't post. My sense is that some folks got bum installers or didn't do their homework up front. But most got the service they contracted for and are happy with it. I guess the only way we'll know for sure to hire a market research firm to do a statistically valid survey.

I see it just the opposite, especially now that Fios has been avilable for 6 months to a year in many venues. More & more subsribers feel misled from what they were told by VZ when they aquired the service. My install was great...very professional, but I was told that they were carrying channels they weren't. That channels were to be added shortly...they have not been added. By doing my homework, I asked the service what was available and was mislead. How else does one do their homework other than to ask the company what they provide. Since it was all new installs in the area there were no existing customers to check with. As far as a survey, VZ is doing that now in this area...and the response is not good.

And - for touting their "rich fiber network" - they really need to add these damn National HD channels. I don't know what the hold up is on this - and why they're being so secretive. They've had a deal in place with Scripps for over a year.

I think Comcast in Wilmington, DE has more HD stations right now than FIOS does.
It is not that hard to look up the HD channel line-ups for Verizon and Comcast, although Comcast does require a bit more work to get a zip code & plausible street address to enter into their website.

For Verizon FiosTV in DE, the line-up is 8 HD locals, the same 10 HD nationals everyone gets, 1 regional sports network (Comcast SN Philly), and 5 premium movie HD channels. That is 24 HD channels.

For Comcast in Wilmington, DE, the on-line channel line-up shows a total of 20 HD channels - 7 locals, 8 nationals, Comcast SN Philly, and 4 premium movie channels, if I am adding it up correctly. Comcast has INHD and Versus/Golf HD which are not available on Verizon. 20 HD channels is a pretty respectable line-up, better I think than most Comcast system at this time. So the gap in HD offerings between Comcast and Verizon is narrowing in Delaware, but Verizon still has a slight lead.

I suspect we have not seen the other national HD channels added because Verizon is waiting until after they do this big channel number reshuffle near the end of February. Once that happens and Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic is added to the Washington & Baltimore line-ups, I expect we will see A&E-HD, Food-HD, and whatever else is ready to go get added shortly afterwards.

What I don't know if we will see INHD or Versus/Golf HD added to Verizon given that Comcast either owns or owns a part of alll three. No reason for Comcast to help Verizon expand it's HD line-up.

Your response to "Quatre" was unfair. He is making the same comments many are making. That we were sold a bunch of promises that have not come close to realization. That VZ has to in fact match Comcast and the other cable companies to remain competitive. I think its a forgone conclusion for many that VZ's tech is sorely lacking. If they are paying attention to forums such as AVS...perhaps they'll get the message.

Except his response really wasn't unfair. Verizon has, what, 2 million subs? Comcast has 25 million. Verizon has been available for a year or less in nearly all of its markets. Comcast has had decades to build up its infrastructure and distribution channels. If we wanted a fair comparison, we should really be comparing the Adelphia/TW takeover/swapped systems to the up-and-coming Verizon systems and see how they compare. In my area, which happens to be one, the answer is unequivocally that Verizon kicks the pants off of Comcast.

But that's mostly bickering. The fact is, if you read this thread even semi-rarely, you'd know that Verizon has announced upgrades to the system for DVR (and presumably the on-screen guide/interface) for no later than mid-2007, and has also announced at least some new HD channels for late February in several of its markets. I believe there's also a recent post that reiterates Q1 for the Scripps HD networks. Further, many users have also posted about ESPN HD on Demand testing in the guide itself. Clearly, all of these things are in the pipeline and will be rolled out in time.

The point is, why don't we give them a little chance to continue rolling out services as they've announced before we jump all over them?

Ultimately, if Comcast is so great right now, why'd you switch? Because of all the hot air Verizon spewed about this that and the other thing? Frankly, if you expected a brand new offering rolled out in limited markets with services that are less than a year old in most places to compete with the services from the leading cable company right out of the gate, you set unrealistic expectations.

As it stands, from my perspective, Verizon has delivered on its promises so far relatively well. The real test is not Food HD and HGTV HD; it's how Verizon responds to DirecTV's announcement concerning dozens of new channels slated for Fall/Late 2007.

I will agree that they've misled a bit on some channel offerings. Personally, in the Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania area, Verizon claims that they'll be adding the Richmond locals to the system when they come online in Richmond. As it stands, I believe all the relevant ones are online, but I've seen nothing.

Still, as I said, I understand that this is a new service that is trying to expand at a rapid pace and some things take time. It's a new service with a very limited userbase for now. You can only expect things to happen so fast.

... Verizon has, what, 2 million subs? Comcast has 25 million. ....

is it even that many? I thought it's more like a few hundred thousand?

If they have 2 million they really should be on the ball a bit more than it sounds.

I think they might have service availible to 2 million. And if I recall the take rate is like 10-15%.

I have a hunch too we won't see the new National HD channels until the rest of the states are realigned to match what DE/PA/NJ is set up under.

So, whether that is late February, or just in March - I doubt we'll see anything prior.

is it even that many? I thought it's more like a few hundred thousand?

Actually, you're right and I was completely wrong. Verizon is only predicting 4 million FiOS TV subs by 2010, so it's probably under one million subs currently. On the other hand, they're predicting 7 million FiOS Internet subscribers by then as well, so it could be an underestimate.

I couldn't find any hard data on current subscribers.

Verizon is only predicting 4 million FiOS TV subs by 2010, so it's probably under one million subs currently.
(...)
I couldn't find any hard data on current subscribers.Well under one million ...

According to a Jan. 10 investor presentation, Verizon currently has approx 118,000 FiOS TV subscribers (give or take of course):
http://investor.verizon.com/news/20070110/20070110.pdf

Best place to check for hard sub counts is Verizon's investor page:
http://investor.verizon.com/

Next major investor presentation is the Q4 Earnings Report on Jan. 29th.

Re: Verizon FiOS .. got to remember that at least here in the Northeast, the only industry who has worse customer relations than cable when it comes to service is the telephone company -- and in most cases it is Verizon. Think of all the DSL horror stories ...

I used the 118,000 number last month in another forum as it was the number reported at the end of Q3 2006 in their Quarterly report. I believe I saw a number that they finished the year with an estimate of around 50,000 more - but the Q4 financials have yet to be released yet.

Regardless, its a LONG way from a million.

I used the 118,000 number last month in another forum as it was the number reported at the end of Q3 2006 in their Quarterly report. I believe I saw a number that they finished the year with an estimate of around 50,000 more - but the Q4 financials have yet to be released yet.

Regardless, its a LONG way from a million.

They'd have 6 more if they just activiate the service to my home. They laid the fiber to w/in 10ft of my house in Nov. 2005 (the damn missutility paint is still on my driveway - so much for the "it will wash off in a month") but we have yet to get service and no way of find out when we will. And yes the local gov't approved their franchise last summer and other parts of the County have FiOS TV.

Does anyone in northern NJ have any info on ch. 829, SNY-HD? It's in the printed lineup that the tech left me, and it's listed online in the .pdf channel lineup, but we still don't have it. Have called VZ multiple times and I can't get an answer.

Seeing this in the online lineup was one of the major reasons I ordered when I did.

In answer to my own question, for anyone else who's interested, just got off the phone with VZ. What they told me is that they're waiting for some type of approval to begin broadcasting SNY-HD in Northern NJ. They already have the agreement in place. They are "guaranteeing" it before the start of the baseball season. We'll see.

Jimapp, I believe them since we just recently got SNY-HD on Long Island.

Just received an email reply from Verizon that they are going are adding BBCWORLD to the FIOS TV lineup sometime in March!

(Sorry if this is a repost but I think I may have posted in the wrong thread earlier)

Just received an email reply from Verizon that they are going are adding BBCWORLD to the FIOS TV lineup sometime in March!

(Sorry if this is a repost but I think I may have posted in the wrong thread earlier)

Who are you guy's emailing? The only email contact I can find on their site ends up coming back with only automated responses. I'd like to ask about a couple of local issues in VA Beach.

Thanks.

Yeah really -
I can't get any answers on any new channels other than "1st quarter of 2007".

In answer to my own question, for anyone else who's interested, just got off the phone with VZ. What they told me is that they're waiting for some type of approval to begin broadcasting SNY-HD in Northern NJ. They already have the agreement in place. They are "guaranteeing" it before the start of the baseball season. We'll see.

Do you know if you spoke to anyone "in the know", or was it just a line from customer service to tell you what you want to hear? As long as I know its coming, even shortly into the season I would be fine, however, if they drag this along with nothing but lip service it would be a deal breaker for me, In the meantime I'm scheduled for installation 2/2, and excited about everythign else they offer vs Cablevision's crappy lineup.

Something is obviously delaying them in adding some of the new channels. I got an e-mail last year from someone who was "in the know" who said Food-HD and HGTV-HD would be added in Fall of 2006. That didn't happen, but Verizon obviously plans to add the channels since they signed a deal to carry them.

This is just a guess on my part and may be totally off the mark.. but.. I wonder if the addition of all these new cities they're adding service to has caused them to slow up a bit in changing the channel lineup. Furthermore, it sounds like they're going to add quite a bit of interactive funcionality to the service. Perhaps they're waiting until this next big slug of cities is online to do some of this stuff "all at once."

I live in Mongtomery County MD, and had my FIOS installed on Saturday.

They were no shows on Friday, and wanted to reschedule for a later date. I made a stink and they came out first thing Saturday AM.

In any event, I ordered a cable card for one of my two HDTV's. The crew insisted the Cable Card would only give me 19 channels, and no high def content. I told them that could not be true, and showed them the 19 analog channels I got over their service without anything installed. They even called their supervisor, who said the same thing! I thought about insisting they install it, but realized that if they did not configure it properly, I would get the 19 analog channels, and they would say "I told you so" and move on. They wound up leaving me with a second DVR (I put an DVR on my other machine) instead of the CC.

Of course now I am doubting myself. Is there something about Verizon CableCards in Montgomery county? They were telling me Verizon got a waiver for some legal reasons. Sounds like a bunch of crap to me, and I think they really did not want to install the card.

We had the CC from Comcast, and my small boys really like being able to flip directly to a kids channel without messing with an STB. They don't need a channel guide to tell them when Jake the Dragon is on Disney!

I live in Mongtomery County MD, and had my FIOS installed on Saturday.

They were no shows on Friday, and wanted to reschedule for a later date. I made a stink and they came out first thing Saturday AM.

In any event, I ordered a cable card for one of my two HDTV's. The crew insisted the Cable Card would only give me 19 channels, and no high def content. I told them that could not be true, and showed them the 19 analog channels I got over their service without anything installed. They even called their supervisor, who said the same thing! I thought about insisting they install it, but realized that if they did not configure it properly, I would get the 19 analog channels, and they would say "I told you so" and move on. They wound up leaving me with a second DVR (I put an DVR on my other machine) instead of the CC.

Of course now I am doubting myself. Is there something about Verizon CableCards in Montgomery county? They were telling me Verizon got a waiver for some legal reasons. Sounds like a bunch of crap to me, and I think they really did not want to install the card.

We had the CC from Comcast, and my small boys really like being able to flip directly to a kids channel without messing with an STB. They don't need a channel guide to tell them when Jake the Dragon is on Disney!

The installers and their supervisor are full of $hit. The cable card should give you all the channels you subscribe to, including HD. You must have had clueless installers/supervisor.

This is just a guess on my part and may be totally off the mark.. but.. I wonder if the addition of all these new cities they're adding service to has caused them to slow up a bit in changing the channel lineup. Furthermore, it sounds like they're going to add quite a bit of interactive funcionality to the service. Perhaps they're waiting until this next big slug of cities is online to do some of this stuff "all at once."

Arnold-
I'm with you on that one. With MD, NY and MA all revamping their lineups in February to match what DE/PA/NJ has at each position - I was thinking the same thing. I'm doubting we'll see anything new until these realignments are done - which most likely means March. :confused:

Arnold-
I'm with you on that one. With MD, NY and MA all revamping their lineups in February to match what DE/PA/NJ has at each position - I was thinking the same thing. I'm doubting we'll see anything new until these realignments are done - which most likely means March. :confused:

I think March is a good bet. I'm very happy with what I have now so it's probably not as big a deal to me as it is to others. However, I hope Verizon will come to the realization that better communication with their customers (regardless of service) is very important to their future success.

Can you post the forum you saw that? Every month they say it will be next month, and that has been the case for almost 6 months! Seems strange that now it is March (start of spring training)when they know most subsribers will be clamoring for Red Sox in HD! Will March become April, May.....? For me, March will be the drop dead date. If they aren't ready by then, I'll get it from Comcast!!

You wouldn't be a mole from Verizon?????

sorry i took so long to respond, i've been quite busy the last few days
i read it at DSL Reports the guy who posted claimed he was a VZ tech :D

trust me, i'm as excited about this as the next guy... i've been wanting to watch the celts in HD no matter how bad they are right now...

I live in Mongtomery County MD, and had my FIOS installed on Saturday.

They were no shows on Friday, and wanted to reschedule for a later date. I made a stink and they came out first thing Saturday AM.

In any event, I ordered a cable card for one of my two HDTV's. The crew insisted the Cable Card would only give me 19 channels, and no high def content. I told them that could not be true, and showed them the 19 analog channels I got over their service without anything installed. They even called their supervisor, who said the same thing! I thought about insisting they install it, but realized that if they did not configure it properly, I would get the 19 analog channels, and they would say "I told you so" and move on. They wound up leaving me with a second DVR (I put an DVR on my other machine) instead of the CC.

Of course now I am doubting myself. Is there something about Verizon CableCards in Montgomery county? They were telling me Verizon got a waiver for some legal reasons. Sounds like a bunch of crap to me, and I think they really did not want to install the card.

We had the CC from Comcast, and my small boys really like being able to flip directly to a kids channel without messing with an STB. They don't need a channel guide to tell them when Jake the Dragon is on Disney!

I second rickypicky's response. Downside of rapid expansion. I think they are rolling out crews that are inadequately trained. I would call tech support.

How small are your boys? You would be surprised how tech literate they are and can easily figure things out that stymie adults. My 10 year old can put together powerpoint presentations that can put most of my colleagues to shame.

I think March is a good bet. I'm very happy with what I have now so it's probably not as big a deal to me as it is to others. However, I hope Verizon will come to the realization that better communication with their customers (regardless of service) is very important to their future success.

I'm with you on that one. In VA Beach we only have CBS as a local HD on FiOS. They signed up LIN Broadcasting, who owns the NBC and Fox affiliates here and it was announced they would be the first LIN stations on FiOS in HD. This is what made me jump ship from Cox to them, but we can't seem to get an answer as to when the stations will actually be added to the line up. I've been hearing 2 or 3 weeks, but it would be nice to get an actual official announcement with a real time frame.

Do you know if you spoke to anyone "in the know", or was it just a line from customer service to tell you what you want to hear? As long as I know its coming, even shortly into the season I would be fine, however, if they drag this along with nothing but lip service it would be a deal breaker for me, In the meantime I'm scheduled for installation 2/2, and excited about everythign else they offer vs Cablevision's crappy lineup.


Anyone have any further info on when Sportsnet NY HD will be up in northern NJ?

I'm with you on that one. In VA Beach we only have CBS as a local HD on FiOS. They signed up LIN Broadcasting, who owns the NBC and Fox affiliates here and it was announced they would be the first LIN stations on FiOS in HD. This is what made me jump ship from Cox to them, but we can't seem to get an answer as to when the stations will actually be added to the line up. I've been hearing 2 or 3 weeks, but it would be nice to get an actual official announcement with a real time frame.

I feel your pain. I'm waiting for the Richmond stations to be added to the Spotsy system. Verizon told the Cable Commission that they'd do it once the Richmond stations came online in Richmond.

Well... nada. The problem is that Spotsy's absorbed in the Washington Metro catch-all for now, I think. Although, it's not like we get Baltimore stations.

Here's hoping we both get lucky in late February/early March, if not before.

I second rickypicky's response. Downside of rapid expansion. I think they are rolling out crews that are inadequately trained. I would call tech support.

How small are your boys? You would be surprised how tech literate they are and can easily figure things out that stymie adults. My 10 year old can put together powerpoint presentations that can put most of my colleagues to shame.
Verizon Tech support affirms the CCard should work for all subscribed channels, and said they'd send somebody out Sunday night to install. Again a no-show. The crew that did the install on Saturday started to drive off without my having a dial tone. I literally had to chase them down the street to get them to come back to fix it. I think you are right about the crews. There is a lot of pent-up demand in Montgomery county, and now that FIOS TV is allowed, they'll be busy for a while.

But the signal is great. No need for the signal amplifiers I needed with Comcast just to cut down on blocking I always got on ESPNHD, and my family loves the line up. More of what we like and less of what we don't.

My oldest boy is 6, and my youngest is 2. I know the 6 year old can figure it out, but it's more of a factor of my wife and all the other care-givers that come through trying to figure out which remote, which buttons, and in what sequence. I have an XBR960. With the CC, you can turn it on with any of the 5 remotes in the room (DVD, VCR, Harmony, TV, AV Reciever) and punch in the channel you want. Real simple.

sorry i took so long to respond, i've been quite busy the last few days
i read it at DSL Reports the guy who posted claimed he was a VZ tech :D

trust me, i'm as excited about this as the next guy... i've been wanting to watch the celts in HD no matter how bad they are right now...

Maybe if they were in HD it would take the edge the abhorable season!?
Thanks for the reply.

Verizon Tech support affirms the CCard should work for all subscribed channels, and said they'd send somebody out Sunday night to install. Again a no-show. The crew that did the install on Saturday started to drive off without my having a dial tone. I literally had to chase them down the street to get them to come back to fix it. I think you are right about the crews. There is a lot of pent-up demand in Montgomery county, and now that FIOS TV is allowed, they'll be busy for a while.

But the signal is great. No need for the signal amplifiers I needed with Comcast just to cut down on blocking I always got on ESPNHD, and my family loves the line up. More of what we like and less of what we don't.

My oldest boy is 6, and my youngest is 2. I know the 6 year old can figure it out, but it's more of a factor of my wife and all the other care-givers that come through trying to figure out which remote, which buttons, and in what sequence. I have an XBR960. With the CC, you can turn it on with any of the 5 remotes in the room (DVD, VCR, Harmony, TV, AV Reciever) and punch in the channel you want. Real simple.

If you've got a Harmony, just show them how use that one and put the rest away for emergency. I have all the activities programmed into the Harmony and all the buttons I need to watch TV are there. Channel up and down surfs up and down. Channel can be selected by inputting numbers. Volume and mute work and all the DVR controls work. The family room has three activities: watch movies, watch TV, and play games. Each activity switches on the TV and changes it to the correct input. Watch movies turns on the DVD player and controls the player with the transport buttons on the remote. Watch TV just turns the TV on because I leave the STB on 24/7. Play games turns the TV on and switches it to the correct input. We have a Wii and that has to be turned on with the Wii remotes but that has not been a problem. With some tweaking, i pretty much have all the functionality i had on each devices remote programmed into the Harmony.

That said, I hope the manufacturers start producing smaller sets with cable cards. Right now we will need an STB for our Kitchen TV and I hate the idea of using up counter space for the box. Looks like I will need to go to the organize store to buy something to deal with this problem.

There's been some dicussion about how many customers VZ has thus far. These are the 4th Q figures from Verizon.

Verizon says that FiOS TV was available to 2.4 million households at the end of last year. According to Verizon, 89,000 customers signed up for FiOS TV in the fourth quarter, bringing their total TV customers to 207,000. There's 687,000 FiOS customers in total.

Do you know if you spoke to anyone "in the know", or was it just a line from customer service to tell you what you want to hear? As long as I know its coming, even shortly into the season I would be fine, however, if they drag this along with nothing but lip service it would be a deal breaker for me, In the meantime I'm scheduled for installation 2/2, and excited about everythign else they offer vs Cablevision's crappy lineup.


I was on hold with the billing office for about 45 minutes to an hour as they attempted to contact someone in another department that had the info. I told them that the reason I ordered the service was because I saw in the lineup they had posted online that SNY-HD was available. I told them I didn't want to be bound by my annual agreement if they weren't actually going to offer the channel.

After holding, the rep came back and said that they had not yet received FCC approval to deliver the channel in Northern NJ (don't know if that means anything, but those were her words). They expected the approval by March and she said they were "guaranteeing" it by the start of the season.

Interestingly, after my call channel 829 was deleted from the channel lineup .pdf posted on the fios website.

I was on hold with the billing office for about 45 minutes to an hour as they attempted to contact someone in another department that had the info. I told them that the reason I ordered the service was because I saw in the lineup they had posted online that SNY-HD was available. I told them I didn't want to be bound by my annual agreement if they weren't actually going to offer the channel.

After holding, the rep came back and said that they had not yet received FCC approval to deliver the channel in Northern NJ (don't know if that means anything, but those were her words). They expected the approval by March and she said they were "guaranteeing" it by the start of the season.

Interestingly, after my call channel 829 was deleted from the channel lineup .pdf posted on the fios website.

Thanks for clarifying. I also noticed it was gone from the lineup when I checked late last week. I am going forward with the install on Friday anyway, optimistic that they will get things ironed out and air SNY HD by the time the season starts. I may hold off on commiting for a year, however. I don't understand why only northern NJ would be an issue while they are OK to air it everywhere else in the DMA.

Please post if you hear anything more.

I was on hold with the billing office for about 45 minutes to an hour as they attempted to contact someone in another department that had the info. I told them that the reason I ordered the service was because I saw in the lineup they had posted online that SNY-HD was available. I told them I didn't want to be bound by my annual agreement if they weren't actually going to offer the channel.

After holding, the rep came back and said that they had not yet received FCC approval to deliver the channel in Northern NJ (don't know if that means anything, but those were her words). They expected the approval by March and she said they were "guaranteeing" it by the start of the season.

Interestingly, after my call channel 829 was deleted from the channel lineup .pdf posted on the fios website.

FWIW, they "guaranteed'' YES by opening day for us in NY but didn't deliver until sometime in June. I had to switch to Cablevision and then back to FIOS w/the usual installation no-shows and problems. All fine now, though...

I just got a mailer saying fiostv is now avail. in my area. same national hd as I have now w/ d*, plus NGO and MHD. but no food hd or fox sports west hd! and just when d* is gearing up to give me more hd finally. argghh!

anyone has any idea when fios will get food hd and fox sports west hd. thee latter is most important. I want to see Lakers in HD.

I just received a letter stating that Verizon Fios will soon be available where I live.

This is a question for those of you currently signed up for Fios in other areas. Does Verizon supply cable cards? The letter from Verizon also said a set top box is required.

I am currently using three cable cards (one to my Sony XBR2 and two to my Tivo Series 3 DVR). If Verizon can't supply three cable cards, I will have to stick with Time Warner.

Thanks

This is a question for those of you currently signed up for Fios in other areas. Does Verizon supply cable cards? The letter from Verizon also said a set top box is required.Yes, FiOS has CableCards available for $2.99/mo.

The problem with the Funimation not sending sound to receiver is a big one. Even when i change channel or worse yet to a diff source of my tv say to watch a movie I have no sound from the receiver because of the Funimation channel on fios tv. I have to turn off the receiver and back on so it can detect that that source and/or other chans have digital sound.

I record a bunch of animes on the funimation channel (233 believe) so the tv is often to that channel when i turn it on and then the sound doesnt' work even when changing to other chans until i mess around change the input or reset the receiver. what a pain

i hope fios fixes this because it s a more serious problem then it seems.

The problem with the Funimation not sending sound to receiver is a big one. Even when i change channel or worse yet to a diff source of my tv say to watch a movie I have no sound from the receiver because of the Funimation channel on fios tv. I have to turn off the receiver and back on so it can detect that that source and/or other chans have digital sound.

I record a bunch of animes on the funimation channel (233 believe) so the tv is often to that channel when i turn it on and then the sound doesnt' work even when changing to other chans until i mess around change the input or reset the receiver. what a pain

i hope fios fixes this because it s a more serious problem then it seems.

What is the Funimation channel? On my box 233 is MTV TRL latino channel. How do you have the moto box connected to your receiver? I have an outboard dolby decoder that is connected to the moto DVR via optical cable. I havent had any trouble with FIOS but when I had the Directv Tivo it would loose audio lock quite a bit.

Yes, FiOS has CableCards available for $2.99/mo.

Thanks for the cable card information. Did you notice any significant improvement in HDTV picture quality on FIOS?

Long Island, NY people listen up!!

Good news.

Verizon has the 94.99 deal from the door to door agents.....message me if interested. I can help with more info.

Thanks for the cable card information. Did you notice any significant improvement in HDTV picture quality on FIOS?As compared to what? FiOS HDTV is a significant improvement over Dish Network or DirecTV on a large screen, but if you already have Comcast, you won't see a difference on high-def channels.

The problem with the Funimation not sending sound to receiver is a big one. Even when i change channel or worse yet to a diff source of my tv say to watch a movie I have no sound from the receiver because of the Funimation channel on fios tv. I have to turn off the receiver and back on so it can detect that that source and/or other chans have digital sound.

I record a bunch of animes on the funimation channel (233 believe) so the tv is often to that channel when i turn it on and then the sound doesnt' work even when changing to other chans until i mess around change the input or reset the receiver. what a pain

i hope fios fixes this because it s a more serious problem then it seems.

Quatre-
have you actually called in to tell them about this issue? Or are you just hoping it gets fixed?

As compared to what? FiOS HDTV is a significant improvement over Dish Network or DirecTV on a large screen, but if you already have Comcast, you won't see a difference on high-def channels.

FiOS HDTV seems very comparable to over the air HD quality, at least on the system in Virginia Beach for the one local HD station we have on the system. To me the national HD stations look MUCH crisper than they did on the Cox Cable system here. Your mileage may vary depending on the compression your current provider uses.

As compared to what? FiOS HDTV is a significant improvement over Dish Network or DirecTV on a large screen, but if you already have Comcast, you won't see a difference on high-def channels.


this is a completly false statement.

my parents moved from comcast hd to fios last week and they stated fios is far and above the hd and sd of comcast. they are also on comcasts newer area of network built after athome tskover.