I currently am very happy with my SA8300HD though it can be a bit quirky, requiring frequent reboots whever there is a power interruption. FIOS TV is coming to my area in May and I am tempted to give it a try. A friend of mine has the internet service and it is 3x faster than my already fast cable connection (3 mps vs 10 mps).

I'm interested in hearing from anyone who has made the leap from cable to FIOS to see how the TV and DVR services compare.

Friend of mine got Fios TV about a month ago, the PQ is excellent across the board and they offer a good selection of HD channels. I can't comment on the DVR other then it's a Motorola model running software made by MS.

His only complaint so far is the limited tier of local channels you get if your not using an STB on your TV. They transmit the locals via analog for any NTSC capable sets in the house you may have, if you want the expanded tier at each TV, you need an STB at each TV.

If they offer the install for free, wouldn't hurt to try it out, it's worth it for the internet service alone, you get a better upload speed which comes in handy if you upload a lot.

the picture quality (especially for sd) is better than comcast...the dvr is no tivo (but neither is anyone else's)...and it's a little less expensive.

all-in-all, the move from comcast to verizon has been a positive one for us.

I signed up to make the change when fios tv came to Lynn two months ago and then comcast made a great offer. So I called verizon and tried to get them to match. At that time they didn't and I went with comcast. Of course, when I cancelled the verizon appointment, they started making a better offer. Enjoy this competition and get more for your money.

I currently am very happy with my SA8300HD though it can be a bit quirky, requiring frequent reboots whever there is a power interruption. FIOS TV is coming to my area in May and I am tempted to give it a try.

I just made the leap from Cablevision (Long Island) and the SA8300HD to Verizon and their Motorola HD-DVR.

PQ-wise it's hard for me to say there's a difference because I upgraded my TV at the same time. I don't really have a problem with Verizon's PQ, though, except for a possible issue I'm having with the HDMI output of the STB right now (see my post in the main Verizon install/hardware topic). Component seems ok, though it's a little grainier than HDMI. I also had no complaints with CV's PQ - at least in my area, it seemed pretty much perfect.

I will say, though, that the Verizon DVR is *much* more satisfying to use than the SA8300HD using the SARA software that Cablevision had. I hated that DVR with a passion and it was definitely a reason for my switch. The Verizon DVR is a lot more responsive/faster, and the interface is generally better laid-out. For example, to search for a show, you just input letters into a virtual keyboard until your selection bubbles up in the alphabetical list (like TiVo). Cablevision makes you pick just the first letter, then scroll through all the shows beginning with that letter. The Verizon DVR also has some recording features that CV's DVR was missing, like start/stop time padding.

The main reason we switched, though, was the extra channels that Verizon has. They have a couple more HD channels than CV and they have some local channels in my area that CV didn't carry (they've got a channel that carries Fuji TV from Japan, which my wife really missed after we moved out to LI from NYC). So we're happy with that.

except for a possible issue I'm having with the HDMI output of the STB right now


This concerns me as I'm using the HDMI connection on the SA8300HD with no problems at all. I'd hate to make the change and wind up having handshake problems. I'll check the thread you referenced for more information. Thanks.

PQ-wise it's hard for me to say there's a difference because I upgraded my TV at the same time. I don't really have a problem with Verizon's PQ, though, except for a possible issue I'm having with the HDMI output of the STB right now (see my post in the main Verizon install/hardware topic). Component seems ok, though it's a little grainier than HDMI. I also had no complaints with CV's PQ - at least in my area, it seemed pretty much perfect.

You're fortunate getting Verizon. Suspect it'll be some time before they fiber up midtown Manhattan. One clue to Verizon's overall PQ would be measuring HDNet's Sunday 6:50 am ET test patterns, seeing ~1920 lines of resolution--providing the display used is capable of resolving that. Many cable users, nationwide, measure <1300 lines, as the 3rd paragraph here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9673232&&#post9673232) outlines. The '1290' sublink mentions how I measured that resolution. -- John

This concerns me as I'm using the HDMI connection on the SA8300HD with no problems at all. I'd hate to make the change and wind up having handshake problems. I'll check the thread you referenced for more information. Thanks.


i haven't had any problems using the hdmi connection from the verizon box to my sammy dlp (i use the component connection with my pioneer rp-crt). picture is crisp, bright, and accurate using the hdmi -- at least it is for me (but clearly badasscat is having a problem with it).

I left Cablevision and D* as soon as FIOS came to my area. Needless to say, I never looked back. Yes the FIOS PVR is indeed better than the Cablevision SA unit. It's much faster and easier to navigate.

What I find interesting is that it's also MUCH faster than my Tivo S3 that I also use on FIOS. I think people are too quick to automatically assume the Tivo is best in everything. It's not. I've always found the Tivos to be painfully slow when navigating the menus and frankly, the S3 is no exception.

I started with 1 Tivo S3 to assure myself it's better in ways that I use on a daily basis compared to the Motorola FIOS box before buying a 2nd. The bottom line is that I stuck with the FIOS PVR as my 2nd unit and didn't buy a second Tivo. I use that guide frequently and find the Tivo an annoyance in that regard.

One thing I will say is that the Tivo PQ is excellent....as good as the Motorola FIOS box. I couldn't say that when I was with D* and using the Tivo on that system. With D* the Tivo was clearly inferior in PQ to the Sony HD200 or HD300 STBs.

You're fortunate getting Verizon. Suspect it'll be some time before they fiber up midtown Manhattan. One clue to Verizon's overall PQ would be measuring HDNet's Sunday 6:50 am ET test patterns, seeing ~1920 lines of resolution--providing the display used is capable of resolving that. Many cable users, nationwide, measure <1300 lines, as the 3rd paragraph here (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9673232&&#post9673232) outlines. The '1290' sublink mentions how I measured that resolution. -- John

The TV I was using up until a few days ago was lucky to get 850 lines (it was a CRT), so CV was obviously not the limiting factor. The same day I switched to Verizon, I also upgraded to the 42" 1080p Westinghouse.

I would *hope* that any cable box outputting over HDMI would resolve a full 1920x1080 image. I gather from your linked post that that's not the case with CV's SA8300HD. Wish I could find some more technical info on Verizon's Motorola box and anything it's doing to the picture.

I'd been looking for HDNet's test patterns but had forgotten when they're on - I'm anxious to try them out with my new TV.

Made the switch 2 weeks ago and do not regret it even after getting offered a considerable discount from cable to stay with them.
Fios has considerably less artifacts than cable had. I am connected via HDMI to DVI no problems with the handshake or picture and this is after going thru a gefen 4 x 1 switch.
Do wish that the Motorola box had a bigger hard drive 160G is kind of small 250G would have been better.

The TV I was using up until a few days ago was lucky to get 850 lines (it was a CRT), so CV was obviously not the limiting factor. The same day I switched to Verizon, I also upgraded to the 42" 1080p Westinghouse.

I would *hope* that any cable box outputting over HDMI would resolve a full 1920x1080 image. I gather from your linked post that that's not the case with CV's SA8300HD. Wish I could find some more technical info on Verizon's Motorola box and anything it's doing to the picture.

I'd been looking for HDNet's test patterns but had forgotten when they're on - I'm anxious to try them out with my new TV.


Have you tried the menu setup in the user quide for the QIP 64xx user guide on the verizon site?

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

I have been with Cablevision for many years and recently decided to switch to Verizon Fios for 2 reasons, first, the $. I was paying a total of about $137 monthly for the 3 services (tv, phone & internet) while Verizon was offering all 3 services for $29 each (a savings of almost $40 monthly). Second, I had heard from a few of my friends that had switched that the quality of the picture is much better. Well after making the switch, I can tell you that the very first thing you'll notice is a superb picture quality with almost every channel and not only HD channels. There was a huge difference in the sharpness of the picture that was way better than Cablevision. I have a Samsung 46" HDTV 1080p and it is razor sharp. The second thing I can also say is that the DVR works a lot better than CV and is much more user friendly as far as locating shows to record and ease of use. The third thing I can tell you is that I haven't had any problems with the internet at all since being with Verizon for 9 months. It is lightning fast and doesn't stall like Optimum has many times for me. If you are not happy with CV, don't hesitate to switch, you will not regret it. If you are a picture quality fanatic like me, Fios wins by far.

Lou A.

This concerns me as I'm using the HDMI connection on the SA8300HD with no problems at all. I'd hate to make the change and wind up having handshake problems. I'll check the thread you referenced for more information. Thanks.
The only problem I've run into with HDMI was back with the old IMG1.5 firmware. It would put a green line along the right side and cut out a few columns of pixels on the left, causing it to look like a beveled edge. This only occurs in 1080i mode, and you can only see it if you use the 1:1 pixel mapping setting on your TV. The whole problem went away when Verizon pushed IMG1.6 to us a couple weeks ago.

The cable box is not a good reason to switch or not to switch providers. If thats a big reason, just get a tivohd for cablevision, it blows the 8300hd away.

If your considering switching to FIOS...why don't you just get directv. Isn't that where most of FIOS content comes from? Only with FIOS you can't get the sunday ticket, which is huge for most people.

I also like Time Warner/Cablevision because theres no contract, and hardware is replaced for free no questions asked.

My father-in-law has directv and considered switching to FIOS, but canceled after finding out he would loose all his west coast channels, and loose sunday ticket.

So is FIOS a dumbed down Directv with limited channels and run through a Fios Cable box? (I am wondering myself)

Do you need to go into contract with Verizon to get FIOS?

The cable box is not a good reason to switch or not to switch providers. If thats a big reason, just get a tivohd for cablevision, it blows the 8300hd away.

If your considering switching to FIOS...why don't you just get directv. Isn't that where most of FIOS content comes from? Only with FIOS you can't get the sunday ticket, which is huge for most people.

I also like Time Warner/Cablevision because theres no contract, and hardware is replaced for free no questions asked.

My father-in-law has directv and considered switching to FIOS, but canceled after finding out he would loose all his west coast channels, and loose sunday ticket.

So is FIOS a dumbed down Directv with limited channels and run through a Fios Cable box? (I am wondering myself)

Do you need to go into contract with Verizon to get FIOS?


where to start:

TivoHD works quite well with FiOS AIUI(yes you need 2 cablecards).

FiOS has absolutely NOTHING to do with Directv!!! it's a dedicated fiber-optic based system. besides video it delivers internet & landline phone service as well.

in markets where FiOS video is not available you CAN bundle VZ internet and/or phone with Directv. in this case Vz is just a billing agent(like many others).

Sunday Ticket? no, can't get it with FiOS. can't get it with ANYONE except Directv.

FiOS="dumbed down" D*? hardly. I had D* for 8 yrs. FiOS is better across the board for me-cheaper, better PQ(HD & SD), now equal quantity of HD chs, more reliable(no rain fade). and very fast internet for the price.

contract? yes-one year for any of the current service bundles.

The cable box is not a good reason to switch or not to switch providers. If thats a big reason, just get a tivohd for cablevision, it blows the 8300hd away.

If your considering switching to FIOS...why don't you just get directv. Isn't that where most of FIOS content comes from? Only with FIOS you can't get the sunday ticket, which is huge for most people.

I also like Time Warner/Cablevision because theres no contract, and hardware is replaced for free no questions asked.

My father-in-law has directv and considered switching to FIOS, but canceled after finding out he would loose all his west coast channels, and loose sunday ticket.

So is FIOS a dumbed down Directv with limited channels and run through a Fios Cable box? (I am wondering myself)

Do you need to go into contract with Verizon to get FIOS?

Thanks for laugh your post provided - needed it after this week.:eek:

Ok easy fellas.

Good to know that FIOS is not directv.

I wonder where the hell I heard that from?

Oh Well!

I was also looking into a new provider. I am a huge hockey fan, and a pretty big football fan. FIOS doesn't offer a package for either? Directv offers every region of FSN in HD. What that spells for someone like me that is a Pittsburgh Pens fan living in NY, is that I get Penguins games in HD, without buying center ice? Thats tough to beat being a hockey fan. Center Ice package with some HD. Sunday Ticket in HD.

Does fios have all the FSNs in HD?

Pro games on out-of-market RSNs are blacked out on D* if you don't have the appropriate package (CI/EI/LP). FiOS just added Center Ice, and the Game HD channel that carries some of the games in HD will be added shortly. Out-of-market RSNs are not carried. D* paid the NFL a boatload of cash to get exclusive rights to ST, so there is no other choice for that.

Pro games on out-of-market RSNs are blacked out on D* if you don't have the appropriate package (CI/EI/LP). FiOS just added Center Ice, and the Game HD channel that carries some of the games in HD will be added shortly. Out-of-market RSNs are not carried. D* paid the NFL a boatload of cash to get exclusive rights to ST, so there is no other choice for that.
For D* it depends on where in NY state he lives even if it's not his primary RSN. AFAIK the territory for FSN Pittsburgh aside from covering over half of PA extends into some of NY, into western MD, throughout WV and of course some of eastern OH.

If he's talking about getting FiOS in NY that narrows down his location to the NYC or Buffalo areas, either of which will have MSG as the RSN

I was also looking into a new provider. I am a huge hockey fan, and a pretty big football fan. FIOS doesn't offer a package for either? Directv offers every region of FSN in HD. What that spells for someone like me that is a Pittsburgh Pens fan living in NY, is that I get Penguins games in HD, without buying center ice? Thats tough to beat being a hockey fan. Center Ice package with some HD. Sunday Ticket in HD.

Does fios have all the FSNs in HD?


AIUI no terrestrial provider is allowed to provide out-of-region RSN's-if you want them all, D* or E* is the only choice.

having had D* I can tell you that you will not get live out-of-market games without buying a sports pkg.(tho as a work-around any reruns of out-market games are not blacked-out).

and yes FiOS has offered Center Ice for about 2 wks. now. it's been reported from reliable sources that the NHL Network(& NBA Network) will be added later this month(SD & HD).

and yes you can get your LOCAL RSN on FiOS in HD if available(or in the case of the NYC market 2 out of 4-you can thank the Dolans for that).

BTW redwolf if your football jones is partly satisfied with the college game FiOS does have the NCAA game pkg.