Since Verizon is beginning to make FiOS TV available in the Pittsburgh area (mainly South Hills and North Hills right now), I figured I'd start up a thread dedicated to the HD channels Verizon is offering in our area.

As of 10/30/07, these are the channels that appear on the channel lineup for Bethel Park in the "local" and "premier" categories. I imagine it's the same in other Pittsburgh areas, but please point out any differences.

NBC - WPXI HD – 801
CBS - KDKA HD – 802
PBS - WQED HD – 803
ABC - WTAE HD – 804
My - WPMY HD – 806
FOX - WPGH HD – 807
TNT HDTV – 825
ESPN HD – 826
ESPN2 HD – 827
NFL Network HDTV – 828
HD Net – 833
HD Net Movies – 834
Universal HDTV – 835
HD Theater – 836
Wealth TV HDTV – 837
National Geographic Channel HD – 838
MTV HD – 839
Food Network HD – 840
HGTV HD – 841
A&E HD – 842
Lifetime Movie Network HD – 845

By the way... obviously missing from Verizon's lineup based on my wish list are Versus HD, and FSN Pittsburgh HD.

Wow. I thought I would check this thread to see how Fios was doing in Pitsburgh. Based on the posters there doesn't seem to be much interest. Anyone out there have Fios? Any comments?

Wow. I thought I would check this thread to see how Fios was doing in Pitsburgh. Based on the posters there doesn't seem to be much interest. Anyone out there have Fios? Any comments?

I looked into switching a couple of months ago when it became available at my house. After all was said and done it would have cost more for me to get the FIOS triple pack than the Comcast triple play, so I stuck with Comcast even though I'm still in an area where we don't get all of Comcast's HD channels yet.

My mother-in-law just got the FIOS triple pack the other day (3 TVs and no HD or FIOS DVR) so I'll comment on it once I get a chance to play around with it. I did see the receiver box the other day and it was a basic black Motorola branded box. Looked a lot like the black non-HD boxes Comcast gives you.

I looked into switching a couple of months ago when it became available at my house. After all was said and done it would have cost more for me to get the FIOS triple pack than the Comcast triple play, so I stuck with Comcast even though I'm still in an area where we don't get all of Comcast's HD channels yet.

My mother-in-law just got the FIOS triple pack the other day (3 TVs and no HD or FIOS DVR) so I'll comment on it once I get a chance to play around with it. I did see the receiver box the other day and it was a basic black Motorola branded box. Looked a lot like the black non-HD boxes Comcast gives you.

I'm surprised that the cost is more from what I've seen.

When you check out your MIL setup I'd be interested in some info:

1) What model Moto box are they using?

2) I had thought that you needed a box for every TV, but the local Verizon rep told me that you can just plug the cable into the TV and get 12 SD channels without a box. If so, what are the channels (he didn't know)?

3)How do they set it up. I assume that it is fiber to the house into a distribution box (located where?) and then just uses the RG6 coax throughout the house.

I'm surprised that the cost is more from what I've seen.

When you check out your MIL setup I'd be interested in some info:

1) What model Moto box are they using?

2) I had thought that you needed a box for every TV, but the local Verizon rep told me that you can just plug the cable into the TV and get 12 SD channels without a box. If so, what are the channels (he didn't know)?

3)How do they set it up. I assume that it is fiber to the house into a distribution box (located where?) and then just uses the RG6 coax throughout the house.


I can answer 2 and 3 right now. For #2 that is correct. You can get 12 measly local channels without the box. That stinks for me because I have two SD TiVo Series2 units that work great with the 70+ channels I get without a box through Comcast. 12 channels doesn't cut it and I'd have to put boxes on both those TVs. In fact, all of our TVs would need boxes because we watch more than 12 channels on all of them due to having 2 small kids who like Nick and Disney.

The 12 channels for my zip are:

CBS - KDKA-TV 2 2
CW - WPCW-TV 19 3
ABC - WTAE-TV 4 4
Cornerstone - WPCB-TV 40 5
FOX - WPGH-TV 53 7
Superstation - WGN-TV 8
Pittsburgh Cable News Channel 9
My - WPMY-TV 22 10
NBC - WPXI-TV 11 11
PBS - WQED-TV 13 13
Shop NBC - WQEX-TV 16 16
TV Guide Network 48
Weatherscan Local 49

Looks like they added on actually. But still pretty pathetic IMO.

For #3 your assumption is correct as well. My MIL's box, and it's a pretty big grey box, is located on the wall in her garage which is integrated into the lower level of her house. They have to put it next to an electrical outlet so the backup battery can maintain a full charge at all times. Coax is run out of it to the TV boxes but I didn't check what comes out of it for the internet access or phones.

Thanks for the info. I assume they are trying to get bu with the fewest analog channels as possible to conserve bandwidth but I would have thought they would have provided at least 25-30. I've noted that in some markets in the US they are providing 45 analog channels.

Unless your MIL has an HDTV you wouldn't be able to check this, but I also have heard that the basic cable provides the local Digital channels (including HD) if the TV has a QAM tuner. That could be useful for people who just want basic channels for a small LCD in the kitchen, bath, etc.

Thanks again for the info.

Thanks for the info. I assume they are trying to get bu with the fewest analog channels as possible to conserve bandwidth but I would have thought they would have provided at least 25-30. I've noted that in some markets in the US they are providing 45 analog channels.

Unless your MIL has an HDTV you wouldn't be able to check this, but I also have heard that the basic cable provides the local Digital channels (including HD) if the TV has a QAM tuner. That could be useful for people who just want basic channels for a small LCD in the kitchen, bath, etc.

Thanks again for the info.

I was under the impression that they were required to provide those channels in HD through basic cable as well. No?

I was under the impression that they were required to provide those channels in HD through basic cable as well. No?

I am under the impression that they are, and most people I talk to believe that also. The local verizon rep said they weren't available, but then a local Comcast rep will tell you the same thing.

I was just trying to verify that they are there, which ones, and on what channels.

Verizon is currently (3/3/8) installing FIOS fiber in west view 15229 on the streets that intersect Highland ave. (southern side). Woo Hoo !
They have been going to town in bellevue for some time now (mostly on the Pgh. side of Bellevue 15202, from what i have noticed)

[QUOTE=JRM01;13189768]I'm surprised that the cost is more from what I've seen.

When you check out your MIL setup I'd be interested in some info:

1) What model Moto box are they using?

... QUOTE]

They are using dual (QAM/IP) boxes, and I believe they have set a date for migration to an all IP based network. I found this post from a Mass. customer, prolly. the same boxes in this area:

DVR: Motorola QTP6416-2
non DVR: Motorola QTP2500-3

Wow. I thought I would check this thread to see how Fios was doing in Pitsburgh. Based on the posters there doesn't seem to be much interest. Anyone out there have Fios? Any comments?

The lack of interest may be because this thread isn't listed in the U.S. Thread Index under Pittsburgh.

FWIW I live in 15227 and I finally can sign up, which I did today, but they are giving me an install date of 6/5!!!

FWIW I live in 15227 and I finally can sign up, which I did today, but they are giving me an install date of 6/5!!!

Six weeks is the norm for them right now. All I need is assurance that they will have FSN-HD and I'll be on the list. Right now they tell me it should be "sometime this summer". Same schedule that Comcast has to upgrade the No. Hills head-end!!

thankfully I am a transplant and can live without my FSN-HD :)

If I ordered correctly - I am getting almost the works package, all the movie channels, HD channels, even the sports bundle, a 2 room DVR (you can watch on one TV whats recorded on the DVR) and a second room regular box and Internet for about $15 less a month than I am paying for comcast. I mean, its not a panacea, you still dont get as many HD channels as say Dish or DTV, but I have always hated comcast and if it really winds up cheaper, then it was a no-brainer.

Has anybody made the switch from a 800mhz Comcast system to FIOS? Has it been worth it? So far I've been happy with Comcast's PQ and selection(I'm on the Canonsburg system), but their latest price hike is just too much. :mad: FIOS went live on my street this week so I might make the switch. I would save over $20 a month compared to Comcast, but I would loose several HD channels and HD on-demand. Still, it may be worth it to get away from Comcast. I was a Directv subscriber for over eight years, so I'd love to be Comcast-free again.

Has anybody made the switch from a 800mhz Comcast system to FIOS? Has it been worth it? So far I've been happy with Comcast's PQ and selection(I'm on the Canonsburg system), but their latest price hike is just too much. :mad: FIOS went live on my street this week so I might make the switch. I would save over $20 a month compared to Comcast, but I would loose several HD channels and HD on-demand. Still, it may be worth it to get away from Comcast. I was a Directv subscriber for over eight years, so I'd love to be Comcast-free again.

Make sure you are saving $20 per month. FIOS gives you something like 13 channels over the coax line without a box whereas Comcast gives you something like 80. When I compared the prices FIOS was roughly $30 more per month because I'd need one of their boxes on each TV to get the channels I want for my family. I don't think they have VS HD yet either which meant very few Pens games in HD if that matters to you.

I'll be moving to the Dormont area in the next few days. I see the current listing on the Fios website and was wondering if anyone knows a time frame of when we'll be receiving some more HD channels? From what I read online, we are supposed to receive some channels around July, but I was curious to see if anyone had confirmation of this.

Fort Wayne, IN will be the first FIOS market to receive the new HD channels at the end of this month. There doesn't seem to be any confirmation beyond that.

For those of you with FIOS TV in Bethel Park and Mt. Lebanon your local school district and community channels are on 31 and 32 for Bethel Park and 33 and 34 for Mt. Lebanon. Many probably already know this but a few may not.

Does anyone think that we will get Fox Sports Pittsburgh HD by the end of the year? I hear Comcast is providing the channel in the next month. I'm hoping that prompts Verizon to add the channel as well.

Hey guys. I'm hearing August 6th for the update in the Pittsburgh area. There are PDF's floating around with the new channel guide but don't have one to post right now. Fort Wayne, IN already got their updates and Oregon is supposed to get it later this month.

Hey guys. I'm hearing August 6th for the update in the Pittsburgh area.

Received the letter and new channel lineup in the mail today that seems to confirm this.

The new channel lineup has been added to the Verizon FIOS website. When on the FIOS TV website, click on Channel Lineup and scroll down. On the right-hand side you will see all of the different areas and the dates they will receive the updates. Click on Pittsburgh 8/6 and you will see the updated PDF file.

I noticed that WPCW HD isn't listed. I thought I read a week or two ago that it was already up and running on FIOS? Is that true?

I'm going to be moving to McCandless in about two months and I'm so happy I can finally give comcast the boot once and for all. I'm just trying to figure out what stations I'm going to have access to so as to decide if I should go with FiosTV or DirecTV.

Keep in mind that in October/November we will be receiving more HD channels as well. Those channels and how many we get are still up in the air.

Keep in mind that in October/November we will be receiving more HD channels as well. Those channels and how many we get are still up in the air.

I thought Pittsburgh was supposed to get them July 28th.

Pittsburgh is supposed to get the first wave of new HD channels added on 8/06 with a second wave of additional HD channels coming sometime in October/November. I'm not sure what will be included on the second wave of channel though.

I would say august 6th not the 28th

on the guide is says at the bottom channels are moving august 6th

Pittsburgh is supposed to get the first wave of new HD channels added on 8/06 with a second wave of additional HD channels coming sometime in October/November. I'm not sure what will be included on the second wave of channel though.


I'm prayin' that SciFi HD is in the first wave, the SD currently does look much better than my previous Comcast box did, but taking it to HD, is just plain sweet, even if it is scaled up from 480i at the station.

Hopefully we won't have to wait for the second rollout. Northern New Jersey got all of these channels over night.

502 CBS HD
504 NBC HD
505 FOX HD
507 ABC HD
509 MY HD
511 CW HD
513 PBS HD
550 USA HD
551 TNT HD
552 TBS HD (Stretch-o-vision)
553 FX HD
567 U HD
568 WGN HD
569 HDNET
570 ESPN HD
572 ESPNewsHD
574 ESPN2 HD
576 YES HD
577 SNY HD
581 Beijing 08 (logo says Sci Fi)
582 Beijing 08 (logo says USA)
583 Speed HD
585 BigTenHD
588 NFLNet
590 VS GolfHD
591 OutDR HD (Need to subscribe)
597 WFN HD (Need to subscribe)
598 Mav TV HD ( Need to subscribe)
600 CNN HD
602 CNBC HD
617 FoxBusHD
618 FoxNewsHD
619 TWC HD
620 Disc HD
621 NGC HD
622 Sci HD
625 Smiths HD
628 Hist HD
629 Bio HD
630 AN PL HD
631 HDT
639 TLC HD
640 LIFE HD
641 LMN HD
650 QVC HD
664 FOOD HD
665 HGTV HD
668 PLANTG HD
669 WEALTH
670 TRAVEL HD
680 Sci Fi HD
681 A&E HD -- 50
685 Bravo HD
699 ABC FAM HD
711 MHD
740 HMC HD (with crazy sidebars)
744 MGM HD
756 HDNet MV
780 Disney HD
781 ToonDis HD
840 STRZ HD
842 SZEDGEHD
845 SZFHD
847 SZCMDYHD
865 SHO HD
866 SHO HD w
867 SHOSHC HD (Coming Soon)
868 SHOSHC HDw (Coming Soon)
869 SHO2 HD
870 SHOW2 HD w
873 SHOEXT HD (Coming Soon)
874 SHOEXT HD w (Coming Soon)
885 TMC HD
886 TMC HD w
887 TMCXTR HD (Coming Soon)
888 TMCXTR HDw (comming Soon)
889 HBO HD
901 HBO HD w
902 HBO2HD
903 HBO2HD w
904 HBOSIG
905 HBOSIG w
906 HBOFAM
907 HBOFAM w
908 HBOCOM
909 HBOCOM w
910 HBOZON
911 HBOZON w
912 HBOLAT
913 HBOLAT w
920 MAX HD
921 MAX HD w
922 MORMAX
923 MORMAX w
924 ACTMAX
925 ACTMAX w
926 THRMAX
927 THRMAX w
928 WMAX HD
929 ATMAX
930 SSTMAX
931 OUTERMAX

Count = 100 with the 6 coming soon channels
Count = 80 without the 14 west channels
Count = 83 without 17 west channels when counting coming soon channels
The two Beijing channels were not counted in either count

Just an FYI for anyone in the Sheridan area of Pittsburgh, I've had a couple of Verizon trucks outside my house on Middletown Road these past couple of weeks, so I asked what was going on and the guy said they were installing FIOS cable! Looks like our area will be ready when the city and Verizon come to an agreement.

Well, did everyone in Pittsburgh get the added channels yesterday? Nobody talkin'.

I'm getting FIOS installed today (14th).

Comcast (spellchecker on this site suggested Compost) messed up my billing when Verizon ported my number. Comcast kicked me out of the bundle that I was in, took me out of the digital tier. Since my phone number was ported I couldn't get my digital channels back and was locked out of my account. I couldn't get my original package back until I made 4 phone calls to 4 different service people and 1 supervisor. My Comcast bill instead of being $155 for all three services for August is now $390. They must know what's coming since the phone from them was being switched to a different provider. Hose the customer since they are leaving.

Bye bye Comcast.

Did you guys get all the channels outlined in the PDF?

http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail/NR/rdonlyres/F114B129-02F6-4256-A323-9A0F413B373C/0/PITT_P1_80608.pdf

I'm still going back and forth between FIOS TV and Dish after I move and one huge factor for me is WPCW-HD which I can't get on any sat provider right now. I don't think I can give up stuff like ScifiHD though so it's imperative that FIOS have at least the lineup that's outlined in that PDF and not what's currently on the website for zip code 15237.

Bump for the evening crew, Buller, Buller....

I notice in the order builder for Fios, it DOES list Scifi HD as one of the channels, i'm just trying to confirm...

Comcast (spellchecker on this site suggested Compost)

That's an intelligent spellchecker, LOL!

Scifi HD is there.
LOVING FIOS!!!!!!!!!!!

I had very few HD channels here is the castle shannon end of comcast's system.

I counted 42 HD stations not including the premium stations.
I miss mojo though.

But the biggest concern is Fox sports net HD. No word when it is going to be added. Th Penguins Season is not far off. I'm gonna be pissed if it's not added by then.

Verizon and FSN Pittsburgh have reached agreement on an HD channel for Pittsburgh-area subscribers. FSN HD will launch the first week in October on Verizon and be carried on Channel 576.

A little blurb at post-gazette dot com under the Mark Madden article

Verizon and FSN Pittsburgh have reached agreement on an HD channel for Pittsburgh-area subscribers. FSN HD will launch the first week in October on Verizon and be carried on Channel 576.

Blurb in P-G 9/26/08. Yeah, but is it true? It's now the second week in October and no channel 576 on my TV.

Who do you call, FSN, Verizon, Pittsburgh Penguins?

I've checked multiple discussion boards, no one has any idea when FSN HD is going to show up.

-Mark
Whitehall

If you go the Verizon site, there is a new channel line-up for Pittsburgh. The date on it is October. You need to click on the 'print pdf' to see the new channels. Still no Tennis Channel though.

Verizon has started offering two english speaking television packages,Fios TV Essentials, and Fios TV Extreme HD. Neither at this time lists FSN-HD on the programming guide. The TV Essentials plan offers 267 channels of programming, but only includes 7 HD channels, mostly locals. The ExtremeHD package lists 312 channels including 39 non-premium HD channels. The ExtremeHD package also includes the sports tier channels that were previously added at an additional cost. (golf, tennis, sportsman and outdoor channels...etc) When viewing the PDF formatted channel line up there is a discrepancy in the number of HD channels available, 57 channels are listed, still no FSN-HD. There are listings for Versus/Golf-HD and Tennis Channel HD.

502 CBS — KDKA HD
504 ABC — WTAE HD
507 FOX — WPGH HD
510 My — WPMY HD
511 NBC — WPXI HD
513 PBS — WQED HD
550 USA HD
551 TNT HD
552 TBS HD
553 FX HD
567 Universal HD
568 WGN America HD
569 HD Net
570 ESPN HD
572 ESPNews HD
573 ESPNU HD
574 ESPN2 HD
583 Speed Channel HD
585 Big Ten Network HD
588 NFL Network HD
590 Versus/Golf HD
591 Outdoor Channel 2 HD
592 The Tennis Channel HD
597 World Fishing Network HD
598 MavTV HD
600 CNN HD
602 CNBC HD+
617 Fox Business Network HD
618 Fox News Channel HD
619 The Weather Channel HD
620 Discovery Channel HD
621 National Geographic
Channel HD
622 Science Channel HD
625 Smithsonian Channel HD
628 History Channel HD
629 Bio HD
630 Animal Planet HD
631 HD Theater
639 TLC HD
640 Lifetime HD
641 Lifetime Movie Network HD
650 QVC HD
664 Food Network HD
665 HGTV HD
668 Planet Green HD
669 Wealth TV HD
670 Travel Channel HD
680 Sci-Fi Channel HD
681 A&E HD
685 Bravo HD
699 ABC Family HD
711 Palladia HD
740 Hallmark Movie Channel HD
744 MGM Channel HD
746 HD Net Movies
780 Disney Channel HD
781 Toon Disney HD

If you add the premium HD content, the PDF Verision program guide for Whitehall lists an additional 42 Channels. If I'm adding correctly, that is 99 HD channels in all. Verizon says they will offer 100 HD channels by years end. Let's hope the missing piece is FSN-HD

Let's Go Pens ! ! !

I phoned Verizon today (10/15/08) and I was told FSN Hd would be available by the end of this week on channel 576.

Even though I haven't seen any HD on it when I go through the channels, 503 should be added to the list of HD channels available.

All of the new HD channels are working. There was an article by rob Owen in the Post-Gazette Wednesday too.
I just had to call Verizon and re-subscribe to the extreme HD package.
Got a cheaper price too.

FSN channel is available but just the color bars are showing. No HD programing to show yet. That's ok for now, I just hope the game will be on Thursday, it's an HD scheduled game.

This is all great news because I'm set to have FIOS installed on the 28th.

I'm not sure what programming package I'm getting at this point though since I ordered it on Oct 2nd before they started this ExtremeHD package. It shouldn't be a major hassle to get it switched to that if that's not what they're giving me though.

CAN NOT WAIT to be off of Comcast. Finally I get to tell them to take a hike after jerking around Ross for the past few years.

It's been 2 months on Fios, and Comcast already sent me a letter saying they miss me.

I am thinking about switching over to FIOS when it is available in my area, which is to be soon. Currently, I can pull in all he Locals in HD as well as some other digital channel stations through my QAM tuners in my bedroom TV and upstairs TV. I do not want to pay for additional HD boxes. Can anyone confirm Verizon leaves HD locals unencrypted for pick-up thru QAM? Thanks!

Local hd is unencripted in pittsgurgh,all others require stb. Awesome picture quality!:cool:You may need shades!:eek:

Anyone else getting nasty, blown out quality audio on Comedy Central? None of the other SD channels sound like this, they sound normal.

I still have my comcast cable hooked up right now and the audio feed from them is completely fine.

It's most apparent in my living room hooked up to the stereo. It doesn't sound nearly as bad on my bedroom 13 inch TV, but I can still slightly detect it.

I also found out last night that these boxes suck at scaling and de-interlacing.

I had the tech hook the box up via HDMI. I also had him set the 4:3 Override to 480p because:

a) I don't like my 4:3 SD material stretched
b) I didn't want the box scaling it to 1080i because it prevents me from using certain zoom modes on my TV so I can zoom letterboxed SD material so it fits the screen.

I had to select 480p over 480i because I know from experience that my Samsung LCD doesn't accept 480i over HDMI.

Well, I was rewiring things last night, trying to figure out how to fit 4 HDMI devices on a two port TV with only a two port HDMI switch and the cable box lost the battle. I switched it to component input and then set the 4:3 override back to 480i since the TV has no trouble getting 480i over component. Holy crap did it make a difference in SD image quality. When outputting 480p over HDMI, the box introduced all sorts of artifacts that look like edge enhancement. 480i over component looks almost DVD quality when watching certain material (like cartoons on Adult Swim.)

Well, I was rewiring things last night, trying to figure out how to fit 4 HDMI devices on a two port TV with only a two port HDMI switch and the cable box lost the battle. I switched it to component input and then set the 4:3 override back to 480i since the TV has no trouble getting 480i over component. Holy crap did it make a difference in SD image quality. When outputting 480p over HDMI, the box introduced all sorts of artifacts that look like edge enhancement. 480i over component looks almost DVD quality when watching certain material (like cartoons on Adult Swim.)

That was a question I was going to ask you on the Comcast thread. My "man room" TV is a 6 year old RP and does not have HDMI ports, only component. I was wondering what you used because you were very high on the picture quality of the Fios over the Comast HD channels. So it sounds like the SD is better with component, but have you noticed any difference in HD channels? My other 2 HD sets are LCD and have HDMI so I want to get it right the first time.

The HD looks just as good with component.

Here's the reason why the cable box "lost" the competition for HDMI connection. I originally wanted the HDMI connection because my Samsung LCD has a 1:1 pixel mapping mode called "JustScan" which is only available on HDMI input with 1080i/p sources. It completely and totally eliminates overscan. However, I found the output from the Moto DVR introduced too much edge noise on all channels. I had a green band running down the right side of the screen (note, I do think this is something that's resolved in the IMG1.6 update). So, I figured if I couldn't use the JustScan feature, I might as well just hook it up with component and free up the HDMI for something else.

If you want SD material to be passed though untouched as 480i, make sure you tell the install tech that. By default they are instructed to put it in stretch mode due to customer complaints about "not filling my TV screen." If it gets set to something else anyways, you have to access the setup menu of the box. To do so, you turn the box off and immediate hit select until the diagnostic screen comes up. Then hit the menu button and you should get the selections to change the output. Depending on the setup, you may or may not see it on the TV and will have to use the box display to set it. 4:3 override has 4 settings:

Off - upconverts to the HD output of the box, usually 1080i
480i - basically passes it unchanged
480p - tries to deinterlace it, I was not impressed with the results
stretch - I'm unsure of the resolution, but it stretches the image to be 16:9. It probably outputs at the HD resolution set.

Really, these are all the same settings as the moto HD-DVR from comcast as they are nearly the same hardware. FWIW, I had it set on 480p on my comcast box for the past year because i was using HDMI, I probably could have had better SD quality there too if I would have had it set at 480i with component.

The thing that really gets me about the SD image quality is the contrast, specifically the black level. I'm so used to SD material on cable having a black level approaching gray with speckles of noise that it really floors me to see actual black with no wavering in the image.

Any word on when they are finishing Moon Township, seems a lot of 15108 can get FiOS, I am stuck with Comcrap, ugh and hvae no line of sight for Satellite....I am sooo sick of Comcast

Looks like we're getting IMG 1.6 tonight from a comment made by a tech on Verizon's forums.

http://forums.verizon.com/vrzn/board/message?board.id=FiOS_TV&view=by_date_ascending&message.id=3084#M3084


1.6.1 will begin later this month possibly early next month. Our last areas to receive the 1.6 upgrade are tonight so it could start next week but things are subject to change.

We got a message on each box this morning stating that we have a new IMG (no version was stated IIRC). There seems to be some new options here and there as well as about 5 new widgets. Was there supposed to be more?

There are tweaks throughout.

The HD Zoom button finally works which is a godsend on HD stations that insist on showing SD material letterboxed. I don't have a zoom mode in 16:9 mode on my TV so this works great.

VOD seems much snappier. There are more options for the keypad when doing search. You can change your video format and SD overrride from within the guide now rather than having to access the diagnostic menu. When a DVR recording finishes, it brings you back to the recording itself in the DVR menu so you can easily delete it. They added some dynamic compression options for the audio (defaults to heavy, I turned them off). The scrub bar doesn't display when skipping forward or back on a DVR recording, but I noticed now it ignores the skip values you choose and just does 30 seconds forward 30 seconds back (bad IMO, I like my back to be 10 seconds.) There are two favorites lists now. When you are channel surfing, you can limit things by category by pressing right on the D-pad when the info is up.

That's about all I've noticed so far.

VOD seems much snappier.

I did notice that. It so slow on Saturday and Sunday (I had the new Fios install done on Sat morning) that I was going to call them to see what was up. It is much faster now. Possibly even faster than Comcast's was.

They added some dynamic compression options for the audio (defaults to heavy, I turned them off).

Well that would explain why the volume was so darn loud when I turned the TVs on yesterday! I'll have to change that.

They pointed you to a URL for more info but I forget what it was. Something like www.verizon.com/fioscentral. Does anyone remember the exact URL or has anyone visited that site to see what it said?

It's www.verizon.com/fiostvcentral.

I've been using it for awhile because you can see the TV listings there. I like browsing them on a computer much better than a STB for speed's sake. Eventually we are going to get the ability to set recordings through that website no matter where you are. Not exactly a innovative feature since my replayTV could do it 7 years ago, but as far as cable company software goes it's cutting edge.

I still may pick up a TiVo HD after the DVR trial runs out next year. The interface is still a ton better, the box hardware is better, and the monthly would be about the same after you pay TiVO and rent the cablecards. I would lose out as far as VOD goes on my main TV, but streaming netflix should fill that void nicely. Also, I could pony up to the new XL version that's coming out with a 1TB hard drive and not worry about filling the tiny 160gb drive in these things with a couple HD recordings (also, who knows what TiVo models may be out by next year.)

I second that on the TiVo HD. We had 2 S2 TiVos that are now paper weights with Fios unfortunately. We'll replace one with an HD soon and I'll keep the Fios box for the year. One really nice thing about the Fios box is the ability to watch from any box in the house what was recorded on the DVR. TiVo does that too but only if you have a TiVo on each TV which is expensive. The Fios DVR interface is lame though. TiVo blows it away in that area.

Update on the whole "skip" and "replay" problem. I went it and even though skip was at 30 seconds and the replay was at 10 seconds, I was still getting 30/30.

However, I went in, set the replay to something else, and then set it back to 10 seconds. Now I have 30/10 again.

Keep in mind that you need the "Home Media DVR" option in order to have multi-room capability and that costs more monthly than the normal DVR once the free period runs out. $19.95/month is a little steep for that service.

Keep in mind that you need the "Home Media DVR" option in order to have multi-room capability and that costs more monthly than the normal DVR once the free period runs out. $19.95/month is a little steep for that service.

Thanks. I am aware of the price/service level difference. However, 5 TiVo boxes to do the same thing would cost $40 per month for the service and that does not include the price of the boxes at $300 a pop ($180 each for refurbs).

Hmm, forgot all about the refurbs.

If I get around to buying another small HDTV for my office room, I may just buy a refurb Tivo HD for that TV rather than getting another HD box from Verizon.

I would kinda lose out on the service fee end ($13 to TiVo and $4 to verizon for the cable card), but I could always turn around and sell the TiVo if I didn't think it was worth the extra money and just get another HD box.

Thanks. I am aware of the price/service level difference. However, 5 TiVo boxes to do the same thing would cost $40 per month for the service and that does not include the price of the boxes at $300 a pop ($180 each for refurbs).

There is no question that TiVo would be more expensive (for five of them), but the big advantage would be the availability of 10 tuners in that package, as well as the better interface and functionality.

Last night the TiVo in the bedroom was busy recording my Season Passes (CSI, ER, etc.) while I had the NFL game and Penguin Game recording (and watching) in the LR. Then after the games I just told TiVo to transfer the programs recorded in the BR down to the LR for later viewing.

BTW, the old TiVos don't have to be considered obsolete with FIOS. They can still record all SD programming on FIOS.

There is no question that TiVo would be more expensive (for five of them), but the big advantage would be the availability of 10 tuners in that package, as well as the better interface and functionality.

I don't see how having 10 tuners would be a benefit. No one can watch that much TV! I've already stated that I think the TiVo interface blows all others out of the water so I won't argue there.

Last night the TiVo in the bedroom was busy recording my Season Passes (CSI, ER, etc.) while I had the NFL game and Penguin Game recording (and watching) in the LR. Then after the games I just told TiVo to transfer the programs recorded in the BR down to the LR for later viewing.

That's what we always did too but with the Fios boxes you don't have to tell them to transfer the shows. It's all live streaming from one or more DVR boxes. It's pretty slick once you see it. I do miss having the ability to transfer shows to my PC and burn them to DVD however. Having all the kids favorite shows in the SUV can be a big life (read sanity) saver sometimes.

BTW, the old TiVos don't have to be considered obsolete with FIOS. They can still record all SD programming on FIOS.

We are doing that temporarily right now. Problem is, you have to watch the channel TiVo is recording which kind of defeats the purpose of recording it in the first place!

I wish I had an HD version of my ReplayTV. Such an amazing device. It did network streaming right out of the box 6 years ago. Then,ssomeone wrote a simple java app that emulated another replayTV so you could use your computer to transfer recordings off the ReplayTV to your computer's hard drive and then stream them back to the device. The recordings were just plain old MPEG2 files that you could manipulate how ever you wanted.

And the folks at ReplayTV didn't care. They didn't once try to block the various hacks that people did to pull programming or interface with the device.

I still used it for all my SD analog programming when I was with comcast. Now that everything I have is digital I'm probably going to cancel my sub and retire the thing. I just wish I could use it as a digital VCR without the sub because it would make a nice capture device.

I dunno, maybe I'll try to interface it with an SD box to record SD programming. I don't really have to have it anywhere near my TV since I can pull down stuff to the computer and then stream it back through my xbox.

I don't see how having 10 tuners would be a benefit. No one can watch that much TV! I've already stated that I think the TiVo interface blows all others out of the water so I won't argue there.

That's what we always did too but with the Fios boxes you don't have to tell them to transfer the shows. It's all live streaming from one or more DVR boxes. It's pretty slick once you see it. I do miss having the ability to transfer shows to my PC and burn them to DVD however. Having all the kids favorite shows in the SUV can be a big life (read sanity) saver sometimes.



Your right that 10 tuners would be somewhat of an overkill, but what I was describing did require the use of 4 tuners (2 for the Season Pass programs and 2 for the live sporting events). I think that the FIOS streaming capability is a great benefit, but the two TiVo-scenario does provide added functionality.

Your right that 10 tuners would be somewhat of an overkill, but what I was describing did require the use of 4 tuners (2 for the Season Pass programs and 2 for the live sporting events). I think that the FIOS streaming capability is a great benefit, but the two TiVo-scenario does provide added functionality.

I do agree with you and will dump the Fios DVR after the free year. We'll get one HD TiVo now and one after the Fios free year because it is just a far superior device altogether. It's worth it just for the excellent search feature. Fios' search function is horrible, even worse than Comcast's IMO, so we'll never be able to live without TiVo now that we've experienced it for several years now.

But the Fios multi-room DVR is nice enough that I could see it keeping non-TiVo users from ever trying TiVo. That's something TiVo needs to address. Plus, as bull mentioned, Fios is adding a schedule from the web feature which looks like it will mimick TiVo's. So who knows what else they have in store. Given that the STBs are closely tied into the home network, via the router itself, they could do a lot with very little effort if they really want to compete with TiVo.

Remote DVR is live in pittsburgh now. Log into www.verizon.com/fiostvcentral, click on the link in the left hand side for Remote DVR and then click on the "Activate" button.

I live in the East End section of the City of Pittsburgh. Every now and then I check Verizon's web site to see if FIOS is available in our area. So far, it is not. The site gives no information about FIOS availability; it just tries to sell their DSL service. I have tried a number of different ways to find out when and if FIOS will be available in our area. So far, I can not get a straight answer from anyone. I don't know if it is because Verizon's plans are not set or because they can not settle on franchise terms with the City. (Maybe Comcast has the local politicians in their pocket - who knows!) Does anyone have a clue as to what is happening with regard to FIOS and City neighborhoods or how I might find some reliable information about the prospects for getting it? Thanks in advance for your comments! - Brian

I live in the East End section of the City of Pittsburgh. Every now and then I check Verizon's web site to see if FIOS is available in our area. So far, it is not. The site gives no information about FIOS availability; it just tries to sell their DSL service. I have tried a number of different ways to find out when and if FIOS will be available in our area. So far, I can not get a straight answer from anyone. I don't know if it is because Verizon's plans are not set or because they can not settle on franchise terms with the City. (Maybe Comcast has the local politicians in their pocket - who knows!) Does anyone have a clue as to what is happening with regard to FIOS and City neighborhoods or how I might find some reliable information about the prospects for getting it? Thanks in advance for your comments! - Brian

I live in the city and Verizon sent a mailer for the phone and internet as soon as it was available. I'm actually getting that stuff installed next Monday. The city and Verizon are supposed to sign an agreement early this year for the TV part. Keep and eye on TV Q&A from Rob Owen on the Post-Gazette web site. He has been keeping watch on it.

I'm switching over to FIOS next week. :)

Yesterday morning I had a customer come in to buy Component cables. He said that he had Verizon FiOS HD connected to a Samsung LCD and that he keeps losing the picture. He said that the Verizon Rep told him their box wouldn't work with HDMI and Samsung. I told him he shouldn't accept this solution, but he was frustrated and just wanted to fix it.

An hour later another customer came in with the same story and bought the component cables.

Later in the afternoon a third customer came in. He had the same problem and spoke on the phone with a Verizon Rep in Texas (he thinks it was there). The Rep said that Verizon in Pittsburgh was using some "old boxes" that had this problem and told him to get Monster Component cables and submit his bill for it and they would give him a credit.

None of them knew the model number of the settop box. They only knew it was Moto box.

Anyone else heard of any of this?

There are some confirmed HDCP handshaking issues between the QIP6416 and QIP7216 boxes and some Samsung TVs. Mine works perfectly fine with my Samsung LNS4095d TV though.

There is a new software update that's in the middle of being deployed right now which I've heard fixes some of the issues.

The QIP6416 boxes are what they are deploying as the HD-DVR in Pittsburgh. The biggest difference between these and the QIP7216 boxes are a faster processor in the newer boxes as well as MPEG4 and eSATA capability (neither of which are used right now). By all reports, the QIP6416 have fewer issues are are the more stable of the two boxes right now, though the upcoming IMG update (1.6.2) has been reported to nearly wipe out all outstanding issues.

Externally, both these HD-DVR boxes look exactly the same as the DCT6412 boxes that Comcast uses in Ross. However, I hear they are closer to the DCH3416 internally with with the IP video bits grafted on for Verizon's hybrid setup. Unfortunately, Motorola seems to be the only game in town when it comes to MoCA enabled boxes for now.

I got FiOS installed today and got all 7100 and 7200 series boxes. The installer said they were newer ones that they just ordered. I have all Samsung televisions (4) and none of them have had any problems. I and very happy so far with FiOS. The picture quality is much better than Comcast ever was at my house. And the internet is fairly fast so far.

I posted yesterday on my blog, in some detail, the FiOS installation process at my house.
http://blog.stevofc.com/2009/03/05/the-fios-installation/

I got FiOS installed today and got all 7100 and 7200 series boxes.

They must have finally ran out of the 6 series boxes. I was installed in October and I got a QIP6416, new in box.

I'm curious as to how they will handle rolling out features that only the 7 series can handle like external storage or possibly MPEG4 channels. It's probably far off anyways.

I also wonder if they are finally using M-Cards in Pittsburgh rather than the older S-Cards. I still may switch over to Tivo when my free 12 months runs out on the HD-DVR, but I would much rather pay to rent a single M-Card rather than two S-Cards.

I really wish they would enable the esata port with an update. My dvr fills up way too quickly with HD content.

I really wish they would enable the esata port with an update. My dvr fills up way too quickly with HD content.

I don't because I have a 6416 which lacks one and I don't want to deal with CS to try to get them to swap out with a newer 7xxx box! :D

Besides, you know they'll charge for it anyways probably.

I don't see why they would charge for something like that. I think paying extra for the home media dvr is more than enough already considering there is no hardware difference between it and the regular dvr boxes. The esata port is just enabling the customer to use a larger drive that they need to purchase themselves anyway. Not really hurting Verizon. By enabling the port it wouldn't be as much of a rush to increase the size of the internal HDD as people start to complain more about size constraints.

It's still an extra "feature" that they can make money off of. At minimum, I would expect it to only be available for Home Media DVR subscribers.

Also, it DOES require the subscriber to have a 7xxx box which does cost Verizon money (6xxx boxes do not have the port.) So, if it's something they just flat out enable for no fee, you have people like me who are not getting everything that someone else with newer equipment has for the same fees. So, you would then have all the 6xxx people wanting to swap out for a 7xxx box, which means verizon will have to buy new 7xxx boxes and have a warehouse full of 6xxx boxes sitting around that are perfectly functional aside from not having expandable storage.

All this is academic though because at the glacial speed that IMG updates happen, they might be deploying new equipment altogether with larger internal drives before external storage happens.

Everyone will just want to swap their boxes for one with a larger internal storage then. So the same problems would apply. Unless they are willing to send HDD replacements and not entirely new boxes, which I would never see happening.

I plan to order Verizon FIOS in the next few days. Can anyone tell me what the additional fees/taxes/surcharges are? Verizon can't answer.... I'll be ordering a bundled flex package (offered to Verizon cell/wireless phone customers), which includes the FIOS internet (20/5) and FIOS Extreme HD. No phone service, as I use my cell for everything. All said and done, about $102 a month with 2 standard boxes and 1 HD. Just hoping I don't get crushed with another $30 bucks in BS fees/taxes/etc...

there are a fair amount of taxes. I can't really give a good answer though because I have only received my first bill which was for almost 2 full months because of when I had it installed. My bill was around $330 and if I remember correctly over $30 was taxes. There was a $50 UFC PPV in there too.

We should be receiving the 1.6.2 firmware update over the next couple of days in the Pittsburgh area.

Yup, it should be sometime late tonight/early tomorrow morning, but they have delayed other VHO's by a day or two so we'll see.

I don't really have any outstanding issues, so I'm not exactly sitting on the edge of my seat for it. I have a 6xxx series box so I don't have any of the many 7xxx series bugs and I use 480i from component for my SD so I wasn't hit by the SD softening issue.

Mine was updated to 1.6.2 last night. I just got home from work and got the message.

Just got FiOS..so far everything is great. My question is I found how to set the SD Overide to stretch", but is there a button to enable zooming?

The remotes they gave me for the QIP7216 seem to not have it there. The reason I ask is some content i've seen (such as the Office from the VOD) is I guess in "letterbox" format so I get black bars above and below the image.

I'm just worried about my plasma screen with getting IR. Does NBC not have a HD section under VOD? I've seen other companies there.

I started watching some nature shows, discovery, etc and you can tell the signal is better than Comcast. So far i'm very happy.

I plan to order Verizon FIOS in the next few days. Can anyone tell me what the additional fees/taxes/surcharges are?Mine on the most recent bill for Triple Play were $15.51 with $4.39 of that for TV and the rest for phone. There doesn't seem to be any taxes or fees on FiOS internet.

Well I found the Aspect Button for the HD Zoom feature, but I guess the problem I ran into is when I have 4:3 set to stretch, and the broadcast is in a letterbox while in 4:3 this is causing the bars at the top and bottom.

guess there is no way around this.

Stretch is also one of the HD zoom options so you might as well set the SD override to off and adjust things on a per program basis. That way, you can zoom letterboxed SD programming or stretch 4:3 programming.

You could also set the SD override to 480i or 480p, i'm sure your TV has the all the aspect ratio options you could want for SD programming.

Anyone heard anything about an agreement between the City of Pittsburgh and Verizon for Fios TV? I seriously want to dump Comcast.

Anyone heard anything about an agreement between the City of Pittsburgh and Verizon for Fios TV? I seriously want to dump Comcast.

I spoke with a lady at the South Hills Village kiosk and she said the FCC told Pittsburgh they had to make a decision. Pittsburgh said yes, and supposedly Mount Washington will be the first area to start the installation of the necessary equipment.
Take this for what it's worth, but this is what the lady told me.

Good news for City of Pittsburgh residents:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09187/982122-67.stm

Hopefully those of us, like me, who already have FIOS internet will not have to wait too long.

Urgg! Good news indeed, except nothing about the large east-end residential neighborhoods of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. We do not have FIOS internet yet and, to my knowledge, they have not begun to string fiber in our area. You would think that they would want to roll out the service in these areas since there are so many potential customers, but it looks like we'll be at the end of the line for FIOS TV.

Urgg! Good news indeed, except nothing about the large east-end residential neighborhoods of Shadyside and Squirrel Hill. We do not have FIOS internet yet and, to my knowledge, they have not begun to string fiber in our area. You would think that they would want to roll out the service in these areas since there are so many potential customers, but it looks like we'll be at the end of the line for FIOS TV.

Yep, I thought for sure that area would have internet by now. We've had it in Crafton Heights since the end of last year.

Having FiOS installed on Saturday (8/7) in Mt. Lebanon. Just moved to Pittsburgh and looking forward to it.

Unfortunately, the movers aren't showing up with my TV until the following Monday so I'll probably be begging for help since I'll be setting it up on my own.

Since the CSR was helpless, can anyone tell me (on average) about the DVR? Specifically, how many tuners? How much hard drive space? What outputs does it have?

Thanks for the help.

Leave it to the unions to cause trouble:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09246/995221-96.stm

Leave it to the unions to cause trouble:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09246/995221-96.stm
Looks like the City and unions may have cleared the impasse described in the Post Gazette article referenced above.

See: www.post-gazette.com/pg/09247/995464-53.stm