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Verizon FiOS Installation & Hardware - Master Topic! - Page 12

post #331 of 3340
5/28/06 at 1:26pm
How is comcast able to provide HD movies on demand, but Verizon supposedly has such a greater ability to provide content because of the fiber?
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post #332 of 3340
5/29/06 at 5:41am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BUFree View Post

How is comcast able to provide HD movies on demand, but Verizon supposedly has such a greater ability to provide content because of the fiber?

I think all coax based cablecos provide their VOD via RF on the coax (that's how you can tune your neighbors' VOD) - FIOS does it via IP. Piping in that much info via IP is a bit harder than via RF. FIOS will eventually get there, but it will take some time. I think this is one area where FIOS compromised and said "I hope this satisfies our customers for now". They might be waiting for some integrated ONTs (vs. the seperate NIM currently) before they roll out HD VOD.
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post #333 of 3340
5/30/06 at 7:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TXG8OR View Post

I must not have the visual powers that you folks have or my panny th50px60u pdp does an incredible job. The picture on most SD channels is so good that I sometimes think it is HD.

Agreed. My SD picture looks very good, nearly on par with upconverted SD to HD. When I first got FiOS I noticed a questionable SD picture, but that has been cleared up for some time. Much much much better than D*.
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post #334 of 3340
5/30/06 at 8:59pm
How about pixelation with movement. I have noticed it with sports (motorcycle racing) and my wife has noticed it even on her cooking shows (when mixing). It took me a while to cancel DTV, so we were doing a lot of comparisons the first month. I don't notice it on the 2500 box with a 27" standard tv. We notice it the most with the 6416 and the HD 50" DLP. We came from SD DirecTiVo.
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post #335 of 3340
5/31/06 at 5:03am
Anybody out there who uses CableCARD with Verizon FIOS? Any monthly cost for the card? How does high-def work? Pros and cons? Anything you can share would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!
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post #336 of 3340
5/31/06 at 5:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjwedeking View Post

How about pixelation with movement. I have noticed it with sports (motorcycle racing) and my wife has noticed it even on her cooking shows (when mixing). It took me a while to cancel DTV, so we were doing a lot of comparisons the first month. I don't notice it on the 2500 box with a 27" standard tv. We notice it the most with the 6416 and the HD 50" DLP. We came from SD DirecTiVo.

The quality of SD tends to vary by source, but currently nearly everything looks nice and crisp. There are a couple of factors that may explain the differences in what we are seeing. Note that both of us came over from D* using a HD-TiVo:

1. It is possible that your local FiOS "CO" is not properly tuned as yet. By this I mean that perhaps they are not receiving or handling the source signals at the best quality that they could be. The local SD channels in the DFW area sucked when I first hooked up, and I like many others complained. It was only a few weeks later when they all magically sharpened up. There are still some SD nationals that may show some pixelization still, but I attribute these to the quality of the source itself.

2. As you likely already know, D* overcompressed the heck out of its channels in order to fit on more and more premium content. While SD channels on D* would not be pixelated, they *would* tend to be very soft due to the high level of compression. It is hard to see pixelization under these circumstances.

Given #2 I tend to conclude that FiOS is not overcompressing its channels, but may be receiving some sources that are somewhat pixelated, or could be doing something wrong on a local-by-local basis. I current lean toward the former in the DFW area at least. Our local SDs here look as good as the same content upconverted on the HD channels. Of course, real HD still blows this away.

If I were you I would note which channels you believe suck the most and give FiOS a call (yes, I know this is still a painful process). Others are likely also calling, and I would also bet that the engineers in your area are probably aware of the problem anyway. This may just be part of the growing pains.
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post #337 of 3340
5/31/06 at 11:56am
I did not have HD with DirecTV, if I did I would not of switch so quickly. I look at it as a loss of TiVo and a couple channels. For HD and a crappy dvr. For the first month I had both (it was hard to let go of TiVo) and did comparisons between the DTV and FiOS. With a Supercross race on Speed TV it was difficult to see the lap times scroll across the top of the screen with FiOS. I could switch back to DTV and see them fine. A motionless picture on FiOS is much sharper than DTV.

I could see the local FiOS "CO" being behind here. When I first got FiOS, only a handful of the lower analog channels came in. It took Verizon a couple trips to figure out they had a problem at their main distribution office.

I guess I had high expectations of FiOS TV. I/we were excited about FiOS TV until we started to use it and saw the picture. Hopefully the HD TiVo with cable cards will come out soon!
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post #338 of 3340
5/31/06 at 7:57pm
It might be worthwhile to tell V* about what you are seeing, although I am always concerns that they will do a generic "swap the box" move for no good reason.

Speed TV looks reasonably sharp here, and this is on a 60" RP LCD. Must be local to you.

Good luck!
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post #339 of 3340
5/31/06 at 8:18pm
I just hooked up my 2500 standard box to my 50" DLP and the SD picture quality via SVideo is better than SD picture from the 6416 via HDMI. I guess I need to make an appointment. Sucks because Verizon takes 2 weeks to get out and only M-F so I will have to take a day off work once I figure what day they can come out. Nice thing about Cable, they will come out Saturday and never had to wait 2 weeks.
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post #340 of 3340
5/31/06 at 8:40pm
S Video may mask the pixelization. It is likely still in your source, but you could have a bad HDMI card.
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post #341 of 3340
6/2/06 at 10:08am
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTDT View Post

The quality of SD tends to vary by source, but currently nearly everything looks nice and crisp. There are a couple of factors that may explain the differences in what we are seeing. Note that both of us came over from D* using a HD-TiVo:

1. It is possible that your local FiOS "CO" is not properly tuned as yet. By this I mean that perhaps they are not receiving or handling the source signals at the best quality that they could be. The local SD channels in the DFW area sucked when I first hooked up, and I like many others complained. It was only a few weeks later when they all magically sharpened up. There are still some SD nationals that may show some pixelization still, but I attribute these to the quality of the source itself.

2. As you likely already know, D* overcompressed the heck out of its channels in order to fit on more and more premium content. While SD channels on D* would not be pixelated, they *would* tend to be very soft due to the high level of compression. It is hard to see pixelization under these circumstances.

Given #2 I tend to conclude that FiOS is not overcompressing its channels, but may be receiving some sources that are somewhat pixelated, or could be doing something wrong on a local-by-local basis. I current lean toward the former in the DFW area at least. Our local SDs here look as good as the same content upconverted on the HD channels. Of course, real HD still blows this away.

If I were you I would note which channels you believe suck the most and give FiOS a call (yes, I know this is still a painful process). Others are likely also calling, and I would also bet that the engineers in your area are probably aware of the problem anyway. This may just be part of the growing pains.

The local HD channels are being brought in "off air" and then digitized and sent over the Fiber. They are getting their direct feed this month. This should clear up a ton of the picture quality issues people are having.

Since they are getting the LOCAL HD channels off of an antenna currently there are atmospheric contitions to consider. The signal that comes into the digitizer gets amplified and sent out. If there is a crappy signal coming in..... You get a crappy signal coming out.

This should all be cleared up this month after the direct feeds are installed.
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post #342 of 3340
6/2/06 at 1:10pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MJDallas View Post

The local HD channels are being brought in "off air" and then digitized and sent over the Fiber. They are getting their direct feed this month. This should clear up a ton of the picture quality issues people are having.

Since they are getting the LOCAL HD channels off of an antenna currently there are atmospheric contitions to consider. The signal that comes into the digitizer gets amplified and sent out. If there is a crappy signal coming in..... You get a crappy signal coming out.

This should all be cleared up this month after the direct feeds are installed.

Does this only apply only to the "local HD channels"? Personally, I'm not really seeing issues with the my local HD channels (801-808) broadcasting HD content. The picture is excellent. The only time I see issues with the "local HD channels" is when they are showing SD programming. But I assumed this was normal.

My pq issues are with the local sd channels (analog) and some of the national digital channels, like Nickleodeon, etc...

When you say "after the direct feeds are installed", what exactly do you mean? Are you just talking about the local HD channels?
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post #343 of 3340
6/2/06 at 1:43pm
Thread Starter 
I've noticed (by reading posts in the AVSFORUMs) that PQ seems to differ from one Verizon FiOS TV service area to another. I am located in Northern Virginia, (Fairfax County, near Dulles Airport).

The only consistent PQ comments (across different areas) I've read indicate that HD is outstanding on FiOS.

However, I have seen some posts where people indicate all SD channels (except for the local analog ones) are very good, while others (including myself) indicate some SD channels are very good, while others are not so good. My previous provider was DirecTV, whose SD PQ, IMHO, was not very good. I had read here (and other places) that FiOS SD PQ was almost "DVD like" for all their channels. I personally don't see it. As I indicated, some channels are very good (almost "DVD like"), and others not so good. The "not so good" ones are as bad (or maybe even a little worse?) than DirecTV.

First of all, what exactly is the "CO" that others have referred to? Some previous posts in this thread talk about the local Verizon FiOS "CO". I assume this is the local FiOS channel distribution center that receives the signals from the various providers and distributes them on the fiber? If this is the case, wouldn't the providers for the national SD channels be the same from one CO to the next? Or might there be some COs that have different providers that account for the PQ differences?

For the record, I am using a 23" Sony HD LCD and a 30" Toshiba HD Tube TV.
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post #344 of 3340
6/2/06 at 2:02pm
Yeah, HD PQ is great. Pixelation is very rare with HD but does happen. I have noticed it on FiOS and a friend has noticed it on Time Warner.

FiOS tech just left after replacing the box. Did not fix a thing. However I lost all my recording and settings. He said he is going to talk to his boss and for me to call him in a few days. He gave me his cell number.

Problems I have:
1. Pixelation on SD whenever there is any motion.
2. Audio delay. I have HDMI straight to the TV and optical audio to the receiver. This results in a delay in the audio, picture and audio don't match. If you listen to the audio on the tv from HDMI and the receiver you will notice a definite echo. If I take the optical audio out of the TV (delivered to the TV via HDMI) to the receiver, I don't get the delay neither do i get 5.1 digital audio.
3. Audio dropouts. Audio dropouts for a second or so at random times. Mostly on all HD channels.
4. Audio cutouts. Audio cuts out completely at random after changing channels quickly or fast forwarding.

It sucks how little FiOS tech know about, well anything. The tech did not know what HDMI was, he did not know it carried audio (none less digital) as well. Best of all the tech asked me why the pixelation is happening.
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post #345 of 3340
6/2/06 at 2:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rickypicky View Post

First of all, what exactly is the "CO" that others have referred to? Some previous posts in this thread talk about the local Verizon FiOS "CO". I assume this is the local FiOS channel distribution center that receives the signals from the various providers and distributes them on the fiber? If this is the case, wouldn't the providers for the national SD channels be the same from one CO to the next? Or might there be some COs that have different providers that account for the PQ differences?

A "CO" is a "central office". However, despite it's name ... it's not as "central" as you might think (especially for video).

BTW, you can find your CO here:
http://www.dslreports.com/coinfo

All national channels for Verizon are aquired and aggregated at one of two national "Super Headends" (SHE). Then, there's the "Video Hub Office" (VHO)where local channels are aggregated (and ad insertion and various other things). Then finally, there's the "Video Serving Office" (VSO) at your local CO. However, the only thing the VSO is doing is taking the feed from the VHO and sending it on (adding voice and data at 1490 nm).

Different COs / VSOs with the same VHO shouldn't see different PQ ... but different VHOs or SHEs might ...

Note: The above is based on the architecture information Verizon submits with it's Franchise applications ... for example here:
http://www.ripuc.org/utilityinfo/cab...20Packages.pdf

It was the exact same in their Northern Virginia applications ... but I can't find any of those right now.
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post #346 of 3340
6/8/06 at 5:09pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by baja View Post

I discovered today that there is a major flaw with the FIOS Motorola HD/DVR boxes. I would think that this has been discussed already but I have don't have time to search through the entire thread. I had an entire install of FOIS on 6 TV's today. After the tech left I started to tweak out the units starting with my HT room. The box is run to my IF7205 FP via HDMI, sound to my AVR via coax. The first thing I noticed is that the sound was defaulting to PCM. I played with the little sound setting that Motorola has only to find out there was no way to get the DVR to play in Dolby 5.1 or better. I called FIOS cust support and was transferred to a "specialist". What a joke that was trying to explain while she was on the other line with Motorola tech support. Long story short Motorola has a bug in their box that does not allow DD 5.1 playback when using the HDMI for video and coax or optic for audio. I was told to forget using HDMI and use component instead and that will enable DD 5.1 playback via digital output. They have to be kidding me! I immediately cancelled service and told them to come back and pick up all the equip. Glad I did not cancel my BrightHouse service. FIOS admitted that they know about this issue but feel that it is not a big problem and that they were told by Motorola that they should have a fix in a month or so....I HAVE HEARD THAT BEFORE. Also in Video observation, I have to say I see no quality improvement over BrightHouse. All in all I am very disapointed. I have had FIOS for my data for a couple of months and have been very happy. I really was hoping that FIOS TV would blow me away but that just does not seem to be the case in any way shape or form. In reality I think the PQ with BH is better....go figure.

Has this issue been fixed yet?
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post #347 of 3340
6/8/06 at 5:16pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by baja View Post

Has this issue been fixed yet?

Yes, fixed in recent firmware update. DD5.1 now works through optical even if HDMI is connected.
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post #348 of 3340
6/9/06 at 4:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BTDT View Post

Yes, fixed in recent firmware update. DD5.1 now works through optical even if HDMI is connected.


Thanks! Think I may give V* another wirl.
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post #349 of 3340
6/9/06 at 4:12pm
I should be receiving my new Samsung HL-S6188W in a week or two. As soon as I do, I plan on getting FIOS TV. Any words of wisdom on how to get the very best possible HD resolution with FIOS? What's the best way to hook up FIOS for the best PQ? I just want to sound somewhat knowledgeable when the Tech arrives to install and hook-up the FIOS. Still learning...

Thanks,
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post #350 of 3340
6/9/06 at 7:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by SED Enough View Post

I should be receiving my new Samsung HL-S6188W in a week or two. As soon as I do, I plan on getting FIOS TV. Any words of wisdom on how to get the very best possible HD resolution with FIOS? What's the best way to hook up FIOS for the best PQ? I just want to sound somewhat knowledgeable when the Tech arrives to install and hook-up the FIOS. Still learning...

Thanks,

Generally, component for a CRT type TV and HDMI for flat screen TV. YMMV.
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post #351 of 3340
6/10/06 at 5:51am
OK, some silly questions for you guys. Verizon ran fiber down my street a couple of weeks ago so I'm optimistic that eventually I'll be able to subscribe to their FiOS TV service. Does their fiber end at the street or is it extended to the house? If fiber goes to the house, does Verizon use the existing in-home RG-6 coax? Are there any other cabling options for inside the home with Verizon FiOS? For those who own a PDP and switched from CATV to FiOS, is there a perceptible difference with picture quality? Does Verizon FiOS TV support CableCARD connectivity?
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post #352 of 3340
6/10/06 at 6:27am
Fiber comes all the way to the house and ends in the ONT - which then breaks out the TV, data and phone signals.
They try to use as much of the exisitng coax in the house as possible but will add some if needed.
PQ is generally better than anything else, but there are a lot of variables. In new areas it may take a while for them to get everything right.
CC is available.
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post #353 of 3340
6/10/06 at 11:36am
Thanks. Does Verizon support CableCARDs?
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post #354 of 3340
6/10/06 at 5:46pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by optivity View Post

Thanks. Does Verizon support CableCARDs?

In general yes, but it may depend on your area - it's a new thing for FIOS.
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post #355 of 3340
6/11/06 at 3:24am
I couldn't wait, I had to have High Def video-on-demand so I recently received and connected MovieBeam to my system. I was able to get MovieBeam for $53 shipped by using the promotion code "PR49B." FYI, the quality of the SD movies on MovieBeam are superior to those on Verizon's Video-on-Demand, and about 5 of the movies are shown in HD. Note, however, that the HD is compressed somewhat and the picture is not as good as the HD offerings on Verizon, but much better than Verizon's SD movies. It appears that a majority of the movies offered on MovieBeam are widescreen, and many offer 5.1 surround sound. So far I am impressed by the service.
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post #356 of 3340
6/12/06 at 8:32am
Does any one here use the the HDMI connection from the set top box and have it go into a HDMI receiver? Any issues with the video pass through or audio problems?
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post #357 of 3340
6/13/06 at 6:57am
Does Verizon offer essentially the same HD channel line-up as Time Warner? What model box do they provide as an STB-DVR? Who makes their CableCARDs?
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post #358 of 3340
6/13/06 at 8:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by optivity View Post

Does Verizon offer essentially the same HD channel line-up as Time Warner? What model box do they provide as an STB-DVR? Who makes their CableCARDs?

Don't know about TW but they offer more HD channels than comcast and their SD quality is excellent. The STB I have is a Motorola 6416 which is the DVR version with 160 gig HD. It also has HDMI output, optical digital audio, and coax digital audio.
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post #359 of 3340
6/13/06 at 9:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by optivity View Post

Does Verizon offer essentially the same HD channel line-up as Time Warner? What model box do they provide as an STB-DVR? Who makes their CableCARDs?

You can find the FIOS HD channel lineup at the FIOS site.

What diff does it make who makes the CC?
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post #360 of 3340
6/13/06 at 12:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by optivity View Post

What model box do they provide as an STB-DVR? Who makes their CableCARDs?


STB - Motorola Qip 6416 DVR (160 Gig Hard drive)

Cable cards are Motorola
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