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FiOS/Digital Cable hardware question

post #1 of 43
1/9/07 at 5:31pm
Thread Starter 
I'm switching from Comcast to Verizon FiOS for internet and TV. I've been told, and I believe it, that I will need a digital set top box for every TV I want to watch TV on. No more getting all the digital channels in the living room with the "official box" and getting maybe channels 2-80 or so on other TVs just using built in tuners or VCRs or whatever. I'd love to avoid renting four other boxes. Are there digital set top boxes I can buy that will allow me to get digital cable through Verizon FiOS TV or do I have to rent their boxes?

Also, if anyone in this forum is computer savvy... Are there any PC tuner cards that can get digital cable? I've seen some that seem to describe it but in the descriptions they don't mention exactly what I seem to be trying to achive. I'd love to build a media center PC and get digital cable on it without a box. I don't really care about VOD and guide data.

Thanks in advance!
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post #2 of 43
1/9/07 at 7:19pm
Search this forum a bit more for FIOS. Also check out www.dslreports.com for a lot of good FIOS internet tutorials, etc.

You are missing the entire home theatre computing forum: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=26 - read, ask, read again and anything you need is there. Media center PCs and tuner cards is their specialty.
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post #3 of 43
1/10/07 at 8:28am
Thread Starter 
Thanks GeekGirl. I actually did look at both pages of this forum for an answer to my question but didn't see anything related to it. Is this not the correct forum (or sub forum) for this kind of question? The question is really less about FiOS than it is digital cable and the equipment used in digital cable. I'm wondering if a Tivo Series 3 or some other set top box can be used instead of renting the box from Verizon. In case I didn't make it clear I am switching to Verizon FiOS TV as well as FiOS internet.

As for the tuner card question, you're absolutely right. I am aware of the HTPC forum. I was hoping that there might be some cross contamination between the regulars of this forum and the HTPC forum since it's kind of related. I took a better look at the HTPC forum and found my answer. In case anyone is wondering it looks like you need a set top box in order to get digital cable into a PC. There aren't any digital cable TV tuners that can replace a set top box, at least not yet. Some are advertised as digital but they do not completely remove the set top box from the picture.
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post #4 of 43
1/10/07 at 3:00pm
I would think this is the correct forum for FiOS, but I've found more info in my local OTA broadcast thread (Philadelphia) on this topic. The discussions revolve around OTA, ComCast, now FiOS. Check the HDTV local info and reception forum. This FAQ will help you find an on-going thread for your area: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=453241
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post #5 of 43
1/10/07 at 5:04pm
Yes, FiOS does require you to have a set-top box if you want to receive anything other than broadcast channels and some of the local government channels. All of the normal "basic cable" channels are digital only, and are encrypted. So while you might be able to find a PC TV tuner that will decode clear QAM, there are non in existence that will decode encrypted digital cable channels except for the vaporware OCUR that will theoretically work with Vista.
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post #6 of 43
1/10/07 at 5:07pm
The real question is; does FiOS use a QAM tuner? I don't think it does. I couldn't see a QAM tuner tuning a fiber optic transmission. Maybe I'm wrong, but I would assume every single TV must have a Verizon leased STB with what ever tuner they are using, otherwise no TV for you!
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post #7 of 43
1/11/07 at 6:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by miniz View Post

The real question is; does FiOS use a QAM tuner? I don't think it does. I couldn't see a QAM tuner tuning a fiber optic transmission.

http://www.fioscentral.com/article/m...box-403-1.html
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post #8 of 43
1/11/07 at 11:37am
Doesn't say whether FIOS uses QAM or IP. The box has BOTH QAM and IP tuners.
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post #9 of 43
1/11/07 at 11:47am
Folks have reported successfully using TiVo series 3 units with CableCARDs on FiOS, so the ONT has to be providing a QAM-compatible signal.

Tony
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post #10 of 43
1/11/07 at 12:32pm
It may depend on the area and devision of FIOS. They may use both IP and QAM. Call and ask your provider.
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post #11 of 43
1/11/07 at 12:40pm
Bottom line is.. it can use QAM which answers your question in post #6.
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post #12 of 43
1/11/07 at 1:31pm
It can, but some devisions may not.
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post #13 of 43
1/11/07 at 1:46pm
So what's your point? I answered your question. Why do you persist with rebuttle?

Do you really think that FiOS providers would be so stupid to not use an STB/technology that is not compatible with exitsing modualtion schemes and TV platforms... with positioning for the future?

The medium is fiber to the premises. Digital.

Once it enters your home it gets demultiplexed for voice, video, data, etc.... QAM, 8VSB, PSK. Once it gets to your home, they can use whatever modulation they choose for video.

You may want to read up...
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post #14 of 43
1/11/07 at 2:02pm
It looks like they convert the fiber optic signal outside the house at a terminal then send it inside the house. Own its own, off the street, the signal is IP.

Can I hook up multiple TVs with Verizon FiOS TV Service?
Yes. Set Top Boxes (STBs) are required for each television where you would like to receive digital programming (all packages and channels beyond the analog FiOS TV Local Package). You can install FiOS TV on up to 7 televisions with Set Top Boxes. Any TVs connected without a STB to a coax outlet will receive the analog channels provided in the FiOS TV Local Package. Our representatives and technicians will work with you to set up the best FiOS TV network in your home.

Can I purchase the equipment instead of renting it for a monthly fee?
At this time, rental is the only option for Verizon FiOS TV Set Top Boxes. The equipment we provide is state-of-the-art, and we ensure you have the latest technology without having to spend hundreds of dollars for each box upfront.

http://www22.verizon.com/content/fio.../faqs/faqs.htm
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post #15 of 43
1/11/07 at 2:50pm
But once 'terminated' in the home and distributed to the TV or STB... not necessarily (or only) IP. As evidenced in this statement, "Any TVs connected without a STB to a coax outlet will receive the analog channels provided in the FiOS TV Local Package."

An analog channel does not use IP nor does a traditional TV tuner. So... they can modulate a signal with any method they choose based in the "hardware" installed in the homeowener's premesis.

No different than what cable providers do today. FiOS just brings the fiber to your doorstep.
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post #16 of 43
1/11/07 at 5:43pm
FiOS does use QAM for all one-way channels. The IP is only for video-on-demand and interactive TV services ("widgets"). Also, the upstream is IP. So yes, any CableCARD set will work with FiOS, including a Series 3 TiVo, which I have up and running fine on FiOS. It was a little bit of a challenge to find a tech who knew how to provision a CableCARD though.
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post #17 of 43
1/18/07 at 7:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by obi5kenobi View Post

I'm switching from Comcast to Verizon FiOS for internet and TV. I've been told, and I believe it, that I will need a digital set top box for every TV I want to watch TV on. No more getting all the digital channels in the living room with the "official box" and getting maybe channels 2-80 or so on other TVs just using built in tuners or VCRs or whatever. I'd love to avoid renting four other boxes. Are there digital set top boxes I can buy that will allow me to get digital cable through Verizon FiOS TV or do I have to rent their boxes?

Also, if anyone in this forum is computer savvy... Are there any PC tuner cards that can get digital cable? I've seen some that seem to describe it but in the descriptions they don't mention exactly what I seem to be trying to achive. I'd love to build a media center PC and get digital cable on it without a box. I don't really care about VOD and guide data.

Thanks in advance!

If you do not buy the convert box for your other TV's and just hookup the Cable to the back of the TV you will get channels 2-49, look your local channel guide to see if these are enough channels, otherwise, you have to get their rental box's.
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post #18 of 43
1/18/07 at 8:46am
Quote:
Originally Posted by miniz View Post

The real question is; does FiOS use a QAM tuner? I don't think it does. I couldn't see a QAM tuner tuning a fiber optic transmission. Maybe I'm wrong, but I would assume every single TV must have a Verizon leased STB with what ever tuner they are using, otherwise no TV for you!

You obviously have no idea how this technology works. Why do you insist on helping people with it?
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post #19 of 43
1/18/07 at 11:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bfoster View Post

You obviously have no idea how this technology works. Why do you insist on helping people with it?

Why do you insist on nit-picking?? I never claimed that I knew how it worked. I read up on it and learned. Is there a problem with that mr. Iknoweverything?
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post #20 of 43
1/18/07 at 11:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by miniz View Post

Why do you insist on nit-picking?? I never claimed that I knew how it worked. I read up on it and learned. Is there a problem with that mr. Iknoweverything?

See the quote below? Every point in it is wrong. 100% false.

Quote:
Originally Posted by miniz View Post

The real question is; does FiOS use a QAM tuner? I don't think it does. I couldn't see a QAM tuner tuning a fiber optic transmission. Maybe I'm wrong, but I would assume every single TV must have a Verizon leased STB with what ever tuner they are using, otherwise no TV for you!


But I am nitpicking?
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post #21 of 43
1/18/07 at 11:45am
Explain to me how a question can be false?
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post #22 of 43
1/18/07 at 11:50am
Read the sentence after the question..... viola! you answered your own question, incorrectly.
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post #23 of 43
1/18/07 at 12:44pm
Quote:


Maybe I'm wrong

Quote:


think

That could be the reason why I used the two words above. I guess the nit-pickers miss those words!
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post #24 of 43
1/18/07 at 12:55pm
So now we are back to the beginning.

You obviously have no idea how this technology works. Why do you insist on helping people with it?
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post #25 of 43
1/18/07 at 1:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by miniz View Post

That could be the reason why I used the two words above. I guess the nit-pickers miss those words!

Carefully re-read posts 6 through 15 (or 16). Questions posed, answers provided, challenges followed. Why are you defensive/indignant? Who picking nits?
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post #26 of 43
1/18/07 at 1:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by white_2kgt View Post

If you do not buy the convert box for your other TV's and just hookup the Cable to the back of the TV you will get channels 2-49, look your local channel guide to see if these are enough channels, otherwise, you have to get their rental box's.



2 through 49? That's more than I had thought. Somebody told me I'd get something like 5 channels or something. Thanks for the info everyone!

{slowly backs away from heated forum discussion}
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post #27 of 43
1/18/07 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by obi5kenobi View Post

2 through 49? That's more than I had thought. Somebody told me I'd get something like 5 channels or something. Thanks for the info everyone!

{slowly backs away from heated forum discussion}

2-49 are for analog services. Check your local line-up card as previously suggested to find out exactly what is available in your area.
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post #28 of 43
1/18/07 at 1:50pm
A quick check showed only one line-up for the Mass. area. Looks like about 19 analog channels.

Here is the card.

http://www22.verizon.com/NROneRetail.../MA_MAArea.pdf
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post #29 of 43
1/18/07 at 2:11pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by bfoster View Post

You obviously have no idea how this technology works.

Neither do you.
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post #30 of 43
1/18/07 at 2:14pm
Refresher course... post #6.
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