Did some reading it appears that I may have had to get a MoCA adapter to plug one of the FIOS coax feeds into and then plug the ethernet connection to my switch. This would replace the coax input to the router that the original Verizon router came with. It's a moot point now since I took the boxes back. I can't say that I'm disappointed that I now have to use the Shields instead of a Verizon box to watch TV. I hate paying a ridiculous amount to rent hardware that I don't really need.
Verizon FIOS set top boxes and my router
I'm sure this is not posted in the correct forum but all I could find to discuss cable boxes was for non-HD content so I thought I'd stick it here and see what happens. Mods, please feel free to move it to the appropriate forum if need be.
Here's my situation. I have a Linksys EA8500 wireless router that I've been using in my home network for years and it works great. Virtually every device on my network is hardwired into a 24-port unmanaged switch with a one 8-port switch daisy-chained off one port that connects to my HTPC, HDHR Quatro tuners, A/V pre/pro, TV, and other devices in my home theater setup, including a new Shield Pro.
My 96-year old mother-in-law recently moved in with us so I thought I'd replace my HTPC connected to the TV in the family room with a Verizon cable box since that's the TV she usually watches and she's used to having a cable box. I also got one for the TV in her bedroom so she could watch TV in private if she wants.
I ordered two boxes and picked them up at a local Verizon store (A One box and a Mini). I set up the main box on the family room TV and had it up and running with no problems. A short while later the box rebooted a couple of times over about a 2-hour period. I went out for the evening and my wife texted me that the box was not working. I was hung up on trying to detect a network connection. I thought this was weird because the box is literally sitting about 3 feet from the router and is connected directly to one of the router LAN ports.
I was never able to get the box working again nor could I get the Mini box in Mom's room to get past the point of trying to detect a network connection. I tested both network connections and they work fine. The model numbers of the boxes are MTRS VMS4100 and MTRS IPC4100.
I contacted Verizon Tech Support and the first thing the guy said was that I needed a Verizon router for the boxes to work.. told him that the main box initially worked fine when I set it up and then just could not find the network later for some reason. I asked why I needed a Verizon router but he could not explain the reason why. They were supposed to send a technician to the house to check the boxes that evening but nobody showed up. I called Tech Support the next day and had a long chat with the service rep. Apparently the Verizon routers have a coax connection whereas mine does not. I am assuming that this connection is used for the set top boxes to communicate and receive their guide data. It was strange because the message that was displayed on the family room TV instructed to make sure that the coax input was connected to a working FIOS cable connection. It never said anything about connecting an ethernet cable to the RJ45 jack. I finally got frustrated with the whole thing and said I was just going to return all of the boxes and ask for a full refund.
Can anyone offer an explanation why the latest FIOS set top boxes won't work with a standard wireless router? Is the coax input an absolute necessity and, if so, what does it actually do? Does this have something to do with MoCa (I have no idea how that works)? I'm just confused why the boxes won't work with a regular router and apparently the Verizon techs have no clue either.
I have Shields throughout the house for streaming capabilities but I also have Channels DVR installed on them as well as two HDHomeRun Prime tuners and two Quatro ATSC tuners for OTA channels. This means I can use the Shields to watch every channel that is not copy protected, which covers almost every channel that I am subscribed to except any of the Fox network channels. Fortunately, the channels that Mom and my wife both watch are not copy protected so now I just have to train them how to use the Shields. It doesn't break my heart because they wanted to charge me through the nose for the boxes and the outlet fees. I told them I was not going to rent any more hardware from them and that my two cablecards were all I really needed.
Here's my situation. I have a Linksys EA8500 wireless router that I've been using in my home network for years and it works great. Virtually every device on my network is hardwired into a 24-port unmanaged switch with a one 8-port switch daisy-chained off one port that connects to my HTPC, HDHR Quatro tuners, A/V pre/pro, TV, and other devices in my home theater setup, including a new Shield Pro.
My 96-year old mother-in-law recently moved in with us so I thought I'd replace my HTPC connected to the TV in the family room with a Verizon cable box since that's the TV she usually watches and she's used to having a cable box. I also got one for the TV in her bedroom so she could watch TV in private if she wants.
I ordered two boxes and picked them up at a local Verizon store (A One box and a Mini). I set up the main box on the family room TV and had it up and running with no problems. A short while later the box rebooted a couple of times over about a 2-hour period. I went out for the evening and my wife texted me that the box was not working. I was hung up on trying to detect a network connection. I thought this was weird because the box is literally sitting about 3 feet from the router and is connected directly to one of the router LAN ports.
I was never able to get the box working again nor could I get the Mini box in Mom's room to get past the point of trying to detect a network connection. I tested both network connections and they work fine. The model numbers of the boxes are MTRS VMS4100 and MTRS IPC4100.
I contacted Verizon Tech Support and the first thing the guy said was that I needed a Verizon router for the boxes to work.. told him that the main box initially worked fine when I set it up and then just could not find the network later for some reason. I asked why I needed a Verizon router but he could not explain the reason why. They were supposed to send a technician to the house to check the boxes that evening but nobody showed up. I called Tech Support the next day and had a long chat with the service rep. Apparently the Verizon routers have a coax connection whereas mine does not. I am assuming that this connection is used for the set top boxes to communicate and receive their guide data. It was strange because the message that was displayed on the family room TV instructed to make sure that the coax input was connected to a working FIOS cable connection. It never said anything about connecting an ethernet cable to the RJ45 jack. I finally got frustrated with the whole thing and said I was just going to return all of the boxes and ask for a full refund.
Can anyone offer an explanation why the latest FIOS set top boxes won't work with a standard wireless router? Is the coax input an absolute necessity and, if so, what does it actually do? Does this have something to do with MoCa (I have no idea how that works)? I'm just confused why the boxes won't work with a regular router and apparently the Verizon techs have no clue either.
I have Shields throughout the house for streaming capabilities but I also have Channels DVR installed on them as well as two HDHomeRun Prime tuners and two Quatro ATSC tuners for OTA channels. This means I can use the Shields to watch every channel that is not copy protected, which covers almost every channel that I am subscribed to except any of the Fox network channels. Fortunately, the channels that Mom and my wife both watch are not copy protected so now I just have to train them how to use the Shields. It doesn't break my heart because they wanted to charge me through the nose for the boxes and the outlet fees. I told them I was not going to rent any more hardware from them and that my two cablecards were all I really needed.
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I moved from Maryland 6 months ago and had Verizon FIOS there. For the ultimate high speed connection, they installed coax from the entry box (in garage) to Verizon router in Home Theater. From there i had many Ethernet connections to devices in my HT, including one Verizon DVR. A second Verizon DVR located upstairs in Living Room connected by WiFi. All worked well. Ive had more problems with AT&T fiber in my new home than i ever had with Verizon FIOS. I think Verizon was right that you needed coax to their router. Glad you found a work around.Did some reading it appears that I may have had to get a MoCA adapter to plug one of the FIOS coax feeds into and then plug the ethernet connection to my switch. This would replace the coax input to the router that the original Verizon router came with. It's a moot point now since I took the boxes back. I can't say that I'm disappointed that I now have to use the Shields instead of a Verizon box to watch TV. I hate paying a ridiculous amount to rent hardware that I don't really need.
This issue is being able to use my own router and not be locked down to renting theirs. I managed to wean myself off of their hardware all except for two cablecards, which I use with the HDHR Prime tuners on my home network. They were trying to charge me $9 for each outlet on top of the cablecard rentals, which came to $36 a month. I don't get a paper bill anymore so I never see the itemized bill each month to see what they were charging me before so I was probably paying for two outlet fees with the cablecards. I use Channels DVR with the Shields and use a Windows 10 HTPC for the recording engine. I love it because it allows me to use any compatible device, including my cell phone, for watching live TV, any shows I've recorded, and manage my recording schedule from anywhere in the house. There's also a TV Everywhere feature that lets you stream content from your server or live TV to any remote device while you're away from home. I've never tried this feature, but it looks pretty cool. This is part of the Channels Plus subscription package that costs $80 per year, but I'd rather pay for that than the equipment rental fees from Verizon.
You can not use a Verizon cable box without a Verizon G1100 or later router. Period. These boxes are hardcoded to look for a Verizon router.
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
Thank you. That's the first definitive answer I've received from anyone. None of the people at Verizon could tell me why I need to have a Verizon router to use their boxes.You can not use a Verizon cable box without a Verizon G1100 or later router. Period. These boxes are hardcoded to look for a Verizon router.
Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
1 - 6 of 6 Posts
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