[terrapin]

Anyone have experience with Verizon's offering? I have FiOS internet which I am really happy with. FIOS TV isn't yet available in my area (Redondo Beach, CA), but they are advertising here and tell me it will be available shortly. $40 per month, 200 channels...

 

[P Smith]

Is there any HD channels ?

 

[kikkenit2]

Some. Similar to D* & TW Cable. I live in RB too. I saw them stringing the cables recently. $40 a month just for internet.
http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

 

[terrapin]

I haven't checked the lineup in detail (will soon, thanks for the link) A great benefit of fiber is that it can actually handle delivery real hd content as distinct from compressed.

I'm not totally impressed with D* hd. Few programs are actually broadcast in 1080; most are compressed. The new mpeg4 box, the hr20, hasn't had its ota tuners activated yet (among other issues), and the differnce between the m4 locals and the uncompressed (via my hr10-250 ota) is, uh, quite clear. Also, I've only seen one game on my RSN in HD, which is very frustrating.

Fiber is very broad so its great for the future. It may be trouble for satellites, but not for some time to come. Here is a good discussion on that: http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=69346&highlight=fios+vs+directv

A bit OT: FIOS internet is highly recommended. I haven't experienced ANY downtime in 6 months of service. Truly amazing! And 15/5 is 5 times faster than my previous dsl service while being $24 cheaper per month.

 

[Mctube]

I cant wait for FIOS. I have had D* since 98. With all the lame excuses since Aug about the new DVS HD I will be glad to make D* a thing of the past. FIOS is almost good to go here. I cant wait.

 

[OakIsle]

I lost my distants last night. Was just told I can get Fios internet now. Fios tv very soon. E* will be losing another cutomer I'm sure.

 

[djlong]

They (E*) will be losing me when my Fios Intenet can have TV added to it.

 

[Hound]

E is probably losing me as well to Fios when it becomes available. Fios in
Central NJ, is going to probably start off with three RSNs in HD, CSN, YES and SNY,
none of which is available on Dish and an HD lineup, with the exception of VOOM,
is superior to E.

 

[OakIsle]

Any word on how well the DVR set top boxes work for Fios? Do they have any known problems?

 

[hazydave]

Any word on how well the DVR set top boxes work for Fios? Do they have any known problems?

FIOS TV is likely to be undistinguishable from CableTV, in the way you run it. Basically, they're block converting a whole cable's worth (about 800MHz, at least in the Eastern PA area where friend of mine are getting FIOS now). At your network interface box, they block convert that back to cable.

That's not to say they're using all cableTV pieces, but they certainly could. That could even include the CableCard standard (eliminates the need for an STB on a modern digital TV), but don't hold your breath... it took years to get the cablecos to move on that (they're all supposed to be full compliance as of June).

 

[AVITWeb]

E is probably losing me as well to Fios when it becomes available. Fios in
Central NJ, is going to probably start off with three RSNs in HD, CSN, YES and SNY,
none of which is available on Dish and an HD lineup, with the exception of VOOM,
is superior to E.

Hound...where in NJ?? I am still waiting fro FiOS internet here in Trenton.

 

[harsh]

A great benefit of fiber is that it can actually handle delivery real hd content as distinct from compressed.

Alas, because Verizon backed down and chose the handle FIOS like cable, it isn't necessarily superior. Rather than sending uncompressed video streams, FIOS sends QAM modulated data just like cable. They even use the same receivers as cable.

If it walks like cable and quacks like cable, it must be cable.

 

[terrapin]

If it walks like cable and quacks like cable, it must be cable.[/QUOTE]

Man, that is disappointing. Redondo Beach paved the way for FIOS tv; made the front page of the local paper. I received some 'available' notices from Verizon, but the HR20 is getting better; there are a lot of features I appreciate (a few I'm quite frustrated with, too).

No way I'm going from one squashed signal to the next. At least D* is at the forefront, (supposedly) plans for more hd and bells and whistles in terms of dvr usability.

If Verizon would really utilize the capabilities of fiber optic, I'd be a lot more tempted to switch. Thanks for the info, Harsh. I do plan to keep an open mind, however.

 

[phillipm]

Verizon FIOS TV is a super service - the high def quality is excellent. They provide all the local high def channels in the Phila area. (810 to 817) including 2 PBS digital. The sports and movie package provides 12 national HD feeds - TNT-HD, 2 ESPN, NFL, 2 HD Net, Univeral, Discovery, Wealth, Nat Geographic, MTV (if you are interested), Showtime, TMC, and Starz. Cinemax and HBO are also available. The DVR is VERY stable - in 6 weeks we have not had a lockout or silent death - which happens too frequently with our Directv HR-20's. Channel changes are extremely fast - even when going from low def to HD.

The DVR only holds 20 hours of HD and you can only get one of them (they only have one set of IR codes). They use the Motorola box which looks exactly like the Comcast unit. They are working to activate the USB and Firewire ports to permit and external hard drive for more capacity - no date yet.

The install was glass smooth - they use real Verizon techs, not contractors. The install was free.

The lo def is not as good a Directv - some video noise around the crawls on CNBC and Fox News - but is is better than it was in December - these guys work fast to fix their problems.

FIOS TV is now our primary service - we will keep Directv also but will buy more premium feeds from Verizon once the external drive is available.

If you can get FIOS TV, I highly recommend you do so.

 

[djlong]

Verizon sent out a press release stating that my town was getting FiosTV (I have Fios internet)

Then they recalled all their negotiators to NJ.

Then they announced they were selling their landlines and DSL. Then the announcement was the agreement to sell to Farpoint.

Then, a week later, the first new story said that NH's 80,000 fiber lines were included.

Looks like I've been teased with Fios TV and will never get it. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

 

[terrapin]

Thanks for the info an good post, Phillip. I might have to actually see it in action before I commit to an install. My wife is understanding and cool (she's tolerated the D* hr20 this long, even when it's botched a couple of her crucial shows, or even when I'm complaining because the hd rsn feed is unwatchable), but paying for two services at once might be a hard sell...

The only lo-def we are forced to watch these days is the comedy channel and Lakers games (I was originally excited about the hr20 thinking we could receive the local rsn in hd; didn't work that way).

The hr20 has generated enough frustration, though, and we are both very satisfied with our fios internet (rock solid, blazing fast, very good cs).

How do you like using the service (ease of recording, deleting, trick play, are there dual buffers etc.) as compared to the hr20 (ox11b)?

 

[phillipm]

Responding to Terrapin: The FIOS offering has most of the features that the HR-20 has - at least all that we use. The major difference is that the system is rock solid - no lockups, no rain fade, much faster channel surfing. Fast forward thru the commercials at speed 2 is fast and when you hit play, it backs up some - they must have done some research about the reaction times of the average viewer - so most of the time is starts at the perfect place (no backing up needed).

The HDR only records 20 hours of HD material - The Verizon techs at the Encore center are very candid that this is their customers primary complaint and that management wants it fixed. They plan to implement an external hard drive via firewire or USB. This will require a box swap most likely done via a tech on-site visit.

Hope this helps

 

[terrapin]

Thanks Phillip. I would say the lack of hard drive space has been THE major point in not adopting FIOS tv so far. I was also thinking of doing things as you have done; keep 'em both for a while and see...

I enjoy my time in the hr20 forums, even though I don't talk much. Rock solid, no problems? If I dump my hr20, what would I talk to Earl about???

 

[harsh]

I haven't checked the lineup in detail (will soon, thanks for the link) A great benefit of fiber is that it can actually handle delivery real hd content as distinct from compressed.

Fiber can, but FIOS cannot. FIOS, other than the price and Internet bandwidth, is virtually indistinguishable from cable. Their HD content is compressed just like CATV because they use most of the same equipment as CATV.

 

[terrapin]

Fiber can, but FIOS cannot. FIOS, other than the price and Internet bandwidth, is virtually indistinguishable from cable. Their HD content is compressed just like CATV because they use most of the same equipment as CATV.

I remember you saying that previously, harsh. Its hard to believe, even thought he equipment is the same and the fiber stops when it gets to your house, that there isn't *some* differnece that would distinguish it from conventional cable.

No way in hell i'd trade my hr20 for cable...

And ox11b has been issue free for the last two days if you can believe it, although I haven't been putting in my normal hours on the couch lately...