ggrr8t said:slinkydooky said:ggrr8t said:slinkydooky said:ggrr8t said:slinkydooky said:people need to read up on the reviews of fios tv. the reviews have been poor for the stb software. beware!
I have, and have yet to see any complaints on picture quality this is the types of reviews I have been coming up with over and over.
"Quality: Standard definition channels are as good as it gets as far as I’ve seen. High definition channels are also as good as I’ve seen. Verizon will have a real competitive advantage over cable and satellite providers when it comes to picture quality thanks to the ample bandwidth that FiOS can provide" at http://www.defefx.com/verizon-fios-tv/.
Pretty much the same on any sites I checked. Do a google search on "fios tv"+review, and you can confirm this. Can you provide any links? Thanks

http://www.pvrblog.com/pvr/2005/10/verizon_fios_tv.html

Hundreds of reviews from people who have fios tv. The general consensus is that the dvr software needs a HUGE upgrade. Buyer beware indeed!! This is why I'm waiting for a major overhaul. These types of deals will always be there. Look at Comcast.

Thanks...All I care about is picture quality. Never was into TiVo, dvr, etc... . Oh...and the link you gave me is over 2 years old, that was when FIOS TV was unveiled. That blog reveiew was from october 10th of 2005.
When I used cablevison for TV and internet, I had troubles on my hidef tv, I got mucho pixelation ,and freeze up. That is due to lack of bandwidth. When I dumped optonline for FIOS internet, The freezing up and pixelation troubles were not nearly as bad. I guess that is because all the bandwidth on cable in my house just goes to th TV now. I know for a fact the bandwidth FIOS has over cablevison, is like comparing a fire house to a garden hose. I can't wait to get it.

If you are into extra functions and DVR check out what VZ has coming b4 end of year...
VZ GADGETS AND UPGRADES, remoted dvr, etc...

You have to scroll down. These are reviews from people who currently have fios tv, and there are reviews as recent as this week, so it gives a pretty recent picture of what is going on with fios tv. The subpar dvr and the 2 year contract are what is holding me back. Once these things are fixed, I might give fios a shot.

Then you will have no problems. If you read the link provided, that is being cleared up and some extras are being added. (vzgadgets and upgrades) But you DID mention questionable picture quality in another post. A neighbor switched from cable to FIOS tv and the picture is awesome. He no longer has pixelation and freeze ups, that is something I can't wait to clear up.

Again, you are WRONG!! I never mentioned PQ. And Verizon says the problems are being cleared up, but if you go through the older reviews, they were saying the same thing 2 years ago!! I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for it to be cleared up anytime soon.

slinkydooky said:Sounds like it is still best to wait a little before getting Fios if you are worried about picture quality and the dvr software. Hopefully they will fix this soon. And do away with the required contract. That's ridiculous! Comcast has them beat right now due to their dvr and no need for a contract.
Hmmm...looks to me like a complaint about picture quality.

lzpoof said:

I'm not sure on the legality of that. Cable providers at least are legally bound by the FCC to rebroadcast the locally available HD channels unencrypted over the cable wire. Technically I think they can still make you hget 'HD service' with them though so it's not free but you don't need to pay for the box. Unless Verizon has some loophole in not being a 'cable company' (there's a lot of loopholes like that out there) then it might not be legal for them to MAKE YOU rent a box from them to get HD channels instead of just charging you for HD service.

The intent of that ruling was to ease customer transition into HDTVs. If cable companies did not rebroadcast the locally available channels, then customers would have to keep switching back and forth from their OTA antennas to the cable company's coax in order to get both the local channels and the cable networks..... which would obviously tick the public off and probably be beyond the abilities of the elderly.

I am aware of the requirement of providing local HD channels unencrypted and i even brought this topic with their CSR while ordering the HD STB. The CSR blunt answer was that a HD receiver is a must to receive any HD channels. I even tried tuning local HD with out the STB (like analog) using the TV's built in HD tuner but did not get any channels. I am sure they are exploiting Loop holes in the system.

JesseKnows:

For those with regular DSL over copper, everything I've read indicates going to FIOS is a one-way trip. Right now you can get over copper 3MB DSL price for life of $28 with 2 year commitment. 5MB FIOS is essentially $40 after the promo is over. At the end of the year or two which you sign up for, it essentially says your price is going up. You decide you want to go back to regular DSL, you cannot. I guess a good test would be for you to try putting your phone number into the Verizon website for DSL and see what it says.

My house is fairly new and the entire neighborhood has underground wiring. I don't think they will remove the copper feed from the street but simply disconnect it at the house. If for some reason I wanted to go back, I should be able to, right ?

mixman2 said:I'm in a Richmond,VA suburb and have had fios tv for about 4 months. The picture quality is great; the DVR is a bit "buggy" and navigation is less than intuitive. For instance, it's a multi-step process to delete a recorded show (An "erase" button can't be that difficult). Generally, watching a recorded show on another set-top box works well. One ongoing issue is that sometimes the "30-second skip" function doesn't work properly and causes the recording to be "rewound" several minutes. Not earth-shattering, but annoying. Occasionally (about once every few days), the DVR will reset itself without warning. If it is recording a scheduled event, the recording does not begin again after the reset is complete. I'd suggest checking the length of the recorded show before beginning to watch--- I've been disappointed on several occasions that I had the first 40 minutes of an hour-long program. Calls to Support are usually answered within a few minutes and they are pleasant (what a refreshing change from Comcast).

Ah ha!! Here we go! As I have said, the stb software stinks. Now there is someone here that can back me up! w00t

blueribb said:My house is fairly new and the entire neighborhood has underground wiring. I don't think they will remove the copper feed from the street but simply disconnect it at the house. If for some reason I wanted to go back, I should be able to, right ?Yes, they wont physically remove an underground copper feed, they will just disconnect it.

However, AFAIK, once VZ has switched you to fiber they will not switch you back to copper *for any VZ service*. That means if you want DSL or phone service from a CLEC then they will reconnect the copper to allow that CLEC to provide service but you wont be getting VZ DSL or new VZ copper POTS. One of the major benefits of fiber for VZ is that its much cheaper to maintain then a copper infrstructure, allowing customers to switch back (after sinking the considerable cost it takes to do a fiber hookup) would be bad for VZ.

Someone on broadband reports was throwing a hissy hit about not being able to switch back to VZ copper phone service because FIOS phone service isnt as good because it locally powered (can't be powered over the fiber), I dont know if he ever got them to make an exception and restore his service but I wouldnt count on it.

winter said:The CSR is wrong. HD locals are in the clear - you don't need a VZ STB to receive them, I can see them just fine with the HDHomeRun I bought, any QAM tuner will work.

Also even for the other HD stations you dont have to rent a box from VZ, a TivoHD with cablecards will receive every station you are subscribed to.

Its long but there is a lot of good information here: Verizon FiOS Programming - Master topic!

Thanks for the link, I think i tried to tune HD channels on my Syntax Olevia. I'll read through the thread.

Yes, it is true, Here in Monmouth County, NJ, Verizon installed my FIOS triple play 23Oct07. But I didnt know of the AMEX gift card deal until 25Oct. I called and first lady for orders/upgrades said it was ONLY offered as you sign up for FIOS install. When I threated to cancel service she rechecked still said no but had me transferred to the "Keep Customers Happy" people who not only honored the AMEX gift card ($100 card now, and another $100 card in 12 months), but when I asked for a DVR they offered to upgrade the TV box to the DVR model with reduction in monthly charge for that one box. Much to my suprise, (offer was not available for other 2 boxes). Very good deal, Verizon 800-427-0077

Does anyone know if the Triple Freedom thing is available to existing customers who already have Verizon internet and maybe phone services? I don't know if we have their phone service or not, my parents take care of this stuff, but I would think that allowing customers who don't already subscribe to all three to upgrade to Triple Freedom could only help them. We only have 5/2, so the upgrade to 20/5 would be nice, and we've been considering switching tv from Comcast to Fios as well. I'd call but my cell phone is dead and I forgot the charger at home... (I'm at college)