Comments on: FiOS IMG

By: Andrew

Andrew — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 03:34:01 +0000

Thank you for such thorough initial and follow up information. I am waiting for Verizon to respond to my inquiry regarding channel availability on TVs with no set top box…with cable and no box they can pull in all channels from 2 to 100 but I am concerned that they will lose most if not all functional use if we convert to Fios…several wall mounted sets in remote rooms don’t have room for any type of set top box whether it is aesthetically appealing or not…was your initial comment on the 15 or so available channels without a set top box a local issue or do you think that is probably pretty much the case everywhere..??…as I said, Verizon will no doubt respond locally but with your knowledge and experience base being much more broad, I wanted to seek your perspective as well…many thanks and best regards…

By: Duane

Duane — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 22:15:55 +0000

For detail on what channels are available, see the channel lineup here: http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup.htm

The local channels (not 800’s, those are HDTV) are available without a set top box.

By: Louie

Louie — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 17:01:04 +0000

nice review. Tripleplay will be installed 2/5/08 and based on what I see the TV side will be a decent upgrade over Time Warner digital cable and their guide/dvr menus (which have not been upgraded since I have had them for several years). Internet will be the same, I currently get 15/2 with road runner (via time warner) so no change with Fios. And the phone will be an upgrade. I opted to save $10 with TW by only having CA calls be free and all other states I get charged. Verizon/Fios does not have a non-nationwide plan, so now my distant relatives (MT and WA) will be hearing more from my family.

I am “satisfied” with TW at this time, so hopefully I am not shooting myself in the foot with switching, b/c Verizon required a 2 year commitement! But I have 30 days after install to change my mind, if I don’t like what I see.

By: Rich

Rich — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 00:03:56 +0000

Your review is very informative and helpful.

I’ve only had my HD set for a few weeks. I used an HDMI cable to connect the Blu-ray disc player and expected to do the same for the Fios set top box. I was surprized to notice that the boxes in your review don’t seem to have that connection. Before I make the switch from Comcast to Fios, I wanted to see if you had any thoughts on whether it is or will be available with HDMI interconnection. I have always hated set top boxes and run my basic cable right to the TV. This will be a departure for me if I elect to do it.

By: Don

Don — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:04:16 +0000

After months of hype, we finally received the new guide. Unfortunately, I would be hard pressed to call this an improvement. The worst features: By blowing up the item in the middle of the menu and inserting program description information, etc. It makes it very difficult to visually scan the menu page top-to-bottom. If you have a standard stb, the search is insane. They have reproduced a phone keypad with 3 letters and a digit on each button. You are basically text messaging. On the HD box, they have all 26 letters, no idea why this would need to be different on the standard box. Also, it appears you can no longer remove channels from the standard guide, only the favorites, so when you bring up the standard guide all those channels I don’t subscribe to or would never want to watch are always there.

On the positive: searching dvr, guide and on demand thru one search. Can now use the channel up/down to page up/down in the menu - though the new design makes visually procesing the menu a page at a time difficult.

Wish list: ability to have scouts like the directv had where you can enter searches that automatically run and notify you when something matches comes along in the future. Set reminder on hd for future programming.

By: JKeefe

JKeefe — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 17:27:53 +0000

I must say that I am surprised by your review. I have had FIOS TV for 1 yesr now and preferred the previous menu guide. The responsiveness to the remote is horrible. I end up waiting approximately 2 seconds after each key tap before the set top box responds. I am currently using the Motorola QIP 2500 series set-top Terminal. While I do agree with you that the colors are more pleasing to the eye and I do like the new search functionality, I would gladly give it up to have the old menus back for performance sake.

By: Frank O Long

Frank O Long — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 02:24:36 +0000

Using three STB’s in one cabinet is a pain (One for each of two VCR’s, and one for the TV). Found the solution to isolating the IR signals by purchase of IR Remote Extenders that work on 418MHz and 433Mhz for controlling two of the STB’s and use the normal IR Remote signal for the other STB. Had to fabricate covers to mask the IR receiver in two of the STB’s.

Advantage of the Remote Extenders is that the RF signal passes thru floors and walls so the STB can be in another room if you so desire. Wife can take the remote to the basement and control the STB located in the Living Room upstairs to switch channels for the basement TV (split off the LR TV cable). Same concept could be used for wall-mounted bedroom TV by locating the STB in a closet or another room.

The RF/IR extenders by Next Generation are available from summitsource.com as item numbers RMT418 (418MHz) and RMTSB7 (433MHz). The transmitters have a rechargable battery and fit inside your current Remote Control. Note: They do not work with Harmony Remotes and possibly others. Mine are working great in the Philips Remotes that Version supplied with my QIP2500 STB’s.

Cancelled my MDM cable service within 24 hours of the FiOS TV being added to my Verizon Internet and POTS.
Only complaint is Volume of the local inserted commercials.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:16:54 +0000

In the new IMG, can search results be displayed to show what is on NOW rather than by show title?

By: Duane

Duane — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 19:20:36 +0000

Rich, the FiOS HD set top boxes definitely have both HDMI and componenet video connections.

JKeefe, I’m not sure why your guide is slow. Mine responds very timely.