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We had Verizon FiOS TV installed in our home on Saturday afternoon March 3, 2007, replacing analog cable service from Cablevision. FiOS Internet from Verizon was installed over a year ago and sure “smoked” our old cable modem in consistent service and speed. FiOS Internet was originally 15 MB download and 2 MB upload when first installed and was soon updated to 20 MB down and 5 MB up at no extra charge. The Cablevision Internet offering it replaced was not a great experience, never faster than 5 MB down and 768 KB up, no matter what they advertised. The price was about the same for FiOS Internet. See Verizon FiOS Installed: Macintosh Compatible and Fast!
Cablevision’s analog cable service was pretty terrible with its grainy pictures and lack of programming, not to mention the high price. Cablevision service tech visited us several times to fix the snowy pictures without result. These visits never resolved our slow Internet service either. The RF signal level was -10 at the pole in our case. The answer was always switch to “IO,” their digital service. We decided not to due to the even higher price, needed boxes on each of our four TVs, and the slow Internet service. So when Verizon was coming into town with FTTP (Fiber-To-The-Premises) we jumped for the faster Internet speeds and better pricing staying with Cablevision for TV only.
When we ordered FiOS Internet last year, Verizon was unable to offer TV service in NJ as they needed a franchise due to the archaic cable TV laws. The good news is that New Jersey passed a “state-wide” cable TV franchise law at the end of 2006 and Verizon has started offering video. Just in time if you ask me as it gives consumers more choices.
We considered satellite TV as I was a happy DIRECTV customer for six years at my old house. The main reasons for not using DIRECTV now, is the south-side of our house has nice big trees. Also, DIRECTV does not yet offer a VOD (video-on-demand) feature, the “triple-play” pricing from Verizon is competitive, and the opportunity to try out FiOS TV.
Staying with Cablevision’s analog cable for a year while waiting for FiOS TV was not easy. First Cablevision cancelled our HBO and Encore channels, only offering them on digital cable, while pushing a long term contract. Then, they dropped some additional channels like Speed, TCM, and few others while still charging $48 a month for snowy pictures!
The FiOS TV Install
The FiOS TV install took under two hours since we already had FiOS Internet and our house already has RG6 cabling located in all the right places. We ordered two High Definition boxes (family room and master bedroom) and one Standard Definition box for our home office.
Verizon started by disconnecting the Cablevision feed on the side of the house and connected the RG6 cable that feeds our TVs to the video port inside the ONT (optical network terminal) on the side of our house. Next he replaced the splitter with a new 6-way, connecting the RG6 cables that go to the office (2), the master bedroom, the family room and a spare bedroom (no STB was ordered for this room). All the feeds on the RG6 cables were then tested for signal strength in each room. In my case all the cabling was fairly new and installed by me and tested fine. For a detailed view of the ONT click on the image below.
If the test had showed a low signal the tech would have to troubleshoot the cabling to see if there was a bad termination (connector not put on correctly) or if there were any other problems in the signal path from the ONT into the rooms. If the signal was too “hot” a attenuator would need to be put in line to get the signal into the correct range. In our house, this was not needed, the signal was in the correct range in each room.
This is the ONT Verizon is using for apartments
The Verizon tech needed to install a NIM (small Motorola box) to connect to our existing D-Link 624 wireless router. The NIM handles the VOD and widgets by connecting to the Internet. Most new installations of Verizon FiOS are using an Actiontec’s model MI-424-WR router that has the NIM built-in allowing it to connect back the ONT (optical network terminal) on the side of our house using both Ethernet and RG6 cabling. Adding the external NIM to the existing D-Link wireless router makes the installation easier as they do not have to upset and re-configure your existing router.
Other than the fact that you now have two devices, there is really not much difference in service. It is a bit surprising that The NIM functionality is not located inside the ONT (optical network terminal) with no need for it inside your house. My guess is the reason was to insure the ONT “innards” would not become obsolete, it being easier to swap out a router or add-on box. Click the image below to see a larger view of a basic FiOS house wiring.
The technician then connected the STBs in all the rooms. It takes awhile for these boxes to load up the program guide or IPG. After this the Verizon technician has to authorize these boxes for use. He did this using his own laptop connected via wireless EVDO. He put in the serial numbers for each box and in a few minutes they were ready to go. The HD STBs that Verizon installed are Motorola QIP6200-2 and the standard definition STB is a Motorola QIP2500-3.
The High Definition STB (set top box) in our family room is connected to a Sony KDS-50A2000 Grand WEGA
Verizon did not supply the HDMI cables, but did offer to supply component and TOSLINK OPTICAL
The master bedroom also has a High Definition STB installed on a Sony KDL-40XBR2 40″ Bravia XBR 1080p LCD HDTV
The Verizon technician gave us a printed channel guide and welcome kit. He then spent time with us to explain the operation of the STB, the remote, and general information about FiOS. He pointed out the tutorial videos Verizon has in the free VOD (video on demand) area. The technician was very competent, polite and helpful. I was originally surprised they would be installing on a Saturday, but the technician told me that they were working 7 days a week to install all the orders they were receiving in our area.
Slingbox on FiOS TV
We opted to have a standard definition STB installed in our home office connecting it to an older Panasonic 13″ TV. We actually spend a lot time in our home office and the TV is often on in the background for news, weather, and some TV shows. Here I connected the S-VHS and RCA audio outs of the Motorola STB to my Sling Media Slingbox PRO 
I can now watch FiOS TV from any computer (Mac and Windows PCs) in the house or remotely from anywhere there is broadband. This includes changing channels, using the FiOS Guide, and even watching and controlling VOD (video on demand). The flexibility of this is just great. I often can tune in a channel from my house while I am on the road with my PocketPC phone over EVDO or WiFi or tune in the news while I am in my company’s office. I am greatly looking forward to when Sling Media releases SlingCatcher.
TV from Verizon without a STB
I have one guest bedroom with a small TV that we decided not to pay monthly for a STB. The plan was originally to re-connect the old roof-top antenna to this TV. I was happy to see that when Verizon installed FiOS we were able to re-tune the TV and receive about 20 channels from FiOS without any STB. The picture quality trumped the roof antenna. At least having 20 channels including the local off-air channels delivered in the clear allows for connection to some remote TVs in your home when subscribing to FiOS. There is no extra charge for this of course. This is an advantage over satellite TV as there is no way to get any signal without a STB. I have a friend that buys a very basic analog cable at about $11.95 per month to accomplish this in his DIRECTV subscribed home.
Pricing
FiOS TV seems to be pretty competitive with Verizon’s “triple-play” that packages landline phone, Internet, and TV services for about $95 per month (guaranteed for first year). The stand-alone FiOS TV Premier package is about $42.99. You need to add the cost of the STBs, DVRs, premium programming, taxes, etc to this price. The STBs run $4.99 per month for standard definition and $9.99 per month for an HD set top box with remotes included.
Verizon charges $12.99 per month for their Motorola QIP6416 DVR (which is also HD) that allows you to record one show while watching another or recording two shows while watching a previously recorded show. They also offer a Multi-Room DVR that they call the Home Media DVR. This unit allows you to watch recorded shows on other TVs in your home acting like a media hub which is pretty pricey at $19.95 per month.
Media Manager with Home Media DVR Only
If you are a Home Media DVR subscriber Verizon includes software called Media Manager. You can connect to a Windows PC (No Mac or Linux support, remember Microsoft does the software) using Media Manager to view photos and play music stored on your computer. You download the free Media Manager software from the Verizon website and install it on the Windows PC(S) you want to share music and photos. After installing, the Media Manager software will scan your Windows computer to find photos and music to share.
On the Home Media DVR you go to the Media Manager menu and enter the computers you want to connect to. You can now view photos, slideshows you created, and play music that is stored on your Windows computer on your TV using the Motorola STB. You MUST have the Home Media DVR installed to use this software. I downloaded this and tried it on one of my PCs just to see it by chance it would work with the standard HD STB, which as expected, it did not.
This feature is not a big deal for us as we use a Apple Mac mini
Programming
FiOS TV offers over 200 channels in their FiOS TV Premier package with more being added. See the channel line up here. The channels are nicely arranged by genre as you would expect on a modern TV system. They package about 47 music channels provided by Music Choice. They offer a Spanish Language Package for $11.99 per month with about 24 Spanish language stations.
What is missing right now in our area is a local news channel like Cablevision’s Channel 12 or Time Warner’s Channel NY1 News. Since these are owned by competing cable companies, I do not think you will see these on FiOS anytime soon. Verizon may need to just create their own channel for local news if customers demand it. I have to admit that this was a factor for us when considering FiOS. Since we live in NJ and there are many other networks that carry local news and weather we decided it we could live without Channel 12.
PEG (Public Education Government) channels are also missing from the FiOS line-up. Although, this is definitely temporary as the “state-wide” TV franchise mandates these community stations being carried by FiOS here in NJ. So after switching to FiOS we are no longer able to get the kids local high school channel. Eventually, Verizon will carry these in each community as the law mandates. I do not know the time schedule for this.
Premium programing is extra of course. We opted for HBO at $15.99 per month. This gives us 12 HBO channels in English and two in Spanish as well as access to HBO VOD (video on demand) content. We are not bilingual so the Spanish channels are not useful to our family.
Verizon offers a Movie package at $12.99 per month, a Sports package for $7.99, the WWE package for $7.99, and a Karaoke package for $7.99 monthly fees.
We are not huge sports fans in our house, as we only watch occasional events. FiOS has the Yes network and even has it in HD, so the Yankees are covered. I would be the wrong person to compare sports packages to the competitors, so you will have to judge for yourself.
High Definition Programming
Verizon offers TNT HD, ESPN DD, ESPN 2 HD, NFL Network HD, HD Net, HD Net Movies, Universal HD, Discovery HD, Wealth TV HD, National Geographic Channel HD, and MTV HD in their regular FiOS TV Premier package. Since we live near NYC we also receive the local HD channels; CW-WPIX HD, WCBS HD, PBS-WNET HD, WNBC HD, Fox-WNYW HD, W-ABC HD, and My-WWOR HD. Since we subscribe to HBO we also get HBO HD.
Cinemax HD, Showtime HD, TMC HD, and Starz HD are also available on FiOS TV to subscribers. With Verizon FiOS huge capacity I expect their will be more HD programming coming online as it becomes available. The HD programming being offered right now looks good as is better than most of the other providers digital cable I have seen. Some people claim as good or better than satellite.
Picture Quality
If you own HDTVs or you are a big couch potato, picture quality is probably pretty important to you. This is where FiOS excels as far as I am concerned. The picture quality is less compressed than what I have seen from Cablevision and Time Warner in our area. Even the standard definition channels look cleaner and less pixilated. We did a A-B test at a relatives house as they switched from Cablevision “IO” digital cable with Cablevision’s HD STB to Verizon FiOS TV. On their new Samsung HDTV LCD flat screen it was easily seen to all present that the FiOS picture quality was superior, even on standard definition channels. This was using a component cable from the STBs. I later replaced it with an HDMI cable and thought it looked even sharper.
In the relatively short time we have had FiOS TV installed we have had no outages or problems. The only things I have seen was a very rare digital glitch in the picture both on standard definition and high def channels. This has been very rare and I am not really complaining as I have seen this on other digital cable systems and satellite. Overall the picture and sound quality has been very good and far better than our old analog cable as to be expected. The surround sound (when broadcast by the station) is also very good.
The usual complaint of volume levels not being the same from channel to channel could be better, but no worse than we had from our analog cable or I have heard on Cablevision’s digital cable. In fact, this also existed on DIRECTV when I was a subscriber. One thing I did notice was in the settings of the Motorola STB supplied by Verizon, was that the audio compression setting to limit dynamic range came defaulted to the highest level. Not good for an old audiophile like me. So I changed this setting. This does not have much to do with channel to channel volume levels, but does level out the sound from quiet to loud from within the soundtrack of what you are watching.
STB, Remote, and Online Guide
Here is where FiOS can use improvement. The STBs they are using are from Motorola and the software is from Microsoft. Although the online Guide has some nice things like being able to set reminders (non DVR box), the user interface and remotes can use some work. The onscreen graphics making up the guide are a bit drab and the functionality could use more thought to the way people use them. The online guide reminds me of an early satellite TV STB I once had years ago. Overall, the STB is functional, but probably will not “wow” you.
FiOS offers what they call “widgets” that can be called up to give instant information from the Internet. The idea is a lot like Dashboard on a Macintosh, but the execution is far less. Right now, there is only a local Weather and a Traffic widget available. Verizon promises more in the future, but no word on what they will be. The first time you call up a “widget” on your STB by pushing a button on the remote, you are asked to add your zip code. This needs to be done only once and is usually done by your Verizon installer. Then you can get the local weather and traffic for your area at the bottom of the screen. This is somewhat useful, but certainly not earth-shattering. One thing to point out here is finding the correct “widget” button might take a moment or two as the supplied remote labels a button “Widgets” that does nothing! After looking in the user manual you will find a small triangle shaped button that is unlabeled is the actual “widget” button. The user manual claims the button labeled “Widgets” is for a future use, not yet deployed. They seem to say this for the few misc buttons that no nothing right now.
While in VOD (video on demand) mode the STB shows “PLA” were the clock display is, which of course probably means PLAY. Would be nice to see it switch back to the clock after a few seconds as that would be more useful. I understand that the DVR function does the same thing when playing back recorded shows.
One BIG oversight with the supplied universal remote, a Philips RC 144, is that a crucial user control for the Guide was forgotten completely! For some reason they no longer include a simple “page up-page-down” control on the new remote. This makes navigating the Guide or IPG (interactive program guide) a bit of a nightmare. Imagine trying to navigate through over 900+ entries in the Guide “ONE AT A TIME.” When I discovered this was missing, I could not believe it. Reading the printed manual was no help, but a trip to some online forums revealed many FiOS users complaining about this. Seems the older FiOS remotes did have “page up-page-down” buttons, but somehow they never made it onto the new supplied remotes! This has prompted FiOS users to buy used remotes on eBay or buy Harmony remotes. My Slingbox actually shows the older Verizon remote that has the “page up-page-down” buttons. It may me wish for the older remote.
The same remote is used for the FiOS DVR. Apparently, they also misplaced the 30 second skip button. This function seems to only be gotten back by buying a programmable remote like Harmony. I wonder if Verizon was pressured to remove this function by content providers not wanting viewers an easy way to skip commercials at the expense of FiOS customers?
I can not at this time speak much about the DVR as I did not order one. From what I have read from users that have the FiOS DVR is that, TiVo it is NOT. The FiOS DVR lacks “wishlists” and TiVo’s famous user interface. This has prompted some FiOS customers in love with their TiVos to get a S3 HD TiVo, order CableCARDs from Verizon to use on FiOS. From what I know, this works, but requires two “CableCARDs” (monthly charge) as there are still only single stream cards available and springing for the cost of TiVo and TiVo programming. VOD and ordering pay-per-view from the TiVo is not available. If you want these two functions you will have to have a FiOS supplied STB also.
I have had the opportunity to spend some time with a Scientific Atlanta STB and online guide offered by Time Warner digital cable (NYC). I found that their guide had better graphics, was more user friendly and took less clicks to accomplish the same tasks. The box definitely felt snappier. The guide’s response to button pushes on the remote was faster and more responsive. The online guide’s programming grid’s graphics had some color, drop shadows, that made this made it easier to read. The FiOS guide (IPG) has a plain “flat” look” to it. Switching to search for programming by time to type or theme is one simple button push of Time Warner’s STB, unlike the FiOS STB that requires several button pushes to get to an almost hidden menu to do the same simple thing. Time Warner also provides a second method to find out what’s on, a scrolling list by time located on one channel that allows you to just watch the listings to see what’s on. FiOS does not offer this.
Although, the Time Warner remote in appearance looks similar to what Verizon is now providing, the button layout and functionality is better on the Time Warner remote. It did not leave out a critical user control like “page up-page-down” buttons. Both are universal remotes that can be programmed to control other AV devices.
Why do we need STBs?
I hear this all the time from friends and family. I think it is not a stretch to say that “nobody really likes set top boxes” on their TVs just to get cable. I sure don’t. One of the reasons I stayed with analog cable so long, was so I did not want to have “a box” on each and every TV in my home. Not only are we “renting” each one, we have to have this unsightly box in all our rooms. Nothing looks more ridiculous than one of these boxes connected to a 13″ TV (like my home office).
Sure I know there is CableCARD, these small “PC cards” that can be slipped into the back of a compatible TV. They allow you to connect to your digital cable without the “box.” But this has not really taken off. First, most TVs lack the required slot. Next the current generation of CableCARD being offered by the cable providers lack the same functions as the boxes. For instance, you can get CableCARD from Verizon FiOS (although they do not advertise it), but you can not get VOD or order pay-per-view on screen with them. If you want to use a TiVo with FiOS you actually need two CableCARDs as all they have available right now is “single stream” cards with the promise of “multi-stream” waaaay late.
Let’s face it, digital cable providers and satellite TV use set top boxes on each TV, as does Verizon FiOS TV. The FiOS set top box is about the same size as the other STB from Time Warner, DIRECTV, Cablevision, and even most TiVos. The dimensions for the HD and DVR box is W 17.02 in. D 10.78 in. H 2.57 in and the SD box is W 14.75 in. D 10 in. H 2.75 in. They are all “too big.” Seems for the moment we are stuck with them. Verizon’s FiOS is using almost the same STB as Comcast.
The business model from the providers point of view is a good one as they can charge for each TV connected, not just each house, like the analog cable days. The content owners like this also as the STB stops recordings you can easily keep, and offers a layer of control. They never got over the consumers embrace of VHS years ago. They have always been out to make home recording obsolete. If you do not believe this take a look into the legislation they been pushing for years regarding the “broadcast flag.”
To get some relief, let’s hope that CableCARD catches on in a big way, in the next few years. But I would not hold your breath, as I just purchased two new “top-of-the-line” Sony HDTVs and they lack CableCARD. In fact, many of the newest large screen TVs still do not offer CableCARD slots. There is a law imposed by the FCC that will allow home users to “bring-their-own-STB.” The idea is you will be able to buy your own STB that will work on your cable system. This is supposed to help the electronics industry and create competition. Truthfully, I like the idea, but doubt the reality will be easy for many users. Can you see the finger-pointing that will happen the first time you experience a problem?
I guess the best hope is for the electronics to shrink yielding smaller boxes. Providers are trying at cram more and more features into their STB to add value to their offerings, so this will be an uphill battle. So as much as I really hate to say this, as far as having to have a box, GET OVER IT. As this is a fact of life, at least for now.
VOD (video-on-demand) Programming
As part of the FiOS package you get access to VOD programming. To access this content just push the VOD button on your remote or go to channel 900. The VOD programs are controllable by your remote for play, pause, rewind, and fast forward simulating a VHS tape or DVD player.
There is a variety of content available for free and for also for a fee. New movies tend to be about $3.99 allowing you to view them as much as you like in a 24 hour period. Older movies are usually $2.99. This can save you a trip to the video store. The free programming is varied and there are some decent shows to watch. If you subscribe to a premium channel like HBO, you will find free content under Subscriptions as part of that premium package.
The VOD is served up as standard definition 4:3 aspect ratio programs. They are streamed, once in a while you will see some artifacts. Mostly these shows are very viewable and look pretty good. If the show has surround sound you will get that from the VOD as well.
EyeTV and FiOS
I have been using an Elgato Eyetv 200 Digital TV Recorder
To get these recordings to play on the TVs in my house, I was originally using EyeHome (discontinued) boxes connected to two of my TVs. These days I just use a Apple Mac mini
With switching to FiOS, or any digital cable or satellite service adds a wrinkle to my PVR solution. The internal EyeTV tuner can only tune analog or off-air channels. The EyeTV does have S-VHS, composite, and analog RCA audio inputs allowing me to easily connect the FiOS STB to record and standard definition program. The problem is scheduled recordings, as the EyeTV is missing a critical piece to the puzzle as it can not, by itself, change the FiOS STB channels. The EyeTV has no IR control built-in, like some TiVos and Slingbox.
An IR blaster to the rescue. There is a third-party solution. Using an IR blaster and iEye Captain for EyeTV ($15 US) shareware the channel changing problem can be solved. There are two IR blasters to consider, ZephIR ($49.95) and IRTrans with iRed license ($99). The IR blaster can “learn” any IR remote control code and the software can allow for channel changes at the appropriate times.
I have not jumped to do this yet as I found a new wrinkle. The TitanTV website does not yet have listings for FiOS TV! I did write them an email and they sent a response. My hope is they soon add FiOS listings. I will post about this again in the future.
If this does not work out a TiVo or FiOS DVR might look good to us. The main reason I like the EyeTV solution over the FiOS DVR is I can save to DVD whatever I want, and also put the content on my iPod. With FiOS DVR, it is view only until the hard drive fills up and you erase the show. Come on Elgato, get us a built-in IR solution for changing freakin’ channels for your product! This is NOT that hard.
My Opinion
FiOS TV is a compelling offer and overall I am happy with the service. My main criticism about FiOS is that since this was a brand new service starting on a blank screen, Verizon should have been able to “leap-frog” the competition among cable and satellite providers. But instead they simply “met” the competition with a compelling and competitive offering. With the fiber backbone tied directly to the home and the bandwidth that comes with that, Verizon had a real opportunity to bring truly cool Internet enabled TV to the marketplace. I guess the “widgets” are a small start and we will have to wait for FiOS to evolve. It appears that Verizon has created a “next-generation” backbone network that is using a “this-generation” STB. Seems that Verizon was more reactive that innovative with FiOS. They did stay with what they do best, building world-class networks. With this “next-generation” backbone they should be sitting on a good perch to add more and more services and features in the future.
Value
The high point for FiOS is the picture quality and the value in pricing and competition. To find out if FiOS is for you, I suggest you do some homework and compare pricing and programming. The “triple-play” has become the saver for most consumers, probably this will hold true when shopping for FiOS also. I am sure that eventually, a “quad-play” will emerge from Verizon, tying in Verizon Wireless as some cable companies are already doing this with Sprint as the wireless provider.
In our case FiOS is a good value as compared to the other available choices, Cablevision or satellite. The “triple-play’ makes it more affordable and one bill is nice. It will interesting to see how FiOS evolves as the competition heats up even further. So far in the short term I can say that we are quite happy with most of FiOS’ features and service.
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Hi, I just got FiOS TV and found myself in the same predicament you were in with your EyeTV. I was just wondering what hardware/software combination you ended up going with as a solution and if it’s working out for you or if you have any new insight on it?
Thanks for your informative post!
Phil,
I still have not bought anything yet. I plan on going with the iEye Captain for EyeTV ($15 US) shareware and IRTrans with iRed license ($99). But Titian TV still does not have FiOS TV listings yet. I have written two emails to them requesting FiOS listings be added.
One good thing is that the latest update of EyeTV 2.4 adds support of third-party infrared hardware (IR Blasters) to switch channels on a set top box using EyeTV. They also added support for the Apple TV. You can take a look here in the read me files.
Titan TV does have FiOS Listings for my area.
Why are you leaning towards IRTrans rather than ZephIR? I don’t know anything about IR blasters.
Thanks again for your great advice.
Phil,
I had some time today and your comment had me thinking. So I checked with Titian TV again and discovered if I change my zip code to Keller, Texas (the first community to get FiOS) I could choose Verizon FiOS as the cable provider. The Keller, Texas is somewhat close to what I get from Verizon in NJ, except for local channels. Good enough for a start, while I wait for Titian TV to add FiOS listings for NJ.
Although I planned to get the IR Trans, I ordered the ZephIR today over the IRTrans because it was half the price and ZephIR and they claim to have improved their software. EyeTV now supports IR blasters in the new release and IRTrans vendor is in Germany and ordering from them seemed to be a bit of a pain from their website.
Basically, the IR blaster is just a USB device that puts out the same codes to change channels as the set top box’s remote does. The included software is what programs the IR Blaster to put out the code at specific times and specific channels. I sure wish EyeTV would FINALLY come out with a unit that had a built-in IR control like Slingbox has. My Slingbox works perfectly with FiOS.
When I receive the ZephIR, I will set this up and post about it. Hope it all works! I want to get my EyeTv working again and use it with the Apple TV I bought as well as my iPod.
My main reasons for not getting a DVR from Verizon is no Apple TV or iPod support and no way to burn to DVDs when I want to keep something. The EyeTV even alllows for remote programming!