Not Totally Pleased With Verizon FIOS Cable

[03LightningRocks]

So I went ahead and made the switch to FIOS cable. Couple of issues that are really screwed up. The first one is the on demand movies. I can rent the movies, but the sorry asshats won't let me record them with the DVR feature I pay extra for each month. The on demands are only available for 24 hours and then tough sh!t if you didn't get to watch the whole movie. I made the mistake of assuming that the on demand movies would be HD. Nope...they are not HD and they are barely digital.

The next issue also has to do with the cheesy ass DVR Verizon offers. When you fast forward or rewind, there is almost no control over how fast this happens. It is real damned easy to end up at the start or end of anything you are trying to watch. Then you have to go through the bullsh!t of fast forwarding back to the spot you where at before. Oops..the skippy ass fast forward focked you again...start over. Watching Directv never seemed to be stressful.

I am thinking about canceling the cheesy ass DVR verizon offers and putting that money torwards a stand alone Tivo box. Would going with the Tivo allow me to record what the heck ever I wanted...or is there some kind of government infringement on that also. The Tivo I had with my Directv allowed me to record any damned thing I wanted. Anyone here have a stand alone Tivo box?

[Chris94L]

We have the FIOS internet service (Badass!), and briefly had the tv service but switched back to DTv

[03LightningRocks]

We have the FIOS internet service (Badass!), and briefly had the tv service but switched back to DTv


What caused you to switch back to Dtv? I have to say, I am beginning to question the decision I made to switch to FIOS TV. So what about FIOS TV rubbed you wrong?

[PUMP]

It is my understanding that Verizon will not maintain the copper wire service once you switch to fiber optic and they do not have to lease the use of the fiber optic cable to any other providers. So, unless you get it negotiated otherwise on the front end, once you switch you are stuck with Verizon for land line telephone. That is what has been keeping me from going that route.

[Silver_2000]

The DVR works fine if you dont try to use 4x fast forward

they are pushing out an update to it in a few weeks

The VOD sucks - no question

XBOX movie downloads is WORSE - dload 5.3 gb of data for $6 to see a movie in with 5.1 channel surround and HD - No extra features ..


Cable SUCKS - Dish network sucks

FIOS TV is ok - its getting better

[03LightningRocks]

It is my understanding that Verizon will not maintain the copper wire service once you switch to fiber optic and they do not have to lease the use of the fiber optic cable to any other providers. So, unless you get it negotiated otherwise on the front end, once you switch you are stuck with Verizon for land line telephone. That is what has been keeping me from going that route.


I'm honestly not sure about what your referring to here. I do know that when I switched over to FIOS internet, I switched my phone service at the same time. There was no mention made of never being able to switch back to a regular phone service. I know that I didn't agree to a long term deal. They where new to the FIOS game when I signed up and where anxious to have my business. When I decided to go FIOS TV they didn't seem as desperate anymore and I agreed to keep the service for 12 months or pay an early termination fee. But they supplied all installation free so it seems fair that they would want to have my business long enough to cover the costs.



The DVR works fine if you dont try to use 4x fast forward

they are pushing out an update to it in a few weeks

The VOD sucks - no question

XBOX movie downloads is WORSE - dload 5.3 gb of data for $6 to see a movie in with 5.1 channel surround and HD - No extra features ..


Cable SUCKS - Dish network sucks

FIOS TV is ok - its getting better

My DirectV worked pretty darned good.(actually DTV had a better picture quality and their Tivo worked flawlessly) I only switched because they wouldn't do an upgrade to HD for free. I had been using DirectV for almost 10 years and they said the "free installs" where for new customers only. This pissed me off, so I said "fork em" and switched. I may be regretting it.

[99bolt]

I use the Tivo HD boxes. With the tivo you loose the on demand capabilities. I'm not sure if you loose pay per view also or not. The reason I went with Tivo is it will let me to customize the guide. The channels I don't watch are deleted from the guide. It also allows me to use the hdmi cable for connection to my receiver. I couldn't use the hdmi with the verizon box because of some handshaking protection bs.

[03LightningRocks]

I use the Tivo HD boxes. With the tivo you loose the on demand capabilities. I'm not sure if you loose pay per view also or not. The reason I went with Tivo is it will let me to customize the guide. The channels I don't watch are deleted from the guide. It also allows me to use the hdmi cable for connection to my receiver. I couldn't use the hdmi with the verizon box because of some handshaking protection bs.


Well crap. I think I am reading here that VOD is somehow blocking the ability to record the movie. Total bullsh!T! I want my DirectV back:bs.

Verizon FIOS TV, in my book, is now in the same category as the Plasma Booster and EBC rotors. I have to find a way out of this crap. DirectV is already pounding me with the "we miss you" letters. The b!tches are wanting to do everything but blow me now! Screwed up I tell ya...it's all screwed up!

[Silver_2000]

Well crap. I think I am reading here that VOD is somehow blocking the ability to record the movie. Total bullsh!T! I want my DirectV back:bs.

Verizon FIOS TV, in my book, is now in the same category as the Plasma Booster and EBC rotors. I have to find a way out of this crap. DirectV is already pounding me with the "we miss you" letters. The b!tches are wanting to do everything but blow me now! Screwed up I tell ya...it's all screwed up!

Its NOT fios thats preventing the recording its the studios - They dont want ANYTHING to get out in the wild

I had dish and the picture quality sucked - Every 18 months they came out with new hardware that cost a fortune - To upgrade to HD with DVR was going to cost me over a thousand - and when something goes wrong with the $$ POS I own it so it cost more $$ to fix it

I havent had Cable in over 20 years and refuse to go back

Ive never used a TIVO myself but I have installed them a few times

Verizon is new to the TV thing and has made a number of improvements since I had them, with a BIG upgrade to the guide/dvr coming in a few weeks

the HDMI cable problem is AGAIN caused by the content providers - they dont want ANY connection to digital signal that is NOT crippled some how - the newer HDMI has content protection built in... You will see that over time you wont be able to record any movies or PPV for any length of time on any companies devices. The studios are preventing it ....

If you have FIOS your copper phone lines were cut - you can ask to have them reconnected and Verizon supposedly will do it but they are trying to move everyone to Fiber because they can offer so many more services AND they dont HAVE to share the Fiber with competitors like they have to with the copper

Doug

[Silver_2000]

Interesting thread about TIVO and FIOS

http://www.dslreports.com/forum/r18777001-CableCard-TiVoHD-install~days=10

[TXLIGHTNING]

Been using DTV for almost 10 years now and I love it. I now have to do a SAT upgrade to pick up the new HD channels coming out soon, but its really no biggie to me :D.

[Lyfisin]

Interesting to read the really different experiences by customers using these same companies. I don't have FIOS because it's not available. I'm sure I'd try it if it was.

Rocks, I remember you saying awhile back you've been a Direct TV customer for a long time and they really haven't offered you much considering how long you've been with them. I've only been a customer for 9 years and they came out and installed a slightly larger dish at no charge when I upgraded to an HD receiver a year ago. They offered a couple of times to send me a DVR at no charge, but I've always declined because I don't particularly care for the monthly fee. I 'think' they offered me an HD DVR once for like $100.00 plus the monthly, but again I declined. I'd go somewhere else also if I felt I was getting the kind of treatment you received.

All, from a picture quality perspective, I've been very happy. It's fine (but not spectacular) on the normal channels and I think the HD channels look great. I would add that I'm not the biggest TV/Sound system guy though. To me, after a while, it's just TV whether it's HD or regular. I don't notice all through a show what kind of quality the picture is. The only HD issue I have with DirectTV is the NFL package. Getting the HD channels used to be included with the regular package, but now you have to subscribe to the Superfan package to get the games in HD.

Doug, why do they cut the copper to install fiber? Where do they cut it? Out on the street?

[PUMP]

They disconnect the copper line so that you cannot use any other service provider for your land line telephone service. They are supposed to tell you about that when you sign up for the fiber optic line, but I have heard and read many tales about them not doing the proper notification. The Texas PUC requires that they make the copper line available for competitors to lease. The PUC allows them to keep the fiber optic line proprietary. Another fine example of our state government doing what the lobbyists dictate instead of whats best for its citizens.:flaming: We need a "Rant Over" icon.

[99bolt]

I guess they forgot to cut my lines. Home phone still worked after fios install.

[Silver_2000]

I guess they forgot to cut my lines. Home phone still worked after fios install.
Look in the FIOS box on your house

Your home phone is now plugged in to the fios box the OLD school copper that USED to carry the line is no longer connected -

One way to test it is unplug the fios box on the outside of the house - when the battery dies your phone dies - then your phone is on fios

[Silver_2000]

Doug, why do they cut the copper to install fiber? Where do they cut it? Out on the street?


Im not sure its CUT but the phone number is rerouted across fiber light rather than copper

[bluesvt]

I thought they just got rid of the copper. I do the ATT U-Verse installs and they are testing fiber to the prem but for now it's fiber to the v-rad.

[03LightningRocks]

It has been awhile since I had FIOS internet installed, but I would almost swear that they gave me the option of FIOS phone or standard phone. Maybe I am remembering wrong and they did some kind of Jedi warrior mind fock on me.....:tex.

[bluesvt]

It has been awhile since I had FIOS internet installed, but I would almost swear that they gave me the option of FIOS phone or standard phone. Maybe I am remembering wrong and they did some kind of Jedi warrior mind fock on me.....:tex.

U-Verse comes in on the phone line but you do not have to have dial tone to get it. It has some stuff that needs to be worked out but I talk to a lot of customers that are very happy with the service. I will get it once available in my area.

[03LightningRocks]

U-Verse comes in on the phone line but you do not have to have dial tone to get it. It has some stuff that needs to be worked out but I talk to a lot of customers that are very happy with the service. I will get it once available in my area.


Hell, I don't even have a phone plugged in at my house. It's my little way of screwing with tele-marketers. They waste more time while they wait for someone to answer...LOL. It just rings and rings while never getting answered. The reason I have a phone line is my monitored security system. I only take calls on my cell phone.

[Silver_2000]

U-Verse comes in on the phone line but you do not have to have dial tone to get it. It has some stuff that needs to be worked out but I talk to a lot of customers that are very happy with the service. I will get it once available in my area.

U verse is ATT

Cant be coming across the Verizon FIOS fiber

[03LightningRocks]

By the way Doug, thanks for the link above. I did find some good info in that thread. I may be more confused now than ever, but I will finger it out.:cool:

[bluesvt]

U verse is ATT

Cant be coming across the Verizon FIOS fiber

I know but ATT is starting to test the product on fiber in selected locations.

[Silver_2000]

By the way Doug, thanks for the link above. I did find some good info in that thread. I may be more confused now than ever, but I will finger it out.:cool:

I have to look at the total price difference for TIVO - I LOVE me some DVR and if TIVO is that much better - I dont care about losing the on demand stuff - Im not thrilled about getting back in to paying for the boxes again like Dish but Ill have to look at it, check the TIVO guide monthly fee and the hardware fee VS the 13 a month that im paying to rent the DVR from FIOS

http://www.tivo.com/whatistivo/tivohd/index.html
This is cool

Schedule an HD premiere. With TiVo, you can do your TV scheduling from any computer when you are away from home. Log onto TiVo.com, click on a show, and you're done.BUT the Series 3 HD TIVO is $799 PLUS $15 a month... WOW - STICKER SHOCK
Cheapest HD TIVO is $299 and still $15 a month for the guide uf you prepay a year

EDIT #3

Here the series 3 is 499 with wireless adapter

https://www3.tivo.com/store/webspecials.do


Get the same HD quality: with certified THX audio, razor-sharp HD video, broadband connectivity, and dual-tuner recording for $499.99. Plus, get a FREE factory renewed TiVo Wireless G Network Adapter with this package.

As Kressler would say - Clearly more research is required

[99bolt]

We had a series 2 given to us. We liked it so much, it was hard not to buy the HD series when we got fios. Started out with verizons dvr. Got the tivo and the picture quality improved incredibly. Impressed me so much that I bought a second one for the bedroom.

[03LightningRocks]

It gets WORSE!!!!!!!!!!!! Being a bit of a UFC fan, I like to watch the ufc pay per views. Being accustomed to DirectV and their hassle free pay per views, I never dreamed getting a pay per view with Verizon could be a problem. WRONG AGAIN. For some unkown reason, you can't just point and click a pay per view. You have to call their fricking 800 number and go through 20 minutes of phone prompt hell and then convince an overpaid moron that your really who you say you are. After all this, you then get to watch a digital nightmare version of a HD broadcast show. WTF???? I am beginning to think I have made a big mistake here. I am going to call them Monday about getting off the hook. The Verizon FIOS TV sucks big dangly donkey dick!!!!:flaming: If I had known the sh!t reception and service I was about to get from verizon, I would have paid Directv double the usual cost to have HD satelite.

[Flats Man]

It gets WORSE!!!!!!!!!!!! Being a bit of a UFC fan, I like to watch the ufc pay per views. Being accustomed to DirectV and their hassle free pay per views, I never dreamed getting a pay per view with Verizon could be a problem. WRONG AGAIN. For some unkown reason, you can't just point and click a pay per view. You have to call their fricking 800 number and go through 20 minutes of phone prompt hell and then convince an overpaid moron that your really who you say you are. After all this, you then get to watch a digital nightmare version of a HD broadcast show. WTF???? I am beginning to think I have made a big mistake here. I am going to call them Monday about getting off the hook. The Verizon FIOS TV sucks big dangly donkey dick!!!!:flaming: If I had known the sh!t reception and service I was about to get from verizon, I would have paid Directv double the usual cost to have HD satelite.

If you are a new customer on DishTV, they will install up to four rooms for free, and the HD broadcasts (I think there are 38 HD channels now) are supurb. DirecTV is saying they will have 45 HD channels in September, but some of them are up-converted.

It sounds like the problems you are experiencing are not FIOS problems, but rather management problems on your carriers behalf.

[Silver_2000]

And if you read the post I put in the DLP thread you will see that with a decent antenna you can get a BUNCH of HD programing for free

I dont think I have ever paid for a PPV event like UFC - so it wouldnt impact me

[03LightningRocks]

The picture on my directv was actually better (over all) than the FIOS tv. I didn't know about the plans they have for September. Great, now I have one more issue to be regretful of.

I really don't mind paying an extra few bucks a month to get those "free" HD channels. Like I said, I am going to start checking into what I have to do to go back to Directv without suffering too much financial torture. I am going to look through the paperwork to see if I can find some sort of "escape clause".

[Silver_2000]

The picture on my directv was actually better (over all) than the FIOS tv.
keep in mind that Satellite will ALWAYS be transmitting LESS picture data ( quality ) than Cable or especially FIOS. The Sat companies compress the picture data to try to fit as many channels and as much picture quality as they can in the relatively small fixed pipe that they have available with the current satellites .

In MY case the picture quality that I had with Dishnetwork was maybe 70% of the quality I get with FIOS - I think I read somewhere that the uncompressed data for ONE HD channel would overwhelm the entire pipe that a single satellite can transmit to a end user dish ...

My interpretation is that there is simply NO way that the picture quality of Satellite can match Fiber ... As more channels make the mandatory switch from analog to digital - from SD to HD the satellites will be even further behind the curve - I guess the sat companies could keep launching birds for hundreds of millions of dollars and you could put 4 or 5 of these on your house http://i5.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/aa/5d/8767_1.JPGhttp://i5.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/aa/5d/8767_1.JPGhttp://i5.ebayimg.com/05/i/000/aa/5d/8767_1.JPG

To say nothing about the pixelation and the reception loss during storms

[03LightningRocks]

Interesting information Doug. I have never had Dish, but I have talked to alot of folks who said Dish sucked in the reception area. I had Directv and the reception on it was better than the Fios...or at least it seemed better. I had a few issues with loosing the picture in rain storms. But that was ten years ago. I hardly ever lost the picture in a storm over the past few years. It took one hell of a down pour to make the picture fade and even then it would only be for a minute or so.

Directv and dish are two completely different companies. Directv has been at this satelite game from the beginning of the technology and I have a temptation to believe they are probably better than Dish. All satelite TV is not created equally.

I was told that all TV signals are satelite at some point. So if FIOS has to take it from satelite and then transmit it to fiber optic to send it to my house, wouldn't that transfer represent a sort of exit or entrance ramp where the signal would be affected? Directv comes from the satelite straight to my satelite dish...no transfer.

[Silver_2000]

I was told that all TV signals are satelite at some point. So if FIOS has to take it from satelite and then transmit it to fiber optic to send it to my house, wouldn't that transfer represent a sort of exit or entrance ramp where the signal would be affected? Directv comes from the satelite straight to my satelite dish...no transfer.

No the national signals come from Network Sats to DirectTV downlinks then compressed like CRAZY and transmitted UP via SAT to the DirectTV birds then back down to your dish

They own their own birds - the limitation is in how much data can be PUSHED from Directs Birds to a retail dish - thats limited and MUCH smaller than Fiber - which is why they are now selling BIG dishes with multiple LNBs- to receive data from many birds

FIOS receives the same signal from Network Sats and then sends it down the FIBER after processing - Its transmitted less and compressed less...

FIOS TV is known pretty well in the industry for having REALLY good Picture quality - you may need an adjustment of some kind - the On demand stuff is bad and no adjustment of your stuff will fix that BUT they are supposed to be impoving that this fall

I know when they installed mine they had TOO much signal and had to add devices to lower signal so that the DVR would get best possible picture

[Ivanhoe_Farms]

If you are a new customer on DishTV, they will install up to four rooms for free, and the HD broadcasts (I think there are 38 HD channels now) are supurb. DirecTV is saying they will have 45 HD channels in September, but some of them are up-converted.

It sounds like the problems you are experiencing are not FIOS problems, but rather management problems on your carriers behalf.


I actually did this post, but it was from FlatsMans machine, so it was posted as Flatsman instead of Ivanhoe, sorry FlatsMan.

We have a 73" Mitsubishi Diamond DLP in the store hooked up to Dish running at 720P, and the picture is fantastic. There is a little pixelation in fast moving pans but overall it has ruined me for watching SD.:hammer:

[Silver_2000]

http://www.dslreports.com/shownews/FiOSTV-Tops-Cable-87485


The praise keeps pouring in for Verizon FiOS, with a new survey from Changewave Research (http://www.changewave.com/freecontent/viewalliance.html?source=/freecontent/2007/09/alliance-091107-TVServiceBattleRoyale.html) showing that FiOSTV has the highest customer satisfaction among TV operators. Verizon FiOS tops satisfaction rankings at 96%, followed by DirecTV (89%) and Dish Network (82%). Cable operators continue their traditional role as basement dwellers in such surveys -- but AT&T's U-Verse doesn't fare much better, tying with Comcast.

http://www.changewave.com/freecontent/viewalliance.html?source=/freecontent/2007/09/alliance-091107-TVServiceBattleRoyale.html


Customer Satisfaction -- Not All TV Services Are Equal
First and foremost, satellite subscribers appear far more content with their TV service than cable subscribers (85% Very/Somewhat Satisfied vs. 70% Very/Somewhat Satisfied).
However, an equally high satisfaction level was also found among fiber-optic customers. Although based on a smaller sample, an impressive 85% of fiber subscribers gave the newest TV technology a thumbs-up.

[03LightningRocks]

My daughter went with Time Warner cable. They are definitely basement dwellers. I could try to describe the service she has gotten so far, but it would be censored into the word dookie. Two and three day waits for down service are the norm. Those ass clowns don't seem to care if you use them or not. It's like they are doing you a favor by taking your money. They made me appreciate my FIOS.

[L8 APEX]

Tell her to get out now! A guy at owkr went round and round with them for 3 months before switching to Verizon Fios. They gave him excuses and very slow internet service with lots of outages. They also told him each customer was on an allotment plan. Something like you get the first 20Mb at 5Mb speed and if you use your allotment it steps down to 1Mb for the next 10Mb and slower from there. Then they played the that's not my job while repairing the line to the house. The alley large line techs would not come in the house, so they had to schedule a week later for the house level guys to come out and work... They can go and eat shit!

[03LightningRocks]

She has already gotten the "that's not my job bull shit". They are a sorry bunch of jag offs. They also love to point fingers at different departments in their own company. Yep...I see the relationship going downhill for her...LOL.

[bluesvt]

Fios has a 3 year contract right? :nono:

[Silver_2000]

Fios has a 3 year contract right? :nono:no

1 year IF you want the discount - install discount

[L8 APEX]

Fios has a 3 year contract right? :nono:
Have you been eating out of the deer feeder again?:icon_eek:

[03LightningRocks]

no

1 year IF you want the discount - install discount


Thats the one I got.