Verizon's new Fios

Lefisc

New member
Joined
Jun 29, 2013
Messages
482
Location
Long Island, New York
Fios Quantum TV

I just upgraded to Fios Quantum and wanted to share the experience with others. First, may I say that in N. Y. that Fios internet and TV is far superior to Cablevision and is somewhat better than Time/Warner. I also feel that Fios HD is slightly superior to Direct TV, but Direct TV sports offerings are better than FIOs.

Part I: Ordering

I had two DVRs and two additional boxes (which could access the DVRS). So I got the 100 hours of recording AND 100 of storage. The new box gives 100 hours and can record 6 programs AND it enables the other boxes to use the fast forward, pause and reverse functions. That was close and the new system costs only $1 more than my original package.

So why did I switch:
1. Mostly because I was getting hiccups, lately, in the programing. That is the video and audio would freeze for a second or two and then jump ahead. I hoping this will stop that.
2. A BIG DEAL: When quickly changing the channels or using my fast forward, it would mess up my Krell 707. It would freeze, stop the audio and have to be rebooted. Krell only had this happen with this model box and tried, unsuccessfully to fix it.
3. Many shows now go 1 minute past the half hour. While it will be unusual for me to record six things at once, the overlap now is something I can easily accommodate.

Verizon was supposed to send me the equipment for me to install (fee: $25), for a month, failed to do so. Repeated conversations and promises failed. Yesterday, they said they’d send someone out here. Previously they told me that there would be a $150 fee so them to install the units. But I need the installer. He was here nearly 3 hours:

The Installation


  1. I needed a new router, something Verizon never ordered or sent me. He had to installer it.
  2. The DVR, now called the server, would not start because it could not obtain the software.
  3. Once started, the DVR part would not work.
  4. The clients (set top boxes) had similar problems setting up.
  5. Although you could save your settings from the previous unit (favorite stations, scheduled shows etc.) to be restored on the new units, you can’t. Another hour of my time.

There was no way in hell I could have set this up.

Using it!!!
The unit gives better contrast and color than the previous units, but with a slight loss of detail, which may come in after it’s burned in. The sound seems a bit thinner, but once again, I expected that to get a bit better as time goes on.

The internet connection is 25% faster.

The menus and controls are very much what they were on the last unit, except I do not have the choice of 720p or 1080i for HD, or 480i or 480p for standard def. I still have the annoying stretch option.

BIG INCONVENIENCE: The remote control works so slow on the menus. Before it was instant, now it takes maybe a second to respond. But it does use the same old remote.

The new boxes are half the size of the old ones.

In a few weeks I’ll give an update. I suspect the slow remote is a software issue.
 
Thank you for the update Barry. I have FIOS for internet and phone and Optimum for internet and TV. I am not sure what way to go. FIOS is slower and more stable but it would confuse my mom if I switch. Please keep us updated.
 
Joe,

I understand the confusion for your mom. I had Optimum for several years and I am very surprised to hear you say FIOS is slower. Wow, it is so much faster for me. In addition Optimum slows down when a lot of user get on, say 3 o'clock when school is out and kids go on their computer. You have both and I take your word for it.

I don't know how old your mom is but I understand the confusion factor with different channel line ups. Honestly, I switched to FIOS for the money....having separate cable (Direct TV); Internet (Cablevision) and Phone (Verizon) was costing me $285 a month in 2007. When I switched it went down to $180 it is now about $220.
 
I went with Fios and just switched to TiVo for my DVR needs. I freed up a fortune per month for rental boxes and got a superb interface and 20 times more recording space. Verizon wouldn't upgrade my DVR to the latest/bigger DVR - they said it was only for new customers - so I told them where to go.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Fios Quantum TV

I just upgraded to Fios Quantum and wanted to share the experience with others. First, may I say that in N. Y. that Fios internet and TV is far superior to Cablevision and is somewhat better than Time/Warner. I also feel that Fios HD is slightly superior to Direct TV, but Direct TV sports offerings are better than FIOs.

Part I: Ordering

I had two DVRs and two additional boxes (which could access the DVRS). So I got the 100 hours of recording AND 100 of storage. The new box gives 100 hours and can record 6 programs AND it enables the other boxes to use the fast forward, pause and reverse functions. That was close and the new system costs only $1 more than my original package.

So why did I switch:
1. Mostly because I was getting hiccups, lately, in the programing. That is the video and audio would freeze for a second or two and then jump ahead. I hoping this will stop that.
2. A BIG DEAL: When quickly changing the channels or using my fast forward, it would mess up my Krell 707. It would freeze, stop the audio and have to be rebooted. Krell only had this happen with this model box and tried, unsuccessfully to fix it.
3. Many shows now go 1 minute past the half hour. While it will be unusual for me to record six things at once, the overlap now is something I can easily accommodate.

Verizon was supposed to send me the equipment for me to install (fee: $25), for a month, failed to do so. Repeated conversations and promises failed. Yesterday, they said they’d send someone out here. Previously they told me that there would be a $150 fee so them to install the units. But I need the installer. He was here nearly 3 hours:

The Installation


  1. I needed a new router, something Verizon never ordered or sent me. He had to installer it.
  2. The DVR, now called the server, would not start because it could not obtain the software.
  3. Once started, the DVR part would not work.
  4. The clients (set top boxes) had similar problems setting up.
  5. Although you could save your settings from the previous unit (favorite stations, scheduled shows etc.) to be restored on the new units, you can’t. Another hour of my time.

There was no way in hell I could have set this up.

Using it!!!
The unit gives better contrast and color than the previous units, but with a slight loss of detail, which may come in after it’s burned in. The sound seems a bit thinner, but once again, I expected that to get a bit better as time goes on.

The internet connection is 25% faster.

The menus and controls are very much what they were on the last unit, except I do not have the choice of 720p or 1080i for HD, or 480i or 480p for standard def. I still have the annoying stretch option.

BIG INCONVENIENCE: The remote control works so slow on the menus. Before it was instant, now it takes maybe a second to respond. But it does use the same old remote.

The new boxes are half the size of the old ones.

In a few weeks I’ll give an update. I suspect the slow remote is a software issue.

thanks barry!!!! in fact i often stay at my sisters house and watch her dogs while she goes on her many vacations every year. and she switched to fios last year, and the slow remote drives me crazy!!!! it sounds like yours at 1 second may be even faster than hers. id be curious if in a few weeks you just get used to it, or its driving you crazy too.
best of luck with everything.
 
Steve its been 24 hours and slow remote is driving me crazy!!!!!!
lol!!!! hopefully you get used to it . i never could, but when i ask my sister and brother in law about it they dont know what im talking about. so obviously they got used to it.
 
Back
Top