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turbo23dog · #11 03-13-2008, 01:23 PM

We got FIOS in January under the tripple play offer (phone internet and cable). Transition from Cox to FIOS TV programming menu takes getting used to. We ordered the DVR with HD option and found out the hard way that with the HD option, you can't do play back to the other boxes in the house.

No, we don't have an HD set either but I ordered that way anticipating that I'd be getting one in the future and didn't want pay for the change in service at a later date.

Also, I took the internet security option (additional fees for firewall and antivirus) and am not especially happy with that, although my previous Norton setup weren't much better.

Mark in Baltimore · #12 03-13-2008, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iccy928

I’ve been approached by a few Dorkiphus Members who’ve asked me questions about FiOS service, so I thought I’d put this offer out there: In addition to being a Dorkiphus member, I’m also in the National Program Management Office for Verizon FiOS. I’m making this offer as a give back for everyone’s help on my P-car project.

If you have any questions about FiOS, such as what is it, what data speeds or HD content is available, or even some help getting through the installation process more expeditiously – please sent me a note, I’d be glad to help. PLEASE DO NOT SPREAD THIS OFFER ALL OVER THE INTERNET. As I said, this is just for the Dorki community. If you considering FiOS service (and I strongly support that decision), send me a note first and I’ll see what I can do to assist in the installation process.

Bill

Nice offer, Bill. Thank you.

We just had FiOS installed about a month ago and have been happy with it. Excellent speed. Neat installation with no coax cables running along the floor (all installed within the walls.) For $109/month, we have internet, local phone, long distance and television.

Okay, here are some gripes, which I hope you know to expect. Calling and dealing with Verizon can be a real challenge, though, for it seems like the, um, three thousand stooges are often running the show. When I try to call Verizon from my home phone, this is what the computer tells me: "I'm sorry, I see that service at that location has been disconnected". Say what? How the hell can service be disconnected . . . when I'm calling from that number? When I try to bypass that message, I often get . . . looped back to that message.

Oh, it's a LOT of fun. No one at Verizon seems capable of fixing the problem, which started before FiOS was installed.

Verizon has some serious wait times to talk to a real person, and even getting to that point is a task since I was hung up on by the automated system with alarming regularity. When I originally called to have FiOS installed, both the computerized operator and a live person said that FiOS was unavailable in our neighborhood, despite the fact that Verizon technicians spent an entire day prepping our court for FiOS, despite having two people come to our door to sell us FiOS and despite a neighbor who already had FiOs installed.. When I was transferred to customer service, the computer operator again informed me that FiOS was not offered in the area. After being on hold for over twenty minutes, I spoke to another live person, was put on hold while she tried to ascertain whether we could get FiOS and was then dropped after two minutes. Mind you, I was trying to give Verizon money for the service and was ready to pull the trigger. Unbelievable, considering this is coming not from some fresh-faced, start-up company but from an eight year old, market-leading corporation with over a quarter of a trillion dollars (that's 250 billion dollars for the math-challenged) of sales, assets and profits.

After FiOS was installed, I lost my fax line. It seems that the person who took my order neglected to add identaring to my account. I really appreciated having to wait four days before the fax line was reactivated . . .

<sigh>

Why does Verizon make consumers log onto a website to get the bundle? If I ordered the bundle, why make me jump through a stinkin' hoop to get it?? It's total bullsh*t. Sounds like corporate game-playing, the same game playing that requires customers to log onto another website just to get the $200 Best Buy gift card.

I think Verizon should offer a discount to consumers who have drank the Verizon kool-aid. Not only does Verizon have our local/long distance phone, television and internet, but they also have supply my broadband card and cell phone (yes, I know Verizon Wireless is a different company. If it's that different, why bother using the Verizon name at all?)

Anyway, so far, we like FiOS' capabilities, and would recommend it to anyone, but have some issues with the ease with which the transition took place.

Soooooo, Bill, the big question that no one at Verizon can seem to answer is how much will it go up after the two year period? Thanks for taking the time to listen to my screed.

KevinOyler · #13 03-13-2008, 01:47 PM

Got any animus for Verizon, Mark? Just tell us what you really think.

SilverStreak · #14 03-13-2008, 02:22 PM

About that Home media thingy.

Awesome awesome awesome idea to have one DVR watchable on other TV's.

If only it worked consistently. About 50% of the time if you fast forward thru commercials it freaks and sends you to the beginning of the show. After that you are screwed because you can't fast forward again or it sends you back to the beginning of the show. Then you have to watch it on the DVR ilo another box. It also won't let you watch the last 1:30 of any program. WTF? This is kinda a new quirk.

Are you glad you started this thread

About that Home media thingy. FF>>

Awesome awesome awesome idea to have one DVR watchable on other TV's.

If only it worked consistently. About 50% of the time if you fast forward thru commercials it freaks and sends you to the beginning of the show. Crap!

Purist · #15 03-13-2008, 02:38 PM

...I've been doing the home media thing with both DirecTV and FiOS for years...here's what you do...

1) Hook up ONE box somewhere in your house that has two coaxial cables running to it...most houses geared for Media General have this setup. The other end of the cables should be where your satellite/FiOS line and coax home runs converge.

2) Hook up one coax from the source to the box...and hook an output of the box up to a TV if'n ya want.

3) Then...take a secondary output (component) from the box and run it into a RF modulator which will convert it to a coaxially transmitted signal (tune in to channel 3 or 4 on the other end to get sound and picture). This line can be split up to your heart's content and shipped out to any location in your house that has a single cable and a TV with coax input.

4) For remote control of the single box, use something like a powermid from X-10.

Very inexpensive solution that does the same thing as the home media solution, and you only have to rent (*sigh* back to Bell Telephone days again with renting everything) ONE box for an unlimited number of TVs! Of course, everyone watching those TVs has to like the same shows. ;-P

I still have 2 FiOS DVRs and one HD box (no DVR) so my kids and wife can do their own thing and I can nod off to something entirely different in the basement.

Matt

Vicegrip · #16 03-13-2008, 03:34 PM

My router took the electric dirt nap. They sent me a new one. I called after I hooked up and 20 seconds later was done.

My HD DVR used to do the jump around or freeze up junk too. it has not done so for a while. BTW FiOS HD looks better than other HD. HD Net is stellar.

vascott99 · #17 03-13-2008, 04:05 PM

ICCY928....Thanks again listening and passing along everybody's complaints

I have been considering FIOS TV for awhile and after reading this thread and many others...

I think I will stay with DISH....

10 years of loyal service, DVR is awesome (not as fancy as Tivo), No equipment failure....They have only raised my rates maybe 2x and it was minor rate change...And the Pres/CEO had a commercial going for awhile informing the Home viewers that he was really sorry for the increase and tried everything possible...At least I got a reach around for the increase...

Lost signal less than 25x in 10 years....

I do not have HD yet which I am having a hard time justifing $20 increase a month at the moment....Which everybody says is a life altering experience...I guess I will have to wait when I can justify buying a 52" HDTV

Everything else is Verizon and I am happy with that...No complaints....Well other than Blackberry and synchronizing using a USB cable with my outlook calendar 2003....Grrrrr thats another thread...

Cliff Claven · #18 03-13-2008, 04:09 PM

suckers!! you're paying for TV???? are you crazy??? why pay month after month for something you can get for free???

the FCC has allocated spectrum to broadcasters who send TV signals over the airwaves to you at NO COST!!

i have a 25-yr-old 13" sony and some rabbit ears i picked up for $1 at a flea market. i get all the TV stations i want. FOR FREE!!