Dishnetwork to Fios

[Hemi 6.1]

Has anyone dropped E* for Fios? If so whats the pros and cons? How's the DVR's compair? What about the PQ? I'm thinking about Fios Since it won't be much longer before its in my area. But I do like E*. But I'd like a few more channels that E* doesn't have.

 

[Juan]

E* has the better DVR..Picture quality on SD channels fios wins hands down. At the moment E* has the better selection of HD channels but Fios quality is a bit better

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Whats the DVR's like? Capacity,cost,options?

 

[Juan]

Its clunky..but its multi room.. All the other set top boxes in your house are connected to it so that you can watch a DVR'd event on any TV in the house The GUI interface freezes alot and you really can't create a very good favoriites list. You can't lock and hide channels and most importantly its built by motorola ( that should be a big hint)

 

[ytseryan]

I'm sure the equipment might have changed......but I had FIOS about 2yrs ago...the equipment blew...it was horrible. I believe it was a Motorola DVR, and I couldn't stand it. Picture was great, guide was terrible. I would hope they have upgraded their DVRs since then.

The internet speed though was fantastic, I think I had 15Mbps at the time.

 

[DishSubLA]

While I am very excited about FiOS and am really considering the move to FiOS when comes to my neighborhood, there is one great big deal breaker: AFAIK, FiOS is still limited to being able to have no more than 2 HD channels coming into your home at one time. In this house, we have as many as 5 HD signals being watched at any one time. Also, the 4 tuner DVR that is being touted is limited to either 4 SD channels, or 2 HD channles that can be recorded at the same time on the "4 tuner DVR." The fine print tells all. Also, the multi-room DVR as I have read the fine print will NOT allow more than one person to access a given recorded event, UNlike Dish that does allow both TV1 and TV 2 to access the same recorded event at the same time each with its own experience. And the mult-room DVR does not send true HD to other rooms, the same limitation on Dish. Sadly, the DVR fees are over twice what Dish charges. The last time I looked at the websit, Verizon wanted an additional $19.99per month for just one of their HD DVR's.

If some of those problems can be fixed, than I'll get really excited! C'mon Verizon, I am so wanting to switch, but you've got to fix those prices and limitations.

 

[riffjim4069]

While I am very excited about FiOS and am really considering the move to FiOS when comes to my neighborhood, there is one great big deal breaker: AFAIK, FiOS is still limited to being able to have no more than 2 HD channels coming into your home at one time. In this house, we have as many as 5 HD signals being watched at any one time. Also, the 4 tuner DVR that is being touted is limited to either 4 SD channels, or 2 HD channles that can be recorded at the same time on the "4 tuner DVR." The fine print tells all. Also, the multi-room DVR as I have read the fine print will NOT allow more than one person to access a given recorded event, UNlike Dish that does allow both TV1 and TV 2 to access the same recorded event at the same time each with its own experience. And the mult-room DVR does not send true HD to other rooms, the same limitation on Dish. Sadly, the DVR fees are over twice what Dish charges. The last time I looked at the websit, Verizon wanted an additional $19.99per month for just one of their HD DVR's.

If some of those problems can be fixed, than I'll get really excited! C'mon Verizon, I am so wanting to switch, but you've got to fix those prices and limitations.

It's AT&T U-Verse (IPTV) that is currently limited to 2 HD streams. FiOS TV does not have this limitation. Also, the FiOS HD DVR is $15.99 per month whereas Dish Network charges a $5.98 DVR fee along with a $7.00 HD receiver fee (each receiver after your first)...plus, FiOS does not charge extra for HD whereas Dish Network charges an additional $10, $20 or more dollars for DishHD. Oh, and with E* everyone living outside of an 8-state area would have to purchase a $5.99 multisports package in order to watch Big Ten Network HD whereas it is free with FiOS TV. Anyway, I actually get more and pay less with FiOS...if only their HD DVR wasn't so mediocre.

 

[riffjim4069]

Has anyone dropped E* for Fios? If so whats the pros and cons? How's the DVR's compair? What about the PQ? I'm thinking about Fios Since it won't be much longer before its in my area. But I do like E*. But I'd like a few more channels that E* doesn't have.

I dropped E* due to their never ending DishHD-Lite, but I signed up with FiOS a month or so later. To be honest, except for HD-Lite we were happy with the value of the E* service and loved our 622 DVRs which are head-and-shoulders above anything currenly on the market. As I said before, we would still be with E* if it weren't for HD-Lite.

Anyway, here is my objective opinion:

- FiOS TV has set the standard when it comes to SD/HD PQ...outstanding!
- FiOS TV is expanding their HD lineup to 100+ in all service areas by years end.
- FiOS TV is competitively priced, perhaps a couple bucks cheaper depending on lineup, but Big Ten Network out-of-region subscribers (me) save a few bucks from having to order the Multisports package.
- Dish Network 622/722 is the gold standard of DVRs...puts Tivo to shame).
- The FiOS HD DVR (IMG) is actually a little better than Comcast, etc. Likewise, they are continually making improvements. While it's pale in comparison to the 622/722, my wife and I actually like it better than the TiVO HD.
- FiOS HD DVR has a tiny 160GB hard drive and does not currently support external storage...although that (hopefully) will be added in the coming months.
- TiVO Series 3 or TiVO HD are always options with FiOS TV.
- FiOS VOD much better than anything E* is doing.
- Bundled Internet and perhaps Phone can save $$$.
- FiOS is adding hundreds of thousands of customers whereas Dish Network is looking tens of thousands of customers.
- As much as we love FiOS TV, and even after dumping VOOM, we would consider coming back to E* if they killed their DishHD-Lite practice...the 622/722 is that damn good.

 

[Juan]

While I am very excited about FiOS and am really considering the move to FiOS when comes to my neighborhood, there is one great big deal breaker: AFAIK, FiOS is still limited to being able to have no more than 2 HD channels coming into your home at one time. In this house, we have as many as 5 HD signals being watched at any one time. Also, the 4 tuner DVR that is being touted is limited to either 4 SD channels, or 2 HD channles that can be recorded at the same time on the "4 tuner DVR." The fine print tells all. Also, the multi-room DVR as I have read the fine print will NOT allow more than one person to access a given recorded event, UNlike Dish that does allow both TV1 and TV 2 to access the same recorded event at the same time each with its own experience. And the mult-room DVR does not send true HD to other rooms, the same limitation on Dish. Sadly, the DVR fees are over twice what Dish charges. The last time I looked at the websit, Verizon wanted an additional $19.99per month for just one of their HD DVR's.

If some of those problems can be fixed, than I'll get really excited! C'mon Verizon, I am so wanting to switch, but you've got to fix those prices and limitations.

no thats incorrect that would be the AT&T product

 

[Hemi 6.1]

most importantly its built by motorola ( that should be a big hint)

That would almost make me not get Fios. That is a big deal. At least to me.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

2 HD channels at once? I hope thats not true . Internet speed can't be beat. But Fios DVR has me a little worried. And the HD programming , I hope at launch in my area we get the 100 HD channel line up ,and not the 30 channel line up. Thats another worry. But I do like their SD line up, With Neighboring locals ,all the premiums available,and all the sports channels I need. But DVR has to have at least a 300 GB hard drive, And I do like my favorites lists,. Maybe they need to drop Motorola and use Dishnetwork equipment.

 

[KAB]

2 HD channels at once? I hope thats not true .

Read post #7.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Well Like I said ,It sound as if the DVR is a little crappy. Being made by Motorola ,I'm not surprise. Thats the main reason I won't switch to digital cable.

 

[riffjim4069]

Well Like I said ,It sound as if the DVR is a little crappy. Being made by Motorola ,I'm not surprise. Thats the main reason I won't switch to digital cable.

True, but Verizon's Interactive Media Guide (IMG) is better than anything Adelphia or Comcast had to offer. Plus, I hear that IMG 1.6 has dozens of enhancements (we're still waiting for it to be implemented in CA and TX). We tried Tivo HD for a month. It had some decent features, but it didn't support VOD (Verizon is adding thousands of hours of free of subscription based SD/HD content) or Widgets, which we could live without, but the damn box was just too damn slow, slow, slow! Since you've been using the 622/722, the FiOS HD DVR will be a major adjustment and you'll probably lose your patience with the TiVO HD. The Series 3 may be a little faster, but I certainly wasn't willing to shell out $600 for the unit.

Also, I forgot to mention it took four months to unscrew my FiOS bill. Their ordering system screwed up my order and it took 4-months for my bill to get consolidated (Triple Play) and receive one correct billing statement. Obviously, our free $200 Debit Card for signing up was screwed up as well. The FiOS ordering and billing systems are NOT anything like Verizon Wireless.

Conversely, everyone at Verizon is extremely pleasance (once you learn how to bypass the automated call center), professional and, get this, they all speak english! Now only did they square-away our billing and debit card woes, we were provided with one free month of service and another credit for $42.50. Sadly, I think most of Dish Network customer support is now based out of the Philippines, and the last time I selected Tech Support I was connect to someone in the Philippines vice speaking to a tech out of Blacksburg VA.

I would have to give FiOS TV the edge in most categories, but their HD DVR may very well be a deal breaker. I, for one, was hoping Verizon would be offering a much better HD DVR by this time. Hopefully, CE manufacturers like TiVO, Sony, EchoStar, 2Wire, etc., will rediscover the cable HD DVR market.

 

[Rey]

Well Like I said ,It sound as if the DVR is a little crappy. Being made by Motorola ,I'm not surprise. Thats the main reason I won't switch to digital cable.

true. i have a buddy with crapcast and the HD DVR he has is from motorola. you would hate it. try to stay put and see what happens.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

We have Blue Ridge Communications. They use Motorola. It sucks! The non DVRs suck too, thats bad! They do have a good line up in my area though. Not 80 HD channels but still enough good ones that they are very much in the game. But Bad equipment ,and 8-4 M-F customer service is why I don't have cable. I 'd rather call the Philippines then deal with a M-F cable company

 

[Carl B]

Does FIOS charge a monthly fee to use a DVR (i.e., not the rental cost of the DVR, but the DVR user fee)? I don't mind paying to rent a DVR if I don't buy one, but I can't stand the concept of paying to record programs for later viewing. That is essentially being charged twice to get the same programming. That's why I don't own or rent a DVR.

 

[riffjim4069]

Does FIOS charge a monthly fee to use a DVR (i.e., not the rental cost of the DVR, but the DVR user fee)? I don't mind paying to rent a DVR if I don't buy one, but I can't stand the concept of paying to record programs for later viewing. That is essentially being charged twice to get the same programming. That's why I don't own or rent a DVR.

Verizon does not charge extra for HD programming and there are no additional DVR fees, etc...just rent an HD receiver or HD DVR.

I also have a 500GB Sony HD DVR (it comes with free TV Guide On Screen which receive programming guide using an over-the-air antenna) and pay $3.99 per month to lease a Cablecard - it works great! The TiVo HD also works well, but it was actually more expensive than the Verizon HD DVR (purchase price, subscription fee, Cablecard fees, etc.)

The local Verizon FiOS quality control just called me a short while ago because they noticed I had placed an exceptionally high number of calls into the Call Center. I explained that the billing issues were squared-away a few weeks ago, but I voiced my displeasure with the Motorola DVR and the fact it doesn't support external storage where as all the major DBS and Cable providers do. Although she is not a tech, she told me new products and services would be coming out after Verizon updated their network to all digital and rolled over 100 HD channels. She will follow up with a better answer after contacting her manager and tech support.

Oh, and she was articulate, had the requisite "softskills" needed by anyone in customer services, and she actually made me feel like a valued customer. Although I rarely had a problems with Dish Network (lost signal for a few minutes during really bad storms a handful of times each year), our Comcast broadband (and subsequently our VOIP service) hickuped every month or so whereas FiOS phone, broadband had been 100% reliable 24/7 - the darn thing just plain works.

 

[Visitor]

Regardig FiOS' call center and experience - do any of you believe for a second that once FiOS is really available to people and they gain customers rivaling cable/etc. - that the customer service experience will remain the same? I find that very hard to accept. In any case, I would love to give FiOS a try, but amidst all their advertising that FiOS is available in NYC - it's not available in most of NYC and probably won't be in my area until late 2009 or 2010. But anyway, years ago - I tried their DSL service when it was booming and I wouldn't care if I never had to experience Verizon DSL customer service ever again. I just don't see them or any provider maintaining a high level of customer service as their service expands. Time Warner is horrible, Dish Network has steadily declined and is pretty pathetic now, why would Verizon be any different?

And by the time it is available to me will probably be when their customer service starts to crash.

I do have a FiOS DVR question - regarding their multi-room DVR. When you say that all the other STBs are connected to the DVR, do you mean a physical connection - or do you mean that they are connected by virtue of being connected to the line coming into your house? I always wondered about that because I would not want to have to run lines from each STB to the DVR.

Dammit hurry up Verizon!

 

[Carl B]

Verizon does not charge extra for HD programming and there are no additional DVR fees, etc...just rent an HD receiver or HD DVR.

I also have a 500GB Sony HD DVR (it comes with free TV Guide On Screen which receive programming guide using an over-the-air antenna) and pay $3.99 per month to lease a Cablecard - it works great! The TiVo HD also works well, but it was actually more expensive than the Verizon HD DVR (purchase price, subscription fee, Cablecard fees, etc.)

The local Verizon FiOS quality control just called me a short while ago because they noticed I had placed an exceptionally high number of calls into the Call Center. I explained that the billing issues were squared-away a few weeks ago, but I voiced my displeasure with the Motorola DVR and the fact it doesn't support external storage where as all the major DBS and Cable providers do. Although she is not a tech, she told me new products and services would be coming out after Verizon updated their network to all digital and rolled over 100 HD channels. She will follow up with a better answer after contacting her manager and tech support.

Oh, and she was articulate, had the requisite "softskills" needed by anyone in customer services, and she actually made me feel like a valued customer. Although I rarely had a problems with Dish Network (lost signal for a few minutes during really bad storms a handful of times each year), our Comcast broadband (and subsequently our VOIP service) hickuped every month or so whereas FiOS phone, broadband had been 100% reliable 24/7 - the darn thing just plain works.

Wow! Maybe FIOS will be available here in metro-Denver in a couple of years when my Dish commitment is up. Maybe not. Well something to look forward to, like when I looked forward to DBS service with locals back in 1999 so I could get away from cable.