So this morning Verizon came out to install FIOS. Before installation, I asked two different people at Verizon if I would need a set top box for the service, or if I could run the signal directly to my TV like my cable was. Both said the box was only necessary for things like On-Demand. I was trying to avoid extra boxes for a number of reasons, including the cost factor, the clutter factor (the FIOS boxes are too large), the yet-another-remote factor, etc.

I went ahead and ordered one HD box to hook to my projector and was going to run Coax directly to the TVs in other rooms. When the guy came in to install, I asked once again - do I need the boxes for the other TVs, like cable, or will my the TVs' internal tuners be able to pull in the stations? He said no boxes were necessary, unless for On-Demand. He hooks up the box to the projector and says he'll leave it to me to program the other TVs. Fine, I said.

So I have the service running to two analog TVs and one HDTV. After he left, I went ahead to program the other tvs. The two analogs pick up nada. The HDTV has a built in QAM tuner, and while it grabs a number of signals, including local HD, it leaves most of the basic cable stations out (no Cartoon Network, Nickeledeon, AMC, USA, etc.). It pulls in the digital music stations and the HBO movie package (which I didn't order), but my wife just wants Lifetime and the kids just want their cartoons, so that doesn't matter much in the long run.

Suffice it to say, I am P.O.ed right now.

Before I call Verizon to complain and most like get stuck paying $5-$15 each monthly for a trio of bulky boxes boxes for the TVs, I'm just curious if anyone else had luck running FIOS directly to their TVs (HDTV or analog)? On your digital TV, does you QAM tuner get the basic cable stations through FIOS, or is it selective like mine?

I'm just trying to determine if I'm doing something dumb or if I'm just screwed.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,

TAPN

FIOS in my area has zero analog channels as well, though they will tell you some basic channels are available. They do provide inexpensive, smaller converter boxes in my area that don't do Pay Per View and some other features.

-beebs

I dont have FIOS.

I think I read that Fios was cutting out analog channels or something like that. I guess your analog sets cant do digital through the coax. Maybe one of those Goverment boxes for analog TV to digital might work.

They have been putting FIOS around where I live and will have to investigate as all I have are analog TV's.

sorry about your troubles, but i don't see how you wouldn't need a box for any digital service with any provider on any tv.

but, how's the PQ though?

Well, some TVs have cablecard options that can give digital without an external "box". Kinda the same thing, though. It's just built in. And, of course, it sounds like the cable companies are trying to kill it off.

Also, the QAM he mentioned is essentially the OTA broadcast of local channels sent over the line instead of through the air. Most cable companies do this, it's probably more consistent than putting up an antenna. So that is digital signal that only needs a TV with a standard HD tuner to receive. It's actually free usually, since the local channels already do it for free with antennas. This wouldn't include "cable" channels like ESPN, TNT, etc.

PQs great. Much better than Comcast, at least on the TVs that have a picture. <sigh>

Guess I'm calling Verizon in the morning.

Did you get the phone/internet as part of the package?

I am curious, did they cut your copper cables after the install?

I am so glad I am happy with Cablevision. Not one cable box in the house. 1 TivoS3, 1 TivoHD and 2 TVs with cable cards.

Got the 3-pack (TV, phone, internet). I'm assuming by copper cables, you mean the phone line?? Not sure about that, but they did cut the cable company line.

Ok thanks.

One of the reasons I have been hesitant is the fact that on early installs Verizon was cutting the copper lines to the house so there was no going back.

the old phone network is costing Verizon a lot of money to maintain and they can't just dump it. IP phones are a lot cheaper to maintain the network. so VZ is cutting their own cable to make it very expensive for you to go back.

They all do this, you know. I've had both Qwest and ATT Broadband chop up old wires. I just make them live up to the free install advertising next time. ATT was bought by Comcast later.

Oh, and DirecTV too.

FiOS install today. 45 minutes left in my install window. I wonder if they'll show. I was a comcast customer before, I'm ditching my landline, 2 cell phones and a landline seemed a bit excessive. Also going for the 20/5 Internet. I had 3 TiVos before, now I'll have the DVR and an HD set top box and standard box in the guest room. All said and done, this will be $100 a month cheaper than the comcast/TiVo combination. We'll see how it goes.

Well my concern and interest is that I want to compare the FIOS HD with what I currently get from Direct TV. I want to retain the option to keep my Direct TV (and my phone service the way it is) if I don't like it better.

Until then I guess I will stick with the status quo