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New to FIOS & want Direct TV back

What's the deal with the closed captions which appear for less than a second on programs that have been recorded? Direct TV was never a problem and for those of us that are hearing impaired this is a tremendous loss of function with FIOS.

Is there any way to delete a program while watching it? Again, Direct TV was so easy to use. With FIOS, it seems I have to go back to the DVR menu and then relocate the program I was watching which means opening up every recording to see which one is marked "resume" so I know which one to delete. What a hassle.

Why can't there be a "first aired" date as Direct TV has? The only choices seem to be record all shows and then guess which one is new to me or record only first run shows. I want to be able to see some reruns, but not have to open every one to see if I recognize it.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Comments

Justin46

1) Closed Captions: I don't understand what you are saying. If I record a program that does have closed captions, I can view them just fine when I play that program. I am not hearing impaired (yet) so I normally have closed captions turned off, but when I hit the CC button (the * on the remote) to cycle through the various options, the captions do appear and remain on the screen and seem to match the dialog. Of course not every program has closed captions, but those that do seem to display just fine for me on my DVR. Which Verizon DVR do you have?

2) Delete a program while watching it: I don't understand your issue here either. While I am watching a recorded program I just hit the Stop button on the remote and I am always given several choices, one of which is Delete. You don't get that?

3) first aired date: you are right, it would be nice. This is just part of the terrible Guide data that Verizon gets, or doesn't get, from their data provider, FYI Television, Inc. Lots of people have been complaining about the inaccurate and incomplete Guide data for a long time, so far no visible progress, but Eric Rabe in his blog here has said that they are looking into the issue.

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416, IMG 1.6.2, Build 08.58
Keller, TX 76248

crazyray

MB,

When you talk about closed-captions, are you talking about the ones generated by your television or the ones generated by the FIOS box?

It would be helpful if you explained what kind of STB (set tp box) you have, what cable is running to the TV, and whether the "instant flash" CC's are in the TV font or the FIOS font.

Is the cable from your FIOS STB to your TV HDMI, component, composite, coax, or S-video? (here's a picture to help you determine that: click here for picture.)

malibubarbie

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I don't know the difference between the closed captions generated by the TV or FIOS. I do see two different fonts appear on the screen and sometimes both at the same time. I'll have to pay closer attention. I usually just watch pre-recorded shows not the "live" show.

I'll get back to you on the type of STB and cable. It's a bear to pull out the boxes and take a look. MB

malibubarbie

Thanks for taking time to reply. I have an HDMI, does that mean anything to you? We have it on the main TV and then another HDMI on a second TV so we can watch recorded programs in another room. I turned on the CC with the remote provided by Verizon. Although it offers several CC's 1-2-3-4, only CC 1 works.

On my remote, when I push stop, it just stops the show, no options to delete. I have to go through the previously mentioned steps to delete a program.

I sure appreciate your trying to help 🙂 Thank you!

malibubarbie

Both set top boxes are HDMI. I can only visualize the cable on one of them and it is the HDMI cable. The main TV and all it's boxes for DVD's & VCRs is more than I can move around just now to inspect the cable.

Thank you so much for trying to help!

ssetta

I noticed that same problem with closed-captioning. However, it seems like the problem only occurs on SD channels, and not so much HD channels. This is when I use the CC from the STB. When I use the TV, it seems fine.

crazyray

Malibubarbie,

Let's start troubleshooting this by first determining which CC's are flashing too fast (the ones from the TV or the ones from the STB. We are going to determine this by changing the font etc to something VERY different than the ones fro mthe TV.

I don't have a FIOS STB with me now, but here are Justins instructions for changing the font etc:

To set the characteristics of the CC you do need to get into the "hidden" menu on the HD STB:

1) With the TV and STB both turned on: on the HD STB hit Power ==> Select ==> Menu

2) Tab down to the Closed Caption entry and right tab to enable CC (if it is disabled).

3) Now you can go in and set the various characteristics, like font size, color, background color, etc).\

4) When you are finished, hit the Power button on the STB to save the settings

5) Hit the Power button to turn the STB back on, and hopefully the CC is the way you want it.

Now, go to a channel that has CC. Turn CC on the TV and on the STB. Which one is flashing too quickly?

crazyray

Also, with regards to the "delete" issue.... there are several things on the FIOS platform that drive all of us nuts. However, they do improve the software from time to time, so perhaps they will add "delete from other room" as a feature.

When I switched from DirecTV to FIOS, I stopped deleting shows completely, instead just letting them "Drop off" automatically whenever the hard drive space is needed. It took a little bit of adjustment to get used to doing it this way, but yo uwill get used to it. Either that, or you will end up begging DirecTV to take you back 🙂

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