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Local Channels Only FIOS Service - HD?

We subscribe to FIOS local broadcast channels only service in Maryland. It is about $14 per month. It had been analog signal but in July we got the small box and now it is apparently digital, or else digital converted to analog. We are considering buying an HD television set.

Is there a way to subscribe to FIOS local channels only and get local broadcast channels in High Definition without upgrading to the basic cable type package and or renting the more expensive FIOS box?

Are there any televisions with special tuners that can pull in broadcast HD signals from FIOS without the rented box? I thought I read that the broadcast channels were not scrambled, so shouldn't this be possible with the right television?

Thanks for any input or guidance you can provide.

Comments

Keyboards

Most new televisions have a QAM tuner - this is what you would want to look for to get any signals from Verizon without a box. You should then be able to get your local SD channels, your local digital channels (what most people call the HD channels), PEG channels (public, education and government), and the music channels.

Be aware that there have been some issues with tuners not handling the digital signal for the "HD" channels properly (has to do with the remapping function) - but generally that issue has been resolved by Verizon.

Hope that helps.

basicuser

Thank you for the input. Interestingly, when I ask Verizon personnel, none of them tells me that this is possible. They all claim you need a box, and not just any box but the high end rental box.

You mention that there have been some technical problems with QAM reception on FIOS; if I run into a problem, who might I call?

Is there any sort of how-to manual on setting up a new set with FIOS?

Do any brands of televisions not work well with FIOS?

Finally, is there any way to keep a VCR recorder in the loop for very occasional recording? Or is that a lost cause.

Keyboards

@basicuser wrote:
Thank you for the input. Interestingly, when I ask Verizon personnel, none of them tells me that this is possible. They all claim you need a box, and not just any box but the high end rental box.
You mention that there have been some technical problems with QAM reception on FIOS; if I run into a problem, who might I call?
Don't know who to call as Verizon considers the issue fixed.
Is there any sort of how-to manual on setting up a new set with FIOS?
There is a FAQ about Verizon TV HERE
There is also a FORUM on that site for Verizon FiOS that you may find helpful.
Do any brands of televisions not work well with FIOS?
I know some people have said the QAM scans for Olevia's have had trouble, but I don't know which models and don't want to condemn any particular brand.
Finally, is there any way to keep a VCR recorder in the loop for very occasional recording? Or is that a lost cause.
A VCR could be used, but it would require being hooked up to an STB to record a different show. Without a separate STB for the VCR (assuming it doesn't have a QAM tuner) it could only record what was being output by the TV's STB.

basicuser

So....can you use something to split the incoming FIOS cable/signal to divert part into the TV and part into a VCR with a QAM tuner (or converter)? Let's assume that you don't expect to watch a different channel then you are recording.

Or is the best way to do this to tap the output of the television straight to the VCR (and in that case do you need a digital converter?) Thank you for all your guidance and sorry if these are dumb questions.

darcilicious

@Keyboards wrote:
Do any brands of televisions not work well with FIOS?
I know some people have said the QAM scans for Olevia's have had trouble, but I don't know which models and don't want to condemn any particular brand.

It seems there's always a model of any particular brand that doesn't work well. My Olevia 247 works a charm with Verizon's QAM -- did a channel scan and found all the expected clear QAM channels (and one unexpected 😉 )

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