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Converting to FIOS TV..

jackrussell

We currently have DirecTV, but the spat between Versus and DirecTV is getting old. If they don't have this solved by the time the NHL playoffs come along, we may have to switch.

Right now we already have FIOS internet. So how big a deal is it to add FIOS TV? Do they need to send someone out for this, or can we just pick up the box somewhere and plug it in?

We haven't changed our DirecTV service in over 2 years. Are we likely to get any hassle from them in trying to cancel our service?

Are there any other words of wisdom from people who have switched?

Comments

Rebalol

It depends on what equipment you have with Direct and what your likes/needs are. If you have a dvr that is TIVO based, you will not like what you get with FIOS. First of all, there is only space for 20 hours HD/80 SD combined and it is not expandable.

There is no wishlist, the guide is absolutely awful, the search function is a joke, you have to go through a lot of steps to find what you want, etc, etc etc...it's been 7 months since I lost my good dvr so I've forgotten some of the other features but I know I still miss them every day!

If you do switch, you should factor in buying a TIVO. If you do, then you will only have a cable card cost - 3.99 - rather than cost of the dvr but you will have the initial cost of buying the tivo.

I switched from direct back in July and wish I had not. I resent the fact that I have to spend more money to get a good DVR.

As for the installation, I'm sorry I can't answer that one for you...when I was installed, I had verizon dsl so had to go through a complete installation.

Do you already have the ONT? Either way, I'm sure they will still have to come out but it will be easier if FIOS is already in your house. My full installation - 4 tv's, new router, etc. was easy and took about an hour.

Keyboards

@jackrussell wrote:
Right now we already have FIOS internet. So how big a deal is it to add FIOS TV? Do they need to send someone out for this, or can we just pick up the box somewhere and plug it in?

It will require a tech visit. They need to verify signal levels at all STBs. After the initial install you can add an STB that they will UPS and allow you to self activate.

Shouldn't be much of a hassle other than requiring you to be home for the tech visit.

jackrussell

We don't have the TiVo boxes - just regular DirecTV DVRs.

Yes, we have the ONT - I had to look up and see what it was supposed to look like. It appears we would need to bring another coax cable through the garage wall - either that or reuse one of the DirecTV coax cables..

Hadn't thought about cable cards - DirecTV doesn't support them. I am not even sure if any of our flatscreens support them, for that matter.

With Comcast, if you have internet, you are entitled to basic cable (mainly local, as far as I know). Does the same thing apply with FIOS, or do you have to sign up for TV to get anything at all??

Keyboards

@jackrussell wrote:
With Comcast, if you have internet, you are entitled to basic cable (mainly local, as far as I know). Does the same thing apply with FIOS, or do you have to sign up for TV to get anything at all??

If you don't subscribe to at least the basic level ($12.99 / month - locals and PEGs) then the TV output of the ONT is not enabled.

Rebalol

i understand you dont' have a tivo but the direct tv dvr is tivo based which means it has all tivo features. The FIOS DVR is something that should have went out 5 years ago, at least. Read through the posts about the limitations of the FIOS DVR -- there are plenty.

The FIOS boxes are fine for tvs where you don't require a DVR. I have 2 STD and 1 HD.

As for the cable card, if you purchased a tivo then you would use the cable card in the tivo, not your tv. I'm not saying you need to buy a tivo, I'm just advising you to check everything out completely before you go through the hassle of switching.

They do not have to run new coax...I am using the same coax that was here when the former owner had cable and that was 9 years ago...since then, I've had dish, direct, and FIOS and they've all used the same coax. FIOS only had to run coax from the ONT to the main splitter.

And yes, you do have to pay for tv to get any service.

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