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Resubscribed to Fios TV+

gomets1969

Recently resubscribed to Fios TV service and received the following new equipment:

Two 4100 DVRs. These are the newest models that have no HDMI connection. They are only used as servers.

Two Verizon Stream (V2) devices.

I have since found out this is what's called Fios TV+, and it is a different animal from the regular Fios One TV service.

Setup and initialization were smooth. The Stream (V2) boxes are fast and responsive. The 4100 DVRs function properly as DVRs and servers. The wireless signal between the Stream (V2) and new 4100's is strong. (Only the Stream (V2) gets connected to the TV via HDMI.)

The problem is with the video processing. All 720p channels (examples: all the ESPNs, FS1, FS2, local ABC and FOX) look terrible with live programming. The signals appear to be coming through the Stream (V2) boxes at 30FPS instead of at 60FPS. When I connect coax directly to my TV and tune to ABC and FOX, the picture looks normal.

There is no way to change any settings with the new 4100's. The Stream (V2) boxes have very minimal settings that can be accessed, none of which involve changing the picture quality.

I realize this is a new way for Fios to deliver TV programming, but someone needs to know about the 720p issue. Hopefully it will only require a software update.

For those that are wondering, I have Fios GB internet. This is not IPTV, or VIP, as the channels are still delivered via QAM/RF through the coax connected to the 4100. Customers with the Fios 2GB internet service receive actual IPTV/VIP. I was told this service just started being used in my area of NJ last week for new TV customers.

Comments

clem21

@gomets1969
wrote:
Recently resubscribed to Fios TV service and received the following new equipment:

Two 4100 DVRs. These are the newest models that have no HDMI connection. They are only used as servers.

Two Verizon Stream (V2) devices.

I have since found out this is what's called Fios TV+, and it is a different animal from the regular Fios One TV service.

Setup and initialization were smooth. The Stream (V2) boxes are fast and responsive. The 4100 DVRs function properly as DVRs and servers. The wireless signal between the Stream (V2) and new 4100's is strong. (Only the Stream (V2) gets connected to the TV via HDMI.)

The problem is with the video processing. All 720p channels (examples: all the ESPNs, FS1, FS2, local ABC and FOX) look terrible with live programming. The signals appear to be coming through the Stream (V2) boxes at 30FPS instead of at 60FPS. When I connect coax directly to my TV and tune to ABC and FOX, the picture looks normal.

There is no way to change any settings with the new 4100's. The Stream (V2) boxes have very minimal settings that can be accessed, none of which involve changing the picture quality.

I realize this is a new way for Fios to deliver TV programming, but someone needs to know about the 720p issue. Hopefully it will only require a software update.

For those that are wondering, I have Fios GB internet. This is not IPTV, or VIP, as the channels are still delivered via QAM/RF through the coax connected to the 4100. Customers with the Fios 2GB internet service receive actual IPTV/VIP. I was told this service just started being used in my area of NJ last week for new TV customers.

Not sure if it is still the same with those boxes, but you used to be able to get into the service menu by turning off the box with the power button on top then quickly pressing OK 2x on the remote. Choose User Settings and see if you can select the correct frame rate you need there.

gomets1969

Unfortunately, no. The new 4100 models don't even connect to the TV, they just have a coax cable and power cable connected to them. It doesn't even have a power button. The only interface with the TV is through the Stream (V2) boxes. There is no secret menu to be accessed with those button presses anymore. I've been digging for settings, but have come up empty.

Silversurfer1

Ah I found the issues you are having here. Well when mine is working the picture quality is fine. But when it starts blacking out then the pixelation starts and the freezing up. Then the vms connection errors start awhile later. Seems to be a half baked system. My guess is the little streaming box is the problem I had bothered the vms box and the streaming box replaced. It didn’t fix anything. Coax goes into the vms box like you said. HDMI goes into the streaming box. The streaming box connects to vms wirelessly. They are both super close to my Verizon router. The installer had the vms box wired by Ethernet cord to one of the pan ports on the router. Two other techs came in and thought that was a no no. So the Ethernet wire was removed. Still did the same problems. Maybe a new ONT might fix it. Maybe a new CR1000 router might. I don’t know. Can’t ask neighbors. Nobody else has Verizon Fios tv. One has Fios internet and spectrum Tv. I may go that route. I’m tired and frustrated. I think giving them a month to resolve the issue is enough. I just got my bill. Ridiculous to pay this amount for something that doesn’t work and doesn’t work everyday numerous times a day.

clem21

@Silversurfer1
wrote:
Ah I found the issues you are having here. Well when mine is working the picture quality is fine. But when it starts blacking out then the pixelation starts and the freezing up. Then the vms connection errors start awhile later. Seems to be a half baked system. My guess is the little streaming box is the problem I had bothered the vms box and the streaming box replaced. It didn’t fix anything. Coax goes into the vms box like you said. HDMI goes into the streaming box. The streaming box connects to vms wirelessly. They are both super close to my Verizon router. The installer had the vms box wired by Ethernet cord to one of the pan ports on the router. Two other techs came in and thought that was a no no. So the Ethernet wire was removed. Still did the same problems. Maybe a new ONT might fix it. Maybe a new CR1000 router might. I don’t know. Can’t ask neighbors. Nobody else has Verizon Fios tv. One has Fios internet and spectrum Tv. I may go that route. I’m tired and frustrated. I think giving them a month to resolve the issue is enough. I just got my bill. Ridiculous to pay this amount for something that doesn’t work and doesn’t work everyday numerous times a day.

The 4100 series boxes use a VMS (server) box and an IPC (client) box. I assume you are referring to the IPC or mini as a streaming box. It can be connected either via coax, ethernet or WiFi. Of the three, WiFi si the most unreliable. IF connected via coax or ethernet, the connection will be far more reliable. Distance from the router makes very little difference. I'd reconnect the ethernet if you can, or try coax if it is there.

Silversurfer1

Negative on the smaller box. I don’t know what it’s called but the only way to connect to it is hdmi or a usb and I don’t really know what the usb port is for. It’s a small rectangular shaped box. The bottom of the device says verizon stream tv. There is one round button on the top left corner of the device. And a small red Verizion V logo on the top right hand lower right corner. The device is almost 6” wide by 2 and 3/4” deep. Only parts that are connected to a coax are the CR1000 router and the vms41000atv. I think the problem is either with the small streaming box or the VMS box. Tonight I’m getting mv screen message saying no internet connection then all of a sudden it’s back on then black screen. It does the same thing when I’m watching from the dvr. Black screens. Spinning wheel icon. Freezing every few minutes. That’s it. Ive had it. Im throwing in the towel. A month and no calls or anything. Just “we are working on it” when I call. It’s ridiculous. Biggest piece of garbage system I have ever seen. Honestly they should go back to whatever they were using before this. This system is awful. I can’t be the only one with this issue am I??

clem21

@Silversurfer1
wrote:
Negative on the smaller box. I don’t know what it’s called but the only way to connect to it is hdmi or a usb and I don’t really know what the usb port is for. It’s a small rectangular shaped box. The bottom of the device says verizon stream tv. There is one round button on the top left corner of the device. And a small red Verizion V logo on the top right hand lower right corner. The device is almost 6” wide by 2 and 3/4” deep. Only parts that are connected to a coax are the CR1000 router and the vms41000atv. I think the problem is either with the small streaming box or the VMS box. Tonight I’m getting mv screen message saying no internet connection then all of a sudden it’s back on then black screen. It does the same thing when I’m watching from the dvr. Black screens. Spinning wheel icon. Freezing every few minutes. That’s it. Ive had it. Im throwing in the towel. A month and no calls or anything. Just “we are working on it” when I call. It’s ridiculous. Biggest piece of garbage system I have ever seen. Honestly they should go back to whatever they were using before this. This system is awful. I can’t be the only one with this issue am I??

OK. did some research, you have the Stream TV box. I wasn't aware of that option. You are correct, it only connects via WiFi, and looks similar in concept to a Roku or Apple TV box. Can you possibly get into your router settings and set a fixed channel for your 5Ghz network? If you haven't changed it the default is automatic, which can change channels on the WiFi signal randomly based on nearby usage. I have found that to cause a lot of issues with streaming devices like Roku or Firestick and I'm guessing it can do the same here. Also if your Stream TV is TOO close to the router or extender it could be overloading the receiver in the device.

gomets1969

What we have is called Fios TV+. It is the new way that TV will be delivered from Fios. The little black box is called the Verizon Stream (V2) and the server is still, confusingly, called the 4100 VMS.

This is the start of Verizon's switch to IPTV. For now, though, the pure IPTV service is only available to Fios Internet 2GB customers. For anyone below 2GB internet - like me, as I have 1 GB internet - it's a hybrid. RF/QAM signals are still being used, which is why a coax cable needs to be connected to the new 4100. Eventually, when they switch it over to pure IPTV, the coax will be removed, RF/QAM will be sunsetted, and Ethernet only will be connected to the 4100.

I was told not many techs are familiar with the new equipment setup yet, which seems to track with your technical support experience. When I placed my order to resubscribe to TV service from Fios, I had no idea I'd be receiving this new equipment. There was never any indication on the order page that I was ordering a new service. I thought I'd be receiving the old 4100 VMS, which I'd used previously when having TV service. So Verizon's communication about this change was dreadfully poor.

MMDDMM

Fios tv+ is awful they do nothing but buffer and use bandwidth from your router.

GL43

I just 'resubscribed' to FiOS (1Gbps, TV) and as original poster said, I wound up getting the new FiOS TV+ equipment. All went well with the install however, the 4k and 1k picture quality is not good: dim, colors are bland and resolution is eh.

I know it's the FiOS TV+ since my previous FiOS equipment produced a fine picture quality AND I have a *real* antenna hooked up to my primary TV and comparing over the air HD signal for a broadcast channel (NBC, CBS, Fox, etc.), the picture quality is great.

Anyone else notice this? Any suggestions on what to do? I spoke to Verizon and they said they could send a tech out but it would cost $ since everything is "working".

clem21

@GL43
wrote:
I just 'resubscribed' to FiOS (1Gbps, TV) and as original poster said, I wound up getting the new FiOS TV+ equipment. All went well with the install however, the 4k and 1k picture quality is not good: dim, colors are bland and resolution is eh.
I know it's the FiOS TV+ since my previous FiOS equipment produced a fine picture quality AND I have a *real* antenna hooked up to my primary TV and comparing over the air HD signal for a broadcast channel (NBC, CBS, Fox, etc.), the picture quality is great.
Anyone else notice this? Any suggestions on what to do? I spoke to Verizon and they said they could send a tech out but it would cost $ since everything is "working".

You probably already went through the video and device device settings under the gear icon on the main screen by now. Not much there to fix your issue I,m afraid. If there was a passthrough your TV would be doing the upscaling, not the Fios box. Have you checked what resolution and format the Fios box is sending to your TV? Are you using a High-Speed certified HDMI cable? Is the input on the TV setup for" full color" or something similar to that? Does the TV see a Dolby HDR signal, HLG or an HDR 10 signal when tuned to 4K sources? So far the OLDER 4100 series boxes are the best bet for someone looking for the best reliability and accessibility. If you can't fix the issues with the new stream boxes, ask if it is possible to get the older 4100 series boxes.

GL43

Hello @clem21
-thanks for the response. Yes, I went thru every possible setting including the video and device settings and nada, nothing helps/fixed it. Yes, also checked the resolution and format the FiOS box is sending to the TV and it is 4k resolution and my home theater receiver verifies that it is getting a Dolby HDR format audio stream(the blue LED lights up and I do get special effects coming out of the rear speakers on content with such effects).

That really is pathetic if the older 4100 series boxes provide a better quality picture (not the way technology is supposed to work).

What was interesting is when I talked to a real human at VZ Support, the guy told me these "new" 4100 VMS boxes and WiFi streaming settops have had some "issues" (they work but...).

Will try speaking to VZ Support again and see what happens.

Just IMHO, it ain't right that one has a 4k TV, and the picture quality you get from VZ is "eh".

clem21

@GL43
wrote:
Hello @clem21
-thanks for the response. Yes, I went thru every possible setting including the video and device settings and nada, nothing helps/fixed it. Yes, also checked the resolution and format the FiOS box is sending to the TV and it is 4k resolution and my home theater receiver verifies that it is getting a Dolby HDR format audio stream(the blue LED lights up and I do get special effects coming out of the rear speakers on content with such effects).

That really is pathetic if the older 4100 series boxes provide a better quality picture (not the way technology is supposed to work).
What was interesting is when I talked to a real human at VZ Support, the guy told me these "new" 4100 VMS boxes and WiFi streaming settops have had some "issues" (they work but...).

Will try speaking to VZ Support again and see what happens.

Just IMHO, it ain't right that one has a 4k TV, and the picture quality you get from VZ is "eh".

The older 4100 series boxes work better in my opinion because there has been a LOT of time to fix their issues. The new boxes and system are starting from day one, not much known about them. I don't have a way to access the service menu on them yet, so I can't make any suggestions how to fix PQ issues. Usually the upscaler in the TV was the better way to watch TV, which you could do by using the bypass feature, but that doesn't exist on the new boxes.....yet. I supppose you could tweek the settings for 4K HDR on your TV, but that would throw off the picture for streaming. So the only other thing with the stream boxes is if you are having connectivity issues there is a MoCa converter available for them that eliminates the connection problems. As far as 4K quality from Verizon, it has always been an issue, even with the older boxes. They rely mostly on HLG, which isn't as good as DV or HDR10. I'd stream from the provider whenever available for best PQ in 4K. Another thing with the stream boxes is the techs have limited experience with them as compared to the earlier 4100 series so you may get a better support experience on the older boxes.

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