Recent Fios equipment upgrade

Jakes42

I Installed the equipment sent to me by Verizon that was required to upgrade the Fios TV service. It consisted of a new router, a Video Media Server to replace the set-top box (used for a small screen tv) and the DVR (used for another large screen tv), and two Fios TV+ kits consisting of wireless device and a new remote. The physical equipment was fairly easy to install despite the inconsistent and somewhat confusing instructions. Worse yet were the on-screen set-up instructions for the Fios TV+ wireless device and remote -- sometimes confusing, not enough detail in some cases, and the distraction of telling you about all these Google and Android functions and streaming-tv apps....... not to mention working your way through the menu "jungle" .

Three big gripes:

1. The HD picture is not as sharp on the both TVs. I will be talking to tech support about this problem.

2. The remote lacks a dedicated DVR function that the previous remote had. You have to go through the menu to get to the screen with the recorded shows. Why wasn't the system designed to enable you to get to the list with just the touch of a button on the remote? In addition, there's no slow motion forward/back feature and no "step-thru" forward/back in freeze frame.

3. The remote lacks a dedicated closed caption button ("toggle") that the previous remote had to enable you to turn captioning on and off at any time while watching a program instead of having to activate the CC through the menu which disables the program being watched.

All in all, the "upgrade" is not much of an improvement at all. It seems to incorporate emphasis on streaming TV, Google and Android features at the expense of people like us who are happy with basic Fios broadcast function. Can't understand why the new wireless system couldn't be designed with a remote that kept the same functionality as the one it replaced aside from any new functions. Verizon decided to add.

If I'm off base here and missing something, any suggestions to learn how to "ride the bicycle" better would be welcome.

clem21

You might want to try to get the Fios boxes to re-scan your TVs by pulling the HDMI cables from both devices then putting them back with the power on. The TV might not have scanned initially as 4K capable. Also check the HDR settings in the menu and make sure it is OFF unless you are watching HDR content.