IMG 1.9 release notes and discussion thread

[lolagoetz]

As you probably already know, IMG 1.9 is starting to roll out. FiOS TV's Joe Ambeault posted release notes that may just answer quite a few of your questions. (And here's a link to the press release as well.)

I see that several of you have already started posting about IMG 1.9. Great! We'd love to have a central place to refer people, so we'll be moving IMG posts over to FiOS TV Technical Assistance. That way things are together and you won't have to search as much to find what you're looking for.

Please feel free to post here with your observations, feedback and questions. I'm sure others will chime in to help with questions if they've already run across the answers you're looking for. And it'll save duplicated efforts as well.

[Hubrisnxs]

---

@bighap wrote:

Will former Verizon Fios customers that are now on Frontier Fios receive these updates?

---

No - Frontier will have their own updates - if any.  

[Sabres1]

Overall, I really like this update.  It has been a nice step forward.  As with anything, there are a few things that I wish had been included or different so just wanted to make them known.

Likes

1)  Look of the guide.  Very readable.

2)  Being able to record and delete shows from any STB.  Great addition.

3)  Previously watched recording are now marked.  Very nice for our daughters Mickey Mouse shows since I don't actually watch them, it is tough to remember which ones we've shown.

4)  The new sorting options with the guide including remembering which guide you used last.  Now I can always pull up my Favorites list first and you can sort just by what you are subscribed to.  I was able to realize I was subscribed to the Big Ten network because of this.

Dislikes/Misses

1)  I don't like in the new guide that you can't tell if a show has already started.  It seems like in most guides, if it is already in progress, there will be an arrow or some indication on the left of the listing.

2)  I wish you could adjust the start and end time of a recording from every STB.

3)  I was really hoping that my biggest wish would be included with the new search but alas.  I would really like to be able to record things to the DVR by keyword search, ie. you put in "Baseball Mets Live HD" and the DVR would record every Mets game in HD on any channel.  I know Directv and Dish have it so it can be done.

[JCupl]

Finally, we will be able to have a decent amount of storage. I just upgraded to a 7216 DVR, and ordered one of the WD terabyte drives called out in the release notes. So now I wait (not too patiently) here in VHO1. 

I had been told by CS that this DVR would give me up to 300 hours storage, I think she thought I would get a 7232. I did put my name on a waitlist for the 7232, but maybe I don't really need that.

To me, one of the most significant changes in IMG 1.9 is the 1080P capability. So, is any 1080P source going to be introduced?

[rottenkid]

I just got a call from verizon telling me that the Cisco boxes will get the upgrade tonight. My fingers are crossed.

[bsantelli1]

How did you upgrade to the 7216?  I called and was told I need to wait probably a month or so.

[Cokeman]

---

@briansantell wrote:

How did you upgrade to the 7216?  I called and was told I need to wait probably a month or so.

---

Go to a Verizon store and exchange your old DVR for the new one.

[bsantelli1]

We only have verizon wireless stores here - unless that's what you meant.  I didn't think they could exchange tv boxes.  I guess I can give them a call and see if they do that.

Thanks,

Brian

[gjetson]

I was reading the transcript of Joe A. presentation, it was very interesting and informative.  Just a question in the rollout schedule which there was a number of questions and references,.  Does Delaware gets grouped with the Philadelphia market?  or is it its own entity, and which part of rollout does it fall into beginning, middle, or end?

[gjetson]

I was reading the transcript of Joe A. presentation, it was very interesting and informative.  Just a question in the rollout schedule which there was a number of questions and references,.  Does Delaware gets grouped with the Philadelphia market?  or is it its own entity, and which part of rollout does it fall into beginning, middle, or end?

[ggma11261]

---

@gjetson wrote:

I was reading the transcript of Joe A. presentation, it was very interesting and informative.  Just a question in the rollout schedule which there was a number of questions and references,.  Does Delaware gets grouped with the Philadelphia market?  or is it its own entity, and which part of rollout does it fall into beginning, middle, or end?

---

Delaware is VHO 8 and grouped with parts of PA - in the settings look under System settings and you will find your VHO it is a 4 digit # of which the last 2 are  your VHO  for ex: I am in Claymont and in VHO 8 in the system settings is says 3308 hope this helps  as for when we will be getting it is anyone's guess

[ggma11261]

I was reading the transcript of Joe A. presentation, it was very interesting and informative.  Just a question in the rollout schedule which there was a number of questions and references,.  Does Delaware gets grouped with the Philadelphia market?  or is it its own entity, and which part of rollout does it fall into beginning, middle, or end?

[doropallo]

I just read over at DSLReports that the rollout is on hold, no information available of when it might start up again.  Figuring this was an official Verizon forum I expected some sort of notice.  Any news of how long the delay might be?  I was looking forward to the new guide and features.

[Keyboards]

---

@doropallo wrote:

I just read over at DSLReports that the rollout is on hold, no information available of when it might start up again.  Figuring this was an official Verizon forum I expected some sort of notice.  Any news of how long the delay might be?  I was looking forward to the new guide and features.

---

While this is a Verizon spnsored forum, it is also PEER-TO-PEER (that means user to user).  Don't know why you would expect an official announcement here any more than on some other forum.  Look to the blogs and twitter for anything resembling official information.

[BrianC]

In inquired about whether there is a delay or any other info that could be released.  This is the response I received from Joe A...

"We're incorporating feedback we got from customers in the 4 markets that were already upgraded to 1.9. Just some minor tweaks as we get ready to roll to other markets in the coming months."

[mntbikejack]

---

@BrianC wrote:

"We're incorporating feedback we got from customers in the 4 markets that were already upgraded to 1.9. Just some minor tweaks as we get ready to roll to other markets in the coming months."

---

Yikes. I was expecting weeks not months. 

After recently switching from Directv with full back-lit RF remotes, full room to room sharing, & a really good HD guide to name a few the FiOS DVR interface seems to be what DTV had years ago. It is getting hard to manage the "wife acceptance factor" any longer and I'm afraid I am bailing back to DTV.

I know I should have waited because I knew the existing interface was far inferior but I figured 1.9 would be out everywhere by now.

We are very happy with FiOS Internet & phone so will be keeping them.

[zich61]

Now that the 1.9 roll has begun, has Vz published an approved eSATA list? 

[Keyboards]

---

@zich6 wrote:

Now that the 1.9 roll has begun, has Vz published an approved eSATA list? 

---

The only currently "approved" drives that I am aware of are the WD 500M and 1T MyBook series.  There have been those that have tried other solutions with success, but keep in mind that Verizon tech support won't assist with other then the listed drives.

Supposedly more drives are in testing and the list will be expanded to include some 2 TB drives (maximum supported by the firmware).

[zich61]

Yeah, I was hoping that some 2 TB drives had been certified.  You'd think they would have established minimum performance specifications the way other manufacturers do.  Imagine MS coming out with a new operating system with 1 fricken motherboard that's compatible.  Ridiculous.

[BrianC]

They advised in forums a few weeks ago that they are working to certify additional drives, but didn't say how long it might take or which devices would be next.

[ejpbowie]

Then why does it say at this page:

http://www22.verizon.com/residentialhelp/fiostv/other+hardware/esata/129841.htm?

Do I need a special eSATA device or is any eSATA device compatible with FiOS TV?
You do not need a special eSATA device for FiOS TV.

Does the eSATA device I use require a minimum or maximum storage limit for FiOS TV?
Any size eSATA device works with your Verizon FiOS TV DVR provided the DVR is compatible with eSATA.

This seems to indicate there are NO restrictions on which eSATA drive to use.

[zich61]

Sorry Joe, this definitely doesn't square with the release notes:

"While we have done nothing to block plugging in any eSATA drive to the DVR’s, if you use a drive that has not been qualified by Verizon then we will not be able to support any potential problems. Please also be aware that we found several units that did not work properly due to the extreme sustained I/O performance required to support this application."

Say, given the Obama administrations flubbing of the information coming out of the OBL raid, they haven't pulled a GM on you guys have they?

[GaryDoug]

Great... now that I'm upgraded (for a 1-time $40 fee) to a 7232 with 640gb, I am told that they cannot remove the multiroom dvr option (which with my 3 dvr's I cannot use anyway), so that amounts to a $4 a month surcharge to keep the 7232. I am told that all 640gb models require the Multiroom option even if you can't use it!! Then I am told that I can return it (no refund of the $40 of course and I have to pay $40 again to swap it out) for the smaller one like I had before. But I can then expand the smaller one with the new upgrade which is supposedly available in the Tampa area. The only problem with that is that my 3 dvrs do NOT have the 1.9 version software. "No, of course you have it" they say... then why does my screen show "1.8" on all three units? No answer! Is there any sanity at Verizon???

I was asked if I now have the Cisco box. I answered, no it says Motorola on it everywhere (top and bottom). She says "Well that means Cisco".. Really?? and how would anyone know that? No answer.

On another screw-up, I received a letter stating that I could bundle my 4 units (1 MR-DVR and 3 set top boxes) for $10 less cost. "Call this number...". When I called I was told no way was it available to me with only 3 boxes!

I must be in the Twilight Zone.

[GaryDoug]

I just talked with another VZ sales rep about the 1.9 rollout. He explained the schedule very simply: "We update until the customer support group is nearly swamped with calls about the changes. Then we stop until it abates before restarting the rollout." So it is the relative tech "savyness" of the local customer base that dictates the schedule. In the area of Florida where I live..., and the number of senior citizens here.... it may go on hold forever...;-)