Sept 2020 Fios DVR and Guide Update

[Scott804]

This week Fios pushed out interface updates for their TV services. After nearly 3 hours in chats, I was finally told that there is no way to roll back updates once loaded and they base new update options based on posts in the forum. Below are my complaints that they will only fix with enough support on here, if you have the same issues, please mark the post. 

1. They removed the chapter function for recorded programs on the dvr (the up arrow that would allow you to move to any 10 min marker in a program).

2. The new Now and Next function causes latency when switching channels. Even after setting it to 0 seconds. 

3. They removed the ability to view a single channel lineup in the tv guide. In the past I would just hit guide a second time to see the next 5-10 shows on a single channel. 

4. Finally, I just find the prettier guide view harder to actually read and process. Not sure if it is the number of channels,  dark screen, or just that it is too busy.  Turning off the background video helped a little, but not much. 

[PaQuilter]

I hate the new guide and the loss of functionality. I am so glad I haven't renewed my contract. Why do techies always think they know better than the customer. I think it's time to cut the cable tv cord for good. 

[AnthonyP1]

I can no longer easily see the Channel number or the logo ...............they are now  way too small

[Mo405]

• It’s a terrible update I hope Fios hears the complaints and rolls it back

[Kevo721]

Agree 100% with calls to roll this back!  Put the old UI back into play for everyone until professional UI designers can be called upon to revamp the experience.  It’s more important to keep your customers happy, especially when a lot of us are home more these days and watching TV.  Now is not the time for this!  Roll it back!

Just posted these frustrations on social media!  

 

[Viewer4]

Normally when you roll out new features you expect improvements.  The latency in the new guide is ridiculous, it takes so long for the STB to respond that I often double-press the remote thinking it didn't receive the first command.  There is also no excuse for REMOVING features, such as:

• The chapters function for recorded videos
• Skip forward 6 (or 4?) hours in the guide (you can still skip to the next day but that isn't as useful if it's morning and you want to see what's on in the evening)

[DragonButterfly]

I made an account just for this thread too.

As years go on, we get updates and changes pushed out to our boxes and sometimes I like them and sometimes I don’t... but none of them have negatively impacted my viewing experience as much as this has.

• The color coding in the guide is gone, making it difficult to differentiate between TV Shows, Sports, Movies, etc.
• This is exasperated by the fact that there’s no logos for TV channels anymore on the left side of the guide. Now it just gives a generic “TV” icon, and the channel number.  I haven’t memorized channel numbers since digital guides became a thing almost 20 years ago.
• The latency isn’t the best, but I could look past this since it’s naturally going to happen as we get new software updates on aging hardware.

Comeon guys, even when we had the “TVGuide Channel” before we had digital boxes they would color-code their programs too.  Every digital cable provider since then has done the same — because it works. Why Verizon decided to remove this key functionality in 2020, I’ll never understand. Surely Verizon had to have received this same feedback when they tested the update, but they did it anyway.

Please bring back color-coded programs in the guide along with the channel logo. I can get used to the other changes, but this is very frustrating.

[Aerostation]

I have all the same problems with the update.  The interface change is horrible to read and use.

How could a change that drops or delays key inputs by seconds ever pass QA?

[Mgsea]

The new update is horrible. Functions are incredibly sluggish   Changing channels sluggish. ForwaRd/reverse functions sluggish.   Can’t even get the channel guide to open.  Add in the on screen display blocking the content I want to see (the actual show, not Verizon stuff) and I’m ready to switch to Comcast. 

[2poodles1]

Saturday college football is coming up. I like to flip around games. Under the old guide, sports shows were in green so easy to pick them out.  The old guide included the teams playing as you scrolled through, so very easy to jump around to the games I wanted. And the channel numbers were large and readable. 

NOW . . . Every show is black so no quick or easy way to find the games.  Every entry says only “college football,” so no idea who is playing without stopping at each and every channel.  I thought about writing down on paper which game is on which channel. But I can’t read the channel numbers or icons on my 65” TV because they are too small.  So I have to manually enter each channel.  The sluggishness means I’ll get it wrong most of the time and have to renter it.  The “last button” is also sluggish and the pictures are hard to read to figure out which game to switch to. 

What should be a great day of football is totally ruined by Verizon and it’s terrible guide.  

[jeffdanger1]

I agree.  In addition to the sluggish response, I now experience daily reboots of the box.  Horrible upgrade.  Also, try entering a channel number-first digit is ignored unless you wait for it to appear on screen before entering second or third digit.

[Panthrrs]

This update absolutely stinks. I thought it was just perhaps me with the latency issues and remote problems but evidently not. I am now starting to considering other cable/non-cable options. 

[22081]

Why can't I press guide twice anymore to see and scroll down on a specific channel?. This is really annoying. Is there anyway to fix it?

[Sleepyfic]

All true, they just can’t leave things alone. Maybe as we start changing service providers they will get it. I have tried everything I know and still the remote **bleep**. 3 to 4 seconds delay would be great, I am at 6 to 8. Forget about fav button, you are playing roulette when toggling with this one. I just can’t say any more I’m getting upset thinking the ;ext time I turn on the TV. Good luck to all, I am researching other other angles.

[dodzter1]

This new guide for FIOS is AWFUL!! It's dull and bland and they took away the little box in the upper left corner where you could still see the show you are watching while you peruse the guide. The old guide was colorful and pleasing to look at. Shows were color coded. Movies in red, series shows in blue and sports green, I think. Plus it is slow to respond. If you click more info and get the full size description of a show, it is very slow to respond when you click on exit.
What I find more amazing and disappointing is that VZ didn't even reach out to their customers to ask if they wanted a guide upgrade and/or what they would like to see in a guide.
I retired 2 years ago from VZ after working there 37 years. They have a big problem with fixing things that are not broken. Plus not fixing things that are actually broken. However the guide was NOT broken. Please fix this ASAP!!

[fjinva]

New guide is not good.  The changes that eliminated valuable features:

• No chaptering is horrible
• No category colors makes it very hard to find programs
• No ability to scroll fast through the guide by holding down the page up or page down buttons.
• No ability to increase the transparency, so you can still see the program while searching

Come on Verizon, get it together.  These are important functions for user convenience.

You Tube is getting better looking every day.

[WFB1]

I agree, Why does verizon insist on making changes to make thing worse.  Everything was working just fine. It’s enough to age me look at other viewing options.  Very frustrating,

[Changeitback]

agree!!!!!

[Bouvet]

Verizon should revert to the old FIOS Guide, or give customers the option.  I can't read the channel numbers on the new guide, which is very clunky.  Customer satizfaction should be the deciding factor, not some Verizon Fios software engineer who felt like expressing their taste in guide design was paramount.  

[ss201]

A well-run company would not have allowed this to happen.

Many of us use cable TV to watch several channels at time. The UI needs to be fast and out of our face.

We also watch live sports and like to use pause, rewind, slow-motion, etc. But the stupid bar at the bottom won't get out of the way. It pops up on each button press. I know what channel I’m on, I don’t need to be reminded every few seconds.

This is Verizon's 'New Coke'. Revert back.

[Luby1]

Can you avoid getting this update?

[Customerin11552]

I just spoke to someone at Verizon. This change is not an option. Just have to keep complaining. It is totally ridiculous and makes no sense. Whoever approved this change should be fired.