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. 

[Coreylasko]

On top of the menus now looking terrible and being hard to read, My box KEEPS CRASHING! If I fast forward / rewind / go to guide / hit the last button. This update is AWFUL! Why did they get rid of the color coordination?! WHO GOT PAID TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS!! 

Is anyone else having a crashing issue? Do I need to just take this one back and get a new one? 

[M8E]

One of my wireless boxes is fully updated, my other wireless box is half updated and my main box connected through a coax is still on the old format. When I contacted Verizon they apologized and offered to send out a technician as there is obviously the issue. I said no way, why would I want some one to come out and make my service worse. The issue is a crappy upgrade no one asked for.

When I upgraded to Fios One my service was out for a week including my Internet which was essential for my job. I’m so annoyed right now.

What the hell were they thinking??? Do they listen to their customers???

How long will it take for them to get it right???

[mattdaddy72]

Hi all,

I canceled my Fios TV service a week ago and moved to YTTV. 

FWIW, my tvs have YTTV apps, but I decided to buy a FireStick, as I liked its remote and its extensible platform (lots of Amazon sanctioned and non-sanctioned apps alike).  

I used Fios TV for years and was very happy with it.  Lately, I've been watching it less as my family consumes more streaming content, relegating Fios' job to 1) being easy to use when I needed it; 2) providing sports content; and 3) providing a few kid channels.  The recent updates took away #1, leaving it way too expensive a solution for #2 and #3.  

I still use Fios' gigabit service, and am very pleased with it.  I will give them that due credit.  

[uptwnmm8]

Agree!  Give customers the option to use the old guide.

[Southern2356]

Unfortunately it looks like Verizon is winning the "Guide War".  The complaining is starting to lose steam.  I hate this "upgrade" more and more as time goes on.  Just pathetically slow and user unfriendly.

Ironically today I was recognized as a "Top Fan" on Verizon's Facebook page for complaining about the guide.  That explains a lot.

[Psihawk1]

Its been a couple weeks and the guide is still terrible,  you cant even get used to it as its so bad.    Please tell us there is something in the works to make this better if even just slightly.

[2poodles1]

I almost never use it.  If I don’t know the show/channel I want to watch, I go to Netflix. 

I don’t think the anger is losing steam per se.  people are still complaining daily. We just now know that Verizon doesn’t give a **** about its customers.  

[brevoort_292]

I agree.   The update  is HORRIBLE.  I find it very hard to believe that anyone reviewed/approved this from a Human Factors perspective.  The changes rendered FIOS guide less usable, less functional, with less performance (i.e. slow to respond)  and seemingly driven more by consistency with the poorly designed  On Demand design structure than anything else.

[OldBay]

Worst update ever. The previous last button update was miserable, but you could disable it. Try flipping between football games and the bottom half of screen is consumed by clutter. Whoever designed this clearly doesn't watch TV much, or maybe they have DirecTV 🤦‍♂️

[Bluespeyer]

We're not alone here. There are countless criticisms about the new guide on Fios' twitter page as well. You really screwed up, Verizon. Are you purposely trying to shed customers? Nobody can understand why you'd overhaul a perfectly efficient and visually pleasing guide for this hideous, bloated garbage. There is literally NOTHING better about this new guide. I'm so disappointed, and will be looking for an alternative if not changed back. That isn't a threat, just a fact.

[JeffLaw1]

This guide update is a complete fail and may be the final reason to go to Comcast. Yes it is hat bad. Control is now sluggish, No program color coding, No single channel second click option, No channel live view when looking through guide, Option button now doesn’t work on remote, no chaptering in DVR recordings. Utter fail. To correct, put it back to the previous format. Also learn to ask your customers what they want! There is no way a focus group of actual consumers lead to this abomination!

[Gl44guy1]

Serious concerns with new guide:

- Bring back ability to watch current channel while viewing the Guide. We want to still see what is happening on active channel while browsing. I’m browsing blind. You (thankfully) left the active channel view when pressing DVR. Why would you remove it from the Guide?
- Related to above, the transparent background is more distracting and annoying. You can’t actually comprehend what is playing and then it distracts from reading the Guide that is problematic on its own. 
- Bring back color code of program type. The new Guide all blends together and is difficult to read and read quickly. 
-  Bring back in DVR chapter skip function by pressing up to bring up that function. You are making us click more without it. 
- Overall everything very sluggish. 
- I like new feature to arrow right to see what is coming up on current channel. 

[Kde1]

Why does this topic say 'solved? 

Can anyone here explain that to me? 

I'm sure if I call fios,  it won't mean anything to them.... but I will try.  

[Southern2356]

Right now I am trying to get to the end of a DVR'd program that I missed the last 10 minutes of.  So far I have read "War and Peace" twice, played with my vintage Lionel Train that was new when I started trying to advance the DVR program, did the NY times crossword puzzle for last month, and wrote this post.  Still 1 hour and 45 minutes of the program to get through.

Exaggerated?  Sure but it painful to quickly get to the end of a recorded program now.

By the way I only read "War and Peace" once in that time.

[rdlaub]

Since the latest update, I can barely change the channels with my remote.  There is such a lag that it takes me 3 or 4 tries until I get the correct channel.  It constantly misses one or more of the numbers I am inputting.  Is this getting fixed soon.  The whole Fios experience has gotten unbearable.

[JakeyTV]

FIOS...

I don’t know what inspired you to shrink the size of the channel listings but you have made the listings MUCH more difficult to read for this pair of 75 year old eyes. I can barely recognize the channel identities on my 50” screen.

Please give your customers a way to increase the display size of your channel lists.

[Jansy]

Totally agree. Hate the new update. 

[Helmere]

Hi,

With regard to the channel logos, I just spoke with a great customer service representative, he had the update redownload and the logo's came back. With regard to HD filter, it's disabled by default. Go into menu-guide--setting- last guide state should be enabled.

I hope this helps

[October21]

This new guide STINKS! 

What is th point of that big TV LOGO NEXT TO TH WAY TOO SMALL TV CHANNEL Number.? 

Also the guide is too busy with too many channels and no option to reduce the number of channels and again the channel numbers are too small, nor can I tell what the channel is by a picture.

To select a show to record the new  system is NOT user friendly and difficult to navigate!  Why should I have to guess what Chanel is the right option to record.

Just like the last upgrade, no option to upgrade or stay the same. Verizon needs to stop making these asinine changes!  I'm considering dropping Fios! 

[ACT1NJ]

I have to agree.  The new guide is disappointing. 

1. Channels are too small on the far left when you hit guide
2. The current channel no longer displays in the upper left when you hit guide
3. The remote response is horribly delayed whether attempting to pause. rewind, fast forward or hit info.
4. Searching for upcoming showings of a show is limited.

Not sure what the goal was, but the new view feels like a giant leap backwards.

[Southern2356]

Woke up this AM and the picture in picture is back, the crap across the bottom of the screen when changing channels is gone, and the ability to jump through a recording (chapters) is back!

If we can get rid of the lag, add back in the very useful colors, and resize the text...we'll be back where we were.  Some progress has been made!