Verizon FIOS and Samsung TVs

[Huuuze]

I've read mixed reports on the compability of Verizon FIOS STBs and Samsung TVs.  I'm scheduled to have Verizon install FIOS at my home on Friday and I plan on purchasing a 26" Samsung LCD HDTV.

Long story short, are there any known issues with either this specific model or Samsung TVs in general?  I've searched the forums and I didn't see anything official from the Verizon tech support team.

[Huuuze · Accepted solution]

Replying to my original question, I spoke with Samsung this afternoon.  The 26" model I've been eyeballing has not had any reported issues with the HDMI connection and the Motorola STB.  Furthermore, according to the Samsung rep, the HDMI issue appears to be isolated to the 2008 Samsung models.  The 2009 models have not had the issue.

[yleekiotea]

I recently bought 3 samsung hd tv's.  I have had issues with  2 of them when connected to my dvr. In fact one died completely, Lost both picture then sound. I had to replace it that is why I had 3 when I only wanted 2. I have never had any issues with my 46" 8series 1080p HD LCD TV. However that is connected to a HD box via rf cable with both in and out connection also via an hdmi cable. But, one of the  6series died via hdmi (thank goodness it was only 15days old May 2009) And I have problems with the 7series I replaced it with. All I wanted was to see a good hd picture who knew it would be such a pain? Also did you know that live tv is not being broadcast in 1080p yet ? Interlaced makes the picture not look as good as it should. So  what is the purpose? OH well, good luck on your journey with FIOS/Samsung  adventure.

[Huuuze]

Can you post the model numbers for those TVs?

[yleekiotea]

The Good Samsung connected to the good HD box is: LN46A850. The one that completely died, (less than 2 weeks old) is: LN32B550. I replaced that with LN37B550 and it still has issues with HDMI (picture but no sound) I am stuck with component cables. oh well!!! 

[RufusRastus]

I as well bought high quality HDMI connectable equipment, and when I finally got my Onkyo home theater, and hooked up the STB HDDVR through the Onkyo (pass through) to my Samsung 46A550, I got the same green screen after 10-15 seconds.  I want hdmi for the handshaking which occurs for component control, as well as the picture quality.  With the HDDVR hooked up directly to my Samsung, I get regular video drops and freezes, but audio continues.  I just want things to work as they are supposed to.  I also have a Sony blue-ray player hooked through the Onkyo and it works fine, as does my home theater PC which I built intending to use in an hdmi connection.  So what/who is at fault in this situation?  I have done the latest firmware updates from Samsung to no avail.  Also have tried numerous hdmi cables with no change.  As my year contract is up NOW I am looking around for alternatives.

[BOOOOMER]

RufusRastus,

FWIW, i've given up on getting the HDMI cable to drive the Samsung.

However I still have  HDMI connected to all the components; from the STB to the  AVR;  between the TV & AVR;  from my PS3 to my AVR. I have component from the STB to the Samsung. 

I set my programmable remote (worth its weight in gold) to automatically change the source on my samsung tv to HDMI when watching bluray off the PS3 and component when using the STB.

Because I have the HDMI from the STB to the AVR i get full 5.1 surround audio.

[elmontro]

A friend had the same issue. verizon told him that one of the boxes has a chip that doesn't work well with HDMI. They changed the box for one that has the updated chip and everything is now perfect.

[dahlia1]

I am getting another box to try my luck.. They are sending another box after 2 hrs of fighting... How do we know abt the chip? I s there any way to find?

[TECHMAN777]

SOLVED? Will the person who considers this "solved" please tell us how to connect the DVR via HDMI so that we don't get the problem. 

By the way, the HDMI link to some Sony's is just as bad. I've had to switch to component cables for my Sony 46XBR4.

[dahlia1]

component cables don't deliver sound. right? Can somebody say how do I get sound and video using these component cables. I have a receiver that goes between FIOS box and TV. Thks for your time.

[CapnTrips]

If you are using component cable for video, then you have to use additional cables for audio. 

Your first choice should be DIGITAL AUDIO via either a single OPTICAL DIGITAL connection, or a single COAXIAL DIGITAL connection, depending on what inputs are avaliable on your receiver.  Usually, that requires some setup on the reciever to match your audio and video inputs to the same device.  That allows you to get Dolby and DTS Surround sound modes up to 5.1 channels.

Alternatively you can use the "old-style" left (white) and right (red) ANALOG AUDIO inputs, which provide only 2-channel stereo audio via 2 RCA cables.

But these HDMI problems really need to get fixed because although in theory component video passes equivalent quality to HDMI video (up to 1080i, which is the highest resolution used by broadcast and cable TV), HDMI audio is the ONLY means by which to transmit the newest high-quality, lossless (up to 7.1 channel) audio (Admittedly, I am unaware of anybody BROADCASTING these lossless audio streams, but they should be able to).  The digital audio connections (optical or coax) simply cannot pass the bandwidth required for these "HD-audio" streams, so what you will get via the digital connection, although very nice, will not necessarily be "the best" audio.

[TECHMAN777]

At the rear of the FIOS box are 3 connectors (Y, Pb and Pr) that are used to transmit the video. Two other connectors (Audio Left and Audio Right) transmit the audio. You can buy a 5 cable assembly; or use a 3 cable assembly for the video, and a 2 cable assembly for the audio. Be sure that the 3, or 5, say "component". The 2 cable assembly is a garden variety audio set.

[BOOOOMER]

Dahlia,

I have the component cables from the STB to the TV and HDMI from the STB to my AVR. I get full 5.1 sound. On some programs the sound is slightly out of sync with the TV - but hopefully this weekend I'll have the time and patience to adjust the sync on the AVR. 

[Grndnpound]

The issue with HDMI cables and the problems connecting to so Samsung Tv's and other various brand Tv's should all be resolved in the up coming IMG upgrade. The dates for all VHO's are tentative but, should start being push starting on or around the begining of Sept.

[elmontro]

The box that works is the QIP 6416-2. Please ask for that if your receiver is giving you issues with HDMI. This is an older box and that's why they are trying not to give them out.

[kemo45]

I have the QIP 6415-P2  Motorola HD DVR and I am looking to buy a Samsung 52" LCD. I would be very frustrated if verizon FIOS is not compatible with Samsung. Going to Component video cables is a weak patch, not a fix, because they do not carry audio and extra cables is not an option.

The latest update I have on my Motorola box is 1.7, not the 1.7c that someone had mentioned. I have a Toshiba hooked up now using HDMI with no issues. Are there any Verizon techs that can weigh in on these issues and updates because not being compatible is unacceptable and asking  their customers to go back to old technology is ridiculous.

[RufusRastus]

After going through the already mentioned channels with complaints and gripes, and getting the same responses that others of us here have got, I gave up.   I had Directv installed and did away with FIOS.  No problems, better sound, no green screen, and all my equipment plays well with each other.

RR

[johnmun]

My STB-HDMI/Samsung problem is slightly different.  Whenever I use the remote to turn off the STB & TV, both initially turn off as they are supposed to.  However, after about 30 seconds, the STB reboots and come back on taking the STB and TV power out of sync.  So I have to go through the kabuki dance of turning off the STB power which automatically turns the TV on so that I now have to turn the TV off individually.  I have been on the phone with Verizon a number of times.  They had me change the batteries in the remote; hold the remote pointed to the STB for a few seconds after powering off; replaced the STB - all to no avail.  I'm reluctant to go to component cables for fear of getting a degrading picture.  I'm paying for HD so I should get it.  Is my problem similar to anyone else's?  Would a DVI to HDMI cable work any better?

Thanks

[JustLou1]

FWIW, I have zero problems using HDMI with my Samsung 61" LED DLP and 7216 DVR.

[RufusRastus]

As a last resort, I called the Verizon help line.  I was underwhelmed by the response, and not surprised considering what I have read here and elsewhere.  The representative, always courteous, told me that the HDMI issue was that manufacturers were not adhering to the same set of rules for connectivity, and some work well and others don't.  And there was again the issue of cables.  So I gave up trying to get anywhere and went to Best Buy and got some component video cables.  They do work but not what I wanted.  So now the rest of my home theater system is unaware of the presence of the "set top box" because of the absent HDMI connection.  If I turn off my Sony blueray player, my TV sees that all digital sources are gone, even though the set top box is turned on, and changes from HDMI-1 input to over the air antenna (nothing there) and acts stupid.  And of course if the FIOS signals do ever carry real HD DTS or Dolby then I will be unable to decode it due to loss of HDMI connections,  as coax digital or optical don't support high definition audio.  I sure am glad that I got a home theater amplifier which has a multitude of connections as I will need alternatives to whatever SHOULD work.

[BOOOOMER]

Rufus Rastus,

Try what i did - use HDMI from the STB to your AV receiver. Connect the HDMI cables from your AV receiver to the TV. Connect the component cables from the STB to  your TV. When your watching TV switch the souce on the TV from from HDMI to Component. when watching Blueray change the source back to HDMI.

Because the STB is "transmitting" to the AV receiver via HDMI - im getting the full quality audio (5.1) going to the receiver. 

Its a lot of cables and switching but it works. Also a configurable unversal remote like the Logitech Harmony works beautifully in autmatically switching the TV source when switching from bluray to tv and back.

good Luck!