can you mix and match the older STB (with the clock) with the new minis?

[billy131]

so one of my STB boxes blew out and they said they couldn't replace it so i got the new router and they gave me the mini boxes. so after seeing these i dont want to use them everywhere...so can i keep the working older STB boxes and just add a mini for the one that blew?  i was trying to connect the mini to find out but i cant get it to connect, i think because i have older splitters.

[dexman]

The 4100 series STBs cannot be used in conjunction with older STBs such as ones made by Motorola or Cisco. They are meant to be used in a "closed" system consisting of the 4100 main (aka the VMS) and 4100 minis (aka remotes).

A 4100 series installation has one VMS and up to four remotes.

Me personally, Verizon replaced our old Motorola STBs with 4100 series units a few years ago. At first, I missed seeing the clock on the box in my bedroom, but as time went on the loss wasn't a major concern. 🙂

The mini-STBs are "dumb terminals" in that they have no tuner circuitry. The VMS has six tuners. One for itself, one for the internal DVR and four for up to four remotes.

Splitters are another story. Older units that are not, at least MoCA 2.0 should be upgraded to ones that are 2.0 or higher. Also check the connectors on the ends of all coaxial cables. Ones that are poorly applied or are screw-on should be replaced. 🙂

[billy131]

hi HNY

so does that mean they were supposed to give me a VMS box besides the 4100's?? or is the VMS box the one outside?  so do u think i need to disconnect all the old STB before i start replacing them?

[dexman]

It would depend upon which STBs are currently there as well as the ones that were sent. Could a picture of the old STBs be uploaded along with the one(s) that was(were) sent?

Side note: Pictures that are submitted go into queue for a Moderator to check before they appear out in the open. So, if you see blank squares after sending the pictures, that is normal. 🙂

[dexman]

Bedroom 4100 mini.

My bedroom's 4100 mini-STB.

[dexman]

The 4100 VMS looks like the mini, only a bit taller and slightly wider.

[billy131]

would that be also be known as the Fios one box?

[dexman]

I think that the "One" box is the 4100 VMS. I just posted a picture of the one in our Living Room.

[billy131]

thx ! so they sent 2 of those and the rest minis,  so i should i connect that first?

[dexman · Accepted solution]

They sent two VMS boxes? A second VMS would be required if you had 6 to 10 televisions.

My suggestion:

Disconnect all old STBs. Connect the new VMS in the "central" location. At our house, that is the Living Room. Next locate the mini-STBs at all other locations with televisions.

Hook-up the cables to the rear of the VMS, power both it and the television on and follow the prompts to set the box up.

Next go to each of the mini-STBs, connect them and follow the prompts to get them up & running.

Once everything is up, return the old STBs to Verizon.

I would also suggest checking the coaxial cable splitters and connectors as mentioned earlier on. 🙂

[billy131]

thank you so much for your help....i hooked up one of the bigger boxe you suggested and it worked.  i didnt even realize they sent other boxes! I did NOT disconnect the old STB boxes so right now the new one is working with the old!

[dexman]

4100 VMS

The 4100 VMS in our Living Room.

[billy131]

thats the box they sent

the old ones i have are these motorola