FIOS TV+ vs FIOS Streaming

[krtsbgfut]

Verizon needs to clarify, or maybe make a bigger deal out of the idea that "FIOS TV+", is not the same as "FIOS Streaming", even though they use almost identical looking hardware. I had seen what I thought were the little FIOS TV+ "Set top boxes" for sale. Usually $70, they are on sale for $20. That's a no brainer. Why pay the rental fees at $12 a month, when I can just purchase the "STB", and it will pay for itself in a couple of months? Long story short, the devices on sale that LOOK like FIOS TV+ STBs, are only the streaming version. No local channels. In essence, a Roku. Even the agent I spoke with on the phone was confused about the difference between the two. When I go back to VZs product page, to see if FIOS TV+ STBs are also on sale, they can't be found... I've been a VZ customer for 20+ years. I rarely contact support (maybe every other year). A) Because I'm decent with doing my own tech support. B) Lately service agents are no more knowledgeable than the customers they claim to support. Anytime I've had an issue resolved, it's always been at tier 2 support or higher.
Also, my wife prefers the old VZ remote as she's more familiar with the layout (buttons are easier to see, also). The new "upgrade" stbs we did receive need an additional IR sensor to be backwards compatible with the old remotes. Not a problem, at $15 each, also a no brainer. Once I get the IR sensors I find out that, even though they have a USB connection, no other device recognizes them. If they are ONLY compatible with the VZ equipment, why am I forced to buy them?
Another point: We have had nothing but issues since we "upgraded". Blocky picture, sound cutting out... Channel 16 should be ION in my area. 90% of the time it is. Occasionally, the guide will say "16 ION TV" as it should, but the actual broadcast is a feed from another channel. The most recent example: My wife was watching Chicago PD (I think). The guide said "16 ION tv", but the broadcast was a spanish speaking preacher and his guest, live on stage. Not sure what it was, but it definitely was not what was supposed to be on. I changed the channel, then came back and the show that was supposed to be on, was. I found out that an item called a MOCA adapter could help resolve most, if not all of these issues. But again, they are proprietary VZ devices, and the website said each one was $80. That's $160+ for equipment I might need, but can't be used outside of VZ. WHY ARE THESE NOT AVAILABLE ON REQUEST?!?!?!? Why do I have to pay $80 a pop, for VZ proprietary eqipment? It gets worse. After deciding that we might have to bite the bullet and purchase these MOCA adapters, I go back to the website and the old MOCAs at $80 are gone, and nowhere to be found. They do offer a new model at $100, though!!!
With this forced "upgrade", the customer paying for proprietary equipment, rock solid old TV system being replaced with shaky TV at best, "customer service" agents who don't know any more than the customer,... and a plethora of other reasons, this may be the final straw. I may have to just cut ties with VZ and seek service, elsewhere.

[kh_jenn]

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