Dishonest VZ? Triple Play Bundle includes HD but only comes with SD set top box?

[icerabbit]

I'm not familiar with FIOS really, other than that it is fiber, faster and more expensive then regular service, typically is a headache for a few weeks till it works fine. 

Anyhow. We seem to be forced to get new service by VZ for trying to move two streets over. VZ said on a couple occassions now that regular phone service and DSL are no longer available .... mandating service upgrades to FIOS at double the cost.

So, I am looking at the bundles.

It clearly says in the headlines that it has HD TV service, but then requires a $9.99 receiver rental for that ...

When I click through on placing an order it asks how many regular TVs or HDTVs you have and lists it only includes an SD receiver at no charge. The HD receiver is extra?!

How can you say your triple play offer includes HD service? Without including the hardware to actually have HD in the price? 

Do you need an HD Set Top Box to get HD?

Or can one use the Clear QAM tuner in the TV?

Thanks.

--- Ordering sub page ---

Set Top Box SD Only  
• "Free for Life"
• Limit of one SD Set Top Box per customer 
• Watch standard definition programming 
• Access to extensive Video On Demand library with SD content 
• Interactive Media GuideSee Details

Fee Waived

Set Top Box   
• Works on High Definition or Standard Definition TVs
• Watch HD and standard definition programming
• Access to extensive Video On Demand library with HD and SD content
• Interactive Media GuideSee Details

$9.99

--- Front page --- 

Get connected with these great bundles:

• Good

  FiOS Triple Play
  • FiOS TV Prime HD
    195+ Channels
  • FiOS Internet
    Up to 15/5 Mbps
  • Unlimited Calling

  • Online Exclusive Offer - Term Contract

    • $300 Verizon Visa® Prepaid Card†
    • 2-Year Price Guarantee includes $10/mo. online discount.
    • No startup costs: All activation and installation fees waived. Plus, a wireless router at no additional cost.

  FiOS is available at your address!

  Best Price Only Online 
  

  View Cart

  
  See bundle details

  

  $8999/month

  ---- Bundle details from above page --- 

  FiOS TV Prime HD

  Packed with entertainment punch, the FiOS TV Prime HD package includes our dynamic Interactive Media Guide that makes it a breeze to take control of your entertainment, cool widgets that give you on-screen access to your Facebook and Twitter accounts and:

  • 195+ channels with FiOS TV Prime HD including 50+ in HD
  • Must-have programming from ESPN, Discovery, TNT, USA, MTV, CNN and more
  • Extensive On Demand library with over 35,000 titles available each month, many free – including over 7,000 HD titles per month
  • 46 commercial-free music channels.

------ 

[tns]

The free bundles have been offering some a free HD DVR and  SD STB boxes.  But they are mostly recylcling older boxes they will not give out on normal new installs.

They were not even offereing the SD boxes for free until recently, you had to rent them as well.

[Keyboards]

AFAIK any provider will require an HD box (since virtually all the "cable channels" are encrypted) and I'm not aware of who (if anyone) provides an STB for HD free (other than the aforementioned free DVR from Verizon since they only have HD DVRs)..

[prisaz]

Also it is my understanding they are only offering the free SD boxes to new customers. If you are an existing customer they will not allow you to order one. So if you return an SD box for a HD box upgrade, never expect to get an SD box back in return. Those older Motorola SD STBs only operate at a barely acceptable speed for menu changes and guide viewing. IMO. The HD STBs will work great on an SD TV if you set the menu graphics to SD. The HD boxes also will provide access to the HD channels that are not available on the SD STB. Trade off for a free SD STB. Consider the SD boxes were only $5 a month at one time.

Now if you are in an area where Cisco STBs and DVRs are being used, they have never been available in SD, and are only HD.

[oldfashioned]

I'm not following any of this.  I have the Motorola QIP-7100 STB and it works at a very good speed.

[Keyboards]

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@questioning wrote:

I'm not following any of this.  I have the Motorola QIP-7100 STB and it works at a very good speed.

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The 7100 is an GD box.  The slowness is referring to the old 2500 model (SD only).

[oldfashioned]

(sorry, bad comment better left unsaid)

[prisaz]

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@Keyboards wrote:

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@questioning wrote:

I'm not following any of this.  I have the Motorola QIP-7100 STB and it works at a very good speed.

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The 7100 is an GD box.  The slowness is referring to the old 2500 model (SD only).

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Aslo the QIP-6xxx boxes under some conditions. Mainly the DVRs. I believe the 2500 and the 6xxx are the only STBs that are free for life on a new install. If you are lucky to get the newer boxes for that deal then it is great, lucky you.

Best Regards.

[oldfashioned]

I'm just confused regarding what this whole issue is about.

[Keyboards]

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@questioning wrote:

I'm just confused regarding what this whole issue is about.

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The OP was expecting to not have to pay for an HD box so he / she thinks Verizon is being dishonest in calling the service HD.  Like I said earlier, don't know of any service provider that gives out free HD boxes other than the new customer free for life DVR Verizon is currently offering.