Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
infinitempg
Enthusiast - Level 3

Upgraded to Quantum on some false pretenses from a Verizon store tech who told me it was wireless (not true but supposedly coming soon) and that all TV's would be in sync or really, really close because all tuners were in the server (also not true, out of sync much worse than standard FiOS). Stuck with it thinking it will get quick upgrades but so far there are none so these are our pretty major gripes which have us considering downgrading:

- FiOS Mobile absolutely does NOT work with Quantum. Sure you can watch live TV but you can't view what's recorded or scheduled on your DVR and don't even think about scheduling a new recording. Can do it through the website if you can find it but what a pain. Major fail.

- TVs not even to close to being in sync. Were out up to 25 seconds but had two Verizon techs change out the splitters, rerun some cable, and still out 3-5 seconds on a good day. Some days still almost 10 seconds. And two clients just a few feet apart aren't even to each other. Verizon needs to add a programmable delay so people can sync everything. Kind of dumb to have a Superbowl party and one room sees a touchdown 10 seconds before the other and have to keep the sound down so it doesn't drive everyone insane with the echo. Another fail.

- Remote control lags insanely long. Go to the guide and sometimes there is a second delay before your selection activates. Go to your recorded shows, click on one used to select it and be able to play, now you have to right arrow to get it to pull up the menu. Everything lags and buttons aren't consistent in different menus. Even just pushing numbers to change channels, sometimes it gets them, sometime is doesn't. Lags even displaying the number you prefer in the screen.

- Used to be able to program how long channel info is displayed when channels are changed, no longer an option and we've been through every menu we could find. Defaults to that ridiculous 5 seconds (used to be able to even pick zero). There were several other display timeout options that are no longer there.

- We wanted to upgrade or server and three clients to all six TVs we have around house so we went online and changed the box count from four to six. A couple days later we got a box with one client and a new server?!?? Huh??? Turns out a server can only host four clients so when you pass five TVs you get another expensive to rent server. Sent it right back but to forever to come off or account (not, keep your shipping receipt, trust me!) And still not off the listed boxes on mobile app. If you want to record up to 12 shows like the ad says, you'll need TWO SERVERS. Each server just has six tuners. Ask questions before you order anything!

These are just the start of the list but please, all you Quantum strugglers, please post quirks you've found. Not sure if we'd of upgraded knowing what we know now, was just going in to trade a standard box for a high def box when all this started.

And dear Verizon, if we're all test guinea pigs for this Quantum experiment, cut us a break on our rates!!!!

0 Likes
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
SinCara
Specialist - Level 2

I'm honestly happy with the service. The guide is slow sometimes, but nothing I cant deal with. Client works great.

Only quirk I have is that when I choose subscribed channels in the guide I lose a lot of channels I actually have so I'm stuck on all channels or favorites.

0 Likes
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
Telcoguru
Master - Level 1

The clients are not in synch with the server. They never have been. Also no such thing as wireless boxes. I think the person at the fios store either needs to be retrained or he just says anything to make a sale. I don't know which.

0 Likes
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
sangs1
Specialist - Level 2

@infinitempg wrote:

Upgraded to Quantum on some false pretenses from a Verizon store tech who told me it was wireless (not true but supposedly coming soon) and that all TV's would be in sync or really, really close because all tuners were in the server (also not true, out of sync much worse than standard FiOS). Stuck with it thinking it will get quick upgrades but so far there are none so these are our pretty major gripes which have us considering downgrading:

- FiOS Mobile absolutely does NOT work with Quantum. Sure you can watch live TV but you can't view what's recorded or scheduled on your DVR and don't even think about scheduling a new recording. Can do it through the website if you can find it but what a pain. Major fail.

- TVs not even to close to being in sync. Were out up to 25 seconds but had two Verizon techs change out the splitters, rerun some cable, and still out 3-5 seconds on a good day. Some days still almost 10 seconds. And two clients just a few feet apart aren't even to each other. Verizon needs to add a programmable delay so people can sync everything. Kind of dumb to have a Superbowl party and one room sees a touchdown 10 seconds before the other and have to keep the sound down so it doesn't drive everyone insane with the echo. Another fail.

- Remote control lags insanely long. Go to the guide and sometimes there is a second delay before your selection activates. Go to your recorded shows, click on one used to select it and be able to play, now you have to right arrow to get it to pull up the menu. Everything lags and buttons aren't consistent in different menus. Even just pushing numbers to change channels, sometimes it gets them, sometime is doesn't. Lags even displaying the number you prefer in the screen.

- Used to be able to program how long channel info is displayed when channels are changed, no longer an option and we've been through every menu we could find. Defaults to that ridiculous 5 seconds (used to be able to even pick zero). There were several other display timeout options that are no longer there.

- We wanted to upgrade or server and three clients to all six TVs we have around house so we went online and changed the box count from four to six. A couple days later we got a box with one client and a new server?!?? Huh??? Turns out a server can only host four clients so when you pass five TVs you get another expensive to rent server. Sent it right back but to forever to come off or account (not, keep your shipping receipt, trust me!) And still not off the listed boxes on mobile app. If you want to record up to 12 shows like the ad says, you'll need TWO SERVERS. Each server just has six tuners. Ask questions before you order anything!

These are just the start of the list but please, all you Quantum strugglers, please post quirks you've found. Not sure if we'd of upgraded knowing what we know now, was just going in to trade a standard box for a high def box when all this started.

And dear Verizon, if we're all test guinea pigs for this Quantum experiment, cut us a break on our rates!!!!

-- You can't watch anything on your DVR with FiOS Mobile whether you're using Quantum service or regular DVR service. That's never been a possibility. You need a Slingbox if you want to do that. However, I have no problem scheduling recordings and viewing VMS status, etc. using the Mobile app with my Quantum service;

-- Not sure about the TV in synch issues, since that not something I remotely care about or utilize;

-- Agreed about the remote control. It lags when navigating menus on the VMS and the Clients. The commands for using the DVR features work quickly however. But navigating the guide and menus can be annoying;

-- I just hit exit when the channel info banner pops up - as I always have - and it goes away immediately;

-- Read the Quantum FAQ on the FiOS website and you'd have immediately known that you would need another VMS server for that setup you described.

0 Likes
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
infinitempg
Enthusiast - Level 3

Under my account page it shows the number of tuner boxes and has a selection box where you can change that number and they send you the boxes. Nothing explained there and no mention that says you're about to make your service really expensive and going to be getting another server. Don't think putting a little blurb of text saying "Maximum 4 clients per server" on that page would take more than a few seconds for a Verizon web author to add.

Odd you say that you can program recordings and manage existing recordings on your Quantum server DVR with the mobile app when I've had several Verizon techs tell me flat out that Verizon FiOS Mobile does not work with Quantum servers and they are working on a solution but don't expect to have it resolved quickly. Are you running iPhone or Android??? I can't look at existing recordings (not watch, just see what is recorded) or program a new recording from the TV guide. You can??? And I have a Slingbox but really a pain to fire that up, go to the guide, find the program and at up a recording... When comes to remote lags Slingbox has a black belt, but knowing what it does that is totally understandable. Just want FiOS Mobile to work with Quantum the way it did before Quantum.

Being in sync is important to anyone with two or more TVs within listening distance of each other. We're not couch potatoes so we are often scrambling around the house while keeping up with a sporting event or in the morning getting up to date with the weather and news while we get ready for work, so we click the TVs in the rooms we migrate between. When the sound is out of sync it can drive someone iNsAnE hearing the warbling echo from the next room. And don't know any sports fan with friends who doesn't invite folks over for a Superbowl, NCAA Championships, Stanley Cup,  World Cup, or anything like that. It's a royal pain when the TVs are all out of sync and echoing like mad. Not what we like to present to our friends.

As far as hitting exit to clear the info screen, that isn't the point. The point is this is a feature available on what Quantum is supposed to be upgrading. I can also go back and individually check the spelling of every word in an email, too, but I prefer that Outlook just spell check as I'm typing :0)  Kind of nice when upgrades actually are improvements.

0 Likes
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
sangs1
Specialist - Level 2

I don't know, I consider 12 tuners to be an upgrade and an improvement. Along with the ability of every connected TV to act as a DVR. But maybe that's just me? And I'd expect that the ability to select a set time for the info bar to disappear will reappear in a future update. As for the synch issues, no idea, though with the way the VMS & Clients work with sharing a tuner, it just might be the way it will normally operate. (FYI, we just checked our two VMSs and they are in synch. Didn't check the Clients, since they aren't used as frequently.)

As for the costs, honestly, it's all there. I don't mean to sound like a {word filter avoidance}, but it's true. Whether in the FAQ, a chat with a FiOS rep or in the breakdown on the account page.

I can see my VMS status and content on my iPhone, iPad and through the FiOS website, so I'm really not sure why they're giving you that bad information. In fact I just checked on all three platforms before posting this reply.

0 Likes
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
Justin46
Legend

@infinitempg wrote:

1) Under my account page it shows the number of tuner boxes and has a selection box where you can change that number and they send you the boxes. Nothing explained there and no mention that says you're about to make your service really expensive and going to be getting another server. Don't think putting a little blurb of text saying "Maximum 4 clients per server" on that page would take more than a few seconds for a Verizon web author to add.

2) Odd you say that you can program recordings and manage existing recordings on your Quantum server DVR with the mobile app when I've had several Verizon techs tell me flat out that Verizon FiOS Mobile does not work with Quantum servers and they are working on a solution but don't expect to have it resolved quickly. Are you running iPhone or Android??? I can't look at existing recordings (not watch, just see what is recorded) or program a new recording from the TV guide. You can??? And I have a Slingbox but really a pain to fire that up, go to the guide, find the program and at up a recording... When comes to remote lags Slingbox has a black belt, but knowing what it does that is totally understandable. Just want FiOS Mobile to work with Quantum the way it did before Quantum.

3) Being in sync is important to anyone with two or more TVs within listening distance of each other. We're not couch potatoes so we are often scrambling around the house while keeping up with a sporting event or in the morning getting up to date with the weather and news while we get ready for work, so we click the TVs in the rooms we migrate between. When the sound is out of sync it can drive someone iNsAnE hearing the warbling echo from the next room. And don't know any sports fan with friends who doesn't invite folks over for a Superbowl, NCAA Championships, Stanley Cup,  World Cup, or anything like that. It's a royal pain when the TVs are all out of sync and echoing like mad. Not what we like to present to our friends.

4) As far as hitting exit to clear the info screen, that isn't the point. The point is this is a feature available on what Quantum is supposed to be upgrading. I can also go back and individually check the spelling of every word in an email, too, but I prefer that Outlook just spell check as I'm typing :0)  Kind of nice when upgrades actually are improvements.


I have numbered your paragraphs to make it easier to respond.

1) When you put in the number of TVs you didn't see a message like this?

image

It might help if you paid more attention to the ordering process when you are using it. Plus it has been clearly documented here, and in the Verizon Q&A, that more than 5 TVs (4 clients + server) would result in a second VMS.

2) I have a one year old Asus ME301T tablet running the Android operating system, with the Verizon FiOS Mobile app version 2.4.1 installed, and I can, for example:

a) See what is recorded on my VMS (not view the recordings themselves but see the titles of the programs recorded)

b) See what is scheduled to record on my VMS

c) Sechedule a recording on my VMS

d) Cancel a recording on my VMS

e) See all of my devices (server and clients) and access them via the remote control function

In other words, I can  perform every function that the app offers, at least as far as I can tell. So absolutely, positively YES the FiOS Mobile app works with the Quantum TV system, at least on an Android device.

3) I have no clue here, I have no interest in whether they are synced or not, my TVs are fairly far apart in the house and I most certainly do not run between TVs watching the same program. But have you tried recording the program you want synced, and then start viewing the recording immediately on the multiple devices and adjust the timing using the Prev and Next keys to at least get them close? I don't know if that will work, but it might help some.

4) The Quantum system is a work in progress, certainly not all of the options and functions available with the prior equipment is available yet. But I suspect it will be made available over time. To me, the Quantum system offering the ability to rewind live TV on the clients is a big, big step forward, the addition of more tuners has really helped out at times, etc. So I view Quantum TV system as a nice step forward, despite a few current shortcomings, such as the missing Aspect (#) key support.

I am very happy with my Quantum TV, and I had QIPxxxx systems for over 8 years, I got FiOS TV within the first two weeks after it became available anywhere. I think you are being overly critical of a new product. And I hope Verizon does deliver new stuff soon to make things more palatable to you.

__________________________________
Justin
FiOS TV: Extreme HD, Internet: 50/25, Digital Voice
VMS Enhanced Service: 1 server, 2 clients
Keller, TX 76248 (VHO 1)

0 Likes
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
exlieut
Contributor - Level 1
Wow used the mobile app at my daughters house to set a recording on my vms with no problem. On my I pad I have all functions I use to have. My neighbor has comcast and he checked the new boxes out. Guess what he's switching.
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
infinitempg
Enthusiast - Level 3

Maybe more overly disappointed overly critical... Was told by Verizon rep that Quantum did not require cable or network connect to box (wireless) and would play everything in sync on all TVs. This is what we upgraded for, neither of which were true. We had whole house DVR before Quantum so that wasn't a selling point or an advantage. That statement in the Verizon site about multi room DVR doesn't say anything about the hardware you're receiving as far as I read in to it and don't recall that message when we clicked the 4 and selected 6 instead. And with the mobile app was told by 2 different Verizon techs that it definitively does not work with Quantum.

If I try to look at recordings I get this :

image

If I try to record a show from the TV listings I get :

image

 When I call the Verizon support folks I get told the app didn't work with Quantum. What I'm starting to learn is that some folks at Verizon don't have the facts in front of when they start talking.

I do appreciate the info that the app does work with Android so now I'll call again and see what they say. And this morning was a new one... One of the client boxes was actually ahead of the server out of sync. Up until today the clients have always been behind the server.

0 Likes
Re: Quantum Quirks and Irritations!!!
XDM45guy
Enthusiast - Level 3
I must be lucky. I got my vms and 4 clients yesterday and set them all up in a jif.

I love the picture quality and lightening fastr dvr control . I found a work around on the guide.
I found all I needed to do was hit the guide button and be sure you have the fav 1 or 2 showing on the guide, then hit the options button and select the relevant fav 1 or 2. I can turn the box off and on and it always picks up my favorites list.
0 Likes