Verizon to offer "Home Media DVR" to FiOS customers

If you're tired of waiting for DirecTV's continually-delayed HD DVR, or just one of the lucky few who actually have access to FiOS service (and want to extract every ounce of greatness from it), Verizon is looking to hook you up. Available only to those in its (slowly) expanding FiOS network, Verizon is out to give subscribers a kinda sorta new way to watch television, and, of course, to cash in on the time-shifting craze while the window of opportunity is still open. The presumed selling point of its Home Media DVR is its ability to function as a "multiroom streaming media solution" that enables "up to three simultaneous viewings" of recorded material (whether or not this tidbit is worth $19.95 per month is debatable). Of course, the media can only be streamed to other "Verizon-approved" receivers -- whatever they may be -- and it's not yet clear if your Verizon cellphone will be one of those treasured devices. While we can imagine the list of restrictions on this streaming gig are quite lengthy, the company has stated that it will support "DVR-to-PC connectivity," thus enabling DVR viewing on a networked PC, though there's no mention of supporting wirelessly connected computers a la Slingbox. Apparently the DVR system will utilize a run-of-the-mill Motorola QIP6416 (dual HD-tuners and a 160GB hard drive) as the "hub" and a Motorola QIP2500 (basic STB that can receive content from the hub), both of which will communicate via MoCA (Multimedia over Coax Alliance) technology. While this rigamarole creates more questions than it answers, we're glad to see progress towards a centralized content viewing / streaming solution, but getting cable companies and the almighty content providers to warm up to the idea of slinging material around on a home network (and beyond?) probably won't be easy.

[Via Ars Technica]

[Maestr0 @ Aug 14th 2006 9:27PM]

I have FIOS internet and tried FIOS TV. The HD picture quality was awesome. The standard def. was horrible at best. Do a search on this and you will find many people with the same problem. Verizon actually flew some motorola techs to my house and they investigated the problem. Told me it is a known issue, but will be a long time before it is fixed.

I know lots of people are happy with FIOSTV, but I also know quite a bit (and growing larger) of customers are having the same experience as me. Had to switch back to Bright House Networks and return all the tv boxes (but I kept the FIOS Internet..now that is awesome).

[Zadillo @ Aug 14th 2006 9:58PM]

I've got FIOS Internet and FIOS TV...... I have to say I've found the standard def quality to be excellent - definitely crisper and better than my previous DirecTV service.

[Scott @ Aug 14th 2006 10:12PM]

I think the "DVR-to-PC connectivity" refers to the ability to play music and view pictures from your PC on the TV. Of course they say that this does not include iTunes bought music or any other DRM'd content. They are calling this Media Manager compared to the Home Media DVR. Also you need to subscribe to the Home Media DVR to get the Media Manager.

[h00ligan @ Aug 14th 2006 10:27PM]

i hate all FIOS users - it will be 2050 before NYC is FIOS ready.. too many people, too much hassle.

[Seth Brundle @ Aug 14th 2006 10:28PM]

I have FIOS internet but have Cablevision TV since FIOS didnt have HD PVRs here when I moved in.

I will try it though, because Cablevision's HDPVR is a Scientific Atlanta and it completely blows compared to my old Comcast Motorola. The Cablevision program guide looks like it was designed for an Apple II and it takes 2 keypresses just to get to it.

[Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Aug 14th 2006 10:52PM]

I work for Verizon and the SD picture looks better than DirecTV or Dishnetwork and blows away anything Cable TV offers.

[Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Aug 14th 2006 10:54PM]

Some HDTV's don't display SD channels very well.

[Madeleine @ Aug 14th 2006 11:35PM]

Unfortunately, the current implementation of Verizon's Home Media DVR is incompatible with Verizon's HD boxes (as clients...the DVR itself can still display HDTV locally). So, if you have more than one HDTV, or simply want to watch HD content from your DVR downconverted to SD in another room, you're currently out of luck.

[I,Robot @ Aug 14th 2006 11:43PM]

I can believe that ANYTHING sucks more than that Comcast Cable Box. Everytime I turn the TV on, I want to boot-kick that f_cking MotorolaXXXX Box right out the window.

[sc00tert00ter @ Aug 14th 2006 11:48PM]

ya... old news my friend has had FiOS and the "hd dvr" box for months now! and by the way (anyone who knows will agree) the whole "FiOS" thing is not worth it at all! crappiest ui/ip ever! and even with the total package, no
g4 (which im sure everybody on engadget watches)

[Zach Marshall @ Aug 14th 2006 11:56PM]

ughhhh G4 I can't believe you even mentioned that channel. I miss my TechTV :tear:

Anyway, I'm jealous for the fact that I want FIOS internet. now. period. I don't have an HDTV, or even a tv for that matter (don't ever watch it, but I do have MCE just in case the situation arises), so this doesn't quite affect me... at all. I live in Boonfuck, New Jersey - so I know I won't be seeing an upgrade in a while, though I'm complaining too much, my DL speeds of 6MB aren't too shabby as of right now :)

[Big Sam @ Aug 15th 2006 12:09AM]

People still watch G4?

[Mike D @ Aug 15th 2006 12:38AM]

I don't have FIOS TV yet, only internet. I do believe G4 is in the sports package for some reason, that channel has gone downhill immensely since it became G4 so who cares really. For the price and the channels you get, it sounds to me like a really good deal. I'm anxious for it to roll out here and give Time Warner some real competition.

[Casey @ Aug 15th 2006 1:20AM]

I have FIOS internet and Tv, and I know I probably wont be getting the upgrade. 1. They just upgrade the software. It isnt a new box, so, no storage upgrades. I'd like to see some storage upgrades for 7 dollars more. Also, the media manager doesnt support video, I dont believe, I cant remember, and thats what I want it for is to stream my vidcasts to my tv, such as hak.5. So, until I see some added features or storage upgrades, im staying with 2 dvr's in different rooms.

[Chad Brantly @ Aug 15th 2006 2:20AM]

Kind of pricey, don't you think? At $19.95 plus $3.95 per connected device, if I have 3 TVs I'm going to have to pay $28 extra per month. U-verse is going to be offering the same service by the end of the year for free to all of their subscribers.

[Chad Brantly @ Aug 15th 2006 2:22AM]

Sorry, can't edit posts. If you want more info on U-verse's whole-home DVR, check out this article:
http://www.uverseusers.com/article.php/exclusive-hd-and-motorola-stb-rollout

[J @ Aug 15th 2006 2:27AM]

Fios tv isnt anything exciting, it is offereing the same exact content as a most digital cable providers. All of the big ones (Comcast, Time Warner, Cablevision) offer all digital channels, and so do the Dish companies. THe motorola boxes are the same ones that the big 3 cable companies use too. FIOS tv is only being touted highly becuase of the words FIOS in front of it, but it is nothing new.

[TeeRex @ Aug 15th 2006 2:55AM]

You guy's must have a crappy version of FiOS TV because I have the total package and it has G4....

And my only complaint is the Display of the channels..

it is horrible...

but the over quality of the channels is great!

[Dolomite @ Aug 15th 2006 8:28AM]

I've been watching the Verizon tech stringing the fiber in my neighborhood for the past couple weeks... I hope it isn't long before it goes live! Anyway... I really don't care if they don't have G4... after what they did to TechTV I hope they all rot in hell.

[james @ Aug 15th 2006 12:15PM]

Hooligan, I live in NYC and I have FIOS. It's better than my previous directv.

[Sean @ Aug 15th 2006 6:43PM]

Verizon blows. Its a shame that verizon is the one putting up fiber. I dont know how the verizon tv service is but if they had the market locked up like they do for relieable phone service around here youd be paying to do stuff youd do on a tv normally for free like they do on there phone service. Want a wallpaper? pay verizon. Want a game? pay verizon. Want to look at wallpapers or preview ringtones? pay verizon. Want to send pictures to your computer? pay verizon. Want to play music on there phones? pay verizon. So I'd imagine they would have you paying to change the channel or to turn on the tv.

Anyway what I wanted to say before i got carried away with my verizon rant was 160GB drive for a HD DVR thats only about 160 hours of SD so what is it 4x as much in HD or more? so thats 19.95$ a month for a 40 hour DVR. verizon can blow it out theyre a$$

[jay @ Feb 27th 2007 9:38PM]

Can I use my own DVR to record on fios or do Ihane to rent theirs?

[God-gift @ Oct 31st 2007 5:30PM]

I gotta say, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I just started working at Verizon and deal in the fiberoptic tech support. A rpovider is a provider, and that's not going to change. Service in verizon is only slightly better than elsewhere most of the time. The video picture quality is superior, the phone is clearer (if you were having issues), and the internet kicks the living crap out of most other providers. Prices are comprable, or in some cases better. If it's a choice between time warner, or especially comcast, no contest. Cablevisions not as bad as the others, but still just a bit under verizon in many ways. I am not hyping it cause I work for em. I am hyping it cause it's good, it works, and when it's available to my building, I am getting rid of cablevision more likely than not.

[Al @ Feb 20th 2009 9:30AM]

I can't believe Verizon is going to charge $7 a month extra for what is clearly just a software upgrade. I have had very little luck with any of the extra ports on my Motorola DVR. Anyone ott there have multiple verizon fios HD DVR's on the same network?