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Verizon FiOS field trial introduces XG-PON2 to the lexicon, shows 10Gbps capabilities
Verizon's FiOS footprint may be on an expansion hiatus, but that's not to say the company's abandoning existing users. Nearly 3.5 years after boosting FiOS internet speeds with G-PON, the company is now out testing XG-PON2 -- a newfangled iteration that somehow enables 10Gbps upstream and downstream from its existing fiber network. If you'll recall, we heard just a few weeks back that the outfit was close to being able to serve GigE on its existing platform, and now that this field trial has been successful, we'd say the boundaries are stretched even further. In the test, technicians were able to suck down a 2.3GB movie in four ticks of the second hand, and if you're hoping to see the nerdiest video of the day, a highlight reel of the trial awaits you just past the break. [Thanks, David]
Verizon FiOS TV finally getting tough on CableCARD users
TiVo and Windows Media Center users that rely on CableCARDs to get 'em HD goodness have had a unique reason to prefer Verizon FiOS TV over the competition, which is apparently at its last stop. You see, ever since FiOS starting deploying CableCARDs, a year after all the other cable providers, it has never enforced the pairing of the cards or used Copy Control Information (CCI) flags more restrictive than Copy Freely. This meant that users were free to swap the CableCARD to another device without so much as a call to Verizon, and more importantly, it meant that all the content was accessible via features like TiVo To Go and Media Center Recorded TV sharing. So far the new restrictions only seem to be applied to HUB HD, which was added within the past few weeks, but many believe this is just the beginning to a full roll out. A Verizon rep shared with us via email, "it's our policy that CCI is a byte defined by the content provider and completely under their control," but we're still waiting to hear back if the current CCI flag on HUB HD is indeed in line with what Discovery Communications expects, which seems odd considering the other Discovery channels delivered via FiOS TV are still marked Copy Freely. Update: Shortly after this post went live we noticed the issue went away. Still waiting to hear back if it was intentional after all.
Verizon's FiOS Mobile Remote app ready for iPhone
Verizon has had their FiOS DVR Manager app available for some time. Now, the company has released another offering to the App Store in the way of a wireless remote. Using the Verizon FiOS Mobile Remote requires you to be connected to your FiOS-provided wireless network in order for it to work. Once you follow the simple steps presented by the app, you'll be paired with your cable box and have the ability to quickly change channels, traverse the on-set programming guide, and control the DVR. You know, like the actual cable box remote already does. I've tried the app out, and it was certainly painless to set up. The controls are surprisingly responsive and, dare I say, may actually work faster than the standard IR remote. The biggest plus to using the app is the presence of a QWERTY keyboard. No more cursor-ing around an on-screen keyboard to search for programs! I'm not really sure why Verizon didn't just roll these functions into the DVR Manager app, but I guess they have their reasons. Both apps are free and on the App Store now. [via electronista]
J.D. Power Television Service Satisfaction Survey finds cable lagging behind telcos, satellite
The numbers are in, and it looks like AT&T's U-verse (#1 in three regions) and Verizon's FiOS (#1 in the East) consistently outranked the competition in this year's J.D. Power Television Service Satisfaction Survey. The big news on the other end is that customer satisfaction with cable TV providers dropped from last year, lagging well behind satellite and telephone company providers. As far as why, it seems to be all about the Benjamins, people just aren't convinced they're getting enough value for TV bills that continue to get larger and those thinking of switching providers mostly cited price as the biggest reason. So is it just the overall economy that's got dollars and cents at the forefront or have bills and service fees with extra channels, DVRs, internet service and more expanded beyond all reasonable limits? Think it over while you check out more results and numbers in the press release after the break.
Verizon rolls out FiOS on Demand app for Android, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile
There's still no word on that promised, live TV-enabled iPad app, but Verizon has just rolled out its FiOS on Demand app for Android, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile 6.5, which will let you buy, rent and watch so-called Flex View movies right on your phone. As we'd heard earlier, the number of officially supported devices is somewhat limited to start with --- including the Droid X, Droid 2, and Storm 2, to name a couple -- but Verizon notes that the list is expanding, and to check back often. Of course, you won't simply be limited to watching the movies on your phone; you can also transfer them from your phone to your PC, and view them on any combination of up to four devices in addition to a FiOS TV set-top box. [Thanks, Nate]
Verizon, Disney deal means ESPN on tablets, ESPN 3D and Goal Line channel for FiOS
Verizon FiOS subscribers can expect a few new channels in the lineup now that it's reached an agreement with Disney for ESPN content across a variety of channels and even devices. While ESPN 3D isn't scheduled for launch until 2011 (maybe in time for the BCS National Championship game, but too late to catch LeBron, Dwyane, Chris and those other guys take on the Knicks) ESPN Goal Line will go live on the 9th for Extreme HD and Ultimate HD package subscribers (except for D.C. and Harrisburg, PA) giving live look ins at all the college football games on Saturday. Playing further into Verizon's tablet plans, the agreement also means customers can watch ESPN live channels directly on PCs or other authenticated devices, mirroring an earlier agreement between ESPN and Time Warner. Beyond that there's a new Disney Junior channel on the way in 2010 plus Disney XD and ABC Family content coming to V Cast but we pretty much tuned out once we got past the sports part. Check the entire press release out after the break.
FiOS TV Online gains three more On-Demand channels courtesy of Time Warner
After picking up content from TNT and TBS back in March, Verizon has reached additional agreements with Time Warner Inc. to bring Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, and TruTV on-demand channels to its FiOS TV Online service lineup. As per usual, each will offer a free selection of programming from their respective channel as soon as 24 hours after it has aired live, which in the case of Adult Swim shows like The Boondocks, The Venture Bros., Delocated, Childrens Hospital, and Metalocalypse should have already started to happen. Content from the Cartoon Network and TruTV however is currently slated to appear within the next month thanks to the deal. So for now waiting a few weeks to get your Hardcore Pawn fix on FiOS TV Online is both the reality and actuality of the situation folks. Can't stand it? Then bide your time by reading the PR below.
Time Warner claims it's the HD king of New York with 150 channels, StartOver
Time Warner's thrown down the HD gauntlet on Verizon FiOS in New York City, adding 25 HD channels and claiming that it's got the juice now, with all the HD games of the nine sports teams and NY1 in HD. Beyond the new additions -- including but not limited to good ones like Fox Soccer Channel, CSPAN networks, HBO and Showtime throw-ins, a few Viacom networks like Nick HD, CMT HD and VH1 HD, and the rather dubious four additional Big Ten HD feeds alongside Gol TV HD on the sports tier -- it also mentions Start Over is enabled on "more than 25 HD channels in the New York area" although it's not immediately clear which ones. Multichannel News reports Verizon's fired back that despite having a mere 133 HD channels, qualities like picture quality, widgets and VOD tilt things back its way. While they continue to do battle over the crown and those MSG sports networks, we're pretty sure plenty of New York watchers are just sitting back and enjoying some soccer, movies and routine government meetings in HD right now.
Verizon FiOS set-top boxes getting a new HD guide, external storage and more in Q4
Streaming and downloading TV content to mobiles is nice, but we enjoy watching TV... on the TV, and Verizon had plenty of that to talk about today as well. Due in Q4 along with its FlexView app for mobile VOD access, version 1.9 of its FiOS TV guide software will finally add a 16x9 HDTV-filling guide to those Motorola boxes and it looks like many of our suggestions (and yours, according to Director of Product Management Joe Ambeault) made it in. Beyond a fresh coat of paint (although, with animated transitions, highly customizable viewing and browsing options and 3D-ish elements it's shaping up to be a very nice fresh coat of paint), the real meat is in the enhanced DVR features. New updates include support for external storage (up to 1TB eSATA per DVR), automatic DVD-style chaptering on recordings, and an undelete button to bring back mistakenly removed recordings. Also freshened is its MoCA-powered multiroom setup that now shows all recordings from any box or external storage all in one list. About the only thing we can find missing from the new software is any sort of support for conflict resolution across DVRs or using all tuners as a pool, but it's otherwise robust, with each box handling up to 4 streams (2 in, 2 out) at once, and 7 connected devices (6 boxes plus one router) per home. Check out a couple more screens after the break, though skipping directly to house shopping in FiOS-connected neighborhoods may make for more efficient use of your time.
Verizon FiOS will stream live TV, VOD plus your own stuff to TVs, iPads & mobile devices soon (video)
Despite whatever other tablets Verizon may have on the way, it showed off a new trick for FiOS TV at a press conference today by streaming live TV and video on-demand to the iPad. NewTeeVee grabbed the above picture of the app, which Chief Information Officer Shaygha Kheradpir says brings the same software from its set-top boxes to the iPad and other screens. That hasn't stopped potential licensing issues with offering video on off-TV devices, but Reuters reports the company doesn't expect to pay any additional fees to programmers, probably because the app will only work from subscriber's homes. While live TV streaming is a big draw, it also showed off a video on-demand app called FlexView due later this year for Verizon's new Android phones, the Blackberry Storm and Windows Mobile 6.5 (other platforms due later on, it will work on other mobile networks as well) that would let videos purchased/rented via the cable box or website be downloaded onto up to five different devices, while its Media Manager service will be refreshed with an update that lets users upload video to 70GB of cloud storage and then stream it to their PCs, TVs or mobiles. Reports indicate live TV streaming should be available early next year, we'll see if FiOS beats Cablevision to the punch. Update: ZatzNotFunny pointed out a video of the demo posted by Steve Donohue on YouTube, check it out after the break.
Verizon FiOS Simulcrypt rollout will break most CableCARD tuners
There comes a time in any electronic gadget's life when it becomes useless and although it's inevitable, the length of the useful lifespan can vary greatly. In recent years firmware updates have really helped extend the life of devices, but when the manufacturer has no financial incentive to support older products, it can mean a premature end (at least from the customer's perspective). Well after three years that time has apparently come for FiOS TV subscribers who own ATI Digital Cable Tuners (and many other CableCARD devices). Now before you get too up in arms about this, it isn't really Verizon's fault, you see said company wants to be able to use Cisco and Motorola devices in the same area and this means it needs a tech called Simulcrypt. This is good for most customers as it will likely bring better prices and selection. And although this is a CableLabs certified technology, a firmware update is required to ensure the device handles the encryption properly. So while a company like Ceton or TiVo has already released updates for its devices, ATI and other TV manufactures have long since given up on the CableCARD market, and hence, supporting any legacy devices. The only good news is that you now have the perfect excuse to justify replacing your obsolete device. Don't like this option? Well you can get a FiOS DVR (with it's 2002 circa 160GB HDD) or just file a complaint to the FCC -- this won't do much, but might make you feel better. [Thanks, Scott!]
Verizon can almost serve GigE on existing FiOS platform, which means you'll soon be relocating
It's not like we're holding Verizon to its word or anything, but the company purportedly decided to shelve all future FiOS rollout plans back in March. Since then, however, Big Red has been talking up its fiber-based services, leaving us to wonder why it would put a stop to laying more of it. Whatever the case, the company is now gloating about hitting "near Gigabit-per-second" speeds on the existing FiOS GPON platform. For those who aren't as technically savvy, that means that FiOS can essentially saturate your Gigabit Ethernet jack, and if things got much faster, you'd need a port that's not even available on consumer machines to handle the extra data. The nitty-gritty details of the test are just past the break, but the long and short of it is this -- Verizon saw speeds of 925Mbps to a local server and over 800Mbps to a regional speed test server located some 400 miles away. Better still, this black magic was all done with very little magic at all, requiring just minor tweaks to the system in order to uncap all sorts of extra headroom. Meanwhile, your YouTube upload is being capped by Time Warner Cable at a speed too sluggish to mention. Awesome.
Verizon FiOS scores the first NFL 3D broadcast with Giants/Patriots September 2
Check off another first for 3D sports broadcasts, now that Verizon has announced its FiOS1 channel will exclusively carry the first 3D NFL game. We doubt you'll see much of Tom Brady and Eli Manning in a preseason game four matchup between the Giants and Patriots, but for the New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island subscribers already rocking a 3D setup even watching backups fight for a roster spot is bound to be miles ahead of what's been available so far. Despite keeping its 3D plans close to its vest Verizon has been working closely with the Giants to bring this broadcast to life and plans 3D viewing parties at Meadowlands Stadium (although not on its enormous new HD scoreboards) and Gillette Stadium. ESPN 3D won't kick off its own college football broadcasts until a few days later, if you can't make it to the field and are still wondering if the technology is worth it there are also a couple of bars in Manhattan and Rhode Island airing the broadcast -- Jim Sorgi and Brian Hoyer will be glad to know you're watching.
Motorola-Verizon tablet will have FiOS TV, ten-inch screen?
Sure, we've heard Verizon discuss Android tablets once or twice, but it's just now that we're getting our first real juice about Motorola's companion device. The Financial Times reports that Verizon and Motorola are teaming up on an Android tablet with dual cameras, Adobe Flash support and a ten-inch screen, plus mobile hotspot functionality (which implies Verizon cellular data) and -- get this -- access to pay TV. As it so happens, Moto makes a Verizon FiOS set-top box, and sources tell the Times that the television tablet may get grandfathered in to the very same technology. No word on processing power or price, but the rumor mill says we could see it as early as fall of this year. And given the timing, here's hoping the Android inside will have some Google TV mojo, too.
Verizon FiOS chooses "the worst TV channel ever" for some 3D VOD
Now we know we promised to never cover WealthTV again, but honestly, FiOS signing up to put its 3D content on video on-demand (and well ahead of the holiday projection it had put out for jumping on the 3D bandwagon) is kind of a big deal. In case you've forgotten: This is the same network where the CEO, Robert Herring Sr., decided to defend his "small family-run business" from negative comments on our podcast while it was apparently engaged in a dispute with Time Warner Cable, which we shared a parent company with at the time. We addressed how laughable that claim was at the time and are eager to let bygones be bygones, so we'll take a look at the "new" WealthTV 3D and let listeners on the podcast next week know how it turns out, fair enough Rob? P.S. If it still sucks, we won't hesitate to throw you under the bus again. Hearts and kisses.
YES, FSN sign up additional providers for Yankees/Mariners 3D broadcast
Since we last checked in, the YES Network has expanded the networks with the first 3D MLB broadcasts as the Yankees play the Mariners this weekend. Verizon had previously mentioned it would have 3D baseball on FiOS, while Multichannel News says Blue Ridge Communications, Cablevision, Comcast, Cox, Service Electric Broadband Cable and Time Warner Cable will all make the games available on July 10 and 11. Besides these special events, FiOS says it's continuing to prepare a full 3D offering for the winter holiday shopping season, when it figure more customers may find new 3D-capable HDTVs and glasses under the tree, but for now subscribers can catch the game on channel 575. Cox lists channel 784 in its press release, and encourages interested fans to stop by the Manchester or Meriden Best Buy stores to check out the games. Left coasters aren't left out either, besides DirecTV, they can catch 3D games on FSN NW on Comcast and Time Warner Cable, while the network is apparently still discussing expanding to other operators.
Verizon's FiOS TV expands its contract free options
Any geek who can get FiOS, has FiOS; but there are plenty out there who live in a area with the all fiber service and don't subscribe. We're sure there are plenty of really lame reasons not to switch, but not wanting to sign a two-year commitment isn't one of them. For whatever reason most don't realize that Verizon's FiOS service has always offered contract-less service, but the catch was it came out a premium -- about $20 a month. Well Verizon has been trying out something new in Florida and has decided to expand it to the rest of its markets -- and even some that are moving to Frontier. The new deal is you get the same price as those who want to sign a contract, $99 for the triple play, but are only guaranteed that price won't go up for a year. If you want two years locked in at that price, then you can sign a contract, of which you'll have 30 days to change your mind before you're committed to a $350 pro-rated ETF. We'll leave you to the math, but if you're like us it isn't a matter of if you'll sign up, but instead of which plan you'll choose.
FiOS customers moved to Frontier getting Copy Once DRM
Verizon's FiOS is literally at the top of its industry in customer satisfaction and it isn't just the fiber running to the outside of its customer's houses that makes it so great -- although no one is saying FiOS is perfect -- it is the total package including how FiOS doesn't mark any content as Copy Once or marry CableCARDs to 3rd party hardware. Well here is the first bad news for the 69,000 FiOS TV subscribers in Arizona, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, West Virginia and Wisconsin that are now Frontier subscribers. You see although the company promised regulators that customers would continue to receive the same great service, on June 10th TiVo Community members started to notice they couldn't watch recordings in another room or on the go. After some discussion, and many a call to customer service representatives, it became apparent that Frontier is purposely setting the CCI byte to Copy Once, which for all intents and purposes locks down the content to being played on one TiVo. Not much anyone can do since the FCC does allow the Copy Once CCI byte to be set on non-broadcast TV, but still, it sucks for those who are affected.
USPTO rules against TiVo's "Time Warp" patent, but the fight vs. DISH rages on, again
The never ending TiVo / DISH Network patent saga continues, with the latest twist presented as U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled TiVo's "Time Warp" patent is invalid. Both sides have issued press release in response, with TiVo pointing out this is "just one of several steps" in the review process" while DISH's Facebook status was predictably "pleased." For now, the only thing to report is that, as usual, nothing has really changed, the Appeals court is still undertaking a review of its previous ruling, and it will probably finish that before this Patent Office decision is resolved , given the opportunity for appeals to its board, and even through the federal courts. Still, depending on how this goes, it could have the most affect on TiVo's lawsuits against Verizon and AT&T, but right now we're just going to go grab (another) Snickers, this one will be going on for a long while yet.
Verizon's FiOS DVR Manager for webOS is out, getting good reviews
You might recall that Verizon recently touted expanded device compatibility for its DVR Manager app, a boon for anyone looking to nab the latest episode of Income Property while hundreds of miles away from the homestead (we know, it happens all the time) -- but what Big Red didn't really highlight in its press release was that webOS was one of the platforms now being supported. As with the app's counterparts on other mobile operating systems, the Palm-flavored build lets customers "set parental controls, set bookmarks, browse and search TV programming, view the DVR status to see how much space is left for recording, browse and search VOD listings, and see their lists of scheduled and recorded programs" -- and so far, it's getting well over four stars on a five-star scale since going live in the App Catalog, a good sign for usability. We don't mean to get too hopelessly optimistic, but heck, who knows -- this might even be a good sign for Verizon's continued interest in Palm's (or make that HP's) platform in the long term.
