FiOS TV Programming

[#1]

The rental fees for the set top boxes seem a bit absurd.

Can't you just buy a set top box and use it?   I see them from time to time on ebay...  Or does the exact box need to be registered with Verizon in order to work?   Anyone have any experience with this?

[#2 · Accepted solution]

No you can't just buy one.  Verizon will not activate an STB that is not currently in their inventory.  SInce these boxes have never been sold to the general public any that are on the secondary market are considered stolen (i.e. not returned to Verizon after a customer terminates service).

[#3]

Well thats **bleep** annoying!  But I appreciate the answer nevertheless!

[#4]

As a customer of Verizon I think I should have the ability to buy or rent these top boxes or DVRs. How about Verizon sells them! It cannot be argued that these items are stolen if Verizon itself sells them!

[#5]

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Farok1978 wrote:

As a customer of Verizon I think I should have the ability to buy or rent these top boxes or DVRs. How about Verizon sells them! It cannot be argued that these items are stolen if Verizon itself sells them!

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The FCC agrees with you which is why they specified that all STBs have seperable security (cable cards).  This was meant to allow STBs to be sold at retail outlets.  That was well intentioned, but didn't accomplish much since no STB manufacturer sells a STB at retail.  The cable companies want to keep their lock on the monthly revenue from rentals.  They undoubtedly make more on STB rentals per month than they do on programming.

If you want to own your own STB, you can buy a Tivo.  However, you will still have to pay VZ a monthly rental for a cable card and pay Tivo a subscription fee unless you get Tivo's lifetime plan.

[#6]

I'm  currently renting a HD DVR set top box from Verizon. I just bought another TV and would like to have access to the same channels I currently subscribe to. Verizon will let me rent another STB at a cost of $11.99pm. Is there no alternative than to rent another STB from Verizon? I'm only interested in viewing the  HD channels I currently subscribe to and I do not need another DVR.