Re: Feature requests(s)
Justin46
Legend

@thompa wrote:

The Verizon system is certainly lacking some features that I have grown to like in the UK.

 

  • the ability to set reminders which pop up onto the TV screen when a program is due to start (Virgin Media)

 

Available on the SD STB (QIP2500, not sure about others)

 

  • being able to set the DVR to record when away from home using either a PC connected to the internet or making a call on a cell phone (Sky and Virgin Media)

 

Available with home media DVR, at least in some areas. 

 

  • having a much larger library of programs to watch again... either on the internet or through FIOS (see the BBC iPlayer or Sky viewer)

 

FiOS seems to have a pretty good number of programs, but I have no idea what those systems have so I can't make any comparison. But I am pretty happy with what is available with FiOS.

 

  • show the length of programs recorded and space used (Sky)

 

Length of program is available from my QIP6400 DVR. Do you mean the space used by each program? I have to say I really don't care, and the DVR does give me the total space used.

 

  • When watching Wimbledon Tennis Tournament any of perhaps 8 courts can be selected for viewing live - wouldn't this be tremendous at the US open?

 

Not to me, since I won't watch tennis, period.  Smiley Very Happy 


The BBC iPlayer is certainly a leap ahead of what Verizon offers in terms of being available on the TV through Virgin Media and on the Internet at the BBC web site to view past programs either on the computer or on the TV. Only problem is that it isn't available outside of the UK because of Performance Rights issues!


Since I have no experience with any of those system I have no way to make a real comparison, but based on your description I think FiOS does have at least some of what you want.

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
IMG 1.6.0, Build 06.89
Keller, TX

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Re: Feature requests(s)
thompa
Enthusiast - Level 1

Justin,

 We had our FIOS package installed two days ago. The STB is a QJP6416-2 and the system doesn't have the features that I mentioned.

It might be worth you checking out the systems that I mentioned - their web sites are quite enlightening.

Although we are generally happy with FIOS, this thread is about 'Feature Requests' and as such is not critical about what we have - but is more about ways to improve the system that we pay for.

There is no mention of setting reminders on the Verizon web site.

There is no mention of being able to program a DVR remotely except by using a phone to access the internet - in some areas... not quite the same as I had suggested.

The reason for knowing the amount of space and program length is that with the small amount of disk space it becomes all too easy to overwrite.(Commented upon previously in this thread)

The tennis example was just that - an example... the system allows one main event to be broadcast with several different viewpoints

--Shame that you don't appreciate tennis!

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Re: Feature requests(s)
Justin46
Legend

thompa,

Yeah, I didn't word my response on reminders quite right. I also have the QIP6416 DVR in addition to a couple of QIP2500s, and I know that the DVR does not have the reminder. I posted the way I did though to make you (and maybe others) aware that FiOS does indeed have a reminder function; unfortunately it is only on the 2500 and maybe other non-DVR boxes. The feature was present, was removed, then came back, and rumor had it not too long ago that the reminder feature would be added to the DVRs. So all we can do is wait and see.

Here is a link to a Verizon web page that clearly has links to information about programming the DVR from selected cell phones and any PC:

http://www36.verizon.com/fiostv/web/Default.aspx

The link for programming from a PC is in the lower left corner of the page.

Well, I have had the "small" disk space DVR for 3 1/2 years and it has very rarely caused me any issues, so I simply don't care how much space any individual program takes. I set it to record and just take the chance, it is not a big deal to me if a recording occasionally fails. Plus I make it a point to keep the drive reasonably clean so that I typically have 30-40% free space at all times.

I did understand your comment about the tennis,how nice it is to have different angels to choose from, I was just trying to inject a little humor, probably poorly. That kind of thing has been available in the past for NASCAR races, for example, concurrent views from different cars, you choose which by choosing whcih channel to watch. But those kinds of things are typically subscription services and I have found them too distracting to enjoy, I just don't like it.

I am most definitely not against new and better function from FiOS, I was just trying to make sure you weren't missing something that is already there, at least for some people and in occasionally limited areas.

__________________________________
Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
IMG 1.6.0, Build 06.89
Keller, TX

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Re: Feature requests(s)
thompa
Enthusiast - Level 1

Thanks for the heads-up - I missed the link on the remote PC to DVR link.

It seems ta the cell-phone usage is just for Verizon handsets though. I did find that this link (Cell phone to DVR) was pretty rudimentary though... the exact program title had to be entered by text!

thanks again

Allan

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Re: Feature requests(s)
Carl
Specialist - Level 1

How about telling Motorola to make some Black HD boxes!!!!

The 6416 is the only silver component in my setup!!!!!

Re: Feature requests(s)
sparkey222
Newbie
I just changed from dishnet to fios and was hesitant to change mainly because dishnet let you use external hard drives up too 1terabyte so i dont see why this is an issue if others can do it. if the problem is with the esata then use the usb untill the problem is resolved. 160 gig drives is old school! if vod would be consistent with the programs that they record i would not have to record them on my drive to save space.  Like a few others, i was spoiled with the original air date of the program in the guide, very helpfull when scrolling through the shows.
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Re: Feature requests(s)
Wubbzy
Enthusiast - Level 1

Ditto that.  It was a nice feature. 

Other recommendations I have (I know one of these has already been posted, but I didn't sit here and read through ALL of the posts, so sorry if they are repeated):

- Date stamping shows with at least the year so you know if something aired in 2006 or 2009.  Better dating overall would also prevent the DVR from recording mutliple repeat shows when the settings are set to record new shows only.

- A time stamp that indicates the current position when rewinding live TV.  Currently you can see the start and end times of the show and where you are relative to those times (if you rewind it), but there is nothing that shows you that you are at 4:23pm of a show that runs from 4pm - 5pm.

- Everything about the DVR is a bit strange to me.  I liked Comcast's configuration better.  I am still very uncomfortable with my series recordings, as I am afraid some will be missed with the uptightness of the DVR.  I purchased a sporting event on PPV and set it to record, and I checked on it a half-hour into it and it didn't start recording until I changed the channel to the event channel......what's up with that?!  Verizon should clone Comcast's DVR settings.  It's way better.

Re: Feature requests(s)
vinnyv07
Contributor - Level 1
The DVR needs to have more drive space. If Verizon cna't get it done then they must buy new DVR's to furnish to their customers with at least double the drive space. 320 gig would be a lot better.
Re: Feature requests(s)
zooky
Contributor - Level 1

@Justin wrote:

CapnTrips,

I think that function is still in beta testing, probably will be some time before it comes out for all to use.

Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
IMG 1.5.0
Keller, TX


Further, I'd love it if Verizon allowed FIOS TV users to join in on the "beta testing", thus becoming beta testers with the usual caveat that it's betw and may very well be broke.  If it's bad, we could always rollback to the latest released verion.  We had that capability on Direct TV.  Sometimes I got bit, but most times it was great.  Of course, we always had to provide them with input as to how the beta release worked for them and ABOVE ALL - DON'T YELL AT THEM IF IT CAUSES PROBLEMS!!!!!

Re: Feature requests(s)
Eric
Enthusiast - Level 1
Ditto on the time stamp of the current position. It would be nice to know when rewinding and watching a game how much longer you have before you catch up to "live".