I'm having FiOS Triple Play installed on Saturday 3/17/2012 and I'm wondering something. If I'm having 4 TV's installed, and the home is already wired with Coax, can I install the CableCard myself and avoid paying the installation fee that is charged when having more than 4 TVs?
I talked to someone at 1-800-Verizon and he said that I could not, it was more of an activation fee than an installation fee. But he also did not sound too confident.
I look at it like this...I can order my installation with 3 TVs, with STBs and not pay this fee. And, I'm pretty sure I can order a CableCard from Verizon without having a tech come out to do activation. So why am I paying this fee?
Thanks for the help,
-Adam C.
Several points, odds are that if the home originally had Cable TV, the existing Coax may be adequate, but the splitters are probably not. MOCA places the Ethernet Signals in spectrum well above that used for TV distribution, so the standard Cable COAX splitters won't properly distribute the MOCA signals. You neede bidirectional splittlers good to at least 1Ghz. So the splitter(s) will need to be replaced in order for the STB's and router to work. Authorization, Firmware Upgrades, Video on Demand and the channel guide are all distributed through the router to the STB's via MOCA.
This raises another issue, you will need to have a cable connection for the router as well as all STB's.
The Cable card goes into a device that accepts a Cable card, such as a STB, Moxie DVR, TiVo DVR, perhaps some TV's, and some PC TV Tuners. Unless you have a device already that accepts a Cable card, just a cable card doesn't do you any good.
Absent the Cable card, even the TV's with QAM Tuners can receive only a handful of unencrypted local channels. An STB of some sort is required for each Television you want to connect unless the TV can utilize a Cable Card.
In addition, if you use Cable Card capable device that isn't a Verizon Supplied STB, you will not have access to either the Channel Guide or Video on Demand (VOD).
The lowest cost device from Verizon is the DCT-700 digital adapter, which can only display SD channels, and has no access to either Video on Demand or the Channel Guide.
Under current FCC regulations, Verizon is not permitted to charge for the installation of a Cable Card. They can (and do charge) a monthly fee for its use however. The situation with Cable Card installation is not well understood by Verizon's Sales Staff, so take any information about Cable Card's from Verizon's sales staff with a grain of salt.
The easiest way around it might be to only install 3 TV's initially.
If you're knowledgeable with the Coax requirements, splitters, etc. to handle the fourth installation yourself, simply call up Verizon the next day after installation and ask to add an additional device (if you have a mix of cable card and STB installations, I'd save the STB install for the fourth one and let the Verizon tech mess with the Cable Card activation as part of the initial install).
To add an additional box, I believe they ship one to you 2nd day with no shipping -- although I think the last time I swapped boxes they charged me $9.99 for shipping. They'll drop ship these rather than send out a tech for additional units.
If you live near a Verizon store, you could just go in an add a box and pick it up directly.
I never quite understood the installation being three for 3 TV's but then costing for additional TV's ... they should either waive installation for everything as part of your "package deal" or change you for everything. IMHO.
I understand Cable Cards and thier functionality quite well. I also understand STBs, the differences between the types, as well as the need for MoCA capable splitters. The Cable Card will be used in my Ceton InfiniTV 4 in my HTPC. I have guide data through that and won't use VOD in that room. I won't let the tech go near my HTPC.
My question is about a installation fee that is charged when you have more than three TVs. Why am I being charged for installation of a device that does not require a technician to install. Verizon is required by law to allow customer installation of Cable Cards and they even provide installation instructions for it online.
I've already modified my order to include only 3 TVs and I'll order the Cable Card as soon as the tech leaves.
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