I am hearing about new stb software rolling out soon. What is new in 1.7 and what is getting fixed? I hope better video playback.
Mike
@mkgator wrote:I am hearing about new stb software rolling out soon. What is new in 1.7 and what is getting fixed? I hope better video playback.
Mike
IMG 1.7 is primarily a maintenance release. It will improve HDMI compatibility to eliminate the video dropouts that some customers experiencen.
I am interested in what else is addressed in the update.
For example, how about accurate tracking of disk usage?
Any chance of enabling addition of disk storage?
How about dealing with the random periods of unresponsiveness, particularly while navigating?
Bob,
1) I suggest you read the IMG 1.7 Experience thread here first to see what I and some others have experienced with 1.7: Link
2) The 1.7 rollout occurred on Sept. 29 in TX and CA but was then stopped before any more VHOs received it. No reasons have been given officially that I know of by Verizon but I have read at another site that it was HDMI-related. Apparently Verizon is now referring to what I currently have as 1.7A, I guess when they start again it will be 1.7B.
3) I have seen no new schedule, official or unofficial, for the rollout to resume. Maybe one of the Verizon reps here could give us a clue????
4) I have experienced neither of the problems you mentioned on 1.6.2 or 1.7, so at least for me 1.7 is a wash (in fact I have no problems with 1.7, I am using HDMI ona QIP6416). And my understanding from posts here by KenAF is it is impossible for Verizon to enable external disk support on the existing DVRs. If you need more storage I think you are going to have to wait until the (rumored) new DVRs from Cisco come out sometime next year or go buy a Tivo.
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Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416, IMG 1.7, Build 09.82
Keller, TX 76248
Thanks Justin.
Yes, I had looked at that thread but it did not answer my questions.
I have the 7000 series HD DVR STB and that might make a difference on the storage tracking issue. A couple of weeks ago I posted somewhere asking about it and the response was that it was a well know and widely reported problem.
I have not tried to track down the response interruptions. I may be more sensitive to things like that compared to the average user because I do web and UI development.
I am not sure that I have found anything that said enabling external storage was impossible. The nest I could make of what I have found is speculation the limited computing power in the present boxes makes something - (perhaps encrypting and decrypting coming and going to the external storage) difficult.
I am not aware here of any option to use anything except a Verizon provided STB. I am also unclear what if any implications the package deals lock in using their box (or at least paying for one).
What I am most curious about perhaps is what happens to us existing customers when (if) that new generation of boxes comes out. Will they just go to new customers? Will there be a way for us to get the swapped out? Will there be a cost?
Bob
@Justin wrote:Bob,
And my understanding from posts here by KenAF is it is impossible for Verizon to enable external disk support on the existing DVRs. If you need more storage I think you are going to have to wait until the (rumored) new DVRs from Cisco come out sometime next year or go buy a Tivo.
I didn't say it was impossible, just difficult. Motorola has been trying to make it work reliably for the past two years. In August, Motorola released firmware with encrypted eSATA support for several of its DVRs. This firmware is a bit buggy, but external storage works. Recordings are encrypted and tied to the DVR. At this time, no U.S. cable operators are using it.
@BobHassinger wrote:I am not aware here of any option to use anything except a Verizon provided STB. I am also unclear what if any implications the package deals lock in using their box (or at least paying for one).
What I am most curious about perhaps is what happens to us existing customers when (if) that new generation of boxes comes out. Will they just go to new customers? Will there be a way for us to get the swapped out? Will there be a cost?
Verizon allows customers to purchase and use CableCard DVRs like the TivoHD and Moxi. With these DVRs, you plug a single CableCard (a type of access card) from Verizon into the front of the box, and it authorizes all of the channels you receive. These products receive and record all the same SD and HD channels as the Verizon STBs/DVRs, but they have their own software and better (more accurate) guide information.
The main limitation of these third-party products is that they don't support FiOS VOD; only Verizon's own boxes support their VOD.
As far as the next-generation Verizon boxes, we don't know anything for certain besides the fact Cisco is producing them. As these products approach release (expected 1Q 2010), we should learn the answers to your questions.
verizon is very unlikely to allow a 3rd party external drive handle information from the dvr. Verizon has a very tedious testing process, and also is very serious about copyright infringment.
@KenAF wrote:I didn't say it was impossible, just difficult. Motorola has been trying to make it work reliably for the past two years. In August, Motorola released firmware with encrypted eSATA support for several of its DVRs. This firmware is a bit buggy, but external storage works. Recordings are encrypted and tied to the DVR. At this time, no U.S. cable operators are using it.
Sorry Ken, I really thought I had seen a post from you saying it was impossible. Thanks for correcting me. But I guess it does sound like we won't be seeing it on a Verizon DVR any time soon.
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Justin
Verizon FiOS TV, Internet, and phone
QIP6416, IMG 1.7, Build 09.82
Keller, TX 76248
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