I have been a long time cable subscriber and just moved to a new home with Fios. I ordered Fios internet and was told by the VZ representative that local TV is available without need for any special equipment or box. Since I rarely watch TV so do not want to pay for DVR or PPV...but occasionally do watch local/network TV a bit. I order Fios internet which comes with a wireless router but when I try to hookup my digital TV, I don't have any TV signal....
I am disappointed since Fios internet department is telling me that what I was told earlier is incorrect....help just want to come here and try to get to the bottom of the issue. Thanks for any help.
Two points. First you need to subsribe to FiOS television service. It is NOT free with Internet, although usually a package with only the local channels is pretty cheap. No FiOS TV subscription=no TV signal in the Coax.
In general, the local channels on FiOS are not encrypted. However the signal format used on FiOS and most other cable systems is substantially different than the the over the air format. Over the Air is generally ATSC, while cable and FiOS generally use QAM. If your TV has a tuner that supports QAM, you should be able to receive the local channels without a box. Not all HD televisions have QAM capable tuners.
If you do have a QAM tuner, make sure that you connect the coax to the input selected on the TV menu. MOst TV's these days support a wide range of signal sources. If you select the wrong signal source, you aren't going to get anything.
I would almost say that long gone, are the days of rabbit ears. But I still seem them occasionally. But for folks like yourselves, that don't want to pay a company for TV service (fios local only service is about 13 bux a month) then you can go out and buy an HD antenna from amazon or your local retailer. The HD antenna's work very well, gorgeous picture if you're in an area that gets good reception.
Also see this FAQ
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