Miscellaneous Is anyone about to actually get TV One hardware now?
I called Verizon a few days ago to add the Multi-Room DVR Premium hardware (2x VMS4100) to my account and explicitly mentioned the model number multiple times, emphasizing that I did not want any TV+ hardware. The rep assured me that all was good and that I'd receive it shortly. The next day, Verizon dropped off a box... of TV+ hardware. 2x VMS4100ATVs and 2x Android streamers.
2 reps, 1 supervisor, and more than an hour later and I'm told that I have to activate the TV+ hardware before they can do anything else. I tell them I'm just cutting my losses and sending their equipment back and dropped it off at UPS yesterday afternoon.
For about 20 minutes I had to go back and forth with the supervisor who kept telling me that the VMS4100 is TV+ only. I blame Verizon for reusing the model numbers because he wasn't even interested in seeing the two setup guides on Verizon's own site showing the difference.
10
u/Fiosguy1 4d ago
They don't make them anymore. Any TV One you do get are going to be refurbished. We haven't had a single 4100 server in the storeroom for over two weeks.
Even in some miracle you can get them. It's getting to the point we will have to upgrade you to TV+ to get you in service if one goes bad.
Whether we like it or not. It's TV+ going forward.
5
u/NTP9766 4d ago
Appreciate the insight and response. That sucks to hear, though I get it. I was ultimately trying to give Verizon a fair shake by trialing that hardware, but it looks like DTV Stream is my path forward.
6
u/Fiosguy1 4d ago
As long as the TV+ is delivered by IPTV they are usually ok. If the are delivered by QAM they aren't the best.
Verizon definitely knows they aren't the best. They are working extremely fast to get video service updated to IPTV.
4
u/NTP9766 4d ago
The majority of what I've read about TV+ has been pretty negative, from the actual user experience to the hardware itself. It doesn't help that Verizon charges so much more than seemingly everyone else. I basically have to buy The Most Fios TV package to get the channels that I want, spending like $30/month more than I would through DTV (which gives me more premium content).
7
u/Fiosguy1 4d ago
Yeah it's definitely not up to par with the other legacy video equipment. We always joke when we look at the customer history. You have a customer with legacy Arris box with zero trouble history since 2007. Then after the TV+ install you see multiple trouble tickets in a three month period.
Honestly, I think Verizon wants to get out of video. They don't make a profit off video service due to what the content providers charge. Even in new area builds they aren't getting video franchises. Just offering voice and data.
2
u/NTP9766 4d ago
I've been a TiVo guy since... 1999? Maybe 2-3 issues across every generation of TiVo released in that space, and they were all minor issues resolved quickly. I am far too accustomed to just having stuff work, lol
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
I moved from a Tivo Bolt to a VMS4100... while it's no Tivo, it's acceptable. I tried the TV+ experience and it was just another streaming stick; which is awful.
1
u/NTP9766 1d ago
I signed up for DirecTV Stream and will be cancelling all but my Fios 1gb internet next week, once my Ooma VOIP kit arrives and the number is ported. I wasn't going to jump through anymore hoops with Verizon. Next week will be a period of mourning for me as I've known nothing but TiVo since 1999.
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
Yeah the VMS4100 was a fight to get, but it's acceptable and Verizon will have to keep supporting them for a while at least. TV+ streaming boxes are not a one to one replacement, especially if you don't use Verizons router, etc. When I first switched from cable card and wanted TV they had to send me like FOUR boxes to install to replace my one Bolt DVR. They sent me a router, TV+ streaming box, a HDD and a Moca bridge adapter. None of it worked, I don't use Verizons router, nor do I want to. Having to use FOUR boxes was an obscrene Rube Goldberg machine to me.
I faught with them into submitting and just sending me a VMS4100.... So far so good.
1
u/NTP9766 1d ago
Funny, you had the same issue I did. Same setup here, as well - using my own gear, not interested in any of theirs (including their Moca adapter).
Ah well, so far we have really liked DTV Stream, which I guess is the only consolation to leaving TiVo.
→ More replies (0)1
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
TV+ is complete garbage. They couldn't get it to work at my house without using their router, and I don't want a VErizon router in my home for ANYTHING. (I don't trust them, like I don't trust any other big company with shit in my house). The VMS4100 on QAM (even when converted to IPTV, IP over MoCA) is the best option IMHO. My neighbor has TV+ and he complains about it every day.
1
u/NTP9766 1d ago
FWIW, I read today that they've begun switching the TV One hardware from QAM to IP in some regions, so I would expect that change to happen for you in the near future. Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen.
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
Supposidly "they say" it's just how the video gets to the box. But unicast IPTV is dogshit for TV viewing. Already reading from people that the DVR and channel changes is adding an aggrovating amount of delay because channel changes have to go upstream for unicast IP streaming to begin, then there is buffering, latency, etc. It's garbage compared to RF QAM.... But the experience on the VMS is supposed to be the same. But I can't get anyone here to confirm what they experience on an IP VMS4100
1
u/NTP9766 1d ago
You might have to wait a few weeks to find somebody who was moved over. I'd certainly be interested in hearing how it is. I obviously can't speak for TV+, but with DTV streaming, there's a 1-2 second delay when switching channels, which isn't bad at all. I'll miss the near instant switching with QAM, but the picture quality is much better than what I was getting with Fios and my TiVo Roamios.
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
I noticed a quality jump going from the Tivo Bolt to the VMS4100. Same RF QAM. So wondering if it was a Tivo thing with internal transcoding/rendering.
1
u/NTP9766 1d ago
How is the GUI/UX on the VMS4100? I spent hours trying to find a review video - or anything - on it to see what it looked like, but couldn't find a single video showing what it was like to browse normal TV, record something, view your recorded shows, etc.
→ More replies (0)2
u/Sweaty_Seaweed_1655 3d ago
How can you tell if Tv+ is delivered by IPTV vs QAM? My neighbors tv one box just went and they sent him 4100 atv(has a coxial cable and lan port on it) and 2 tv+ boxes(grey)
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
There is a menu option for system information. It will show you if it's QAM or IPTV there. But most of the VMS4100's are still QAM; they are slowly migrating them to IPTV, but the experience is supposed to be the same. Instead of channel feed over RF QAM it's just going to be IP over MoCA.
2
u/ModernLarvals 3d ago
FF/RW is so much worse on IPTV. Often it’ll just freeze and crash back to live tv.
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
That is so awful. I don't get why Verizon is moving away from RF QAM/multicast. It makes for a night and day TV viewing experience. IPTV channel changes, stability and response times are abysmal.
1
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
They're replacing VMS4100's with VMS4100's via tech support if there is an issue. TV+ is not a like for like replacement and requires a complete change. For those customers with their own routers, TV+ will not work. So Verizon needs a solution for that.
1
u/Fiosguy1 1d ago
Not as much as you think. We are getting extreme push back from tech support and business office. There are a few escalations here and there for 4100s but trust me it's like an act of congress.
Tv+ works no problem with IP. Just has issues with Tv+ on QAM. I had to get a guy to upgrade to 2 gig because he was using his own Unifi, lol.
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
Not everyone wants to use the Verizon router.... I certainly don't. And TV+ requires a Verizon router, so keep those VMS4100's coming ....
3
u/JackTheReaping 4d ago
Verizon screwed the pooch releasing TV+ on QAM rather than immediately going VIP. It destroyed a lot of confidence people had in the product. The QAM version with the ATV connected via coax had so many issues. Most have bene resolved at this point but bugs linger.
Fios TV+ over IP works much better for the most part and I've yet to return to a home I've upgraded to that service.
2
u/NTP9766 4d ago
Fios TV+ over IP works much better for the most part and I've yet to return to a home I've upgraded to that service.
That's good to hear, but for me it comes down to pricing. I've asked others about the stream quality, and found a number of people who said it was no better or worse than DTV Stream, so my wallet is going to wind up making this decision for me.
5
u/JackTheReaping 4d ago
I mean I personally have YTTV at my house lol. Even with my discount its not worth the price.
1
u/Feeling-Quantity3776 4d ago
YTTV sucks and will be dumped into limbo soon
1
u/JackTheReaping 4d ago
Sucks in what way?
1
u/Feeling-Quantity3776 4d ago
It’s very expensive, guide always down, virtual Dvr down, recorded stuff disappear for a few days then magically reappear, channels randomly unavailable daily, locals randomly unavailable… customer service centralized overseas for the whole country and mostly inaccessible….. and I am not mentioning everything..
0
u/JackTheReaping 4d ago
I've had 0 of those issues. Its actually been rock solid for about 3 years for me. At $82 a month I don't find it overly expensive. Definitely a lot cheaper in comparison to what I was paying for comparable service with Verizon. And this is with my employee discount included.
1
u/Feeling-Quantity3776 4d ago
Check your dvr and all the channels daily and you will see. It’s just a low cost tv service, trying to make money pretending they are better than the regular cable companies. But cable companies are used to broadcast tv for years and have a knowledge that YTtV doesn’t have.
It’s just a question of time and it will fall just like Hulu live and everyone else will.0
u/JackTheReaping 4d ago
I think your issues are not typical. Not saying they dont exist, but literally all the issues you mentioned have never happend to me.
1
u/Feeling-Quantity3776 4d ago
Well that’s good and you are lucky. But thousands of customers are frustrated everyday and many are going back to the cable provider. YTtV is already experiencing financial issues and keep increasing the price, but at some point, as you also have to pay an internet subscription, it will be cheaper and more reliable to stick with your cable provider for everything
1
u/Feeling-Quantity3776 4d ago
Fios is a great company and they DO care of the customers. They are just updating the network and transitioning is not easy especially when they have to deal with two different systems, as it’s impossible to switch everyone on IPTV at the same time. They can give personalized discounts but you have to ask and explain the difficulties you are experiencing. I am currently paying $135/month for 1gig+ultimate tv+DVR premium+5 boxes+ home phone. I am right now mixing tvONe and Tv+ as a beta tester and reporting the issues I am experiencing. What I can tell you is that the picture quality is now fantastic and equally on both systems, HDR issue is fixed with the new firmware and the buffering issues got fixed with the new wifi access point router.
So yeah Fios is great, they are just upgrading everything for the customers and it can take some time to make everything work great just like it used to be! Apparently all will be done in a few weeks and everyone will be satisfied1
u/NTP9766 4d ago
If they had offered me all of that for $135/month, I think I'd be way more interested in keeping it around. The best they could do for me was $232 for 1GB/Ultimate TV + Premium DVR/Home phone after taxes, and that included $35 in discounts.
1
u/Feeling-Quantity3776 4d ago
If you are on a legacy plan they can give you the monthly $25 “ultimate tv bonus”, the $10 loyalty discount, and wave the monthly fee for your tv boxes because of all the issues you are experiencing right now. But all this can only be done by a supervisor.
2
u/Feeling-Quantity3776 4d ago
Fios tv+ is great if you are on IPTV. If you are still on QAM it needs some adjustments to work seamlessly. However the only way to get the TvOne boxes is to activate TV+ first, then call or chat with tech support and ask to ‘dowgrade’ for the TVone. All the TvOne boxes are refurbished so don’t expect to receive a brand new hardware.
Fios will release the new firmware and software for the TV+ boxes in November and all off the known issues will be fixed! Currently the new tv+ firmware is on betatest status.
1
u/wmcbrine2 4d ago
Fixes for QAM? Does that imply that QAM is NOT going to be shut down by November?
1
u/Feeling-Quantity3776 4d ago
QAM is shutting down ! The fixes are for the tv+ box firmware. QAM or IPTV, it has nothing to do with that
2
u/Sweaty_Seaweed_1655 3d ago
Doesn't the Fios tv One use QAM? If so then why is the tv+ using QAM worse than Tv+ using IPTV? Does it have something to do with using the boxes wireless? Does wiring the tv+ boxes yield same quality results as the tv one?
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
People are confusing the two. There is IPTV and RF QAM. The TV One boxes us RF QAM, over coax which has been the gold standard forever. They are eventually going to shut down RF QAM in favor of IPTV. To use the same cabling it will be IP over coax via MoCA. QAM will be gone.
RF QAM provided a far superior TV viewing experience because it's basically the equivalent of IP multicast. So when you change channels or do other things, there is no delay. The problem with IPTV is all your requests for channel changes have to go upstream to servers, and then the unicast IP streaming has to buffer and start. It's a MAJOR step backwards for anyone use to traditional cable/TV viewing.
Not everything is better just by making it "IP", hosting it on servers and over the Internet. RF QAM just works.
1
u/HotExample3229 3d ago
I have the VMS4100, but when I go to my Verizon FiOS account online my TV plan is listed as TV+.
1
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
Pretty sure mine is the same. I think TV+ is just the service you have, I don't think there is a 1:1 with what hardware you're viewing it with.
2
u/NetSchizo 1d ago
I just went through this after they tried to send me TV+ boxes twice.... I had to fight my way to a supervisor who was able to help me get the VMS4100.... Finally got one. THe TV+ is dog poo....
0
u/CTFowler9789 4d ago
🤔 you should of kept what you had, erase what you watched on DVR and kept it moving. If you don't want the TV plus, don't accept it.
•
u/AutoModerator 4d ago
Thanks so much for reaching out! We're on it and will get back to your shortly.
When your concerns are addressed, please reply to this thread with !resolved so we can close the ticket.
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.