So we’ve had Verizon’s FiOS service for a little over a year (actually it’s a year for their Internet service and about 9 months for TV). So here are 5 things I love and hate about the service:
5 Things I love about Verizon FiOS:
- Raw Speed – Verizon’s FiOS Internet is so much faster than Comcast’s service – and the word is that there’ll be a 10% increase in speed soon.
- Picture quality – When we got our HD TV last year we were very disappointed in the quality of non-HD stations on Comcast. The quality was so degraded, that we missed our old analog set. Not only are the non-HD channels significantly better, the HD channels look better too.
- Price – This is hard to compare because the services aren’t the same, but I’m getting more channels, faster internet, for less money. Case closed.
- Multi-room DVR – with this service, a show you record on one DVR is available on any box in the house.
- It works – our Comcast service went down so often, it felt like I was being ripped off. So far, so good on Verizon. Aside from my modem dying, the service has been pretty good.
And in the spirit of fair and balanced reporting
5 things I hate about Verizon FiOS:
- On Demand – They have it, but Comcast had more network shows (CBS and NBC primarily) on demand. Hoping that this changes with Verizon soon.
- Messages – Comcast would let you know through your box of any free HBO or Cinemax weekends. If there was a special, that red light was on letting you know. The message red light has yet to turn on on our FiOS box.
- The On Screen Guide – Too much going on. They recently upgraded the guide – I wish I could go back to the old one.
- Multi-room DVR – yes I loved it too – but one thing: if you record an HD show, then you have to watch it on an HD set in another room. Being as we only have one HD TV, that reduces the usefulness of this service significantly.
- No CN8 – I shouldn’t complain because at least FiOS has Comcast Sportsnet, but when both the Sixers and Phillies were in the playoffs, that pushed a lot of the early season Phillies games to CN8.
All in all, I highly recommend the service. It’s had a great start, and it’s sure to get better. And best of all – you get to call Comcast and cancel – what could be worth more?
I should be letting Randy comment on this since he’s the one who’s literally spent hours on the phone with Verizon…we got the Fios triple play package 5 or so months ago and our bill was only close to right once. Plus, the HDTV incentive for signing up just arrived a couple weeks ago, after many phone calls.
For us, the internet isn’t any faster than Verizon DSL. But that may be because one of our computers is ancient and is slowing down our network.
My other gripe is that I just hate having cable boxes after a dozen years of Comcast without a box. We had to rig up a convoluted system with an AB switch to be able to record on VCR while watching different channel on TV — and now that it’s switched to digital signal we have to re-rig system to put a converter onto VCR. (Yes, I am dinosaur who is fighting DVR — but why spend the bucks when we have several functioning VCRs and a DVD recorder?) Plus, there’s no timer on the cable boxes to program for recording — using the reminder function of the guide seems to work sometimes, but can’t count on it.
We don’t subscribe to premium channels and haven’t gotten any notification of free movie weekends either.
But we have the Disney channel now, so the kids are happy. Though I am quite sick of Hannah Montana.
What’s a VCR? Honestly – there’s so much more functionality with the DVR – pausing and rewinding live TV for instance – and it all just seems more seamless than a VCR.
Some TVs allow you to skip the box. If you have the ability for a TV card, then you can get a card from Verizon that plugs into your TV and replaces the box.
Something must be wrong if your internet isn’t any faster. Mine has been at least 50% faster than cable, and I measure it frequently. My computer isn’t the fastest anymore, but we still get great speeds on it.
You guys are homo’s, verizon, is starting to slip, just like direct tv. With all the hidden fee’s and the fact they charge for a service call and thats also the fact of how long you have to wait for a service call, all in all comcast is better and getting better service.
@Derek – Great grammar Derek. Would reply, but my big words like “ass” and “moron” might go beyond you.
Verizon rocks. I hate when people complain about the price of things. You get what you pay for in some instances. If you can't afford Verizon then move elsewhere. I've had Verizon Triple Play for 17 months and it's the best by far. I had Cablevision, Comcast, and Directv and Verizon has them all beat! Verizon Fios has more channels and I hated when Directv would blackout. I'm in the process of moving to another state and VF is in the area. YEAH!!!!
We’ve had FiOS for about two years and I absolutely hate it! It goes down around 3 times a day now.