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It's game day, who's got the NFL RedZone Channel?

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Sep 13th 2009 at 9:47AM

NFL RedZone Channel
The wait is finally over and today's the first big Sunday of the NFL Season which means that you're probably making your last minute preparations. As far as programing goes, the NFL has done a great job of getting carriage for its new NFL RedZone channel, but of course not everyone is going to carry it -- sorry Time Warner Cable and Bright House Network customers. So here's a run down of the Winners. Comcast, Dish Network and AT&T U-Verse customers made out the best because all they have to is subscribe to a $5 (aprox) sports package. Verizon FiOS and RCN customers didn't make out as well though as they will have to pay $49 for the season without any other channels included -- but hey at least they got it. For the rest of you, not much you can do, just keep calling your provider and voicing your desires and in the meantime maybe someone of Twitter will hook you up with access to their SlingBox HD.

The RVU Alliance picks up Verizon as a founding promoter

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Sep 6th 2009 at 1:43PM

RVU Alliance
Obviously Verizon is all about delivering a whole home DVR solution, so it's no shocker that something like the RVU Alliance is right up its alley. But we are glad to see the fiber to the home provider doesn't shy away from adopting someone else's technology -- we say this because we all know how much Verizon loves, tru2way -- and ask much as we want to be able to have access to the same content in every room of our house, we're not big on the current Verizon solution. The bottom line is that we are on the same page with Verizon here are glad to hear the CTO say that Verizon wants to "lead the industry to an ever-simpler process for integrating consumer electronics." What we hope he means though, is that Verizon will be bring an RVU server to the party so we can enjoy all those HD channels on a Samsung HDTV without a STB.

Verizon rolling out more apartment-friendly hardware

by Steven Kim posted Jul 31st 2009 at 7:22PM

Verizon installer
We can't imagine who would turn down Verizon's FiOS service because the required hardware to get fiber right into their home was too big; given the option, we'd make room -- like an addition to the home if necessary. Still, we won't argue with anything that opens FiOS up to more people, and Verizon is dropping new, smaller optical network terminal (ONT) hardware that should make the fiber service more attractive to MDU (multi-dwelling unit) properties in particular. Two new models convert the data-laden light pulses into electrical signals suitable for home consumption and measure a scant 1.25x8.5x5.5-inches and 2.5x9x8.25-inches from Alcatel-Lucent and Motorola, respectively; good news for space-conscious apartment dwellers. The good news for installers is that these new boxes are easier to install. Unfortunately, not so easy that Verizon is expanding FiOS into our market yet, but maybe you'll have better luck.

Verizon FiOS adds TBS HD in time for the MLB playoffs

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Sep 23rd 2008 at 5:17PM

TBS HD
Although just about every FiOS TV market was about to add TBS HD within the next month, if you're a baseball fan it's likely it was scheduled to be added a little too late. Every self respecting MLB fan knows that the playoffs start next week, and with 20 out of the first 20 games in HD on TBS HD, it is a must have for baseball fans. We have to say that when it comes to sports Verizon always seems to find a way to deliver the HD in time. First it was CNBC HD and USA HD in time for the Olympics, and then it was ESPNU HD in time for the kick off of the College Football season -- one of the only providers to add it on launch day too -- and now this. So if you're in one of those FiOS TV markets that's still waiting on the HD expansion to come your way, go check out channel 849 to make sure you're ready to follow the playoffs in HD -- or maybe you just want to watch Seinfeld reruns in HD.

Verizon and the NFL get serious about interactive television

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 16th 2008 at 3:57PM

NFL NetworkWhen the dream of interactive television was sold to us, it was envisioned that it would be in the form of something on the TV, but honestly we really like HD video on our TV set and definitely don't want some generic looking graphics gumming it up. Luckily the trends have been more up our alley and fit perfect into our lifestyle -- which is having a coffee tables laptop instead of some cheesy book. In order to access the new features like; multiple camera angles (or all four at the same time), live chat room, on demand replays, and the usual live stats and drive charts, during games on the NFL Network, you'll need to be a Verizon customer (Internet, TV, or DirecTV via Vz). So even if the Pats v' Bucs match up wasn't enough to draw you in this Sunday, these new features alone may make it worth your while to check out.

Verizon to the FCC: We're not down with tru2way

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Aug 2nd 2008 at 5:37PM


Finally, a multi-system operator that see this whole two-way CableCARD problem the same way we do. Don't get us wrong, we want to get rid of our providers STB as much as the next, but the way we see it is tru2way isn't that great, but is better than nothing. Just like Verizon, we'd like to see "a cable-centric approach to interactive connectivity [that] does not inhibit technological innovation... or disadvantage other segments of the video marketplace." Or in other words, having the choice of what hardware that we may use on our provider's network isn't good enough, we want to choose the software too. While the rest of the cable industry thinks tru2way is open, we think it is about as open as AOL Internet access was-- so yeah, it's a walled garden. The other thing that really hit home with us about Verizon's statement, was that it thinks the approved solution should be an "all-provider" solution, meaning it should be the same no matter if the provider uses coax, fiber, copper or satellite to deliver services. We couldn't agree more, and would love nothing more than to be able to use an HD TiVo (for example) on any provider we wanted without being forced to give up any features such as HD or VOD.

Verizon rolls out 23 new FiOS TV HD channels in Fort Wayne

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jun 30th 2008 at 3:01PM

FiOSRight on schedule, Verizon's FiOS TV gets with the HD program and over doubles its lineup in at least one market, as the lucky devils in Fort Wayne IN get access to 23 new HD channels today. Now usually Verizon likes to roll out national channels nation wide on the same day, but because it is in the middle of shuting off all the analog channels, the lineups are being realigned market by market. Ironically, the new channels seem to be rolling out in the opposite order of the intial Verizon FiOS TV rollout, in which the initial two markets to get the service, are the last to get the upgrade. But even those poor souls in Tampa FL and Keller TX can expect all the HD goodness within the next 60 to 120 days.

Rumor confirmed: FiOS TV to add 27 new HD channels in July

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Jun 4th 2008 at 12:21PM

FiOS pizza boxAlthough rumors from well respected forum posters give us a good reason to get excited, there's nothing quite like getting confirmation from the source. The linked PDF is the FiOS lineup that will be effective next month in Portland and includes 27 new HD channels not currently available to FiOS customers. As you might expect, Verizon had to really shuffle up the lineup -- posted after the jump -- to add this many channels, which now includes just about every HD channel anyone would want; like eight premium movie channels and all the latest cable channels like Sci Fi HD and CNN HD. These new channels will really help propel FiOS from last to first in regards to HD quantity, by over doubling the number of HD channels offered. Unfortunately, there's no word on when the rest of the FiOS customers will have access to these channels, but if you live in a FiOS area, and the analog channels are already gone, there's a good chance they'll come sooner, rather than later. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via TampaHDTV.com]

Continue reading Rumor confirmed: FiOS TV to add 27 new HD channels in July

26 new HD channels for FiOS TV by the end of July?

by Ben Drawbaugh posted May 8th 2008 at 12:34PM


Not many HD fans have had to go through a longer drought without new HD channels than Verizon FiOS TV customers, but with analog channels dropping like flies all across the country, we have a juicy little rumor that we just want to believe -- after all, we already feel lied to with spring half way over. The one thing that really adds credibility to the rumor that 26 newcomers will be added by the end of July is the fact that all but two markets will be analog free just in time for 26 new channels of high-def goodness. Many don't realize that Verizon is out of bandwidth on its QAM infrastructure, so in order to free up enough space for 100 HD channels -- unfortunately not all the new throughput will be dedicated to HD -- and to keep its promise to the FCC, Verizon is eliminating 49 analog stations. The bad news is that Florida and Texaswill have to wait another few months before they'll have access. The full list is after the break.

Continue reading 26 new HD channels for FiOS TV by the end of July?

Verizon is working on bringing MLB Extra Innings to FiOS TV

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Feb 26th 2008 at 5:11PM

MLB Extra InningsWith only a few months to go until Major League Baseball's opening day, Verizon's blog is reporting that a carriage deal for the MLB Extra Innings package is in the works. The package brings many out of market games to baseball fans, and was almost a DirecTV exclusive last year -- just like the NFL Sunday Ticket -- before consumer groups and the anti-trust types got involved. Now it appears that in addition to just about every digital cable and satellite provider, the nations largest fiber provider will also have the package. There's no word on how many of the games are presented in HD, but going on FiOS's track record we'd assume if the game is produced in HD, than it'll be presented in HD. The bad news is that even when the deal gets done, it won't be in all markets. We can only assume this has something to do with FiOS TV upgrades planned for 2008, that'll take care of its QAM bottleneck.

Verizon's deal with the FCC on the way to all digital

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Feb 14th 2008 at 1:07PM

Moto DCT700Last week we learned that Verizon was going to be handing out free STBs on its way to shutting off the analog this year, but if you were expecting an HD STB with Verizon's spiffy IMG, think again. To say the free box is going to basic is an understatement, in fact these boxes are so cheap other providers are going to be down right jealous. Because you see, Verizon struck a special deal with the FCC and will be allowed to deploy boxes with integrated security -- no CableCARD required and past the waiver date to boot -- and these boxes are reportedly about $80, compared to about $230 for the boxes everyone else has to use. While HD fans should be happy that those bandwidth hogs will be gone from the network, we can't imagine those still in the SD age will be too pleased that not only do they have to have a STB now, but a second remote that we're sure is well beyond their technical ability to program.

Read - Verizon's Path to All-Digital
Read - The cost of CableCARD

Verizon FiOS to start transition to all digital in the spring

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Feb 11th 2008 at 5:13PM

FiOS TV
Yeah, you read that right, the all fiber optic television provider has analog signals, but not for long. Once upon a time FiOS promised the FCC it'd be all digital in time for the analog shutoff and to work towards that goal, Verizon has started sending out letters and has setup a web page to help educate its customers. So while other providers plan to offer analog simulcasts of the digital signal for three years after Feb '09, Verizon will be providing free inexpensive STBs for those in need. We assume this will happen market by market as an all at once national role out seems implausible, so if you accustomed to enjoying the dozen or so analog channels via FiOS on the remaining analog TVs in your house, you should be hearing from Verizon sometime between April and next January. Of course this is good news for HD fans, as we all know each analog SD channels uses the same throughput as two high quality HD channels -- three if your cable.

Verizon FiOS TV goes to Oregon

by Ben Drawbaugh posted Dec 14th 2007 at 5:15PM


Here's some news that will most certainly make many in the greater Portland metropolitan area very happy, FiOS has obtianed carriage agreements for TV service and will start offering service almost immediately to Aloha, Beaverton, Cornelius, Dundee, Durham, Hillsboro, King City, McMinnville, Newberg, Tigard, Tualatin and Wilsonville. And, customers in Forest Grove and Sherwood can expect service later this month. This expands the nations largest fiber to the home provider to thirteen states and 410,000 potential subscribers. Having viewed their HD channels first hand, we can tell you that the picture quality is hard to beat, as long as you don't mind waiting around for them to add capacity for all the new HD channels they are planning on adding.




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