FIOS HD Channel Increase?

I saw lots of articles in Q4 of 2007 about FIOS doubling its HD offering in
Q1 of 2008 and again later by the end of 2008 with HD channels totaling 150.

Any news on this? I haven't heard anything since.

Thanks,
Tim

DrinkyBanjo wrote:
I saw lots of articles in Q4 of 2007 about FIOS doubling its HD offering in
Q1 of 2008 and again later by the end of 2008 with HD channels totaling 150.

Any news on this? I haven't heard anything since.

Thanks,
Tim

Those articles stated that Verizon would START adding new HD channels
in the spring of 2008 on a market by market basis, not in the 1st
quarter. We are not yet in Spring, 2008. The short answer is that when
you get the new HD channels depends on which market you are in. If you
are in FL, TX or CA, it appears it will be a long wait.

The roll-out of the up to 30 new HD channels is tied to the shutdown
of the analog channels. The hardware for up to 40 analog channels will
be replaced with 40 QAM channels. It is important to point out that if
you have a Verizon STB or DVR, you never got the analog channels as all
the analog channels in the channel 2-49 set were also simulcast as clear
digital QAM channels from the beginning. The Verizon STB and DVRs do not
even have analog tuners. The only people who get the limited set of
analog channels are those who hook up their analog "cable-ready" TVs to
the Fios co-axial cable. So not that many people are using the analog
channels on Verizon Fios, but Verizon still has to go through a
notification process.

Verizon is doing this one VHO (Video Head Office) systems at a time.
First, they notify the customers in each market that they will have to
get the DCT 700 SD STB for any analog TVs not using a STB or the regular
STB/DVR. Verizon is providing the DCT 700s for free for now. The DCT 700
are minimal SD boxes which don't provide guide data or VOD as they don't
have IP interfaces. Once the notifications go out, it should be 60 days
to shut down the analog channels.

BTW, a TV with a clear QAM tuner can get all of the SD and HD local
stations, the PEGs, and the music channels on Verizon as they are not
encrypted. Can save on paying for a STB for a kitchen or bedroom TV if
all you want is the local news or Leno/Letterman at night.

The new markets in Western PA and Oregon don't have analog channels.
People in central and SE VA, IN, and NY have gotten their notifications.
Those markets are expected to get the new HD channels first, sometime
after the analog channels are shutdown in April. The reported analog
shutdown schedule by VHO as of last month was:

IN(VHO10) 4/1
VA(VHO9) 4/7
VA(VHO9a) 4/14
NY(VHO5) 4/21
MA(VHO6) 5/12
RI(VHO6a) 5/12
DE(VHO8) 6/2
PA(VHO8) 6/2
NJ(VHO8) 6/2 (southern NJ, Philly market)
NJ(VHO7) 6/23 (northern NJ)
MD(VHO4) 7/21
VA(VHO4) 7/21 (northern VA)
FL(VHO2) 8/18
CA(VHO3) 9/1
TX(VHO1) 9/22

I expect some of these dates to slip, if not all. The reason for all
this hassle is that Verizon did not build out the equipment in their
distribution backbone from the VHOs to the COs to provide all the QAM
channels they could have. They thought that 54 and later 63 QAM channels
would be enough for the next few years. Oops. The analog shutdown will
reportedly be followed by expanding the VHOs and COs to provide all 135
QAM channels for a full 860 MHz all digital system. That will give them
the bandwidth for the 150+ HD channels they have stated they will be
able to do by the end of 2008. (Each QAM channel can carry 2 full
bandwidth HD channels or 9+ SD channels).

There is the possibility that Verizon will add a few HD channels to
all the markets this spring, but that is only speculation. Anyway,
longer answer than you were expecting, I'm sure!

Alan F

"Alan F" wrote in message
news:[email protected]
DrinkyBanjo wrote:
I saw lots of articles in Q4 of 2007 about FIOS doubling its HD offering
in Q1 of 2008 and again later by the end of 2008 with HD channels
totaling 150.

Any news on this? I haven't heard anything since.

Thanks,
Tim

Those articles stated that Verizon would START adding new HD channels
in the spring of 2008 on a market by market basis, not in the 1st
quarter. We are not yet in Spring, 2008. The short answer is that when
you get the new HD channels depends on which market you are in. If you
are in FL, TX or CA, it appears it will be a long wait.

The roll-out of the up to 30 new HD channels is tied to the shutdown
of the analog channels. The hardware for up to 40 analog channels will
be replaced with 40 QAM channels. It is important to point out that if
you have a Verizon STB or DVR, you never got the analog channels as all
the analog channels in the channel 2-49 set were also simulcast as clear
digital QAM channels from the beginning. The Verizon STB and DVRs do not
even have analog tuners. The only people who get the limited set of
analog channels are those who hook up their analog "cable-ready" TVs to
the Fios co-axial cable. So not that many people are using the analog
channels on Verizon Fios, but Verizon still has to go through a
notification process.

Verizon is doing this one VHO (Video Head Office) systems at a time.
First, they notify the customers in each market that they will have to
get the DCT 700 SD STB for any analog TVs not using a STB or the regular
STB/DVR. Verizon is providing the DCT 700s for free for now. The DCT 700
are minimal SD boxes which don't provide guide data or VOD as they don't
have IP interfaces. Once the notifications go out, it should be 60 days
to shut down the analog channels.

BTW, a TV with a clear QAM tuner can get all of the SD and HD local
stations, the PEGs, and the music channels on Verizon as they are not
encrypted. Can save on paying for a STB for a kitchen or bedroom TV if
all you want is the local news or Leno/Letterman at night.

The new markets in Western PA and Oregon don't have analog channels.
People in central and SE VA, IN, and NY have gotten their notifications.
Those markets are expected to get the new HD channels first, sometime
after the analog channels are shutdown in April. The reported analog
shutdown schedule by VHO as of last month was:

IN(VHO10) 4/1
VA(VHO9) 4/7
VA(VHO9a) 4/14
NY(VHO5) 4/21
MA(VHO6) 5/12
RI(VHO6a) 5/12
DE(VHO8) 6/2
PA(VHO8) 6/2
NJ(VHO8) 6/2 (southern NJ, Philly market)
NJ(VHO7) 6/23 (northern NJ)
MD(VHO4) 7/21
VA(VHO4) 7/21 (northern VA)
FL(VHO2) 8/18
CA(VHO3) 9/1
TX(VHO1) 9/22

I expect some of these dates to slip, if not all. The reason for all
this hassle is that Verizon did not build out the equipment in their
distribution backbone from the VHOs to the COs to provide all the QAM
channels they could have. They thought that 54 and later 63 QAM channels
would be enough for the next few years. Oops. The analog shutdown will
reportedly be followed by expanding the VHOs and COs to provide all 135
QAM channels for a full 860 MHz all digital system. That will give them
the bandwidth for the 150+ HD channels they have stated they will be
able to do by the end of 2008. (Each QAM channel can carry 2 full
bandwidth HD channels or 9+ SD channels).

There is the possibility that Verizon will add a few HD channels to
all the markets this spring, but that is only speculation. Anyway,
longer answer than you were expecting, I'm sure!

Alan F

Alan

Thanks for the information. Unfortunately I was hoping the channel increase
would be sooner, I'm in North Jersey, but at least now I have an idea of
when it might happen. Also, extra thanks for backing up your statement with
some great data.

Tim

On Mar 9, 10:24*am, Alan F wrote:
DrinkyBanjo wrote:
I saw lots of articles in Q4 of 2007 about FIOS doubling its HD offering in
Q1 of 2008 and again later by the end of 2008 with HD channels totaling 150.

Any news on this? *I haven't heard anything since.

Thanks,
Tim

* Those articles stated that Verizon would START adding new HD channels
in the spring of 2008 on a market by market basis, not in the 1st
quarter. We are not yet in Spring, 2008. The short answer is that when
you get the new HD channels depends on which market you are in. If you
are in FL, TX or CA, it appears it will be a long wait.

* The roll-out of the up to 30 new HD channels is tied to the shutdown
of the analog channels. The hardware for up to 40 analog channels will
be replaced with 40 QAM channels. It is important to point out that if
you have a Verizon STB or DVR, you never got the analog channels as all
the analog channels in the channel 2-49 set were also simulcast as clear
digital QAM channels from the beginning. The Verizon STB and DVRs do not
even have analog tuners. The only people who get the limited set of
analog channels are those who hook up their analog "cable-ready" TVs to
the Fios co-axial cable. So not that many people are using the analog
channels on Verizon Fios, but Verizon still has to go through a
notification process.

* Verizon is doing this one *VHO (Video Head Office) systems at a time..
First, they notify the customers in each market that they will have to
get the DCT 700 SD STB for any analog TVs not using a STB or the regular
STB/DVR. Verizon is providing the DCT 700s for free for now. The DCT 700
are minimal SD boxes which don't provide guide data or VOD as they don't
have IP interfaces. Once the notifications go out, it should be 60 days
to shut down the analog channels.

* BTW, a TV with a clear QAM tuner can get all of the SD and HD local
stations, the PEGs, and the music channels on Verizon as they are not
encrypted. Can save on paying for a STB for a kitchen or bedroom TV if
all you want is the local news or Leno/Letterman at night.

* The new markets in Western PA and Oregon don't have analog channels.
People in central and SE VA, IN, and NY have gotten their notifications.
Those markets are expected to get the new HD channels first, sometime
after the analog channels are shutdown in April. The reported analog
shutdown schedule by VHO as of last month was:

IN(VHO10) 4/1
VA(VHO9) 4/7
VA(VHO9a) 4/14
NY(VHO5) 4/21
MA(VHO6) 5/12
RI(VHO6a) 5/12
DE(VHO8) 6/2
PA(VHO8) 6/2
NJ(VHO8) 6/2 (southern NJ, Philly market)
NJ(VHO7) 6/23 (northern NJ)
MD(VHO4) 7/21
VA(VHO4) 7/21 (northern VA)
FL(VHO2) 8/18
CA(VHO3) 9/1
TX(VHO1) 9/22

* I expect some of these dates to slip, if not all. The reason for all
this hassle is that Verizon did not build out the equipment in their
distribution backbone from the VHOs to the COs to provide all the QAM
channels they could have. They thought that 54 and later 63 QAM channels
would be enough for the next few years. Oops. The analog shutdown will
reportedly be followed by expanding the VHOs and COs to provide all 135
QAM channels for a full 860 MHz all digital system. That will give them
the bandwidth for the 150+ HD channels they have stated they will be
able to do by the end of 2008. (Each QAM channel can carry 2 full
bandwidth HD channels or 9+ SD channels).

* There is the possibility that Verizon will add a few HD channels to
all the markets this spring, but that is only speculation. Anyway,
longer answer than you were expecting, I'm sure!

* Alan F

Any idea what the new HD channels will be??? Do you also know if they
will be adding more spanish language programming??? in particular
CARACOL TV COLOMBIA. Also any other multicultural programming, as i am
interested in watching anything from around the world. Thank You.

On Mar 9, 10:24*am, Alan F wrote:
DrinkyBanjo wrote:
I saw lots of articles in Q4 of 2007 about FIOS doubling its HD offering in
Q1 of 2008 and again later by the end of 2008 with HD channels totaling 150.

Any news on this? *I haven't heard anything since.

Thanks,
Tim

* Those articles stated that Verizon would START adding new HD channels
in the spring of 2008 on a market by market basis, not in the 1st
quarter. We are not yet in Spring, 2008. The short answer is that when
you get the new HD channels depends on which market you are in. If you
are in FL, TX or CA, it appears it will be a long wait.

* The roll-out of the up to 30 new HD channels is tied to the shutdown
of the analog channels. The hardware for up to 40 analog channels will
be replaced with 40 QAM channels. It is important to point out that if
you have a Verizon STB or DVR, you never got the analog channels as all
the analog channels in the channel 2-49 set were also simulcast as clear
digital QAM channels from the beginning. The Verizon STB and DVRs do not
even have analog tuners. The only people who get the limited set of
analog channels are those who hook up their analog "cable-ready" TVs to
the Fios co-axial cable. So not that many people are using the analog
channels on Verizon Fios, but Verizon still has to go through a
notification process.

* Verizon is doing this one *VHO (Video Head Office) systems at a time..
First, they notify the customers in each market that they will have to
get the DCT 700 SD STB for any analog TVs not using a STB or the regular
STB/DVR. Verizon is providing the DCT 700s for free for now. The DCT 700
are minimal SD boxes which don't provide guide data or VOD as they don't
have IP interfaces. Once the notifications go out, it should be 60 days
to shut down the analog channels.

* BTW, a TV with a clear QAM tuner can get all of the SD and HD local
stations, the PEGs, and the music channels on Verizon as they are not
encrypted. Can save on paying for a STB for a kitchen or bedroom TV if
all you want is the local news or Leno/Letterman at night.

* The new markets in Western PA and Oregon don't have analog channels.
People in central and SE VA, IN, and NY have gotten their notifications.
Those markets are expected to get the new HD channels first, sometime
after the analog channels are shutdown in April. The reported analog
shutdown schedule by VHO as of last month was:

IN(VHO10) 4/1
VA(VHO9) 4/7
VA(VHO9a) 4/14
NY(VHO5) 4/21
MA(VHO6) 5/12
RI(VHO6a) 5/12
DE(VHO8) 6/2
PA(VHO8) 6/2
NJ(VHO8) 6/2 (southern NJ, Philly market)
NJ(VHO7) 6/23 (northern NJ)
MD(VHO4) 7/21
VA(VHO4) 7/21 (northern VA)
FL(VHO2) 8/18
CA(VHO3) 9/1
TX(VHO1) 9/22

* I expect some of these dates to slip, if not all. The reason for all
this hassle is that Verizon did not build out the equipment in their
distribution backbone from the VHOs to the COs to provide all the QAM
channels they could have. They thought that 54 and later 63 QAM channels
would be enough for the next few years. Oops. The analog shutdown will
reportedly be followed by expanding the VHOs and COs to provide all 135
QAM channels for a full 860 MHz all digital system. That will give them
the bandwidth for the 150+ HD channels they have stated they will be
able to do by the end of 2008. (Each QAM channel can carry 2 full
bandwidth HD channels or 9+ SD channels).

* There is the possibility that Verizon will add a few HD channels to
all the markets this spring, but that is only speculation. Anyway,
longer answer than you were expecting, I'm sure!

* Alan F

Any idea what the new HD channels will be??? Do you also know if they
will be adding more spanish language programming??? in particular
CARACOL TV COLOMBIA. Also any other multicultural programming, as i
am
interested in watching anything from around the world. Thank You.

wrote:
On Mar 9, 10:24 am, Alan F wrote:

Any idea what the new HD channels will be??? Do you also know if they
will be adding more spanish language programming??? in particular
CARACOL TV COLOMBIA. Also any other multicultural programming, as i
am
interested in watching anything from around the world. Thank You.

Verizon has made no concrete announcements of what HD channels they
will be adding, but one can make a good guess. CNN-HD, USA-HD, the three
remaining Discovery set of HD channels, History HD, hopefully Sci-Fi HD,
and so on.

But I would guess that Caracol TV Columbia is an SD channel. If so, it
is not part of the HD set. Checking the Fios channel line-up at
http://www22.verizon.com/content/fio...nel+lineup.htm,
there is a TV Colombia at channel 470 if that is the same as Caracol TV
Columbia.

Alan F

On Mar 28, 4:02*pm, Alan F wrote:
wrote:
On Mar 9, 10:24 am, Alan F wrote:

Any idea what the new HD channels will be??? Do you also know if they
will be adding more spanish language programming??? in particular
CARACOL TV COLOMBIA. Also any other multicultural programming, as i
am
interested in watching anything from around the world. Thank You.

* Verizon has made no concrete announcements of what HD channels they
will be adding, but one can make a good guess. CNN-HD, USA-HD, the three
remaining Discovery set of HD channels, History HD, hopefully Sci-Fi HD,
and so on.

* But I would guess that Caracol TV Columbia is an SD channel. If so, it
is not part of the HD set. Checking the Fios channel line-up athttp://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/channel+lineup/channel+lineup...,
there is a TV Colombia at channel 470 if that is the same as Caracol TV
Columbia.

* Alan F

Thanks, I appreciate your response and help.