FiOS TV
FiOS TV is the video service available from Verizon, delivered through the all fiber-optic FiOS network. The base package, FiOS TV Premier, is offered at $42.99 per month
and features:
- Local channels such as ABC, CBS, NBC, and FOX
- Over 200 digital channels
- 47 Music Choice channels
- Must-have programming from ESPN, Discovery, TNT, USA, MTV, CNN and more!
- Extensive On Demand library with thousands of titles –many available for free –
including kids programming, sports, news, pop culture, home & leisure
Premium services like HBO, Cinemax, Showtime, etc are also available. It is an impressive offering from Verizon, especially considering they are a relative newcomer to this
market. Along with the programming, Verizon also offers the latest technologies
in DVR and HD technologies. DVR service allows you to record 2 shows simultaneously
(HD included) and watch a 3rd pre-recorded show all at the same time. See what other
people are saying about
FIOS TV.
Interactive Media Guide
FiOS TV is still only available in very limited markets, but if you are one of the lucky ones that can get it, get ready because the all new Interactive
Media Guide is about to launch. Verizon has been working on an updated software platform for the Motorola boxes. The original interface was developed by
Microsoft in conjunction
with Motorola back in 2005. The interface and software for the FiOS TV boxes has been pretty much been the only complaint in all
the Verizon FiOS TV reviews. The new interface has been redesigned from the ground up to address that issue. The scheduled launch is Summer 2007. A demonstration
of the new Verizon FiOS Interactive
Media Guide is available at http://www.verizonfios.com/img.
FiOS TV vs Cable and Satellite
Compared to DirecTV and Dish Network, and also the cable providers like Comcast, FiOS TV provides better programming, more national HD channels and better picture quality
over a more robust medium. In most cases the price is less too. FiOS TV is also in the top 2 in the number of On-Demand video titles out of all providers.
FiOS will continue to provide more and more video selections, whereas the satellite
providers have already maxed out their bandwidth capacity. In fact the satellite
providers have recently increased the compression on HD channels from MPEG-2 to
MPEG-4. In order to provide more channels, they have no choice but to increase compression
which usually results in reduced picture quality.
Can you get FiOS TV?