clear QAM with FIOS in MA?

[mc2wheels]

I have been running an HDHomerun (since they came out) with Comcast as a provider, but I recently switched to Verizon FIOS. My HDHR cannot find any QAM channels that are not encrypted, but I was expecting the local channels. My TV doesn't seem to find any QAM channels either (and it did with comcast). I live in Medway, MA. Is there anyone out there in MA that has FIOS that is able to tune QAM channels straight from the cable (without the provider tuner box)? If so, do you have any idea why I can't?

I think I will call verizon today to ask about it. I was really hoping I could still use the HDHR for the network shows. Thanks in advance.

[Beefcake550]

I don't live in Medway, but I'm close out in Charlton. I jsut wanted to check where the HDHR plugged in. I thought I had read a while back that there is a coax out of the FIOS box (for multiple room DVR capabilities) and you need to connect the HDHR to that output.

I think the STB for FIOS puts of clear QAM on all channels. Not sure on that as I don't have FIOS available yet.

-B

[TakeFlight]

I'm not in MA, but I have no issues getting the locals (and a few cable networks) clear QAM with my HDHR and FiOS

The coax leaves the FiOS ONT box (where the fiber is converted to copper) and after that point it's no different than any other digital QAM based system from the standpoint of a HDHR or similar device.

[jgourd]

I am getting FIOS tomorrow. Let me see if I understand the equipment. Fiber comes into the premesis and goes to a box of some kind. From that box, RF comes out via coax. Is the box a set top box or something in the basement?

[Steve20A]

I have exactly that same question. FIOS is supposed to be in my area of Plymouth by month end (so sayeth the street installers). I am currently on Comcast and asked one of the street installers about Clear QAM. His answer was that there is no unencrypted QAM with FIOS. But that is contrary to the actual experiences of some FIOS users, so I would like to know what you ultimately discover.

Steve20A

[jgourd]

I asked the sales rep if I could use my QAM tuners and she said yes.

[Steve20A]

I have just gotten a response from Verizon technical services about clear QAM signals in the offering they have just made in the Pinehills area of Plymouth, MA. The question and his answer are posted here for your information.

Summary: OTA signals, both SD & HD, are currently carried as unencrypted QAM

Full story: On the web, I found an April, 2007 statement from Brian Whitton, Executive Director of Access Network Design and Integration for Verizon, on the subject of transmission signals send in the clear over FiOS. The original question and answer was:
Q. Does FiOS have the Free to air OTA Networks available to TV’s equipped with QAM tuners? so that an additional box [...] isn’t required for all televisions.
A. Yes. We carry SD over the air channels both in analog and QAM. HD OTA is carried over QAM only. TVs with built in QAM tuners will be able to view all unencrypted content over QAM. Of course, an HD TV with an integrated QAM tuner is required to view the unencrypted HD content.

So, earlier today, I asked Verizon: Is it still true that Standard Definition over the air channels are carried in unencrypted analog and QAM? And that HiDef OTA is carried in unencrypted QAM?

They replied (March 30, 2009):
"At the time of Brian Whitton’s statement (April 12, 2007) we did provide the OTA signals as both analog and QAM, however in 2008 we eliminated the analog version from our lineup in anticipation of the planned conversion to all digital the FCC was mandating in 2009. As to the question below, OTA signals, both SD & HD, are currently carried as unencrypted QAM only, the analog versions are no longer available."

I think that is a very clear answer and I thank Verizon for it. And I believe it answers all the inquiries in previous posts in this thread.

Cheers.

Steve

[jgourd]

Now, if only the ground would thaw so they can come back and finish the installation I have been a month without my SageTV or Internet.

[Steve20A]

I'll tell ya, they have been working around here for three months now, in the really cold, frozen ground in Jan and Feb, digging out snowbanks to find the cable vaults. I've never seen a "public utility" work so hard and so fast.

The first FiOS customer in my neighborhood is scheduled to be installed next Monday. If that goes well (and I verify unencrypted QAM [as Reagan said, "Trust, but verify."]), then I will look for my own install later in April or early May. I have a lot invested in computers, tuners and the like and if FiOS can't feed my Sage set up, I will stay with Comcast, as much as I don't like their pricing and tiers of service.

But it looks like FiOS is on the way.

[Niles]

Is anyone getting HD below ch. 49 without the STB or adapter from Verizon? I am hoping to order Verizon FiOS Basic TV service. I do however hope to get some HD content like Ch. 7 and 5 and any other HD channels below Ch. 49.

The way I see it is that the source, being Ch.7 in this example, is delivering HD content to the providers and Verizon is simply passing it on to the subscribers unaltered.


Thanks,
Niles

[jgourd]

on FIOS, I get all the over the air channels via my HDHRs. WGBH,WHDH,WBZ,WLVI,WSBK,WFXT, and a few others.

[Niles]

So you are getting HD from the local channels with out a STB or adapter?



Thanks,
Niles

[jgourd]

Originally Posted by Niles

So you are getting HD from the local channels with out a STB or adapter?



Thanks,
Niles

yes.

[ChaOConnor]

Me too, just set it up. (North Billerica, MA) I took a lot of time to map the channels in HDHomerun, you should see the fruits of my effort when you connect to their lineup server. Good luck!

[Steve20A]

Originally Posted by Niles

Is anyone getting HD below ch. 49 without the STB or adapter from Verizon?

See my response from 3-30-2009. It is still true today. I get all the major stations on my HDHR. I have 1 STB for premium stuff, 1 HDHR (soon to add a second) for QAM and an old Hauppauge unit that I will soon pull out of service. They all work fine.

[personalt]

What is considered premium? Is that HBO/Showtime?

Or are we talking Food Network/Home Garden/Golf Channel Premium?

[Steve20A]

Premium is anything not in the basic tier, so everything you mentioned would be premium. The only programs you can generally count on are the major stations - ABC, CBS, NBC and the like. Stuff you would get over the air. I happen to get, but would not be surprised to see disappear at any time, a bunch of other stuff - Spanish language, weather, some lesser known channels, some music. Out of (estimating here) 80 channels, maybe I have kept 20 for watching (you can disable a channel in Sage or HDHR).

[texneus]

Check the lineup server on Silicon Dust's website. Under FIOS I get all my locals (both HD and SD versions) and a few others (WGN, Weatherscan, *some* community access, and the audio channels) in the clear. Everything I've read about with FIOS is that this is pretty much the same nationally.

[Fuzzy]

Originally Posted by Steve20A

Premium is anything not in the basic tier, so everything you mentioned would be premium. The only programs you can generally count on are the major stations - ABC, CBS, NBC and the like. Stuff you would get over the air. I happen to get, but would not be surprised to see disappear at any time, a bunch of other stuff - Spanish language, weather, some lesser known channels, some music. Out of (estimating here) 80 channels, maybe I have kept 20 for watching (you can disable a channel in Sage or HDHR).

I'd like to point out that I've NEVER heard of those channels being called 'premium'. In my experience, premium channels refers to individual purchase channels, such as HBO, SHOWTIME, ENCORE, Sports Packs like NFL Sunday Ticket, etc. Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, and things I've always considered Basic Cable channels. If they are in an upgraded pack, they're usually called Expanded Basic Channels... but that varries from lineup to lineup. Either way, I don't think Fios has any of them in the clear. Just Locals, and other 'free' channels, like the shopping channels, which actually PAY the cable companies.. instead of the other way around.

[Steve20A]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

I'd like to point out that I've NEVER heard of those channels being called 'premium'. In my experience, premium channels refers to individual purchase channels, such as HBO, SHOWTIME, ENCORE, Sports Packs like NFL Sunday Ticket, etc. Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, and things I've always considered Basic Cable channels. If they are in an upgraded pack, they're usually called Expanded Basic Channels... but that varries from lineup to lineup. Either way, I don't think Fios has any of them in the clear. Just Locals, and other 'free' channels, like the shopping channels, which actually PAY the cable companies.. instead of the other way around.

OK, I think this is merely a semantic quibble. In the context of the original question, I was stating that nothing outside of the basic channels was, in my experience, broadcast in clear QAM. Call those non-basic channels Expanded, call them Premium, whatever, I think you've "basically" agreed with my response.