So, as you know, Verizon FiOS installed TV and phone in my home today, to compliment the Internet I had with them. When the tech came to install, the first thing he said was that I ordered the Multi-Room DVR, but I have all HD TVs. He said, the HD boxes do not work with the Multi-Room DVR and gave me a face, like - its stupid that they don't, but they don't, so don't ask me why.
At that point, I said, fine, install for me a single, normal HD DVR and give me a normal HD box for the other TV.
The sales rep knew this, but sold me the wrong one. I was convinced that it would be an HD option, heck - who has non-HD TVs anymore (kidding).
So after careful research today, the DVR page (which I linked to above), has this disclaimer in small, gray font (kind of like fake-non-hidden links):
Multi-room features are supported on the Multi-Room DVRs and Standard Definition Model 2500 Set Top Boxes
So, you order one Multi-Room DVR and then you need the Standard def boxes to go with it. The HD boxes will not work with the Multi-Room DVR. Confusing? Yes.
I think it will just be a matter of time until Verizon gets their hands on an HD box that works with the Multi-Room DVR feature, until then, I am where I was with Cable.
Hopefully this helps out someone else, who is looking into this option.
Comments
I wish I would of read your post before I had the multi room dvr installed in my home with my other 3 HD tv's. Now I am worst off than I was with cable. I had to call them to have them send me out another hd dvr!! What a pain in the butt!!!!
Posted by: jeff | September 3, 2008 8:39 AM
You can utilize HD STBs as soon as you get the IMG 1.6 updated firmware on all of your boxes. I live in southeast VA and we got our upgrade back in August. The rest of the country should be getting the update by September/October. I went ahead and upgraded two of my SD STBs to HD STBs and have no problems streaming my HD-DVR content to those remote HD STBs in my house. Go into your menu->settings and look at the version of your IMG. If you are still at 1.5, then you will have to wait a little while longer, but I don't think it would take longer than by the end of October.
Posted by: Chuck | October 1, 2008 10:24 AM
Well Chuck I hope you are right on the dates. I just switched to FIOS Friday (10/3) and found out the HD STB do not work with the multi-room DVR. Plus the installer didn't seem to have any idea about when that would change. Checking the firmware version I am still on 1.5 and I live just outside Philadelphia, not all that far from you geographically so hopefully this update comes soon. Needless to say I was a bit miffed to find out this capability does not working on HD boxes.
Posted by: Erik | October 5, 2008 4:28 PM
I too have all HD boxes and an HD DVR. I just received an automatic software upgrade to all my boxes and I get the DVR option on all boxes now but they still cannot communicate with the DVR yet. Perhaps there is hope.
Posted by: Pete | October 10, 2008 12:48 PM
I'm about ready to order the complete Verzion phone, internet and FiOS Multi-Room DVR package. Does the DVR system work as advertized? I have 6 TVs only one is HD; will I be able to view recorded programs on all TVs? If this system is not what I expect maybe I should stick with COMCAST and their DVR on the one HDTV. Thoughts?
Posted by: R ich Deir | October 21, 2008 9:31 PM
I'm about ready to order the complete Verzion phone, internet and FiOS Multi-Room DVR package. Does the DVR system work as advertized? I have 6 TVs only one is HD; will I be able to view recorded programs on all TVs? If this system is not what I expect maybe I should stick with COMCAST and their DVR on the one HDTV. Thoughts?
Posted by: Rich Deir | October 21, 2008 9:32 PM