Short version: Yes and No.
Yes.
• If you want to view encrypted programming. A CableCard can be used as a substitute if your TV device is compatible.
• If you want to view local programs, but your TV device does not have a QAM tuner.
• If you want to access on-screen program guide or VOD or Widgets. For this, a CableCard will not substitute.
No.
• If you only want to view programs that are not encrypted and your TV device has a QAM tuner.
More details follow.
FiOS-TV broadcasts a digital channel lineup that includes local stations, PEG channels, SD (Standard-Definition) and HD (High-Definition) programming, premium sports and movie packages, and music channels. The channel lineup has been changing as more programming is added. Click here for the latest published channel line-ups. Once there, you can view channels available in each plan including Essentials Plan, Extreme HD Plan, La Conexion, HD, Premium, and International.
In addition to the video channels broadcast on the fiber, VOD (Video On Demand) channels are also available. Applets called Widgets can display local weather and traffic conditions, and there is a Program Guide that can display current programming data on-screen.
A STB (Set-Top-Box) is required to view all these channels plus VOD, Widgets and Program Guide on your TV. There are different STB models available depending on desired features: SDTV, HDTV, both with and without DVR (Digital Video Recording). In normal circumstances, a DVR can be programmed remotely, and an extra feature (for an added fee) allows your DVR to play to a TV in a different room, or play some types of media stored on your PC. Note that it is unclear whether a DVR can be upgraded to a multi-room DVR through software via the internet, or if it requires a device changeout. In at least one instance, a replacement multi-room DVR was shipped to the subscriber. He sent the original DVR back.
The STB decodes the programming, VOD, Widgets and Program Guide and sends it to your TV. A more limited video converter (DCT-700) can be used to send SD video to your TV. The DCT-700 does not have VOD, Widget or Program Guide capabilities.
A television equipped with a CableCard decoder supplied by Verizon may be used to display the video only. Features like VOD, Widgets and Guide are not decoded at the TV. S-Cards and M-Cards are available nationwide, but quantities may be limited in some areas. S-Cards are being phased out in favor of M-Cards.
Other popular devices such as a Tivo or Home Theater PC may also use a CableCard to decode video. These typically use a separate internet connection to provide data services like a Program Guide from other sources. It should also be noted that Tivo and several brands of Blu Ray players provide VOD alternatives, such as Netflix and Amazon, however FiOS requires a Verizon-provided device to decode the FiOS VOD.
A television equipped with a QAM tuner is able to receive unencrypted programming without a STB or CableCard. Usually these are the local channels, local HD channels and music channels, also Univision and WGN. Connecting the QAM-tuner TV straight to the coax is sufficient to access the clear channels.
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by NOCMan  edited by More Fiber
last modified: 2009-08-30 10:08:54 |
