compu5020
@verizon.net
| reply to birdfeedr
Re: DCT-700 data
Why doesn't Verizon take one of their unoccupied channels and send a secondary version of the guide data that the DCT-700 can recieve? I don't think such an idea would be very expensive, just the purchase of an additional piece of equipment in the offices, and they have plenty of open channels anyway that could be used. Even without widgets or VOD, the device would be great if they just made this little change. If they don't have the rights to a guide to use, just put a bunch of programmers in a room for a day and tell them to make a piece of very basic channel guide software. |
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JayMan 007
join:2005-07-18
Richmond, VA
| said by compu5020 :
Why doesn't Verizon take one of their unoccupied channels and send a secondary version of the guide data that the DCT-700 can recieve? I don't think such an idea would be very expensive, just the purchase of an additional piece of equipment in the offices, and they have plenty of open channels anyway that could be used. Even without widgets or VOD, the device would be great if they just made this little change. If they don't have the rights to a guide to use, just put a bunch of programmers in a room for a day and tell them to make a piece of very basic channel guide software.
And while their at it, let me create favorites, or delete unwanted channels...
and the ability to password protect shows based on ratings so my 7 year old doesn't watch skin-o-max in the other room, when I think he's watching Disney  |
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darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
| said by JayMan 007  :said by compu5020 :
Why doesn't Verizon take one of their unoccupied channels and send a secondary version of the guide data that the DCT-700 can recieve? I don't think such an idea would be very expensive, just the purchase of an additional piece of equipment in the offices, and they have plenty of open channels anyway that could be used. Even without widgets or VOD, the device would be great if they just made this little change. If they don't have the rights to a guide to use, just put a bunch of programmers in a room for a day and tell them to make a piece of very basic channel guide software.
And while their at it, let me create favorites, or delete unwanted channels... and the ability to password protect shows based on ratings so my 7 year old doesn't watch skin-o-max in the other room, when I think he's watching Disney None of these features were available from Verizon when you plugged in your TV directly with the coax from the wall. If you want those features then get them from the SD STB -- right where they've always been... |
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birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to JayMan 007
said by JayMan 007 :and the ability to password protect shows based on ratings so my 7 year old doesn't watch skin-o-max in the other room, when I think he's watching Disney There is some sort of mechanism for blocking on the DCT-700. I haven't set it up yet.
And the cat hasn't figured out the remote yet. He only gets to watch Animal Planet. Absolutely loves Big Cat Diary.  |
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noping
no route to host
Premium
join:2007-01-09
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to compu5020
I don't think such an idea would be very expensive, just the purchase of an additional piece of equipment in the offices 1) $ for that "additional equipment" - and as we all know, Verizon is really cheap
2) customers with multiple SD STBs@4.99/ea. would return them all (except for one box, just to continue to receive all channels) and use the free adapters instead - at least, that's what I'd do |
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JayMan 007
join:2005-07-18
Richmond, VA
| reply to darcilicious
said by darcilicious :None of these features were available from Verizon when you plugged in your TV directly with the coax from the wall. If you want those features then get them from the SD STB -- right where they've always been... Well, not from Verizon, but from the TV they kinda were... , I could select what channels I want to add/delete from the TV.
Some TV's (marked with TV Guide) can get program info from I think PBS ??.. shouldn't the 700 be able to that also?
I don't know what it can do on Verizon, only what it would do on Comcast. |
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birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS
| said by JayMan 007 :I don't know what it can do on Verizon, only what it would do on Comcast. Since VZ has the ability to set the features in firmware, and they want to distinguish between the DCT-700 and the QP-2500, it makes sense to limit the lower end equipment. $3 monthly vs. $5 monthly.
Then again, they are making these available at no charge to satisfy FCC restrictions on no-encryption on devices for analog changeover. For a limited time, mind you.  Then it's back to $3 a month. |
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Rattler
join:2001-04-13
Havertown, PA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS
| said by birdfeedr :Then again, they are making these available at no charge to satisfy FCC restrictions on no-encryption on devices for analog changeover. For a limited time, mind you. Then it's back to $3 a month. Just to clarify this, the OFFER to provide free DCT-700's is valid for a limited time after you receive the letter/notification. If you respond to the offer in that allotted time, the boxes remain free for as long as a) You live at your current address and, b) You keep FiOS-TV service. If either of the previous becomes not true, you either have to give the boxes back or be charged for them.
In my case, the letter says I have to respond by 05/22/08 to take advantage of the freebie status. If I respond after that, they'd be $3.99/mo.
Of course, there may be several months of "negotiating" with V*'s billing department to get the "free" status of the boxes established and maintained but that is to be expected (or to be pleasantly surprised if it all goes right from the get-go  ).
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons |
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lets456
join:2008-01-21
Hainesport, NJ
| I received my free box. However, things have changed and we redid our basement. I plan putting the 700 upstairs but now i am short on the additional TV downstairs.
Can I call and get another box? I want to be fair....I could act stupid and say "I thought I was only allowed one but found out I could get two....", but that's not my style.
Suggestions? |
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Rattler
join:2001-04-13
Havertown, PA | Can't hurt to try... |
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birdfeedr
Premium,MVM
join:2001-08-11
Warwick, RI
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to Rattler
said by Rattler :Of course, there may be several months of "negotiating" with V*'s billing department to get the "free" status of the boxes established and maintained but that is to be expected (or to be pleasantly surprised if it all goes right from the get-go ). Make sure you call the GoDigital number mentioned in the letter. I don't have it in front of me so I can't repeat it.
If you call the regular FSC number, it will be treated as a billable equipment order.
My DCT has RF output and component video output (yellow is video, red and white are L and R audio). |
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Rattler
join:2001-04-13
Havertown, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS
| Just called and 2 DCT-700's are on their way via UPS (supposedly).
Question... IIRC, TV's that are directly connected to the coax (no STB) have a scrolling guide (CH-49?). I have not checked, but is there a similar guide (other than IMG) that's accessible on the digital channels tuned by the DCT-700?
CH-49 on the STBs is a weather channel.
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons |
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matcarl
join:2007-03-09
Franklin Square, NY
2 edits | What do you mean? That scrolling guide is put on channel 49 with Verizon messages and Weather Channel messages whether it's analog or digital.
Edit: It's not a guide, it's messages, is that what you mean?
Edit again: Or do you mean the TV Guide Network on channel 48? |
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ENFiOS
join:2007-11-09
MontCo PA | Think they mean TV Guide Channel on 48 |
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matcarl
join:2007-03-09
Franklin Square, NY | Channel 48 is available on the box and it's the only guide, but doesn't show many stations. |
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Rattler
join:2001-04-13
Havertown, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS
2 edits | reply to matcarl
said by matcarl :What do you mean? That scrolling guide is put on channel 49 with Verizon messages and Weather Channel messages whether it's analog or digital. Edit: It's not a guide, it's messages, is that what you mean? Edit again: Or do you mean the TV Guide Network on channel 48? I am standing here beside myself (quote from: "Short Circuit"), with a foot in my mouth and a gasted flabber!
Y'know, I have never even looked at CH-48 (TVGN) on either STB. I only briefly checked to see if I had analog channels on one set in the house (on the day of installation, 2+ months ago) and that's why I thought the scrolling channel guide was on CH-49 on the analogs - CRS.
Edit: I also see that it only shows programming for CH-2 thru CH-49, with nothing for 50 and above. Wonder if they'll ever change that. Although, it would take forever to scroll through all the channels available via the STBs.
Thank you for giving me a whack on the side of the head... 
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons |
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matcarl
join:2007-03-09
Franklin Square, NY | No problem, that channel is pretty useless since it only goes to channel 49 and because most people would use the IMG anyway. |
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Rattler
join:2001-04-13
Havertown, PA
·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS
| said by matcarl :No problem, that channel is pretty useless since it only goes to channel 49 and because most people would use the IMG anyway. Oh, I agree. The problem rears its face when you have added packages and the DCT-700 is in a room that doesn't have convenient visual access to a box that has the IMG on it. Heck, it's even a problem if you only have the most basic service and can't get listings for channels like SciFi, Disc, TLC, etc.
For those of us who are getting the box free, there really isn't an awful lot of room to gripe - we're getting much more than we had with just the analog tuner in the TV. Those who are paying $3.99/mo for the bottom-of-the-line box might have a legit point to say that the basic (FiOS Premiere) channel listings should, at least, be available, somewhere.
But, the whole discussion is moot - V* will provide what they provide.
--
Never raise your hands to your kids. It leaves your groin unprotected. -- Red Buttons |
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GeekGirl1
The Medium IS the Message
Premium
join:2007-01-28
Morrisville, PA
1 edit | DCT700 arrived today (2 units). No problems to setup (composite video / stereo cable) or activate.
Diagnostics menu looks more advanced than what's in my HD-DVR. Hit Power, then OK to enter diagnostics menu.
Interesting that Channel 46 had a blue screen which said "This station having temporary technical difficulties". My HD-DVR just wouldn't go there, no error. DCT700 must have newer firmware. |
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amarryat
Verizon FiOS
join:2005-05-02
Marshfield, MA
·Verizon FIOS
| said by GeekGirl1 :Interesting that Channel 46 had a blue screen which said "This station having temporary technical difficulties". That's what it says whenever it can't receive a channel. I made a mistake when I was hooking/unhooking wires, and attached the cable in to the TV out. It gave that same message on all channels. |
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