said by klipko :

I avoided CSR thinking that it would make matters worse since I'm sure they would know nothing about the Internet Video Trail but you found success with them to get it removed and refunded for the month's charges?

"Hole" is right about this particular trial.

said by HenryFarpolo :

I got the adjustment in Dec and the box is off my account in Jan. Send another e-mail to the trial team and call and speak to a CSR.

I have never had a response from the trial team, so your frustration may continue. The trial seems to have fallen into a black hole, with no communication from the trial team on this or any other issue for quite some time.

said by chalewa :

where does one go to write reviews about this thing?

said by HELTERSKIN :

Does this trial entitle you to free dvr service, or just allow you to be a their lab rat?

said by jwdv22 :

Also is anyone else only limited to Searching Youtube.com for internet video

said by RECian :

The search screen is an eye sour but Beta !!!! Will play around more

said by SqueeksDad :

That still shows me as pending, no link to download OR instructions.

said by HenryFarpolo :

If you are registered and validated, click on this link and enter the phone number and e-mail you used in your registration. Once in, click on "media Manager PC Client" to download. Hope it works!!

»https://www36.verizon.com/MM/Protected/T···nIn.aspx

said by cracksbacks :

I just received the same welcome email with no attachment.

said by MxChris3 :

I signed up two weeks ago for this trial and didn't get a response from Verizon. My trial site account page has said "Validation Pending" for the past two weeks. I sent a message stating that to verizontesttrackers@Verizon.com and got an email tonight with a link to the beta media manager software.

I can confirm that no beta DVR is needed anymore, you just use the beta media manager software now.

The Good:
*It's cool that Verizon is even working on adding more features to it's existing boxes!
*Music streaming works very well
*Plays Divx encoded .avi files from my media library pretty well

The Bad:
*Everything is displayed at 4:3, videos and pictures that are widescreen are squished to 4:3.
*Choppy video playback, I tried the 5120kbps video bitrate and 3072kbps both gave the same results. Some videos just stop after a minute or so.
*Limited control over the media that's playing, no way to Pause/Fast Forward/Rewind a movie that's playing for instance.

said by hobbes79 :

Great. Just got my bill and they've of course charged me for the DVR I got for the user trial. Interesting considering it was a) meant to be free and b) I don't have it anymore since they messed up a software upgrade and I was asked to send it back.

So I'm being charged for a free DVR I don't even have.

To add insult to injury, I called billing yesterday to take care of it, and they said they're only open 8-6 Mon-Fri. Right, so now I need to call during MY business hours to take care of it!?

I'll post in the Direct forum and hopefully it will be taken care of.

Starting to wish I never bothered with this user trial!

said by as2higpark :

tried it out when I got home last night, looks cool, cept the search feature is all kinds of screwy, but the .doc mentions that...guess that's the BETA part of this...

said by hofs1 :

3: uses older VLC player and wont except newer one

The good news is that you will not need to use a test box supplied by Verizon in order to participate. You can get up and running quickly and can use your existing DVR!

said by JeepMatt :

Hofs-
Can you post the body of the email?

Congratulations!

You are receiving this mail to notify you that your request has been processed and you have been deemed fully eligible for participation in the FiOS TV Internet Video Beta trial.

We apologize for the delayed response and any confusion that may have surrounded your application submission. Due to an overwhelming volume of interest and requests from our customers, it took somewhat longer than expected to get all requests processed.

The good news is that you will not need to use a test box supplied by Verizon in order to participate. You can get up and running quickly and can use your existing DVR!

(emphasis added)

In an effort to provide the best trial experience, our IT team has developed a process through which you are able to participate using your own existing equipment. This eliminates the delay due to shipping time and allows you to continue to use all your existing equipment during the trial period just as you normally would. With this process, there is also no need to send us any of your equipment - all you will need to do now is follow the instructions below and attached and start testing!

You may have received a notice that a Verizon-issued DVR was being shipped to you - Please note that all those orders were cancelled and you should not expect any equipment from Verizon for the purposes of this trial.

The Next step is downloading the PC client using the link included in the attached presentation - The PC client is required for use of the Internet Video feature.

Once the PC Client is downloaded on your computer - you should refer to the attached powerpoint presentation for remaining steps that need to be taken in order to locate and begin using the feature via your DVR.

After successfully installing (or upgrading to) the Media Manager PC client application version (7.2.181):

- A Home Media DVR (customer with Multi-Room DVR feature) customer can access the Internet Video functionality on their TV connected to the DVR box, by selecting Main Menu -> Media Manager -> Video Manager -> Internet Videos.

- A non-Home Media DVR customer but with at least one DVR set-top box can access the Internet Video functionality on their TV connected to the DVR box, by selecting Main Menu -> Media Manager -> Try Media Manager -> Video Manager -> Internet Videos (the Media Manager feature will be available for 90 days from the first launch of the application and we can extend this duration if the customer wants to continue using the feature).

The attached presentation walks you through each step and is very easy to follow, however should you run into any issues getting started do not hesitate to reach out to the trial team via email for assistance. Please send all emails to verizontesttrackers@verizon.com and briefly detail the nature of your issue. Responses generally take 48-72 hours.

Note that instructions for participants who are NOT Home Media subscribers starts on page 24 and suggested test cases are detailed starting on page 28 of the attached document.

Please use the next week or so to get comfortable with the functionality of the feature and prepared to respond to a few trial feedback surveys.

Thanks,
FiOS TV Product Team
Trial Management
Fax: 800-878-1582

said by DGGSLF :

HenryFarpolo, have you been able to register your HD DVR on the trial website? I downloaded the new version of the software and when I access the Internet Video trial via the menu on the box, it does tell me I need to register my HD DVR via the trial website but I do not see an option on the site to do so.

said by joe01880 :

The most recent version is 7.2.58
With Media Manager open on your pc, at the top click on help then click on "Check for Upgrades.

said by HenryFarpolo :

When Media Manager opened at the start of the day, I got a pop up saying an upgrade was available. Check the menu and see if an upgrade is available to you.

said by psumatt :

How are you guys upgrading the media manager software? Is through the menu in the program itself? Thanks.

said by hobbes79 :

So if we want to continue to use the Media Manager with our existing MR DVRs, the best bet is not to upgrade at the moment?

said by HenryFarpolo :

I also got an upgrade to the Media Center software. Now when I access the Video Beta in the IMG, I get a message saying my STB's need to be registered as a trial participant.

said by darcilicious :

I got the email, never received a box (it may have been or most likely was the one I refused delivery on). Oh, well :)

said by klipko :

I finished with the first one. The link for the second doesn't exist in the email and it's text is the same as the link as the first. You guys seeing that both surveys are the same?

said by klipko :

Thanks HenryFarpolo.

I received an email today asking to fill out two surveys. It also talks about the delay in receiving the credit for the trail.

Any body else received it?

said by HenryFarpolo :

Has anyone being billed for the trial DVR box had any luck getting the charge removed?

said by HenryFarpolo :

I got a response on an earlier issue, but it took a few days. I am in the same boat as you regarding being charged for the trial DVR. I have not had a response to an e-mail I sent them on Thursday. The CSR's have been no help thus far either on the STB billing issue.

I am also waiting for a replacement DVR, because IMG 1.6 wiped out the trial code, so I am being billed for the trial DVR that I do not have. :)

said by DGGSLF :

HenryFarpolo,

Have you gotten any email responses to your questions and requests for support? I'm still waiting and am yet to get any response to my questions and now my bill shows that I'm being charged for the trial DVR. Have you had any billing issues due to the trial and if so, how did you resolve?

said by darcilicious :

Actually, that's an excellent suggestion -- I'll see what happens :)

said by HenryFarpolo :

Send them a e-mail explaining what happened, to remove the bullet in your foot!!! :)

said by HenryFarpolo :

I don't think that canceling the order with the rep will shoot you in the foot.

said by SkippyD :

I had the same thing. I tried to add something to my account and they said I had a DVR ordered and they couldn't make any changes until the order was put thru.

I told her that I most certainly did not order another DVR but I had signed up to do some beta testing for Internet Video and a box was to be sent for that. She had no idea what I was talking about and said its just a HD DVR. I canceled the order and like you I now wonder if I also shot myself in the foot.

said by darcilicious :

(My situation is still odd because back when I first tried to order the Extreme HD package, my order was entered as a new HD DVR; when a box from Vz showed up about a week later, I refused delivery on it. In the meantime, I got the email so I may have shot myself in the foot when I did that but the LAST thing I wanted was DVR I DIDN'T order :) )

said by mkammerm :

I signed up for the trial some time ago. I received an email on Oct 27 indicating the shipping of the DVR Set Top Box. It also stated that I can access the trial web site by going to the url »www.verizon.com/testtrack. When I attempt to login I get the following message "Validation Pending". Has any one else had this problem. It has been like this since I signed up.

said by mkammerm :

I signed up for the trial some time ago. I received an email on Oct 27 indicating the shipping of the DVR Set Top Box. It also stated that I can access the trial web site by going to the url »www.verizon.com/testtrack. When I attempt to login I get the following message "Validation Pending". Has any one else had this problem. It has been like this since I signed up.

said by hofs1 :

its seems to be working even on my orig DVR since i didnt receive the official test one yet. I viewed as few .avi from my home pc and it finally played them.

said by DGGSLF :

I received a STB from Verizon for the trial, hooked it up and everything works except the Internet Video streaming, which is what the trial is supposed to be for. Isn't that ironic? ;-)

I've reported the problem twice via the trial website and sent in two emails but so far, no support from the trial support team, not even a response to my emails. Anyone else have better luck getting support or getting the Internet video to stream successfully?

said by HenryFarpolo :

It has the video listing, but it will not play the streaming video unless you have the STB provided by the trial team.

said by msanta :

they said they were going to send me more information in a week, four weeks later and haven't heard from Verizon Video Trials yet. Is this normal?

said by AFX :

I've been waiting to :(

said by msanta :

I filled out the registration form, they sent my an email with a secret registration code and a link to validate my email. I clicked on the ink, validated my email, and they said they were going to send me more information in a week, four weeks later and haven't heard from Verizon Video Trials yet. Is this normal?

said by rpjoe :

i got a 6416-2 in the mail today and a welcome kit with instructions on how to dl the new media software and the vlc player. i activated the new stb but when i click on media manager with the tv remote it reads "no software found running" or something like that. cant access squat.

said by hobbes79 :

No, even the new one I got in the mail says QIP6416-2 on the front. Both 6XXX series.

mwangen, it was just a link I typed in, but I believe you have to be registered with the user trial for the link to work

said by hobbes79 :

This trial seems a little odd. I got a Media DVR with 6.89 SW through the mail. I installed the trial media manager software on my computer, and it works fine with the new box...

What's odd, is that it also streams just fine to the Media DVR I had in my living room all along! Here in Mass we just got the upgrade.

So no real need to send me the new box. A simple e-mail with a link to the trial media manager software would have worked just fine.

Works very well, though I don't like you can't pause or rewind the video files. Still, pretty sweet :-)

And I now have a Media DVR in my bedroom :-)

said by hobbes79 :

I installed the trial media manager software on my computer, and it works fine with the new box...

What's odd, is that it also streams just fine to the Media DVR I had in my living room all along!

said by Cogdis :

Hmm I signed up the same day as Klipko and haven't heard a word. I still get the validation message if I try to login. I wonder what the criteria is to be accepted.

said by klipko :

Oh well, I've got some nice microbews to help pass the time away.

said by as2higpark :

have you tried any of the features out yet? anything interesting? I signed up about a week ago too, interested to see what happens.

Also, anyone know if you have to replace one of your boxes with the new one, or if you can just add another TV on?

(I have two boxes currently, would be nice to just connect the test box to a 3rd TV)

said by lcrowe :

I signed up at the beginning of September and just received my new box yesterday. I have never received any confirmation from Verizon that I had been accepted for the trial or that the equipment was on the way. I did notice that if I go back to where I signed up it now lets me log in and see more information about the trial.

said by msanta :

I signed up five days ago and haven't received any confirmation or acknowledgement that they received my registration. How long does it take to receive the DVR? Do they let you know that they are sending you a new box?

said by Mark F :

The last thing we want is to have boxes for each type of internet streaming crowding our A/V cabinets- one for Blockbuster, one for Hulu, AOL, CBS, etc,

said by HenryFarpolo :

You can stream to your TV later this year with an X360 with a gold membership. You cannot with a PS3. The other choices to stream to your TV require a Netflix player or an LGBD300 Blu Ray player.

said by Baff :

Can stream Netflix to a TV with an X360 or PS3 too.

said by darcilicious :

Also, I wouldn't count on Verizon's "Internet video streaming" to deal with streaming from the likes of Netflix and Blockbuster as I'm pretty sure they require Microsoft-based software players. I'd be surprised if Verizon's box includes the necessary software.

Currently, that requires another set top box ["Roku" -ed], but, if Verizon enables streaming, no other box would be needed.

said by darcilicious :

You can also stream from Netflix to a computer (connected to a TV or not) -- works like a charm. No extra box, no extra stuff from Verizon.

said by Mark F :

Someone posted that the next Media Manager update should be available around Oct. 8th or so.

However, the availabilty of the software upgrade doesn't necessarily mean that we will be able to stream anything from the internet yet- a 6 minute video, a full length movie, or something in between- as the beta testing may still be going on. Maybe there will be more on the Media Manager download site later next week.
Mark F

said by kailua_style :

hello all, just want to understand this a little better and I apologize for the ignorance in advance...so we actually can backup our DVDs to hard drive and stream video from our computer to the tv? Is anyone using windows vista, because I can't even look at my pictures from my tv...something got to do with vista not compatable with verizon media....

said by riozilla :

I tested xVID, MP4, and several others and it worked fine.

said by Mark F :

The video streaming you speak of, internet-to-TV, is merely a pipe dream for now. But, you're far from alone in wanting this to happen.

said by riozilla :

I set it up and tested it this morning and since it uses the VLC player as it's rendering engine [...]

said by Frank :

I finally got in,...

only to get this message after submitting the final confirmation thing :mad:

Trial Closed

Thank you for your interest in the Verizon internet Trial.

Currently, this trial has reached it's limit for new participants. We encourage you to bookmark and visit this site on a regular basis as we will be conducting new product trials in the future

said by Swingerhead :

Im getting the same error. I though this video streaming from the computer was included on the latest update for those with the HD home media DVRs.

said by siersema :

I signed up and got my box today also. Quick setup and allowed me to watch YouTube on the big screen. Took my videos of the holidays and watch via the PC on the big screen. So far, it works as intended. Would love to see how 1.6 and channel realignment does for the box, but that is still months off.