Verizon FiOS → Have Fios Internet/Basic TV, Want QuantumTV - Questions!

hi guys,
A couple of years ago I had Fios installed for internet + phone. I only use the TV end on the basic service side (local channels etc) as I have Directv. Seeing as my Directv deal is almost up and Fios' TV offerings are comparable, I'm hoping to save some $ and upgrade to Quantum TV and drop the dish when the time comes.

My question is -- I provisioned my router on Fios so I didn't have to use the Actiontec (which I kept upstairs in a box lol). It's been a couple of years, but I followed the FAQ on here to call and have the ONT working for ethernet so I could use my own router.

If I go to Quantum TV, not having anything other than the bare minimum local/basic TV installed, how much of a deal is it for me to upgrade? Is it something I can self-install (something I'd greatly prefer) or do I have to have "professional installation" done at a higher cost?

Also, I've read if you have Quantum TV, the old Actiontec router they gave me wouldn't be compatible, so would I need my own router anymore if Verizon provides something decent along those lines?

Just trying to get a lay out on how much of an ordeal this would/wouldn't be in advance -- remembering I had called to get my own router working back when, and what kinds of things I'd need to do in order to upgrade my service from my current point.

Thanks again for your help.

You can stay on Ethernet provisioning if you upgrade. Your old, still in the box, Actiontec router will not work with Quantum...it requires a Rev I...but VZ will provide a replacement to you when you order since they will know you have an older version. You do not have to use the VZ provided router as your primary router if you do not prefer to do so, but you will need to have the Actiontec connected to bridge the MOCA and IP. (yes, there is apparently a technique to setup Quantum without a VZ router, but it takes some effort and you still need the Actiontec around in case you have a maintenance issue to get support)

Since you have existing FiOS service, you should be able to do a self-install with no issues. I did the Quantum self-install when I upgraded with no issues. As long as you follow the proscribed order for setting up the VMS first and then any IPC boxes, you should have similar results. My FiOS was already on Ethernet with a REV-I already in place so I made no changes there.

You will enjoy FiOS for your TV service. While DTV's pretty good in many respects, I was very pleased when I could finally get FiOS and move off the dish. I will warn you, however...the DTV folks are brutal to get off your back when you tell them to go away. They don't "get" the technology difference and will hound you to stay. (or come back) I finally had to tell them in no uncertain terms to put me on the "do not call list" and if I received another call, I would file a complaint. This was after about a dozen calls over about a week's time...

I think there might be a bit of confusion with the term "Quantum TV". You said you want the "bare minimum local/basic TV installed" but user "Buckingham" has responded about getting the FiOS Quantum VMS/IPC service which is the fancy DVR system with multiple tuners--not sure why anyone would pay the higher monthly cost for VMS/IPC DVR'ing when only getting local channels.

I think you guys may be not be talking about the same thing?

We are talking about the same thing. I have Directv with multiple DVRs right now, my Fios is for internet/phone only -- I have no Fios set-top boxes currently, just the basic coax element with 17 channels or whatever it is. I want to dump Directv when my contract ends and upgrade to Quantum TV instead.

Thanks Buckingham. So with doing a Quantum TV self-install, would there be anything I would need to do in regards to altering my current set-up (i.e. ethernet with my own router) beforehand? (i.e. get the Actiontec out and configure it for usage, etc.). It's been a few years since I had my own router configured, and I didn't know if what I did then was going to make this more complicated.

What I have now is ethernet from the ONT to my own router. Then Coax cables running to 3 TVs, without set-top boxes, just for the low-level basic Fios channels.

I'm prepared for the DTV hounding, but I've already tried calling to reduce my monthly bill several times and they haven't budged. It's just too expensive and Fios' channel line-up is as good or close to it, and it would be a considerable savings monthly to do so.

There are various configuration details for using the Actiontec bridged behind your router available here at this site in the FiOS FAQ in the left side menu of this forum. In a nutshell, you'll setup the VZ router to bridge between the Ethernet off your own router to the Coax in your home. The Actiontec will not be used as a "router" if you choose to do this. That said, unless you are doing some very heavy duty stuff, the Actiontec Rev I device is pretty decent and it may be simpler to just use it instead of what you are using now...you have choices.

first you have to see if its available in your area which the verizon.net site will tell you.

i would advise just doing it through chat support, that way you can tell them exactly what you want.

for instance when i ordered i only needed 2 VMS units, none of the IP boxes along with the newer router, thats exactly what they shipped.

once you get the router go and "sign up" for Fios Rewards, just click the button, you dont have to do any of their free marketing gimmicks they have listed(unless you want to) and your symmetrical speeds will be provisioned automatically.

the wording of the packages can be a bit confusing, just know theres only 6 tuner VMS', you either get 1 "enhanced" or 2 "premium" along with the streaming boxes for each if you want.

everything is self install. and while on with chat support ask them to switch your ONT to ethernet and tell them to just pass it along to their network team since none of the chat reps actually have the ability to do so, all you'll wind up doing is wasting a half hour of them "trying" before eventually issuing a ticket to the network team.

if you're lucky they'll contact a rep for you (i honestly wish there was a faster more direct option to do this, cause i expect even emailing they would say "this issue requires you to speak with someone on the phone so we can waste both you and our rep's time!"

1st: to change routers you will have to break the lease on your current router.
2nd: If you have basic Fios TV at all the locations already, then you won`t have to do
any rewiring.

You mention that you have multiple DVRs so most likely it makes sense to go with Quantum, but it`s still worth it to compare to non Quantum service based on your tuner and hard drive capacity needs. Just to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.

>>dursmania: We are talking about the same thing.

Oh good...'-}}

Maybe you are not aware, but for basic TV the quantum DVR/box will cost more than the actual service. You may try to get SelectHD for a lower price or even Prime (I think they call it preferred) but anything above Select has RSN fees.

If you are going to get soaked on the DVR's you should at least get some channels out of it.

Also it may be worth noting that current Verizon runs the locals still on Clear QAM so this opens up an opportunity to use lots of low cost solutions without needing even a cable card.

The OP has a basic TV package with Verizon now, along with DirecTV. They are dropping DirecTV in favor of Verizon's TV, so would be upgrading their basic service to something on par with what they had with DirecTV.

Exactly Gadgetboy, I apologize if that wasn't clearer.

I want to thank everyone for their comments. I'm just trying to figure out now what exactly I would need from Fios when I do this upgrade.

I had 2 other questions on this --

1. My Directv set-up is 2 DVRs, with a 3rd receiver (that can access the DVR recordings via ethernet). I have a Genie so there's a good amount of space and tuners. What would be an approximate, semi-equivalent Fios package for this?

2. As I said, my current "basic" Fios set up is:
-Using my own router for 75/25 internet (I called to have the ONT running ethernet instead of coaxial as it had been installed)
-Coaxial runs at my 3 TVs for the basic Fios TV service

When I do get the materials for the (presumably) self-install, if I decide to use the Fios router instead of my own (I figured I'd give it a chance to make it less complicated), would I just break the lease on my router? And then plug in the new Fios router for the install? Would I have to call to adjust anything else or should it install OK as I currently have my system working?

I only ask because when I installed my router to use the ethernet, I didn't know if that screwed something up so I'd have to re-adjust it if/when I upgraded the TV portion.

I do like my own router, but if a new Fios router would be decent with QuantumTV, I'd like to at least try it as others had recommended here before. If it makes it easier, it's worth a shot!

Again, I appreciate everyone's suggestions here. Truly appreciated

You won't have any issues connecting the new FiOS router they send you to your existing Ethernet connection. You will have to, as you said, break the lease with your old router and then connect the new FiOS router.

Great, thanks

the router doesn't impact the TV at all, other than supplying the guide info and its user accessability is about as bad as it can get, if you know how to manage your network, keep your own and put the Fios router behind it via one of the LAN ports

if you like having 2 separate STB's where you can have separate settings and recordings, then sign up for the Premium and ask for 1 IP box (if thats all you need)

also the ONT will push an IP no matter what, if you connect something else. if you still have issues, just unplug the ONT and the battery backup for about 10 seconds, plug everything back in

keep the fios router off till your router reboots, since even when you disable DHCP it still tries to supply IP's to everything

With DHCP turned off, it should not be trying to assign IPs to anything.

well it doesnt for the LAN ports(i cant even log in unless i factory reset) but the boxes still get IPs, cause ill occasionally see them with a supplied IP that isnt from my DLINK which has them locked by MAC address

can you screen cap the exact page to disable it completely?