OK, made a mistake on Red Zone - actually I don't care about it because I still have D* for NFL Sunday Ticket (friends pitch in to pay - otherwise I would drop them!). And as for internet speed, most modern computers can handle speeds faster than my 20/5 so not sure about your comment on that.
Stay with Fios or go back to DTV?
- Thread starter qposner
- Start date
- Latest activity Latest activity:
- Replies 59
- Views 8K
- Status
OK, made a mistake on Red Zone - actually I don't care about it because I still have D* for NFL Sunday Ticket (friends pitch in to pay - otherwise I would drop them!). And as for internet speed, most modern computers can handle speeds faster than my 20/5 so not sure about your comment on that.
See I don't have an issue with Verizons Internet, or channel line up.
What I do have a problem with is their Equipment, Landline service, and customer service. And Myself and 98% of any possible Fios customers , are not going to pay Tivo a monthly fee, as well as Buy all of our own equipment from Tivo. Just to have a better HD line up.
I see about 2-3 people on this entire forum that really stand behind Verizon. Yet none have showed me a Current bill. Your post is the closest thing I got to it, But still doesn't show the whole story. I want a cut a paste bill, From Fios. I want to see how they charge for all their phone call's, The tivo equipment charges.
I've see all that a million times from Dish Network and Directv. But Never Fios!
Location is also a major factor with the verizon service as well. Not an issue with satellite. Verizon has 20 different channel linups. E* and D* have 1.
With Verizon you never know what your going to get. Been that way since day 1 with their phone service.
I did essentially cut and paste my bill, it was harder to show the detailed information because you need to click for details (and I didn't fill like giving the entire world my home address, phone, and account numbers!). Anyway, what follows is an edited version with pesonal information removed of my real bill:
Verizon
Account # xxxxxxxxxxxx Phone # xxx-xxxx-xxxxx
My Bill for: 11-12-2009
Account Summary
Previous Charges
Amount of last bill $195.79
Payment received on Oct 26 . Thank you. -$195.79
Balance Forward $0.00
New Charges
Verizon Charges $39.21
Verizon Online Charges $40.99
FiOS TV Charges $118.96
Verizon Long Distance Charges $0.00
Total New Charges dueDec 9 $199.16
Total Amount Due $199.16
Do not send payment. You are enrolled in Verizon's
Direct Payment Option. The total due will be charged
to your credit card on Nov 24.
Messages
Online billing customers should always check their bills each month even if they don't receive a notification message
This online bill may not contain all legal, regulatory or marketing messages that are on your paper bill.
Personalized Messages The detail of this message is available at the bottom of entire bill printout.
Important Messages
The detail of this message is available at the bottom of entire bill printout.
How Your Charges are Billed The detail of this message is available at the bottom of entire bill printout.
How to Reach Us
Internet and Phone Numbers
Visit verizon.com 24 hours a day or call 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)
Enter your ten digit number xxx-xxx-xxxx
Use 065 if asked for the three digits following your account number.
Billing Questions and Bill Balance - say 'Billing' or press '1'
Amount of Payment Due or Payment Arrangements - say 'Payment' or press '1'
24 Hour Repair or Technical Support - say 'Repair and Tech Support ' or press '2'
To Order New Products - say 'New Products' or press '3'
For Pending Orders - say 'Order Status' or press '4'
Preguntas de Pagos verizon.com/movingcenter or 1-800-801-4008
END OF BILL
-- There are no additional charges for long distance. As for customer service, it has improved dramatically - I have no problems with them. In fact, I was able to swap equipment (for a trade up, not a problem) via internet transactions. The new equipment was delivered via UPS in 2 days and the returned equipment was credited to my account 2 days after that.
As for equipment, you have the option of getting TiVo, you aren't forced into it. The Motorola whole house DVR is decent even though it lacks capacity but with on-demand you don't really need to record as much.
Anyway, there you go, I think FiOs is an excellent alternative to both D* and E* and urge folks to give it try if is available.
Verizon
Account # xxxxxxxxxxxx Phone # xxx-xxxx-xxxxx
My Bill for: 11-12-2009
Account Summary
Previous Charges
Amount of last bill $195.79
Payment received on Oct 26 . Thank you. -$195.79
Balance Forward $0.00
New Charges
Verizon Charges $39.21
Verizon Online Charges $40.99
FiOS TV Charges $118.96
Verizon Long Distance Charges $0.00
Total New Charges dueDec 9 $199.16
Total Amount Due $199.16
Do not send payment. You are enrolled in Verizon's
Direct Payment Option. The total due will be charged
to your credit card on Nov 24.
Messages
Online billing customers should always check their bills each month even if they don't receive a notification message
This online bill may not contain all legal, regulatory or marketing messages that are on your paper bill.
Personalized Messages The detail of this message is available at the bottom of entire bill printout.
Important Messages
The detail of this message is available at the bottom of entire bill printout.
How Your Charges are Billed The detail of this message is available at the bottom of entire bill printout.
How to Reach Us
Internet and Phone Numbers
Visit verizon.com 24 hours a day or call 1-800-VERIZON (1-800-837-4966)
Enter your ten digit number xxx-xxx-xxxx
Use 065 if asked for the three digits following your account number.
Billing Questions and Bill Balance - say 'Billing' or press '1'
Amount of Payment Due or Payment Arrangements - say 'Payment' or press '1'
24 Hour Repair or Technical Support - say 'Repair and Tech Support ' or press '2'
To Order New Products - say 'New Products' or press '3'
For Pending Orders - say 'Order Status' or press '4'
Preguntas de Pagos verizon.com/movingcenter or 1-800-801-4008
END OF BILL
-- There are no additional charges for long distance. As for customer service, it has improved dramatically - I have no problems with them. In fact, I was able to swap equipment (for a trade up, not a problem) via internet transactions. The new equipment was delivered via UPS in 2 days and the returned equipment was credited to my account 2 days after that.
As for equipment, you have the option of getting TiVo, you aren't forced into it. The Motorola whole house DVR is decent even though it lacks capacity but with on-demand you don't really need to record as much.
Anyway, there you go, I think FiOs is an excellent alternative to both D* and E* and urge folks to give it try if is available.
My bill with FIOS getting everything they have is 164 a month. This includes ALL premiums, and the sheer number of them puts all other services to shame. But I own 2 tivoHD units and lifetime service on each. YES unlimited local and long distance. Another factor is that all the channels are unencrypted. The programming comes into my home and it is MINE to do with as I please. The service has also been 100% rock solid. During the recent tropical storm here D* would have been out for 3 days straight. IMO, after experiencing FIOS, D* and E* pizza pan services are not real TV providers, just expensive time consuming hobbies. Say how many years has D* been beta testing that loser HD DVR series they have?
I agree with you about FIOS TV if you're primarily a preimum movie fan and probably most of the other nat'l HD channels available.
If you're primarily a sports fan, different story, imo. DTV leads the pack, no VS notwithstanding. They just have more overall sports offerings than the other services.
It all depends on your primary interests. As others have mentioned here, no service provides the best of all categories of programming.
I have FIOS phone and 'net svc. No complaints and my 'net 20/5 svc is great, far better than the DSL that I had previously. I can add FIOS TV down the road if things change with DTV but for now, I'm too much of a sports fan to go with another provider.
If you're primarily a sports fan, different story, imo. DTV leads the pack, no VS notwithstanding. They just have more overall sports offerings than the other services.
It all depends on your primary interests. As others have mentioned here, no service provides the best of all categories of programming.
I have FIOS phone and 'net svc. No complaints and my 'net 20/5 svc is great, far better than the DSL that I had previously. I can add FIOS TV down the road if things change with DTV but for now, I'm too much of a sports fan to go with another provider.
We have both FIOS and DirecTV in an attempt to compare them and decide whether to dump DirecTV. DirecTV has much better HD DVRs, with better remotes (can be coded-not so on FIOS), greater hard disk capacity (and can be hacked for more) and better (more) sports.
FIOS is much better at everything else: price, picture, sound, does not quit in thunderstorms (a problem in North Texas), needs fewer wires (we have older HR 21s and a 5 LNB dish), networking media, etc. And, even though the FIOS DVRs suck, they are much faster on channel changes and mode switching. FIOS never compresses their HD signal, either. When FIOS says you are getting HD, you get HD, 1920 by 1080, not HD Lite by DirecTV.
All things considered, the advice you already have is good: for sports, particularly for national pro subscriptions and exotic locals, and if the DVR comparison is a big deal for you, go DirecTV. Otherwise, FIOS is a clear winner.
The other things we like about FIOS are that they have no fee for insuring boxes which do not work, and they do not have deceptive "service commitments" for hooking up new boxes. FIOS does have commitments for locking in packages, but if you get a new box it does not extend you, and you do not have to pay for replacements. Oh, and that stupid "HD plus" that D* makes you pay for, with HD NET movies and MGM, etc.? No fee from FIOS, and no special fee for HD.
Although I like the D* DVRs better, I find I seldom use the longer buffers and increased disk capacity anyway. For most people, FIOS is better. Oh, and FIOS HAS VERSUS.
Lastly, we have a FIOS "Triple Play" package, which gives us an enormous price advantage for combining phone, internet and TV. They told me I'd get 20/15 internet speeds. In fact we are getting 25/20. The terrific FIOS internet is something we already had, and could have with DirecTV, but with the FIOS combination packages, the internet is virtually "free," a good plus. We have four DVRS and also streaming Netflix and Slingboxes-we've never had a bandwidth problem.
FIOS is much better at everything else: price, picture, sound, does not quit in thunderstorms (a problem in North Texas), needs fewer wires (we have older HR 21s and a 5 LNB dish), networking media, etc. And, even though the FIOS DVRs suck, they are much faster on channel changes and mode switching. FIOS never compresses their HD signal, either. When FIOS says you are getting HD, you get HD, 1920 by 1080, not HD Lite by DirecTV.
All things considered, the advice you already have is good: for sports, particularly for national pro subscriptions and exotic locals, and if the DVR comparison is a big deal for you, go DirecTV. Otherwise, FIOS is a clear winner.
The other things we like about FIOS are that they have no fee for insuring boxes which do not work, and they do not have deceptive "service commitments" for hooking up new boxes. FIOS does have commitments for locking in packages, but if you get a new box it does not extend you, and you do not have to pay for replacements. Oh, and that stupid "HD plus" that D* makes you pay for, with HD NET movies and MGM, etc.? No fee from FIOS, and no special fee for HD.
Although I like the D* DVRs better, I find I seldom use the longer buffers and increased disk capacity anyway. For most people, FIOS is better. Oh, and FIOS HAS VERSUS.
Lastly, we have a FIOS "Triple Play" package, which gives us an enormous price advantage for combining phone, internet and TV. They told me I'd get 20/15 internet speeds. In fact we are getting 25/20. The terrific FIOS internet is something we already had, and could have with DirecTV, but with the FIOS combination packages, the internet is virtually "free," a good plus. We have four DVRS and also streaming Netflix and Slingboxes-we've never had a bandwidth problem.
The Final Word...
To summarize what everyone has mentioned:
Picture - FiOS
Price - FiOS
Reliability - FiOS
Service - FiOS
HD - FiOS
Movies - FiOS
Sports - D*
HD DVR - D* (however, if you get a TivoHD or MoxiHD then FiOS)
Compared to E*:
Picture - FiOS
Price - FiOS
Reliability - FiOS
Service - FiOS
HD - FiOS
Movies - FiOS
Sports - Tie
HD DVR - E*
To summarize what everyone has mentioned:
Picture - FiOS
Price - FiOS
Reliability - FiOS
Service - FiOS
HD - FiOS
Movies - FiOS
Sports - D*
HD DVR - D* (however, if you get a TivoHD or MoxiHD then FiOS)
Compared to E*:
Picture - FiOS
Price - FiOS
Reliability - FiOS
Service - FiOS
HD - FiOS
Movies - FiOS
Sports - Tie
HD DVR - E*
E* and D* are not available in my grandmother's condo and millions of people do not have line-of-sight access or simply don't want a dish on their homes. Plus, since most people move within 5-years they can always move to a FiOS area.
Given the choices of FiOS or D*...with the exception of Sports FiOS TV is usually the better choice.
That doesn't mean its not available. Trees can be cut, Condos can have satellites on their roof.E* and D* are not available in my grandmother's condo and millions of people do not have line-of-sight access or simply don't want a dish on their homes. Plus, since most people move within 5-years they can always move to a FiOS area.
Given the choices of FiOS or D*...with the exception of Sports FiOS TV is usually the better choice.
MDU Packages are available .
Just because you don't want a dish on your roof , Doesn't mean it not available.
Anywhere you move in the USA is a Directv and Dishnetwork area.
would never move to a place where i could not have a dish or 12 around. LOL. Plus, since most people move within 5-years they can always move to a FiOS area.
.
Sports: DTV vs E: Tie? Interested in someone in the 'know' to post details. If I'm not mistaken DTV is ahead of Dish in sports, regardless of the "Vs" issue. Does Dish carry the major pro sports pkgs? I know that Dish doesn't have ST but how about the other ones? I read somewhere either here or on the other forum that Dish does carry NHL CI but doesn't have the # of HD feeds (and/or total gms) that DTV has in that pkg. Does DIsh carry MLB EI?
You guys are right about one big advantage of the satt carriers....CONUS footprint. Available anywhere except for the line of sight and some renters/condo landlord rules.
You guys are right about one big advantage of the satt carriers....CONUS footprint. Available anywhere except for the line of sight and some renters/condo landlord rules.
Currently have Directv and thinking about upgrading to HD. Are their any offers I can request or expect from Directv other than only charging me $49 for new HD satellite dish
If you also need new HD receivers they DirecTV will upgrade your dish and any switches for free. If you're a long time/good customer they sometimes offer free HD receivers or $99 HD DVR's, check online on your account or call and ask.
It's NOT available if people have no line-of-sight, no access to common areas, or don't want some chuckleheads drilling a pizza pan into their roofs. Additionally, I have attached a listing of Virginia streets that are getting fiber-to-the-premise during December. Similar lists probably exist for the other states where Verizon does business...but it's not going to happen overnight.
Regardless, the OP is asking for comparison data between D* and V* so both are available options. Stating that FiOS is not an option for you does not help answer the OP's questions.
Unless the OP places a premium on Sports and hates Tivo, the FiOS TV product is the superior product in every other way.
Claiming Fios is the NATIONAL HD LEADER is also not helping anyone. Because thats false information. Last time I checked National means Across the Nation.
Fios doesn't even cover a fraction of the nation.
And your reasons for claiming Satellite isn't national are invalid excuses by a Fios Customer.
Satellite can be had in 100% of the USA.
Because you don't want a Dish on your roof , doesn't mean its not available.
Because you live in the city, doesn't mean its not available.
Don't you find it strange that maybe a handfull of topics are about Fios in ANY forums? Because NO ONE HAS FIOS!.
Again Directv and Dishnetwork are Available across the nation , and they both have the most NATIONAL HD channels in the USA.
Fios doesn't even compair in coverage areas.
By the way Fios was supposted to come to North Eastern Pa By December of 2009. Not a Peep has happend. What a surprise!
Well not really.
Satellite Service is available to the ConUS. Not %100 percent of the people.
FIOS, like Comcast is available on Nationwide footprint. It may not be ConUS but it is technically nationally.
I don't get the rest of why you guys are arguing, seems pointless to me. I still have both services until the end of the month and side by side PQ and HD count Verizon wins. Depending upon whether you want HD sports all day Directv wins. Depending up you HD equipment it's a toss up on what the better deal is.
Wow, people seem excitable about this. Seems to me that the original summary was correct, subject to wildly differing opinions, of course: DirecTV is better for sports and has more versatile DVRs. FIOS does not compress picture or sound, and most think picture and sound are better, is more reliable in bad weather and costs less, IF you bundle FIOS services, and IF you can get FIOS.
Originally, in our neighborhood, when FIOS became available, an unofficial homeowners association poll indicated that more people dumped what was then Comcast and satellite and went to FIOS than the number who kept whatever service they were on.
I am still waffling and have both, FIOS in one room and D* in the rest of the house. My dislike for the FIOS DVRs is so intense that I'll have to buy TiVos and get cablecards if I want to switch completely and be happy, and it will take me a little over a year to ammortize the cost of buying the boxes. At least I'll OWN the boxes and Verizon will not add a service commitment for hooking them up.
I don't think it's an easy choice, and the same choice does not work for everyone.
Originally, in our neighborhood, when FIOS became available, an unofficial homeowners association poll indicated that more people dumped what was then Comcast and satellite and went to FIOS than the number who kept whatever service they were on.
I am still waffling and have both, FIOS in one room and D* in the rest of the house. My dislike for the FIOS DVRs is so intense that I'll have to buy TiVos and get cablecards if I want to switch completely and be happy, and it will take me a little over a year to ammortize the cost of buying the boxes. At least I'll OWN the boxes and Verizon will not add a service commitment for hooking them up.
I don't think it's an easy choice, and the same choice does not work for everyone.
- Status
