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View Full Version : Considering S3 for FIOS - HD Pic Quality?

JfNebraska
09-27-2006, 06:35 PM
I have had my HR10-250 (D* HD Tivo) for well over a year and have had other D* tivos for five years or more. Though I'm satisfied with the HD picture from the HR10-250, I have to say that, except for HDNet, the HD channels just do not look as vivid, colorful, and sharp as the OTA HD I get. CBS HD OTA in the LA area is particularly beautiful. It's enough to get a guy to watch total shlock, like Cold Case.

Is there now a broad consensus that the picture quality of HD over FIOS is better than HD over D*? If so, I think it may be time for me to make the big switch and buy myself an S3.

Thanks for the input
JfNebraska
09-28-2006, 12:11 PM
Bump.

Not a single opinion on this?
snathanb
09-28-2006, 12:15 PM
I have had my HR10-250 (D* HD Tivo) for well over a year and have had other D* tivos for five years or more. Though I'm satisfied with the HD picture from the HR10-250, I have to say that, except for HDNet, the HD channels just do not look as vivid, colorful, and sharp as the OTA HD I get. CBS HD OTA in the LA area is particularly beautiful. It's enough to get a guy to watch total shlock, like Cold Case.

Is there now a broad consensus that the picture quality of HD over FIOS is better than HD over D*? If so, I think it may be time for me to make the big switch and buy myself an S3.

Thanks for the input

What I can tell you is that D* doesn't broadcast full HD... that's why the OTA version look much better. I'm jaded enough with them to believe that's why they just shipped thier new HD DVR with the OTA tuner disabled. Perhaps they don't want people able to do a side-by-side comparison of the same content.

Anyway... from what I've heard, FIOS has plenty 'o bandwidth and has no reason to compress their broadcasts.
classicX
09-28-2006, 12:16 PM
D*'s HD is heavily compressed. FIOS, as I have heard, is uncompressed from the source. So yes, it would probably look better.

But even if it were the same, if FIOS TV were available to me, I would take it. You get a LOT more channels for LESS money than D* or cable.

If FIOS were in NJ, I'd jump ship so fast that I'd be miles away before the cable company even heard the splash.
Dmon4u
09-28-2006, 12:17 PM
I think the consensus is that - YES, FiOS is the place to be for the best HDTV !

There's a huge thread ( http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=590208 ) to check out that has many positive comments about this.

* And, they are Cablecard compliant.
snathanb
09-28-2006, 12:22 PM
We were one of the inital markets for FIOS, unfortunately I live just outside the range from where they install.

But everyone I know that has it just ecstatic about the service offerings, from both the TV and Broadband perspective, especially considering the pricing.

It's almost enough to make me move into another neighborhood to get it.
classicX
09-28-2006, 12:33 PM
It's almost enough to make me move into another neighborhood to get it.

Let's just say that if I were in the market for a new house, I would definitely concentrate my search on FiOS areas.

Too bad they only have internet in NJ, and I don't want to move back to NY.
bkdtv
09-28-2006, 12:54 PM
Is there now a broad consensus that the picture quality of HD over FIOS is better than HD over D*?
Yes, PQ on FiOS was a big step up from D* for me.
jauburn
09-28-2006, 02:23 PM
What the hell is D*?

Maybe if you typed whole words we could understand you.
Dmon4u
09-28-2006, 02:24 PM
You may want to check out the FiOS Cablecard thread ( http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=315826 ) to see what problems have been reported. Again, to me, they look a little better off in this regard in comparison to the Cable company threads.
jfh3
09-28-2006, 02:34 PM
What the hell is D*?


D* is a very common abbreviation for DirecTV.
Just as E* is for Echostar/Dish Network
joegarrett
09-28-2006, 02:44 PM
What the hell is D*?

Maybe if you typed whole words we could understand you.

Maybe if you read a few more threads you'd know "What the hell D* is!" :rolleyes:
Ken7
09-28-2006, 03:09 PM
Yes FIOS HD is a big improvement. I had/have both services and FIOS is clearly superior. Better picture, more HD...can't ask for more than that.
DTG
09-28-2006, 04:57 PM
Let's just say that if I were in the market for a new house, I would definitely concentrate my search on FiOS areas.

Too bad they only have internet in NJ, and I don't want to move back to NY.
Verizon is supposed to introduce FIOS TV support in NJ in December. I think I read that their initial goal was to be operational in 40% of NJ. :D
classicX
09-29-2006, 07:36 AM
What the hell is D*?

Maybe if you typed whole words we could understand you.

Maybe if you just asked "What is D*?" we wouldn't think your a wanker. Don't assume that just because you don't know what D* is, that we don't either.


Verizon is supposed to introduce FIOS TV support in NJ in December. I think I read that their initial goal was to be operational in 40% of NJ.

Yum. Now if only they would run fiber to my neighborhood... does anyone know if they are running fiber to new homes with all of the wiring underground? I'd hate to have them pass me by because we don't have above-ground poles.

Is DTG short for dartagnan?
bkdtv
09-29-2006, 08:23 AM
Yum. Now if only they would run fiber to my neighborhood... does anyone know if they are running fiber to new homes with all of the wiring underground? I'd hate to have them pass me by because we don't have above-ground poles.
Yes, FiOS does wiring underground as well. However, during the winter months, there isn't much work done below ground, so if they haven't completed your area before November or December, then chances are you won't see FiOS before next spring.
JfNebraska
09-29-2006, 11:42 AM
Well... this thread just became a moot point.

I had assumed that FiOS was, or would soon be, available in the Bay Area. We're normally at the leading edge of these sorts of infrastructure improvements. I was just informed, by Verizon, that AT&T apparently has the rights to most of our market and there's no chance of getting FiOS any time soon.

Especially in light of the posts above, that news is really disappointing. I just feel that D* (and, yes, it is a very common abbreviation, thank you) HD is a bit lacking. Maybe I'd be happier with Comcast, but I fear the difference will be marginal and, given that I already have an HR10-250 and two (or is it three?) D* SDTivos, it's probably not worth the cost to switch to Series 3 and Comcast.

Maybe, when I make my next move, I'll figure out that the monthly savings of combining TV and internet access through Comcast will ultimately makeup for the cost of a new Series 3. Then again, I think the pic. quality of the analog cable channels from Comcast is substantially inferior to the same channels on D*. It's gonna be a tough call.

Thanks to all for the input.