Quickie: What HD Tivo must I buy for Verizon Fios and what do they need to bring??

[NJRonbo]

Going to order Verizon Fios.

I have one HD set and one standard set. Both need Tivo units
and I want each to record 2 shows at once.

This is what I plan to buy for the HD Tivo:

TiVo TCD652160 HD Digital Video Recorder

This is what I plan to buy for the SD Tivo:

TiVo TCD649080 Series2 80-Hour Dual-Tuner Digital Video Recorder


Firstly, are these the right Tivo units I need?

Secondly, how many cable cards (and specifically what kind) do I need
to ask the installers to bring in order to record two TV shows on each unit?

Thanks in advance for the help.

[classicsat]

You have the right one for the HD set. They need to bring cablecards for it.

For your second TV, the Series 2 DT will be a single tuner, since FIOS has no analog cable, which the second tuner needs. You will need a box.
If you want dual tuner, you will need a TiVo HD for that set also, with cablecards.

[tiassa]

I'm kind of new in Tivo-land, but I think that you should consider getting TIVO HD's for both TV's. I'm pretty sure that the Series 2's can't record 2 digital streams and FIOS is all digital, right? You could get a Series 3 for the SD set, but it would require 2 cable cards (cable cards come in 2 flavors Single stream "S-Cards" or Multi stream "M Cards" the Series 3 can't use M Cards, so you need two no matter what) in order to be able to record 2 things at once (or watching something while recording another), with the HD you would only need one M Card.

I'm pretty sure that you will save money by only using cable cards and not renting FIOS's cable boxes.

[NJRonbo]

Okay, I will buy two HD boxes.

Do I need the S or the M cards to record two shows at once?

Thanks for all the advice.

[ibud2020]

Don't listen too much to newbies. They will not foot the bills.

HD Tivo = 280.00 + tax Non HD 100.00 + tax

Activation subscription 130.00 a year for each unit= 260.00

Instalation of cards by Verizon around 75.00

4 cards 4x4 = 16.00 a month

If you comfortable with it and need to record so many programs at the same time go for it.

[bkdtv]

The Tivo Series2 does not directly support FiOS, because FiOS is an all-digital system with no analog channels.

As indicated above, you really need get a TivoHD for each TV. The TivoHD will work fine with your older SDTV. The TivoHD will downconvert HD channels through its SD outputs for use with older TVs.

The TivoHD is currently $219 @ Amazon.com. Edit: I see the price at Amazon just went up. At of the time I sent this message, you can still get the TivoHD for $208 shipped from 6ave.com using coupon code AFLTVO208. The TiVo subscription will cost you $129/yr (or $12.99/mo) for the first TivoHD and $99/yr (or $9.99/mo) for the second TivoHD.

With the TivoHD, one MCARD will support both tuners. If Verizon does not have MCARDs in your area, then you will need two of the older 'S' CableCards. Verizon FiOS is confirmed to offer MCARDs in:

Delaware
Portland, OR area
Seattle, WA area
Washington, DC area (Maryland / N. Virginia)

If you live in another area, MCARDs may or may not be available from Verizon. Verizon is rolling out MCARDs in markets as they run out of 'S' CableCards. Motorola discontinued production of the older 'S' CableCards back in March, and now manufactures MCARDs exclusively, so every market will get them as Verizon runs out of the older cards.

Each CableCard costs $3.99, regardless of what kind you get. Verizon's nationwide bundle price for 20/5 Internet and FiOS HD Extreme is $79.99. That includes around 250 SD channels and 60 HD channels. On top of that, you would pay 2x$3.99 = $7.98 for two MCARDs to support dual-tuner functionality in two separate TivoHD DVRs. Taxes would add another $3 to $6, depending on your municipality.

Installation of CableCards is free, provided it is done during your initial setup / installation. Verizon charges for subsequent "truck rolls" that do not involve a problem of some sort. Obviously, Verizon does not charge for a visit to fix a problem, should you have one.

[tiassa]

Okay, I will buy two HD boxes.

Do I need the S or the M cards to record two shows at once?

Thanks for all the advice.

With Tivo HD's you need one M card to record two things at once (or watch something live while recording something else), as bkdtv said most of the new cards should be M cards, however make sure that your Verizon installer knows that is what you want.

[sinanju]

CableCARD prices can be negotiated during the sign-up process. I get charged the standard CableCARD fee, but I also get an equal credit on each bill.

My strategy was to point out that Comcast only charged me $1.50 for a pair, and that was as high as I was willing to go with them. If they wanted me to switch, they'd have to match that. They went for free.

You will also want them to bring out a pile of attenuators. You'll need to play with them to fix the FiOS pixelation problem (look in this thread (http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=375011)). Make sure they leave a bunch behind in case you need to make adjustments.

[mcomer]

Verizon FiOS is confirmed to offer MCARDs in:

Delaware
Portland, OR area
Seattle, WA area
Washington, DC area (Maryland / N. Virginia)


I am having FIOS installed tomorrow in the metro Richmond, VA area. The phone rep told me "We will be bringing M cards - we don't have any of the S cards anymore".

Just another data point.

Matt

[bkdtv]

I am having FIOS installed tomorrow in the metro Richmond, VA area. The phone rep told me "We will be bringing M cards - we don't have any of the S cards anymore". Please post if you get a MCARD in Richmond, VA.