Tivo-HD w/ OTA now- add FIOS and still keep OTA for locals?

[penguinboy]

Hi all-

We have a Tivo HD set up with an OTA antenna on the roof- no cable or satellite. Fios just came to town and we're thinking of adding it. I know we can get the cable cards and save on the price of their monthly box rental. I also see they charge an additional $13 a month to get my locals (Boston area). My question is-

Can I get Fios with my Tivo-HD with cable cards to save on the box rental AND still use my OTA to get my locals in HD and will the Tivo see the OTA and put the listings in the guide and allow me to record programs from that AND the FIOS service as well?

For those who have FIOS- Is there a verizon guide that streams through the TIVO? How does it work?

Hoping the answer to this is yes, as I just can't see us paying $13 a month for something we enjoy for free now....

Thanks!

-Danny

[rainwater]

Yes, the TiVo HD will work great with Fios and OTA at the same time. Both lineups will be integrated into the same guide. There's no "guide" to stream from verizon as it is all integrated on the TiVo. All you have to do is uncheck any duplicate channels in the channel list if you don't want to have the same channels show up twice in the guide and searches.

[penguinboy]

Rainwater- are you serious?! It's that easy? I thought I'd need some advanced electrical engineering degree to make this work! That's awesome! Thanks for the response- I think this will help ensure that with the $13 a month savings, we'll surely be getting the FIOS!

-Danny

[bkdtv]

We have a Tivo HD set up with an OTA antenna on the roof- no cable or satellite. Fios just came to town and we're thinking of adding it. I know we can get the cable cards and save on the price of their monthly box rental. I also see they charge an additional $13 a month to get my locals (Boston area).Verizon FiOS does not charge extra for locals. They have three basic packages.

Locals only -- $12.99/mo


Essentials -- $47.99/mo

Includes locals, SD versions of most cable channels, music channels


Extreme HD - $57.99/mo

Includes everything in Essentials (including SD and HD locals), 16 additional SD channels, 14 sports channels, and a minimum of 41 additional cable HD channels
Most customers opt to get the bundle of FiOS Extreme HD and 20/5 Internet for $79.99/mo. This requires your choice of a one-year or two-year service commitment.

If you have Verizon phone service or cell service, they have a bundle with that too.

Can I get Fios with my Tivo-HD with cable cards to save on the box rental AND still use my OTA to get my locals in HD and will the Tivo see the OTA and put the listings in the guide and allow me to record programs from that AND the FIOS service as well?Yes, the TiVo will integrate cable and OTA channels into a single guide. That said, you will get local SD and HD channels from FiOS regardless, because that is included with FiOS HD Extreme.

On the channel list, you check which antenna and cable channels you want to see in the guide, as shown below:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/channelist.jpg

For those who have FIOS- Is there a verizon guide that streams through the TIVO? How does it work?During TiVo setup, you select whether you want to download guide updates using ethernet, wireless, or a phone line. Guide updates are downloaded from TiVo's servers during the early morning hours. Every channel will get 14 days of program information.

If you want to learn more about the TiVo, you might want to see this TivoHD summary and FAQ (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11126048&postcount=2).

[penguinboy]

BKTV-

Fantastic info! Thanks!

I'm online now trying to price out my options for internet and TV. I see you have to choose a STB when ordering online. Plus we have an old TV in the bedroom that we don't need anything fancy on- just the digital adapter I think. I guess I'll be calling direct, as I can't order that online.

Any suggestions to drive the best package deal when calling?

-Danny

[aaronwt]

it depends on the locality. there is no locals only option in our area per county regulations.

Verizon FiOS does not charge extra for locals. They have three basic packages.

Locals only -- $12.99/mo


Essentials -- $47.99/mo

Includes locals, SD versions of most cable channels, music channels


Extreme HD - $57.99/mo

Includes everything in Essentials (including SD and HD locals), 16 additional SD channels, 14 sports channels, and a minimum of 41 additional cable HD channels
Most customers opt to get the bundle of FiOS Extreme HD and 20/5 Internet for $79.99/mo. This requires your choice of a one-year or two-year service commitment.

If you have Verizon phone service or cell service, they have a bundle with that too.

Yes, the TiVo will integrate cable and OTA channels into a single guide. That said, you will get local SD and HD channels from FiOS regardless, because that is included with FiOS HD Extreme.

On the channel list, you check which antenna and cable channels you want to see in the guide, as shown below:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/TiVo/channelist.jpg

During TiVo setup, you select whether you want to download guide updates using ethernet, wireless, or a phone line. Guide updates are downloaded from TiVo's servers during the early morning hours. Every channel will get 14 days of program information.

If you want to learn more about the TiVo, you might want to see this TivoHD summary and FAQ (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showpost.php?p=11126048&postcount=2).

[DeWitt]

My only advice for FIOS is to call them directly. Not only are there things you need to order that can't be ordered online (Cablecards for instance) but they seem to have a lot of trouble with their online ordering system.

I recommend two calls, one to negotiate and get it all set up, then call again before your scheduled install to verify what is planned is what you ordered.

In my deal they gave me an HD DVR for 1 year free so I took it just for fun and comparison on a second TV. As soon as the one year is up I will replace it with another Tivo.

And for the record I have both OTA and Fios configured. It really was as simple as described. Works great too. However, unlike when I had an HD Directv tivo, I can not tell the difference in quality between the OTA signals and FIOS. So... although I don't really need the OTA it just makes me smile to know I have it and it is Free!