I have made another update.

EDIT ON 4/12/06, 3:45 - There was a software release today for the problem with 5.1 sound being passed through the optical cable while using the HDMI cable. It has been fixed and is now passing 5.1 sound through the optical cable with HDMI being used as the video connection. One thing I also seem to notice is the remote is now more responsive. For example, before when hitting the fast forward buttom twice to go fast through the commercials, the box would take a while to catch up with what it is suppose to be doing. When you hit play it sometimes kept going. As of right now, it is working very well and doing what it is suppose to.

Another thing that has happened the past few weeks is the DVR was missing recordings. I can count five of the top of my head that it has failed to record. I am hoping today's fix corrected whatever was causing the DVR from forgetting to record the timers.

another update.

EDIT ON 4/20/06, 9:05 - HD Net has been added. To follow up on the software update. The PVR is working well now. Has not missed a recording since the update and the sensitivity of the remote is now much much better. Things keep looking very bright for FiOS TV. I also noticed my first sports blackout tonight. On ESPN 2 HD, the Devil Rays were playing the Red Sox. I do not like the way the blackouts are handled. At first I thought ESPN 2 was not working until it clicked in my head that it was a blackout. If you try to flip to a channel that has a blackout, the previous channel you were on will just freeze. No alert that it is a blackout. It just freezes.

Interesting

That HDNET was added and ESPN2 had a blackout, that goes hand in hand - as the reason HDNET was not on was due to the ability to do Sports Blackouts which was being worked out - not just with HDNET but all Sports Channels.

Instead of a NOC in each market FIOS uses 2 NOC's nationwide (Super Head Ends) which was the holdup on local blackouts. Apparently they are just killing the signal in markets and/or zipcodes as you state and the channel acts like it was never there.

I was lead to believe that they had a more elegant solution of program replacement forthcoming - so unless they weren't ready for that yet and had to obey the blackout rules, this might be their temporary solution.

Anyone know when South Tampa in Hillsborough will get it going? Already have the fiber laid for Internet several months now, but really want to get the TV hooked up. They said they'll call

they are suppose to turn on my areas very soon.

Tampa Tribune in an article earlies this week, that they have another meeting before city council in May on the 11th, I believe, so I think there is light at the end of the tunnel.

I'm with you - can't wait for FIOS TV to become available in RI. Have you heard any estimates on how long it will take for Verizon to get the OK for TV service? Presently have Cox (for the Red Sox in HD)), and DirecTV (only for TV at our cabin in VT).

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Bruce

I have 1 more year on my Dish contract ----- I sure hope Verizon FIOS TV gets up and running in my area of Oregon by then. I was with Dish for years BUT they have really gone DOWNhill customer wise and I want out --- would almost pay more for Cable than stay with Dish.

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"I STINK - therefore - I AM!"

guess "your results may vary"... i am switching from E* tomorrow and my monthly cost will go down almost $15:

Current monthly costs (E*):
DISHNET LOCAL PACKAGE 8.99
DISH NETWORK DVR SERVICEFEE 0.0
DIGITAL HOME PLAN WITH AMERICA'S EVERYTHING PAK 104.99
4 RCVRS (one 811, two sd dvrs, one 301) 0.0
CBS HIGH DEFINITION WEST 0.0
DISH NETWORK HD PACKAGE 9.99
HD PROMOTION - ADJUSTMENT -5.00
========
Account Charges $ 118.97
Taxes STATE/LOCAL TAX (SALES/GROSS RECEIPTS) $7.84
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Total $126.81

New monthly costs (FIOSTV):
$34.95 premier (w/$5 bundle discount)
$12.95 x2 HD DVR
$3.95 x2 Std STB
$14.95 Movies+Sports
$14.95 HBO
$13.33 taxes
======
Total $111.98

i will no longer be getting the 5 cinemax channels, but will be getting 64 premium movie channes (HBO, SHOW, TMC, STARZ, ENC) as opposed to only 42 with E*. i will be getting more HD channels, including the local RSN HD channel.

The only channels i will be losing that matter to me are OLN and NHL Center Ice... but i asked & was told they should have those by the start of the next hockey season... we'll see.

i will be replacing an 811 hd receiver with a dual tuner HD dvr without having to pay an upfront 'lease fee' of $149, and also without having to commit for another 18 months.

throw in the much better picture quality and it's just no contest in my case.

Yep, it depends. I signed up for DishHD Platinum, vice a lesser programming package, simply because I have two HD DVRs and both 5.99 DVR fees would be waived with Platinum - it's only a few bucks less for DishHD Gold. I would wind up paying another $3 if I ordered FiOS TV with all the premium channels (HBO and MAX are the big ticket combo at $24.95), but I will save something like $22 by ordering the Movies & Sports Pac (SHOHD, TMCHD, StarzHD) and dumping HBO and MAX (which I never watch). I would not miss VOOM-Lite or any of the other DishHD-Lite channels.