sws123
join:2009-11-04
Middletown, NJ
| Fios Cheapest basic box?
Hi,
Just had Fios installed yesterday, and received 2 basic boxes and 1 hd boxes, the bad news is I have 5 bedrooms all with old analog TV's. Can I get something that is a converter so that they can watch some of the channels without having to pay like $4-5 per month to Fios to rent the box. This is something that makes Fios more expensive than my old comcast service, which the old TV's would work connected to cable.
Stephen |
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matcarl
join:2007-03-09
Franklin Square, NY | Cheapest box is the Digital Adapter at $3.99. |
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darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
 ·Verizon FIOS
 ·Comcast
| reply to sws123
There are the smallest digital converters that don't have a guide or an VOD service but are meant specifically to work with older analog TVs. It's $3.99/mo.
This is something that makes Fios more expensive than my old comcast service, which the old TV's would work connected to cable. Not for much longer. Comcast is converting to digital (Vz has already done this) and only the local channels will be available in analog through 2012. |
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wmcbrine
Touched by His Noodly Appendage
join:2002-12-30
Laurel, MD
| reply to sws123
A clear QAM tuner would get you the locals, plus the music channels. Unfortunately I'm not aware of such a device being sold, outside of new TVs, or as tuners for computers.
If you'd signed up for Fios back when they still offered analog service, they gave you up to three of those digital adapters for free when they made the transition. But now it's too late to get them free. 
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
 ·Bay Area Internet ..
| said by wmcbrine  :A clear QAM tuner would get you the locals, plus the music channels. Unfortunately I'm not aware of such a device being sold, outside of new TVs, or as tuners for computers. External Clear QAM tuners do exist.
»www.epvision.com/HDTVSTB/phd101main.htm
»www.ecost.com/detail.aspx?edp=42···67062912
These units are clear QAM only and do not support cable cards. |
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darcilicious
Cyber Librarian
Premium
join:2001-01-02
Forest Grove, OR
·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
| reply to wmcbrine
said by wmcbrine : Unfortunately I'm not aware of such a device being sold, outside of new TVs, or as tuners for computers. Yes, there are clear QAM tuners for computers. Hauppauge has a few of them, there's HD Homerun and other brands as well. |
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Light Guy
join:2006-05-12
Somerville, NJ
| reply to wmcbrine
said by wmcbrine :A clear QAM tuner would get you the locals, plus the music channels. Unfortunately I'm not aware of such a device being sold, outside of new TVs, or as tuners for computers Because Business Fios now charges extra for the Music Channels, they will no longer be clear QAM.
Mandy DVD recorders also have QAM tuners |
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chitchatjf
join:2008-07-13
Lawrence, MA | reply to sws123
I don't think they offer the digital adapters anymore. |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
·Bay Area Internet ..
| said by chitchatjf :I don't think they offer the digital adapters anymore. It's not advertised, but it is available.
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chitchatjf
join:2008-07-13
Lawrence, MA | with all the features of the SD box who would want it?
Is it really worth the few bucks a month? |
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More Fiber
Premium,MVM
join:2005-09-26
West Chester, PA
·Bay Area Internet ..
| said by chitchatjf :Is it really worth the few bucks a month? Different people have different reasons for using the DCT-700.
•The OP wanted to keep is bill for STBs to a minimum, especially for multiple analog sets.
•I use one in the kitchen with an under-cabinet TV. The overriding reason is the small size. Sure, playback of content from the MR-DVR would be nice there, but no room for the big hulking SD box.
•I use another with a computer video input card. I can access schedules online, so the SD box features are not needed.
•I'm sure others have found additional reasons to use the DCT-700 over the SD box, |
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QuaffAPint
A Big Thanks To The Troops
join:2001-01-10
Downingtown, PA
clubs: 
| said by More Fiber :said by chitchatjf :Is it really worth the few bucks a month? Different people have different reasons for using the DCT-700. •The OP wanted to keep is bill for STBs to a minimum, especially for multiple analog sets. •I use one in the kitchen with an under-cabinet TV. The overriding reason is the small size. Sure, playback of content from the MR-DVR would be nice there, but no room for the big hulking SD box. •I use another with a computer video input card. I can access schedules online, so the SD box features are not needed. •I'm sure others have found additional reasons to use the DCT-700 over the SD box, Just a 'me too' - I like the smaller boxes for use in the kitchen and a computer, as well. Since, we're forced to have a box, at least I'd rather have the smaller one in those locations than a huge silver box  .
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aaronwt
Premium
join:2004-11-07
Woodbridge, VA
·Verizon FIOS
3 edits | reply to chitchatjf
said by chitchatjf :with all the features of the SD box who would want it? Is it really worth the few bucks a month? Just like the SD box isn't worth it.
But the cheap adapter makes more sense for using old analog TVs. I went all digital years ago so none of this has ever affected me.
Even my girfriends 7" TV, 10" Tv and 15" TVs have QAM tuners in them. Although she only uses the ATSC tuners in them since she uses OTA. |
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