Anybody have the new guide yet ?

[bucdup]

I received the mailer, channel 111 says the new FIOS TV Interactive media guide is here !!

But not north of Tampa, so far . Anybody have it?



Mike

[Bschneider]

Nothing yet on my end..

From what I have been reading.. I'm not looking forward to it.

[bdraw]

Really? Why is that I've heard nothing but good things, in fact a good friend played with it and actually said it rivals TiVo.

What is it that you aren't looking forward to?

[pilotbob]

Really? Why is that I've heard nothing but good things, in fact a good friend played with it and actually said it rivals TiVo.

What is it that you aren't looking forward to?

The AVS forum has talked about several bugs and other than the sigle source search very few features, if even loosing some. I am seriously considering a Tivo Series 3!

BOb

[Bschneider]

Here is a basic breakdown from what I have been reading:

UPDATED MISSING FEATURES/BUGS:
-Can't view program listings for just one channel
-DVR software uses significantly more hard drive space than before. (about 40% less usable disc space)
-Favorites don't work (Adding TNT adds TNT Spanish)
-Can't delete channels from the program guide
-Page Up/Down doesn't work with Search, and Favorites guide
-Favorites guide starts up at Ch 7, not current channel
-Series recordings only work on a specified timeslot, no option for "any time on this channel"

[Bschneider]

Still nothing as of this morning.

[chupacabra]

Hi, no updates in Land O Lakes.... I don't like what I'm hearing above about the updates though... I really love my favorites.

[Maestro]

Here is a basic breakdown from what I have been reading:

UPDATED MISSING FEATURES/BUGS:
-Can't view program listings for just one channel
-DVR software uses significantly more hard drive space than before. (about 40% less usable disc space)
-Favorites don't work (Adding TNT adds TNT Spanish)
-Can't delete channels from the program guide
-Page Up/Down doesn't work with Search, and Favorites guide
-Favorites guide starts up at Ch 7, not current channel
-Series recordings only work on a specified timeslot, no option for "any time on this channel"

I would REALLY like to see a release version...no way it reduces storage space by 40%.

[chupacabra]

YEah, if I get 40% less storage, then I want 40% off my monthly bill :)

[pilotbob]

YEah, if I get 40% less storage, then I want 40% off my monthly bill :)

There is another guy on the AVS forum that has done some hacking on the thing and has determined that 100% of the software is in ROM, not on the hard drive. If you take the hard drive out he says it still all works, just disables dvr stuff.

My guess is that it is a bug of some type in the space calculator. Also, it supposedly now shows time in hours instead of percentage...

Anyway... that series 3 is still looking pretty good. Not sure why people would get the light version, becuase just upgrading the disk to the series 3 size would could you a couple hundred anyhow.

BOb

[Slimbo1977]

Where's the new guide!?!?!? We were supposed to get it last week then they pushed it out till this past wed. and still nothing. Anybody got any news on when it will be released?

DJ

[Bschneider]

Has anybody notice that channel 111 went back to showing the how to use the current guide?

[nicholasshepard]

Yeah, noticed that last night.

I asked a FIOS install guy that goes to my church what he knows about the guide. He said that it was his understanding that the new guide is all of the new installation boxes that are going out and that it should of been last week when the guide was out for the rest of us. But of course that date has come and gone.

I'm expecting something by football season myself.

~Nickk

[chupacabra]

Have you guys read this blog about user experiences with the new IMG? Man, I don't like what I am reading. I hope they fix these issues before they roll this out in Tampa.
See link here:
http://policyblog.verizon.com/PolicyBlog/Blogs/policyblog/CZBlogger1/341/FiOS-TV-2-0-an-IMG-Update-.aspx#comments)

[Bschneider]

I am hearing that we finally got the buggy 2.0 IMG early this morning.. Still not looking forward to it when I start actually using it. thankfully I have the series3.

[StevenA]

I got the new guide yesterday (10/24/07). My initial reaction is that the tv listings are way too busy. They try to put too much information on the screen at once, and the "magnifier" for the station listing in the middle line of the screen is just plain annoying. Other than adding colors to represent different types of channels, I liked the simplicity of the old guide better.

I also found out from reading the help section on remote controls that I have the least functional of the three types of remotes that Verizon provides with their DVRs. I wonder if they allow exchanges.

[pilotbob]

I also got the new software... came home to it yesterday.

I agree with your coments about the "channel guide", it is to busy... and I don't like the "current channel" thing either, that should be an option. I do like that you can filter the guide to favorites. I will have to set up favorites now.

I do like the way it lists recorded shows though. And that as you move from show to show you can see what is in the show folders without moving to another screen.

Also, I like that the 30 second forward skip seems to happen much faster. However, the re-play/back skip is to long, it is the same length as the forward skip. It used to be like 5-10 seconds back so if your forward skip and over shoot the show one or two back clicks got you to where you wanted to be, now you have to maybe watch 20 secons of commercials or use the ffwd button.

I do like that it shows the progress bar when you forward skip, it used to only show that when you fast forward / rewinded.

Also, I don't like that the full "status" is on a seperate option, I want to see that with the recorded show list.

I haven't personally noticed any bugs myself. But, I haven't spent alot of time with it yet either. As I said, it certainly does seem more reponsive than the old system.

I still am trying to talk the boss (wife) into a TiVo HD, and now that they officially support external drives it would be great.

BOb

[chupacabra]

I got the new guide yesterday (10/24/07). My initial reaction is that the tv listings are way too busy. They try to put too much information on the screen at once, and the "magnifier" for the station listing in the middle line of the screen is just plain annoying. Other than adding colors to represent different types of channels, I liked the simplicity of the old guide better.

I also found out from reading the help section on remote controls that I have the least functional of the three types of remotes that Verizon provides with their DVRs. I wonder if they allow exchanges.

You can call Verizon and they will ship you a remote, that's what I did. It think they charge something like $7-$14.00. Oh and if you are upgrading from the Motorola DR800 to the Philips RC-144 Remote, although the Philips is a huge upgrade, the biggest issue I have is the lack of the page up and page down functionality. It sucks, so I still keep the old remote on my dresser when I need to use those buttons... comes in real handy especially when navigating long lists.

[Jodeus]

Bob

If you go into the DVR setup options you can change the length of the 'replay' feature to 10 seconds. At least it says you can....:)

One item i don't like is when i'm done watching a recorded show and hit <stop> it doesn't bring me to the options for that particular show (such as to delete it). Maybe in the next build.

-Jody


<<I also got the new software... came home to it yesterday.

Also, I like that the 30 second forward skip seems to happen much faster. However, the re-play/back skip is to long, it is the same length as the forward skip. It used to be like 5-10 seconds back so if your forward skip and over shoot the show one or two back clicks got you to where you wanted to be, now you have to maybe watch 20 secons of commercials or use the ffwd button.>>

[pilotbob]

Bob

If you go into the DVR setup options you can change the length of the 'replay' feature to 10 seconds. At least it says you can....:)


Thanks, I didn't see that when I went through the setup options. I look for it.

BTW: Just ordered a TivoHD today and a 720GB external eStata drive!!!

BOb

[Jodeus]

Nice. report back regarding the TiVo. I was a ReplayTV guy but unfortunately there won't be any HD Replay models. At this point i don't know if i want to spend the $300 for TiVo, but maybe in the future.

-Jody

[pilotbob]

Nice. report back regarding the TiVo. I was a ReplayTV guy but unfortunately there won't be any HD Replay models. At this point i don't know if i want to spend the $300 for TiVo, but maybe in the future.

-Jody

I agree about the Replay. Still use mine, Panisonic Show Stopper. I have upgraded the HD in it twice so far. It works so much better than the Moto box. If only they licensed their software to settop box folks.

I did consider a media PC with the ReplayTV software, but pricing out a machine even with only two HD tuner cards, it comes out to quite a bit more than the $250 I am paying for the TivoHD. Plus you can't get cableCard support unless you buy a prebuilt from HP, DELL etc, and most of those are well into the $2000 range.

What I really like about the Replay over the Tivo is that the price included lifetime guide service!

BOb

[bdraw]

Thanks, I didn't see that when I went through the setup options. I look for it.

BTW: Just ordered a TivoHD today and a 720GB external eStata drive!!!

BOb

Hmm, I thought that they only made a 500GB model that worked with the TiVo HD. It sucks that the TiVo HD only works with certain external Hard drives.

[bdraw]

Plus you can't get cableCard support unless you buy a prebuilt from HP, DELL etc, and most of those are well into the $2000 range.


HPs with CableCARDs start at $1250 for a single tuner and an additional $300 for the second tuner., but either way it still isn't 2k.

[pilotbob]

Hmm, I thought that they only made a 500GB model that worked with the TiVo HD. It sucks that the TiVo HD only works with certain external Hard drives.

Yes, reading the AVS forums now I am seeing this is the case. But, I wonder what could be the difference? eSata is eSata?

I guess it is possible they are putting some type of lockin there. Why would they do that with the TivoHD but not the Series3? That doesn't make sense to me.

The "official" DVR Expander is $200 for 500gb, I got the 750gb for $229.

Hmm....

BOb

[pilotbob]

The "official" DVR Expander is $200 for 500gb, I got the 750gb for $229.


So apparently you can't use "non-verified" drives with the TivoHD without hacking it. So, I ordered the "verified" 500gb unit. I hate that I'm loosing 250GB for $29.

I still haven't decided which way to go. I have a couple of options:

1. Stick with the TivoHD and the verified 500GBer for 780GB total. Basically the same price I've paid.

2. Get the series 3 which allows any eSata drive and use the 750GB for total 1TB. This would be $100 more plus shipping the TivoHD back.

3. Hack the TivoHD to use the 750GB for total 930GB. Requires opening the Tivo and probably voiding the warranty. Still same price.

Not sure what to do. I've think the Tivo HD is a better machine, faster chip, support M-Stream CableCard. Doesn't have the fancy LED front panel.

Comments? Perhaps I should have started another thread for this.

BOb

[bdraw]

I prefer the Series3 if for no other reason the remote it comes with is much better. Also, MRV and TTG transfers are faster, but that might chagne in the future with firmware. I've used both and I didn't find the THD any faster than the S3, but the M-Card would be nice. I did a full comparison here.
www.engadgethd.com/2007/10/23/tivo-hd-vs-series3/

The verified drive compatibility is no accident, in fact the THD won't work with 3rd party wifi adapters either. It is an artificial feature that TiVo made to add value to the s3 while at the same time helps them make money on the THD.

I'd bet that there will be a different work around for adding non verified drives to the THD. I'm not sure what they could do to the verified drives to make them work, while others don't. You may be able to wait it out till someone figures out a way without expanding the box.

The other thing you could do is replace the internal drive all together. That's the way I went, cause it's one less wall wort and one less spindle that you are relying on.

[pilotbob]

I prefer the Series3 if for no other reason the remote it comes with is much better.


Well, I have a Harmony 880, so the fancy remote doesn't affect me, I will continue with the harmony.


I'd bet that there will be a different work around for adding non verified drives to the THD. I'm not sure what they could do to the verified drives to make them work, while others don't. You may be able to wait it out till someone figures out a way without expanding the box.


There is already a way to do it. The same way you did it prior to this "official" support version. But it requires opening the Tivo and taking out the drive, attaching it to a PC, etc. I was hopping to not have to open it up.


The other thing you could do is replace the internal drive all together. That's the way I went, cause it's one less wall wort and one less spindle that you are relying on.

True... but that means basically "trashing" a 180GB drive. Sure, I could probably find a PC somewhere to put it in. But, i'll look at it.

At this point I am leaning toward returning the HD and getting the S3. We'll see what the families CFO thinks.

Speaking of MRV... do you know if you can view stuff on the HD/S3 with a Series 2? HD stuff, will it downconvert it?

BOb

[Bschneider]

The Series 2 has no HD capibilities so it has no way to downconvert.

[bdraw]

I actually sold my Harmony 880 to use my TiVo Series3 remote, I did have to do some fancy work to get around the fact that it doesn't support Macros, but overall I like it a lot more than my Harmony. Mostly it's the buttons, where they are at and their shape. Despite having the harmony for a year I never could get used to the flat buttons that were literally right next to each other.

I meant without taking out the hard drive.

No it won't transfer HD to the S2, but SD can be.

[pilotbob]

I meant without taking out the hard drive.


Ok, I'm really confused now. How do you "replace" the internal hard drive without taking out the old drive?

BOb

[bdraw]

haha, sorry.

That's why I should quote more. I mean a way to add a non support eSATA drive to a THD without removing the drive.

[pilotbob]

That's why I should quote more. I mean a way to add a non support eSATA drive to a THD without removing the drive.

Yep, would be nice. I am still considering using the 750GB drive and canceling the Extender. But, I don't think I have any PC's with Sata interfaces so I can do the "hack".

I don't think I want to buy two USB to Sata converters just to do the hack. But, it may be worth it for the extra 250GB... hmmm...

Maybe I should just get the S3?

BOb

[pilotbob]

The Series 2 has no HD capibilities so it has no way to downconvert.

Right, but the HD/S3 could send 480i to the S2, no?

[Bschneider]

Yes. It has no problem sending SD (480i) to the S2.

[pilotbob]

Yes. It has no problem sending SD (480i) to the S2.

Right, so I was thinking the HD could do the downconvertion and then send it to the S2? Aren't the network DTV signals cable sends through at 480p just downressed 720p. or do the networks actually broadcast two digital resolution feeds?

BOb

[bdraw]

They broadcast two digital feeds.

[Harry]

Can I break in on this discussion of Tivo to ask about the new program guide? ;-) I used to be able to filter the old guide to take out all the Spainsh channels and all that we were not interested in. I don't see that function in the new guide. Did this great feature disappear?

Harry

[pilotbob]

Can I break in on this discussion of Tivo to ask about the new program guide? ;-) I used to be able to filter the old guide to take out all the Spainsh channels and all that we were not interested in. I don't see that function in the new guide. Did this great feature disappear?

Harry

Apparently yes. That is one of the many things people are complaining about on the AVS forums.

BOb

[Bschneider]

Yepper.. One of the 'BUGS' in the system.

[Jodeus]

Having an issue with the new guide and the DVR. For some reason it just won't record 'Pardon The Interruption' on ESPN. We have another program recording at the same time but with the two tuners it shouldn't matter. When I go to record the series it goes through but the icon never appears. If i go to the next day, there still isn't an icon and if I try to setup a series on that day it tells me that it already exists.
Annoying to say the least. Already have gone back to the ReplayTV's for this program.

-Jody

[Jodeus]

Found that there were a couple of daily programs that are not recording with the new software. So I figured I would call FIOS' special line for problems with the new IMG once I got back from walking my dog this morning. So I called them at 7:45am to get a headstart before the rest of the country wakes up.....it's now 1h and 2m later and I'm still on hold listening to crappy Christmas Musac.

-Jody

[Jodeus]

Update: hung up after 2 hours on hold. Called the IMG number back and got the supervisor's phone number and will call after 10am EST.

-Jody

[Bschneider]

Thanks for the updates..

[Jodeus]

Was told I would hear back from the supervisor, and I didn't. Finally found a few minutes to call during the middle of the day and did, got the person's voicemail and still did not hear anything. Will try again tomorrow.

-Jody

[Harry]

Well, I tried to use the new guide last night to search for a show I wanted to record. It was never real easy with the old guide but you could figure it out reasonablely quickly. With the new guide it is almost impossible. The search is not done on the name of the show but on some set of keywords picked by who knows who. It is almost impossible to figure out how you jump from typing in the keyword to looking at the list of possible hits. The possible hits are presented in some random order so you have to scroll the entire list. It has to be the worst tool implementation ever. What were they thinking of? Bring back the old guide please until you figure out a way to make this right.

Then I tried looking at the program guide. If you work down the menu chain you can actually limit the guide to just HD or just favorites or whatever there were like 4 choices. Great, except it did not work. The HD subset did not have PBS at 805. Why not? Who knows?

It makes up for having poor user interface and lacking key functions by not having complete data. What a deal!

Harry

[StevenA]

With the old IMG, it was possible to pull up a listing of just one particular channel's upcoming shows for the next few days. It was great for browsing through stations like HDNet to see if there were any upcoming movies or specials I wanted to record. I haven't been able to do that with the new guide, and don't know if it's even possible anymore. I really miss that feature.

Verizon seems to be gradually fixing some of the initial problems with the new IMG, but if given a choice, I would still rather hafve the old version back.