Must Love TV

What You May Not Know About Verizon FiOS

mustlovetv — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 07:00:00 +0000

You might think that you know quite a bit about Verizon FiOS at this point. After all, this company has become a major player in the telecommunications market since the introduction of their fiber optic product. Their advertisements are everywhere and so, it sometimes seems, is their product. It would be hard not to feel familiar with the brand. But what do you really know about Verizon FiOS and the services it provides? Let’s take a look . . .

What is FiOS anyway?

Verizon FiOS is a fiber optic system of information transfer. It uses bundled fibers made of optically pure glass to transmit light signals from one location to another. The glass transmits information with more strength, speed, reliability, and clarity than traditional cable methods of information transfer. This means that any connection to television, internet, and phone services using Verizon FiOS will be of a higher quality than those currently available using cable. Verizon has noted that the term FiOS, though it sounds like an acronym taken from fiber optic systems, is actually drawn from a Gaelic word for wisdom.

So are there any downsides?

Unfortunately, the answer is yes. Like everything else in this world, FiOS does have its downsides. For most people in the United States the primary downsides are about location. FiOS is a comparatively new technology to hit the market and though it can ultimately be less expensive to place, the infrastructure for the service currently does not exist in most areas. For this reason, FiOS can be hard to get. Verizon FiOS Availability.

Furthermore, the costs of placing that infrastructure can drive up the cost of the service for the end user. The equipment used with fiber optics is different than that which is used for cable and fewer companies are able to produce it at this time, making it more expensive in the long run. This disadvantage is held somewhat in check by the price competition that exists between FiOS and other services, but it can then take a toll on the speed at which the service is rolled out across the nation.

In addition, competing companies and the franchise agreements that are in place to govern all telecommunications providers can hold fiber optic service back. These agreements may not allow for the placement of new fiber optic lines until a specific date or condition has been met. Despite these setbacks though, fiber optic services are spreading quickly across the country, offering improved television, internet, and phone services to their customers.

Does Direct TV Deliver?

mustlovetv — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 07:00:05 +0000

Take one look at their website. DirecTV makes a lot of big promises. If you boil it all down to essentials, they promise that they are bigger and better than any other television provider you might have access to. It seems like an impossible standard for one single company to live up to and yet, they have us wondering.

What DO they deliver?

The first question we’re asking ourselves is what DirecTV has got that that their main competition, Dish Network and cable television providers, haven’t got? DTV provides an extensive list that focuses on the extent of their HD offerings, channels, and programming as well as their specific wide ranging sports packages, channels and coverage. Careful examination of their offerings and the competition confirms that DTV has the most sports channels in HD and, along with Verizon, they offer the highest number of HD channels currently available.

Do a few extra HD and sports channels matter?

Well, yes, actually. HD television is recorded, transmitted, and displayed in such a way as to provide a clear and more detailed picture than any other technology we currently have. It’s simply better. HD television has been described as being as profound a difference in television as the difference between black and white television and color. In the future, we are sure to be watching all of our television programs and movies in HD and using HD capable technology. Today, HD is what you want, particularly when you are watching sports and want to see exactly what happens on screen during important plays and calls.

The Problem

There is a problem with HD programming however. There is simply not enough available through most providers to meet the public demand. We are experiencing a complete and utter lack of HD programming in most telecommunications arenas. This is where DTV’s edge comes in. They have more programming than many and they have made a commitment to continue to improve their offerings as much as possible. The other companies, by contrast, although they have committed to improving their offerings, have yet to even catch up with DTV.

It’s true, DTV is more expensive on average than its competitors and they do not try to deny it. Instead, the company points out that when you pay for less, you simply get less. It seems like, for the true television aficionado or for any sports lover out there, DTV beats cable and other satellite providers out hands down in terms of services delivered.

Does AT&T Uverse Have an Edge Over the Competition?

mustlovetv — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 07:00:24 +0000

Sure it does–a fiber optic edge. Uverse is AT&T’s bid to enter the promising fiber optic market of telecommunications. Fiber optically based television services (and phone services and internet services) have been taking over the markets wherever they stick their toes in the water. Traditional cable companies have been losing customers to them hand over fist. There are several reasons for this, primary among them being the superior speed and quality of fiber optic transmission. It’s the wave of the future in the telecommunications world.

The benefits

Fiber optic cables transfer digital information with greater strength, speed, and clarity than any other option on the market. They use optically pure glass to transmit information that has been previously converted to the infrared spectrum. This method of transmission is less expensive than coaxial cable transmission. It uses less power and needs few boosts; it also moves faster and experiences less signal degradation in transmission.

Uverse’s benefits

AT&T U-verse specifically offers many benefits that are derived from the digitally transmitted nature of their signal. Like most companies, it offers a DVR with its television services. You can use your internet connection to access and program the DVR and any of its functions, like the ever-popular parental controls, from anywhere. This puts the television experience in your hands. Your picture will be clearer and your signal uninterrupted, a benefit when utilizing the options for video on demand or HD television channels. You will also have access to all sorts of enhancements and information that can improve your television watching experience. The options are seemingly endless when it comes to Uverse. Make sure to check out the uverse deals.

Other Uverse services

In addition, Uverse offers access to internet and ViOP services over their fiber optic network. If you choose, you can sign up for these services in any combination or as a triple play bundle. Placing all your telecommunications services with Uverse will allow you to experience their high quality speed and service across many platforms within your hold. It will give you access to the full variety of Uverse options.

It might seem tough to compete with. In truth, it really is. Still, if you are thinking about choosing a television service provider, it would be wise for you to check out all the offerings in your area. Doing a little research and shopping around can help you to find the option that will best fit your needs in the long run. That can be important since you are looking at a long-term service agreement no matter who you pick.

What Verizon FiOS Has to Offer

mustlovetv — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 07:00:40 +0000

Verizon FiOS seems to be on the cutting edge of television and other types of telecommunications technology. This service uses the most advanced methods of information transmission currently available to provide their customers with the best possible telecommunications options. More importantly, in this world of constantly changing ever-updating technology, they promise to continue to pursue such advances on into the future.

The options

Verizon FiOS is not just a television provider. They offer three distinct services using FiOS technology. These are:

High speed internet
Television
Phone

Any customer can choose to sign up for one, two, or three of these services, although bundling is encouraged. This allows customers to either pick and choose which services to receive using high speed fiber optic transmission, like internet and ViOP services that are optimized for this format, or to group all of their services with one provider in order to receive more cumulative benefits.

Other types of offerings

In addition to the tangible services that Verizon FiOS offers, every customer must consider the intangible benefits of their specific technological base. Fiber optic transmission of data allows for a clearer and stronger signal to be sent faster and longer than the current standard. Coaxial cable in its current form simply cannot compete. Unlike other services, FiOS offers fiber optic transmission all the way to the premises, which means that your connection will experience fewer latencies and slow downs before it reaches you. Your data transmission will be faster and of a higher quality than if it arrived via cable or satellite.

In terms of television

For the television subscriber and viewer, all that this means is that your programming will be clear, fast, and reliable. Your channels will come in clearly, without interruption or blip. Your signal will be present and strong in all kinds of weather, inclement or not. Your video on demand downloading services will take minutes to completely download rather than hours.

In addition, you will receive a DVR, which will allow you to program your television viewing and utilize it according to your whims. This device will allow you to record and watch the programs that you choose from the locations that you choose and at the times that you choose. You will be able to control the programming from home or using the internet, which makes it possible for you to change it according to the shifting needs of your day. Also a word to the wise, if you are looking to save make sure you check out the Verizon FiOS Deals.

Getting To Know The Providers

mustlovetv — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 07:00:09 +0000

The first step to getting the television service you want with the channels and HD offerings you choose is getting to know the providers. This may sound like more of a chore than it really is. Of course, you don’t need to research everyone that is out there, just those providers and services that are available in your geographic area. Odds are even that small specification will narrow your search down considerably.

Fiber optic or cable?

Of these area providers, the chances are that if you have a choice between formats it will be a choice of either traditionally delivered cable television or fiber optically delivered television; i.e. either Comcast or Verizon FiOS, to name a few national options. You may also want to consider satellite television options, but they do not offer the range of internet and phone services that cable and fiber optics can. What is the actual difference between the two? Fiber optic providers can offer higher speeds and a clearer, more reliable signal although they may not have the range of programming or the most advanced DVR devices. Cable companies tend to offer a wider variety of channels, programs and packages and better devices, but their service can be slower or even interrupted during peak times of service. Both types of providers will offer the standard types of programming and service:

Video on demand
HD channels
Premium channels
DVR technology
Triple play service options
Long-term service contracts

Three steps to a simple decision

So now that you know something about the players and your options, you can prepare to make the decision between them properly.

The first step is to do your research. You’ve already begun this step, but now dig a little deeper into the specific offerings of each company that you are considering. You need to know exactly what services are available to you. This can vary depending on your locations, so be sure to get specific when asking questions.

Next, make sure that you know what you want. Now that you know what is available, consider which of these things are truly important to you. What channels would you like to have available? Do you want to be able to choose premium channels? HD channels? Video On Demand? Television On Demand? Make a list of these qualifications and compare it with your research results.

And, finally, for most of us, it comes down to price in the end. Contact the companies and negotiate with them personally in order to determine the quality of their customer service options and their willingness to work with you on price. You may find yourself choosing to pay more in order to get more, but it is important to be sure that you get the best possible combination of services offered for money paid despite this.