Mid-year they are saying (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10031392-1.html) although the HR series is a very capable DVR, multi-room video, Viiv/UPnP, etc... I use Media Center myself.
Here's a more offical link... this one to sign up for the DIRECTIVO notifications (there is currently a field beta for them) for later this year
Re: Will Verizon spur cable TV rate war in Albany? « Reply #16 on Feb 25, 2009, 5:35pm »
I will be amazed if they have TTG and MRV with DirecTV. But you never know. Of course, knowing DirecTV, there will be a copy never or some such nonsense as well.
I will be amazed if they have TTG and MRV with DirecTV. But you never know. Of course, knowing DirecTV, there will be a copy never or some such nonsense as well.
They have DIRECTV2PC and MRV right now on their own DVRs, so they clearly won't mind when TIVO makes their DVR in the second half of '09 if they decide to include it.
I have never run into any CGMS on my Media Center with DIRECTV either.
Joined: Jan 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 1,927 Location: Guilderland, NY
Re: Will Verizon spur cable TV rate war in Albany? « Reply #18 on Mar 5, 2009, 1:25pm »
Just got out of a meeting (concerning non-HDTV issues) that included a Senior Design Engineer and account representative from Verizon. Both let it be known that Verizon will be offering FiOS TV service in the Capital District next year.
The design engineer told me that they are in the process of getting fiber to the satellite dishes located on Crawford Hill outside Schenectady. The head end will be built adjacent to WXXA's corporate offices on Corporate Circle (off Route 155 in Karner Industrial Park) in the City of Albany. While this is technically within the City limits, it is basically surrounded by the Town of Guilderland.
The Verizon engineer also told me that when Verizon enters an area with FiOS TV available, they end up signing up 60% of the houses they pass. The sign-up rate drops to 10% when only internet & phone is offered.
He told me that the Cities of Schenectady and Saratoga are "begging" Verizon to offer FiOS TV service in their municipalities. The downturn of the economy has forced Verizon to suspend new growth or else we would have had TV service here already.
Re: Will Verizon spur cable TV rate war in Albany? « Reply #19 on Mar 5, 2009, 4:32pm »
I can only hope it's true. Of course, I live in Colonie, which is lovey-dovey with TW Cable, so they'll probably drag out the franchising process as long as possible.
Just got out of a meeting (concerning non-HDTV issues) that included a Senior Design Engineer and account representative from Verizon. Both let it be known that Verizon will be offering FiOS TV service in the Capital District next year.
The design engineer told me that they are in the process of getting fiber to the satellite dishes located on Crawford Hill outside Schenectady. The head end will be built adjacent to WXXA's corporate offices on Corporate Circle (off Route 155 in Karner Industrial Park) in the City of Albany. While this is technically within the City limits, it is basically surrounded by the Town of Guilderland.
The Verizon engineer also told me that when Verizon enters an area with FiOS TV available, they end up signing up 60% of the houses they pass. The sign-up rate drops to 10% when only internet & phone is offered.
He told me that the Cities of Schenectady and Saratoga are "begging" Verizon to offer FiOS TV service in their municipalities. The downturn of the economy has forced Verizon to suspend new growth or else we would have had TV service here already.
It kind of sounds to me like hes spewing to PR BS to you Skaggs. When they were talking about deciding between Buffalo and NY a year ago it seemed pretty clear we wouldn't be getting it until 2010 if Buffalo was chosen(as they were). I also really don't believe the 60% number at all. Just look at Cablevisions subscriber numbers quarter by quarter(who should be most affected by fios TV).
Not that I would necessarily doubt the 2010 date(I would have guessed 2010 anyway), just the other stuff he told you.
Joined: Jan 2005 Gender: Male Posts: 2,850 Location: Saratoga Springs, NY
Re: Will Verizon spur cable TV rate war in Albany? « Reply #22 on Mar 17, 2009, 6:52pm »
I don't understand something, maybe I am missing something, but...several areas of Schenectady and Scotia are already wired with FiOs and those households are receiving FiOS Internet service. (my uncle lives in Scotia and he has FiOS and my co-worker has FiOs in Schenectady).
So does that mean they have to run something else to get FiOs Tv in those areas or is it just getting the franchise contract?
So does that mean they have to run something else to get FiOs Tv in those areas or is it just getting the franchise contract?
Yes to both.
As I mentioned in a previous post, they need to get a fiber run from a satellite station on Crawford Hill outside Schenectady to the new head end to be built adjacent to WXXA's corporate offices on Corporate Circle (off Route 155 in Karner Industrial Park) in the City of Albany. They are in the process of doing this now.
They also need franchise agreements with each individual municipality, unless they get new legislation passed so all they would need is a statewide franchise agreement (unlikely).
Re: Will Verizon spur cable TV rate war in Albany? « Reply #24 on Mar 18, 2009, 4:50pm »
And if you're in the Town of Colonie, good luck getting a franchise approved. They're lock-step with TW. Hell, we "lucky" citizens of Colonie got volunteered for a "free" TV station to be broadcast out of the William K Sanford Library but they so graciously volunteered the citizens to pay the extra $0.20 or whatever it was/month that TW was charging.
As I mentioned in a previous post, they need to get a fiber run from a satellite station on Crawford Hill outside Schenectady to the new head end to be built adjacent to WXXA's corporate offices on Corporate Circle (off Route 155 in Karner Industrial Park) in the City of Albany. They are in the process of doing this now.
While in the area of Karner Industrial Park recently on other business, I drove through to see if there was any visible construction going on.
There was no actual construction taking place, but there is a vacant lot with a "For Sale" sign located across the street from Grainger and next to Radio Disney. The lot had its underground facilities marked out, which is a good sign that construction will be starting soon.
Re: Will Verizon spur cable TV rate war in Albany? « Reply #27 on Aug 27, 2009, 4:53pm »
NOOOOOOO
I'm a little surprised that it's "indefinite" although I would be surprised to have seen it in the next year (probably 2).
Wonder what the holdup is? Footprint (ie, maybe they don't have enough FIOS customers per whatever vs. the other areas) Or the stupid franchising that has to be done with all the little towns, hamlets, etc.
Re: Will Verizon spur cable TV rate war in Albany? « Reply #28 on Sept 3, 2009, 7:48pm »
I would guess that there are a number of factors in play. With the economy in it's current state, it would be hard for Verizon to justify the capital expenditures required to roll out FiOS TV.
You also have to consider the relatively small number of FiOS Internet customers. The triple package that TW offers offers has been very successful and FiOS can't match it until they have TV available.
Joined: Jan 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 1,927 Location: Guilderland, NY
Re: Will Verizon spur cable TV rate war in Albany? « Reply #29 on Sept 30, 2009, 6:46am »
No FiOS TV in the picture Verizon service is available in most metro areas -- except here
By LARRY RULISON, Business writer First published: Albany Times Union, Wednesday, September 30, 2009
ALBANY -- After years of anticipation, the Capital Region remains the only major metropolitan area in New York state where Verizon Communications Inc. has yet to introduce its cable TV package known as FiOS TV.
And it doesn't appear that FiOS TV, which would compete with Time Warner Cable's TV service, is coming any time soon.
Over the past several years, Verizon has taken its TV service to the New York City area, Buffalo -- and this fall it will start selling it in the Syracuse area.
The company can't start it in Rochester because it doesn't have a wire line network there. But, all told, 165 municipalities in the state have cable franchise agreements with Verizon.
Here in the Capital Region, it doesn't appear that Verizon is anywhere close to being able to offer the service, which uses the same fiber optic network that Verizon uses for its FiOS phone and Internet services. Those services are available in a limited number of Capital Region towns, including Bethlehem, Colonie and Guilderland, where the network has been built.
Expanding its FiOS TV offering is a slow process for Verizon because it has to negotiate franchise agreements with each individual town, village or city where it wants to offer the service. It also has to build the expensive fiber optic network that carries the digital signal for Internet, phone or TV service.
To date, Verizon has focused mostly on New York City, Long Island and downstate Westchester and Rockland counties. Service has also been introduced in the Poughkeepsie and Buffalo areas, and franchises have been secured in about a dozen towns and villages outside Syracuse, with service expected to start this fall.
Although those are new areas for Verizon TV, Verizon spokesman John Bonomo said Tuesday the company's strategy has been to focus on established markets.
"We're concentrating on areas where we already have existing franchises," Bonomo said.
He said that many of the franchise agreements require it to expand its network to a certain percentage of the municipality. And that keeps the company's focus on those towns.
"What we've got to do is meet those time commitments," Bonomo said.
In keeping with company policy, Bonomo wouldn't say when -- or if -- Verizon will ever bring FiOS TV to the Capital Region.
"I wouldn't want to say one way or another," he said.
Still, there are some subtle indications that Verizon is planning FiOS TV here at some point. Current FiOS Internet and phone subscribers recently received a marketing flyer from Verizon advertising a "triple play" bundle of Internet, phone and 255 TV channels for $109.99 a month with a one-year commitment.
Bonomo didn't immediately know why the company would have sent the flyer to customers who aren't able to buy FiOS TV, although he saidT Verizon does sell a $79.99 "triple play" deal that includes a subscription to DirecTV, a satellite service.
Time Warner Cable's best introductory "triple play" offer for new subscribers is $99.85 a month, according to spokesman Jeff Unaitis.
Larry Rulison can be reached at 454-5504 or by e-mail at lrulison@timesunion.com.
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