USing FIOS without a box

[vbaron]

Does anyone know if you can just plug the cable into a cable ready TV without using a box?  What channels would be available? I'd like to get jsut some basic stuff on an extra TV.

Thanks,
Vin

[Justin]

Yes you can. What channels you get will depend on the specific channels Verizon delivers in your area, but you should get at least all of the local channels that Verizon offers in the "Basic" tier - 2 through 49, including WGN. I have experimented and seem to be able to get nearly all of the channels up to almost 100, although you will perhaps find them at channel addresses that do not at all match what you see when you go through the STB. Plus I have been able to see other channels above 100, but no sound, I don't know if that is normal or something unique to where I am.

When I had cable I had two STBs and just hooked up the TV in the bedroom directly with no STB. When I switched to FiOS I decided there were at least several channels in the "Expanded Basic" tier that I wanted to be able to see there, so I decided to spring for the extra STB; at $3.95, pretty reasonable IMHO. One thing to keep in mind: I think (emphasize think) that if you decide later on to add a box to that TV, that you will have to pay a service charge for Verizon to come out and install it. The Rates & packages booklet I have is a year old so it may have changed, but adding another outlet shows a charge. So if you think you may want a STB on that TV some time in the future, you maybe want to check out now what if any charges there may be to get it later.

[macarlin1]

Yea, you can but you'll only get channels 2 - 13 (or something like that).  I did it in the kitchen for a while but then couldn't take it so got another box.

[techron]

Remember, with FIOS, you're getting all digital so unless you have a box that can decode the digital signals, you may be out of luck Channels 2-49 are analog.

My next HD TV set will have an ATSC digital tuner. I'll let you know how that works.