FiOS's dual-tuner DVR STB can't set Reminders - will the Mercury IPG fix this??

[hessian]

Hey Everyone,
I really like the FIOS Bundle and install went fine.  However...
For those not aware, I called Verizon's tech support because I couldn't set reminders for programs that I wanted to watch ahead of time.  Yes, you're hearing me correctly! 
Tech support said the "Remind Me" function isn't available on the high-end, dual-tuner DVR STBs (and said only the low-end STBs have the "Reminder" function)!!!!!   
Is that rediculous, or what?

The guy suggested the new Mercury IPG might, HOPEFULLY, resolve this issue.  Someone, PLEASE tell us the Mercury IPG being Beta-tested will enable the high-end STBs for Users to set reminders for programs they want to watch in advance!!   

Its been awhile since I've heard anything about the new Mercury IPG (Interactive Program Guide for FiOS TV)!  Its taking its time coming out - any news?  I'm sure likely everyone would like to know - what's going on? where's it at??   

Anyway, I'd like to put this issue onto this web forum's front burner - its the hottest subject for me.

[hessian]

Hello,
I see alot of folks reading this post but no replys??

Maybe folks are not realizing what NOT having "Remind Me" function means:  When you go thru the on-screen TV Guide - you have to write down on a piece of paper -  all of the shows - at each of their time's - for all shows that you might want to tune in to watch for the next maybe 2 hours!  For me this list is maybe 15 entries - and I have to do this about 3 times per day!!  (since you can only see 1 1/2 hour of programming using the Guide.)

I thought this would bring complete outrage! - but nobody's Posting on this?

FYI, I checked with several customer service reps - I'm told they don't see the need given customers have a DVR - and that even the new IMG does NOT have this for the high-end HD-DVRs!!!   Its up to us customers to SPEAK UP and tell them our needs!   

[Justin]

Still stupid to post the same rant in multiple places...

[hessian]

__^{reply to Justin}__________________________

Well OK, I will reply.

I see absolutely no need for a "remind me" function. I have had FiOS TV for almost 2 years, have one DVR and two SD STBs, never had any interest in being reminded of anything. I simply look at the Guide to see what I want to watch, and watch it - not very difficult. 1 1/2 hours is perfectly adequate for me. And if there are a couple of things on I want to watch at the same time, I record one or two. What is so hard about that?

I guess I don't understand what you think you need. You want to watch 15 different programs in 2 hours? Good God, that is absurd! And do that 3 times a day? Even more absurd. 

All of the above IMHO of course.

What I want is more HD channels, and HD VOD. Haven't seen anybody identify anything else I really care about.

___________________________________________________

Justin,
First let me say thanks for reply (and hope the attempt to clip your reply above

from the other thead into this one worked OK), but I wished to take your advice - for a single post for this subject (here) .

Second, apologies, to you and everyone if, what I said came across as rant. 

[hessian]

I do feel strongly about this - and I'm just trying to get point out what I see as a BIG flaw, wantintg to press wide as possible distribution, for comment and hopefully correction.  Of course I agree, re: we all wish for more HD channels, etc.   

On the need to be able to set "Reminders" for channels, even for use on high-end HD-DVR STBs, the importance is maybe related to the way some folks view TV.  I'm one of those (maybe old-school) folks that enjoy "Live TV", and wish to reserve the "Record" function for favorite movies, sport events, & other specials.  Mostly "Recording" for what I want to maintain for future viewing (such as various friends and guests).  Having over 4 years experience with HD & DVRs I'm sure you'll agree the ~150GB harddrive Record space is very limited, especially saving HD shows - and is always over 97% filled.

1st)  Having become accustomed to setting "Reminders" for several shows that I MIGHT want to watch ahead of time, at/near same times - this saves me alot of time!!!  With this feature, I DO NOT have to run thru the Program Guide every 1/2 hour - to see if there's something new on that I might want to watching.

The "Reminders" give me instant notice, I can easily choose which I most want to watch - and most important, I dont miss the first part of the show (see next issue). 

2nd)  Now, that I'm unable to set "Reminders," when I go thru the online/Interactive Program Guide, what I see are many shows that are already half over, that I missed the first half of the show - these comprise maybe 30% of the 600+ channels.  The other shows that I see when I go thru the Program Guide have not started yet - these are another maybe 45%, that start in another 1/2 hour or an hour.   All this leaves approximately 25% that I might be able to watch from near the start of a show (in reality, though the 1st 10 min. is typically missed running thru the 600+ channels).

Last, I don't know of a single CableTV outfit that doesn't understand all this (far as I know they all have it).  Seems like Verizon FiOS should keep the good stuff, adding features that make it even better. 

One new feature of the IMG, I'm told in its search capability - allows a user enter "KRe," and all shows w/ Keanu Reeves come up.  Nice, but IMHO, this is as important, or as basic, a requirement as above.   

[Justin]

hessian,

OK, I have calmed down a little bit, and I apologize for my rude response.

I guess the net is, you and I apparently watch TV somewhat differently. When I am at home, the TV is rarely on during the day, but is almost always on from say 5 PM til 11 PM or so, sometimes midnight. But I pretty much know the schedules of the things I want to watch, mostly sports (auto racing, baseball, pro football, occasionally hockey), home improvement shows, Everybody Loves Raymond reruns, Two and a Half Men, local and cable news, etc., really not much else. Only when there is nothing on that I regularly watch do I go to the Guide, and then generally only a small set of channels. I obviously record stuff I want to watch when I am not going to be home, and I also record stuff I am watching at times so I can go back and watch again if I want.

Since I pretty much know in advance what I intend to watch each evening, the reminder function really is of no value to me. But I guess I can see how it could be of some value to someone else. But again, for me, things like more HD channels and HD VOD are what I want to see expanded and included far more than anything else; as an aside, there are lots of folks apparently just salivating for the new guide, but again I really don't care, the one I have now works just fine for me, and some of the things I have heard about the new guide appear to be a step backwards.

I hope the above makes sense.

[hessian]

Hi Justin,
Appreciate your reply, and just for taking time to listen/understand my perspective.  I guess folks really do have different perspectives in what they want and how they view TV in general.  I'm not one one those folks, as you put it so eloquently, "salivating for the new guide," and actually, I think it is funny, but I think we may at least be in agreement that VZ's focus just seems to be off - on things that really are not that important - at least for us.   

Though we do seem to have different priorities on what we are desiring, overall I think we are both feeling the focus of their IMG development is off -that the IMG should refocus on the basics.  The future isn't "search", its more HD programs.  It isn't Pay-[more for]-On-Demand, its Program Guide capabilities.  How about more harddrive space to Record - or better yet, capability for remote HDD storage?    Basic needs should be their focus - more of the things that we each discussed.  Its my hope that someone on the development-team out there is listening.  I guess time will tell.   
VR! 

[Justin]

hessian,

You are right on with the need for a larger hard drive and the ability to connect an external drive, I should have mentioned those. Certainly these needs have been voiced before by many others; I feel sure that Verizon is aware of our desires, I am just hoping they decide to satisfy them in the not too distant future. In the meantime though, I am enjoying what I do have...

On another forum someone supposedly "in the know" posted that the new Guide will be available in Texas (where I am) on Aug. 21, so we shall see.