FiOS DRM Changes

[EnterNoEscape]

I don't know if someone complained or what exactly happened, but I did a channel scan today and found all of my HD channels (except HBO) are now copy freely on FiOS.

I know some of us FiOS users haven't been happy with the FX channel receiving the copy once flag, but I verified that at least for me, I can now record it directly from the CableCARD tuner. There were some other channels I wasn't keeping tabs on that also are no longer flagged and most, but not all of the DRM flags on the standard definition channels are gone. It's always exciting to see this kind of thing fixed.

[Telecore]

Interesting - are you on Verizon FIOS or Frontier FIOS? Frontier FIOS here in Texas has been completely DRM free since November (including HBO). Always good to see DRM restrictions being lifted.

[EnterNoEscape]

Verizon.

From what I hear, I'm pretty lucky. I really don't want to go back to Comcast ever, but if I ended up switching to Frontier, I likely wouldn't have a choice since they at least in my area are confirmed to be similar to Verizon in DRM restrictions.

Edit: Using software like SageTV makes switching between providers a lot less of a hassle. I can imagine how annoying it is to change providers or just move to a new house and deal with getting a new DVR.

[reggie14]

You got me excited! Alas, the Fox SD/HD channels are still showing up copy-once here. I'm on Verizon FiOS in MD.

[EnterNoEscape]

Originally Posted by reggie14

You got me excited! Alas, the Fox SD/HD channels are still showing up copy-once here. I'm on Verizon FiOS in MD.

Bummer. I was really hoping this might have also worked out well for others.

[Bucsfan2008]

After reading the post, I was surprised to hear the news but can confirm in Florida.... No DRM for the Fox channels such as FX and National Geographic Wild and so on.

I was very surprised by this because it was my understanding that Frontier DRM'd everything except locals in other markets and I was waiting for the hammer to come down. Nice change in fortune!!

In regards to the Fox channels that aren't local channels with Verizon Fios that are still copy once DRM'd in Maryland, this does not surprise me because this is still the same provider. It was my understanding that this was a pissing contest between Verizon and Fox and Verizon ticked Fox off and Fox told Verizon to encrypt them. Again, I'm not sure of the facts, but I do think it was posted on Verizon's site at one time to give their clients an explanation...

I do not have HBO or any other subscription channels so I cannot tell you if they are copy freely in Florida yet..

[EnterNoEscape]

Originally Posted by Bucsfan2008

After reading the post, I was surprised to hear the news but can confirm in Florida.... No DRM for the Fox channels such as FX and National Geographic Wild and so on.

I was very surprised by this because it was my understanding that Frontier DRM'd everything except locals in other markets and I was waiting for the hammer to come down. Nice change in fortune!!

In regards to the Fox channels that aren't local channels with Verizon Fios that are still copy once DRM'd in Maryland, this does not surprise me because this is still the same provider. It was my understanding that this was a pissing contest between Verizon and Fox and Verizon ticked Fox off and Fox told Verizon to encrypt them. Again, I'm not sure of the facts, but I do think it was posted on Verizon's site at one time to give their clients an explanation...

I do not have HBO or any other subscription channels so I cannot tell you if they are copy freely in Florida yet..

HBO will likely always be copy once. I believe that is what you will find regardless of carrier.

[mistergq]

Just tried mine, did a scan with both Silcondust and Sage, Fox channels (FX, Fox News, Nat Geo, Fox Sports, Big10, etc) are still unavailable. I'm in Maryland.

[Greg2dot0]

Did a channel refresh this morning and Fox and associated channels still DRM'd here in NJ.

[willieb]

Im traveling but I live in Philly burbs, have fios and will check there as soon as I am home on Monday. Getting rid of DRM on Fox would be a very welcome change.

[mechling-burgh]

Old thread but I was wondering if anyone here has fios in Pittsburgh and if the channels were copy freely. I have stuck it out with Comcast over the years because of the copy freely channels and not knowing what the fios settings were in Pittsburgh. I'm ready to dump Comcast if the fios are copy freely.

[mistergq]

Originally Posted by mechling-burgh

Old thread but I was wondering if anyone here has fios in Pittsburgh and if the channels were copy freely. I have stuck it out with Comcast over the years because of the copy freely channels and not knowing what the fios settings were in Pittsburgh. I'm ready to dump Comcast if the fios are copy freely.

The only channels in Maryland that are copy once are the Fox channels including all their sports networks and HBO. HBO I get around with their app. Since Maryland is now part of Big 10, it’s a problem that I have not come up with a solution for.

[mechling-burgh]

Thanks for the reply. I think I may bite the bullet and switch. I was going to switch to the silcondust premium service but they lost the channels my wife and kids wanted.

[jpwegas]

I think Northern Virginia (DC suburbs) is the same FiOS channel lineup as Maryland, so I see the same thing as mistergq: All Fox related channels (except OTA broadcast Fox affiliate) plus HBO are marked copy once.

Note that in addition to the Big Ten Network channels, National Geographic and National Geographic Wild are also partly Fox owned and also have the copy once flag.

--John