New Feature is the Latest Innovation From FiOS TV
NEW YORK, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital video recorders (DVRs), which
record TV programs to a hard drive, are transforming the way people watch
television. Now, Verizon is transforming the DVR as the company introduces
Home Media DVR to Verizon FiOS TV customers this week.
Home Media DVR features a multi-room DVR that enables up to three
simultaneous viewings of programs recorded by the device without requiring
customers to set up a complex home network or buy extra equipment. The
recorder is bundled with Media Manager, a new feature that lets customers
easily access photos and music from their personal computer and play them
on their entertainment center where they look and sound the best. Both
functions are made possible by software and technology already built into
the FiOS platform on Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises network.
"Home Media DVR, with its combination of services, is one of the most
powerful and convenient DVRs available," said Marilyn O'Connell, Verizon
senior vice president - video solutions. "It breaks through technology
barriers and living room walls to let customers enjoy TV on their own terms
throughout the home. It's another way that Verizon innovation is changing
the way customers watch TV."
The launch of Home Media DVR follows the June 1 introduction of FiOS TV
Widgets, a free interactive feature that lets subscribers display
text-based local weather and traffic information on their TV screens. More
information about both services is available at
http://www.verizonfios.com/tv.
Watch DVR-Recorded Shows in any Room in the House
Verizon's new multi-room DVR lets customers view recorded programs from
any room in the house with a television and set-top box. In the multi-room
DVR configuration, Verizon's DVR set-top box (the Motorola QIP6416)
functions as the media hub, which records and streams the video, and its
standard-definition set-top boxes (the Motorola QIP2500) are the remote
terminals. To watch recorded programs on the media hub and up to two remote
terminals simultaneously, customers just pull down the menu, click
"recorded TV" to find and select their program, and then press "play." The
media hub also functions as a dual-tuner DVR on which viewers can watch one
program while recording another.
With Media Manager, family and friends can enjoy photos and music on
their TVs rather than crowding around a computer to view them on a small
screen. Verizon-developed Media Manager software automatically detects
photos and music files on the PC and organizes them for presentation on the
media hub TV. When customers want to show vacation photos, for example,
they select "Media Manager" from the Enhanced TV menu and select the PC
where the photos are stored. Customers can also play PC-based digital music
files through their TVs and connected entertainment system. Music playback
is being released as a beta application, with enhancements slated for
release later this year.
'The FiOS Difference' in Home Entertainment
O'Connell said Home Media DVR is the latest example of "the FiOS
difference," which is changing the way people enjoy home entertainment
ranging from watching TV, to purchasing and downloading movies on the PC,
to playing the latest interactive, multiplayer online video games.
"We've deployed the best platform in the industry, from the core of our
fiber-to-the-premises network right through the home to every device on the
network. Now we're adding cool new features that capitalize on the speed
and interactivity that the FiOS platform makes possible," O'Connell said.
"Innovations like the Home Media DVR on the FiOS platform enable Verizon to
deliver on the promise of digital media and convergence."
Home Media DVR is $19.95 per month, only $7 more than the monthly fee
for the FiOS TV DVR. Customers also need a $3.95-per-month
standard-definition set-top box for each TV that will receive recorded
video from the media hub.
Future releases of Home Media DVR will increase the number of set-top
boxes that can simultaneously access recorded programs, provide playback of
protected content, and permit playback of home videos stored on the PC.
FiOS TV provides a broad collection of all-digital programming, two
dozen high-definition channels, up to 2,500 video-on-demand titles and
more. It is delivered over Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises network to
communities in parts of seven states: California, Florida, Maryland,
Massachusetts, New York, Virginia and Texas. Verizon is adding new cities
and states to its FiOS TV network as it obtains local franchises giving it
the legal authority to do so. Several independent studies have shown that
cable companies respond with lower prices in markets where Verizon offers
its highly competitive FiOS TV service.
Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE: VZ), a Dow 30 company, is a leader
in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication
innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.
Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving
nearly 55 million customers nationwide. Verizon Business operates one of
the most expansive wholly-owned global IP networks. Verizon Telecom is
deploying the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network to deliver the
benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment
services to customers. Based in New York, Verizon has a diverse workforce
of more than 252,000 and generates annual consolidated operating revenues
of approximately $90 billion. For more information, visit
http://www.verizon.com.
VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches
and biographies, media contacts, high quality video and images, and other
information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at
http://www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the
News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news
releases.
SOURCE Verizon
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Related links:
http://www.verizon.com
http://www.verizon.com/news http://www.verizonfios.com/tv
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html /
CONTACT:
Sharon Cohen-Hagar of Verizon,
+1-908-559-3470, sharon.cohen-hagar@verizon.com
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