Advanced Multimedia and Remote DVR Features Now Available to FiOS TV DVR Customers

FiOS TV digital video recorder (DVR) users are getting two powerful FiOS features as part of a free service upgrade announced Tuesday (Aug. 11) by Verizon.

One of the features, FiOS Media Manager, gives DVR users advanced PC-to-TV features that allow them to play on their big-screen entertainment systems personal videos, photos or music stored on a computer.

A second feature lets DVR subscribers use any Internet-enabled cell phone to remotely manage their recorders, including reviewing, changing or adding recording requests; deleting recorded programs; browsing and searching TV and video-on-demand listings; setting parental controls; and more.

Previously available only to FiOS TV Home Media DVR users, the two advanced features now are available at no additional charge to all FiOS TV DVR users who also subscribe to Fios fiber-optic Internet.

"We've extended these advanced features to our DVR customers so hundreds of thousands more FiOS TV subscribers can enjoy more of the unique multimedia entertainment options afforded by a fiber-optic-powered home-entertainment network," said Shawn Strickland, vice president of marketing for Verizon Telecom.

"Media Manager liberates photos, music and videos from captivity on PCs, cell phones, digital cameras and flash drives and brings them to life on TV for a bigger, richer entertainment experience that's also ideal for sharing with family and friends.  With remote DVR management, subscribers can reach out and control their DVRs wherever they go.  Once again, Verizon FiOS is delivering what cable can only dream of," Strickland said.

Media Manager Features

Media Manager lets users wirelessly stream personal photos, music and videos from their computer to their TV screens, plus search and enjoy online videos from blip.tv, Dailymotion and Veoh on their TV.

Because Media Manager is software-enabled, users don't need to buy or hassle with connecting any new equipment to use it.  Subscribers simply visit verizon.com/fiostv/web/members/MediaManager.aspx to download and install on their home computer the free Media Manager software provided by Verizon, and the multimedia features are ready to use.  Users then access the service by selecting the "Media Manager" option on the FiOS TV Interactive Media Guide menu.

Media Manager includes Video Manager, Photo Manager and Music Manager features that help customers organize, manage and enjoy multimedia both online and on TV.  The service includes a library of all personal videos, photos and music stored on a PC. 

The service now also recognizes and accesses content through any supported device with a flash drive or SD memory card - such as cell phones, digital cameras and portable media players - that is connected to the computer via a USB port.  This expanded instant and easy access advances the concept that the "big screen" in the family room is the best place to view content, rather than passing around small pocket screens or huddling around a computer.

Media Manager enables users to do the following:

• Video Manager:  Users can organize videos into personalized playlists and folders.  Video Manager also gives users the ability to search for and enjoy online videos from blip.tv, Dailymotion and Veoh.  All Video Manager videos can be viewed online via a video player in the Media Manager or streamed to FiOS TV for enjoyment on the big screen.
• Photo Manager:  Users can organize photos into albums and slideshows for viewing on a PC or on FiOS TV.  Photos can be browsed by date, month and year.
• Music Manager:  Users can organize music into playlists, add folders from their computer, plus view and listen to all of their music either on a PC or via FiOS TV.

For Media Manager screen shots, visit verizon.mediaseed.tv/Story.aspx?story=36890.

Verizon's Strickland says the integrated PC-to-TV service opens up a wealth of possibilities for users to exercise their creativity.

"Imagine returning home from a family vacation, a wedding, a school play or other events, connecting your digital camera's flash drive to your PC, and then seamlessly enjoying the photos and videos on your big-screen TV," he said.  "Think about changing the way that you watch Internet video - from a solitary experience in front of a cramped computer display to a more enjoyable TV experience in the comfort of your living room.  Or add a new dimension to your next party with photo slide shows set to music and experienced on your home-entertainment surround-sound system.

"That's just the beginning of how you can creatively use Media Manager to enrich and expand the way you enjoy personalized multimedia at home," Strickland said.

Verizon is the only company in the U.S. to bring 100 percent fiber optics straight to the home, giving customers the ultimate home-upgrade by delivering America's top-rated broadband with download connections speeds of up to 50 megabits per second, more HD, amazing picture-and-sound quality, and interactive capabilities that cable can't match.

FiOS TV offers a broad collection of programming, with more than 500 all-digital channels, more than 115 HD channels and more than 15,000 monthly VOD titles. FiOS provides next-generation interactive services including an advanced interactive media guide; news, entertainment and social TV widgets; remote DVR management; multi-room DVR; casual games; and many others.