It’s almost embarrassing to call this “hacking”.

Matt Haughey over at www.pvrblog.com doesn’t post on a daily basis; but, he usually has legit and valid sources for what he puts up about the world of personal video recording. Here’s his latest chuckle:

Fiber optic networks are slowly taking root in the US, with Verizon’s FiOS and AT&T’s U-Verse providing internet, phone, and HDTV over fiber to the home. The U-Verse system has only rolled out in San Antonio, Texas so far, but some customers have already figured out how to extend the system.

It seems when AT&T offers multi-room packages, they only provide one DVR, but they will give you additional (identical) boxes with the DVR functionality removed. It only took a couple weeks before someone popped open the back of a unit to see the internal differences between the DVR and the set-top-box w/o DVR.

Turns out they simply unplugged the hard drive sitting in the case, and you can quickly and easily plug it in to gain additonal DVRs on your home system. It’s so simple it’s almost comical that AT&T did this.

[thanks frank!]

I haven’t checked out pricing everywhere for either system; but, so far, it looks like they’re trying as hard as possible not to offend their compadres in the cable business by charging less.



  1. Frank IBC says:

    looks like they’re trying as hard as possible not to offend their compadres in the cable business by charging less.

    Verizon FIOS is being rolled out in my area, unfortunately they are not yet permitted to offer TV services.

    Verizon claims that this is because Comcast is conspiring with the county to main its semi-monopoly (there is one other provider, StarPower/ICN).

    Comcast and the county claim that Verizon wants to play by different rules than the rest and be exempt from the regulation that applies to cable TV services.

  2. Kwasi says:

    This type of workaround happens very often when a service is rolled out for the first time. I remember the cable modem debacle when people were able to get more bandwidth by modifing the modem.

  3. Gig says:

    It all makes perfect since. The cost of the hard drives is so low that it is cost effective to not have two separate SKUs on hand. They do the install and then if the user wants more DVRs they simply show up, charge a trip service fee, connect the HDs, charge an ongoing DVR fee.

    Just wait. In a month or so they’ll run a special that you can get your PVRless boxes upgraded for some minimal cost.

  4. Improbus says:

    It looks like AT&T executives are not only un-ethical (domestic “wiretapping” scandal) they are stupid too.

  5. Mike Voice says:

    Gig’s comments make a lot of sense.

    Especially the “special” upgrade offer…

  6. Harold says:

    In Howard County MD, where Verizon built a call center as an incentive for the county to grant them a license, the current pricing for FIOS TV premier is $39.95 for 180 channels. To get all of these channels you need at least a standard set top box that is $3.95 a month. If you want to a PVR that set top box will cost you $12.95 a month. If y9ou want a HD box that is $9.95 a month. If you wnat multi room PVR that is $19.95 a month There are also channel add ons such as 44 movies channels for an extra $11.95 a month, a dozen extra sports channels $5.95 a month., Combined sports and movies $14.95 a month, HBO $14.95 a month, Cinemax $14.95 a month, HBO + Cinemax $24.95 a month, WWE Wrestling $7.95 a month, Karaoke $7.95 a month

    Here is the URL http://www22.verizon.com/content/fiostv/packages+and+prices/packages+and+prices.htm

  7. prophet says:

    Damn it…I am stuck out here in BFE with dial up and Dish Network. You people chould count your blessings.


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