Understanding Optimum Online to Help Switch to FiOS

patmac

Hello,
Presently we have Optimum Online and want to switch to FiOS and get on board with more streaming.
As I see our present hardware, we have two coaxial cables coming into the house. One connects to a union, then continues on into the modem in the basement->modem->router (for VoIP and data). The other coax cable goes to a splitter in the old cable box, splits into two coax cables which travel up the corner trim of the house then into our attic where the cables are split again and become the drops to the wall TV outlets in the living space (raised ranch). The two set top boxes we have are connected to the outlets via a short coax cable, then from the STBs via HDMI cable into the TVs,
I’m sure you are familiar with this setup, I just wanted to be thorough in my baseline. Also, this cable has been in the house since we moved in, 24+ years.
At one point we had FiOS which used the copper coax for the TV. The tech said the attenuation was fine. I was fine with it since the move to FiOS (now many years ago) was from dial-up, 56k modem! anyone remember?).
My question finally is, I know the copper coax drops carried the TV signal in the past (presently do some streaming with the new TV and Optimum), will it do so now? Such as having a coax adapter, coax to HDMI, to plug into the TV (no coax connections on the TV). We are planning to switch to FiOS Streaming. I know someone who works in management at Verizon and they said everything is wireless now. I’m not a fan of wireless (and I do know the earth isn’t flat).
So, if I haven’t put you to sleep yet and you get at least part of what I’m trying to learn here, any help would be appreciated.
Thank you for your time.

Rook

patmac Not everything is wireless now, but some setups use wi-fi for TV.
It depends on the hardware they install when you sign up. For new installs, as far as I’m aware, the two options most used are Fios TV One and Fios TV Plus. If you order 2gig service it’s a little different from both.

The Fios TV One equipment will use your existing coax to connect the STB’s to the ONT and the router.

With Fios TV Plus, the existing coax is used to connect a media server (VMS4100atv) to the ONT and router. The router then wirelessly connects to the STB’s - or - the STB’s can be connected using the existing coax plus an adapter for each TV. They do this when the STB can’t get a good wireless signal.

Any questions, just ask. 😃

patmac

I apologize for the delay. Thanks for helping out.
One thing I’m still confused about is the two coax drops from the pole. I said above how they appear to be used, but are they both carrying the same signal? Then it just depends on what they are plugged into as to what you get out of each?

Rook

There really shouldn’t be two coax drops from the pole.

You said you had Fios before, so there should be a fiber drop from the pole. With Fios, the one fiber drop provides internet, phone, and TV (or whatever combination of the three you pay for).

And if you have Optimum now there should be a coax drop for that.

Sparkchaser

patmac One thing I’m still confused about is the two coax drops from the pole.

There is one fiber drop. I couldn’t make arrows but the black fiber cable is on the left and is connected to the white fiber cable which loops around and connects to the ONT on the right.
Just ‘one’ fiber cable.

MacLeech

patmac The 2 coax drops carry the exact same signal. The installer did it for 3.5dB (loss of a 2-way splitter) more signal since one of your drops is split multiple times to feed all the TV outlets.

patmac

Rook
Here’s a pic of the Optimum mess.
The two coax cables from the pole are the magenta ’X’s, one goes to a union to a white coax, then into the basement then the modem etc.., the yellow ‘X’. The second magenta coax from the pole goes to a splitter, with the two outputs of the splitter going to my attic and TV drops via the vinyl siding trim, the green ’X’s.

Hope this attach attempt works! Helps.

patmac

MacLeech
Thank you.

patmac

FYI, right now there is no fiber drop. It was torn in half between the pole and the facia of the house by a pretty fast-moving FedEx Freight truck that leaned just right coming down from the top of our cul-de-sac. The fiber was literally shredded apart. My son said it sounded like something slammed into the house. I processed a complaint through FedEx and notified Verizon, this was about 7 years ago. I have documentation of this in case Verizon asks, “what did you do with the fiber drop?”.

patmac

Thank you for all the input, I’m set on the coax info now, but as you guessed I have more questions.
The questions are in regard to Streaming, which we want to move to, particularly FiOS.
Should I start a new thread (there will be some pretty basic questions about streaming in it) or continue here?
Thanks

Rook

If you want to know about Fios, or streaming with Fios, it’s probably better to keep it here.

For streaming in general, a new thread in Cut The Cord would probably be better.