Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your Verizon Fios TV experience? Missing your favorite shows because of work, errands, or just plain old life getting in the way can be incredibly frustrating. But with Verizon Fios DVR, those days are over! You can record, pause, rewind, and fast-forward live TV, ensuring you never miss a moment of the entertainment you love. Let's dive into this comprehensive guide and turn you into a Fios DVR master!
Mastering Your Fios DVR: A Step-by-Step Guide
Your Fios DVR is a powerful tool, and once you get the hang of it, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it. Follow these steps to become a recording pro!
Step 1: Getting Acquainted with Your Fios Remote and DVR Interface
Before we start recording, let's make sure you're comfortable with the tools of the trade. Grab your Verizon Fios remote control. You'll notice a few key buttons that will be your best friends for DVR functionality. Look for:
DVR Button: This is your gateway to all things recorded. Press it to access your recorded shows, schedule recordings, and manage series.
Guide Button: This brings up the TV programming guide, where you'll browse for shows to record.
Record Button (usually a red circle or 'REC'): This is the magic button that starts the recording process.
Arrow Keys (Navigation Ring): These help you move through menus and the guide.
OK/Select Button: Confirms your selections.
Menu Button: Accesses the main Fios TV menu.
Play/Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward Buttons: Essential for controlling playback of your recordings.
Now, take a moment to explore the Fios TV interface by pressing the "Menu" or "DVR" button. Get a feel for how to navigate through the different options. The more familiar you are, the smoother your recording experience will be!
Step 2: Recording a Live TV Show (Instant Recording)
Sometimes, you're watching a show live, and suddenly realize you want to save the rest of it. Fios DVR makes this incredibly easy.
Sub-heading: How to Record What You're Currently Watching
Tune to the Channel: Make sure you are currently watching the channel and program you wish to record.
Press the Record Button: Simply press the red "Record" button on your Fios remote once.
Confirmation: You'll usually see a red dot or a brief on-screen message confirming that the recording has started. Your DVR will record from the moment you tuned into the channel, so you won't miss the beginning of the show even if you decided to record it a few minutes in.
Stop Recording (Optional): If you wish to stop the recording before the program ends, simply press the Record button again. You'll likely be prompted to confirm if you want to stop the recording.
Step 3: Scheduling a Future Show to Record (From the Guide)
This is where the true power of your DVR shines – planning your TV viewing in advance!
Sub-heading: Recording a Single Episode
Access the Guide: Press the "Guide" button on your remote.
Navigate to the Show: Use the arrow keys to browse through the channels and time slots to find the show you want to record.
Highlight the Program: Once you've located the desired program, highlight it on the guide.
Press the Record Button: Press the red "Record" button once.
Confirmation: A checkmark or a red dot will appear next to the program in the guide, indicating that it's scheduled to record.
Sub-heading: Recording an Entire Series (Series Recording)
This is a lifesaver for your favorite ongoing shows!
Access the Guide: Press the "Guide" button.
Navigate to the Show: Use the arrow keys to find any episode of the series you want to record.
Press the Record Button TWICE: Press the red "Record" button two times in quick succession.
Recording Options Menu: A menu will pop up with various recording options. Here you can typically choose:
Record New Episodes Only: Recommended to avoid recording reruns.
Record All Episodes: This will record all airings, including reruns.
Keep Until Space Needed / Keep Until I Delete: Choose how long you want to keep the recordings.
Start/End Time Padding: Add a few minutes before or after the show to ensure you don't miss anything.
Confirm Settings: Make your selections using the arrow keys and OK/Select button, then confirm to set the series recording. A distinctive icon (often a double red circle or a series of checkmarks) will appear next to the program in the guide to denote a series recording.
Step 4: Managing Your Recorded Programs
Once you start recording, you'll want to easily access and manage your collection.
Sub-heading: Accessing Your Recorded Shows
Press the DVR Button: Simply press the "DVR" button on your remote.
Navigate "View Recordings": Use the arrow keys to navigate to the "View Recordings" or "My Recordings" section.
Select a Show: Highlight the show you want to watch and press "OK/Select".
Playback Controls: Use the Play/Pause, Rewind, and Fast Forward buttons to control playback. You can pause a show in one room and pick it up on another TV with Multi-Room DVR service!
Sub-heading: Deleting Recorded Shows
To free up space on your DVR, you'll need to delete old recordings.
Access "View Recordings": Press the "DVR" button and navigate to "View Recordings."
Highlight the Show: Select the program you wish to delete.
Delete Option: Look for an option to "Delete" or a trash can icon. This might be available by pressing the "OK/Select" button on the highlighted program, or through a dedicated "Delete" button on some remotes, or by accessing a "More Info" or "Options" menu for the recording.
Confirm Deletion: You will usually be asked to confirm the deletion.
Sub-heading: Managing Series Recordings
You might want to modify the settings of a series you're recording, or cancel it altogether.
Access the DVR Menu: Press the "DVR" button.
Navigate to "Scheduled Recordings" or "Series Manager": Look for a section that lists your upcoming and series recordings.
Select the Series: Highlight the series you want to manage.
Modify or Cancel: You'll typically find options to "Modify Series," "Edit Recording Options," or "Cancel Series Recording."
Save Changes: Make your adjustments and save them.
Step 5: Utilizing Advanced DVR Features (If Applicable)
Depending on your Fios DVR model and service plan (Enhanced or Premium), you might have access to some fantastic advanced features.
Sub-heading: Streaming Recorded Shows on the Fios TV Mobile App
If you have Fios DVR Enhanced or Premium service along with Fios Internet and the Fios TV Mobile App, you can stream select recorded shows on your compatible mobile devices at home or away!
Download the Fios TV Mobile App: If you haven't already, download the Fios TV Mobile app from your device's app store.
Sign In: Log in with your My Verizon credentials.
Access DVR Section: Look for a "DVR" tab or section within the app.
Stream Your Content: You can view your recorded programs and initiate playback from here. Note that some content might be restricted from streaming due to programming contracts.
Sub-heading: Parental Controls for DVR
Fios allows you to set parental controls to restrict access to certain content, including recorded programs.
Access Settings: Press the "Menu" button on your remote, then navigate to "Settings."
Find Parental Controls: Look for "Parental Controls" or "Lock Settings."
Set Up Controls: You can often block content by rating, channel, or even hide recorded programs. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your desired restrictions and a PIN.
Sub-heading: DVR Storage and Management
Verizon Fios DVRs offer significant storage, but it's not unlimited.
Enhanced Service: Typically offers up to 100 hours of HD storage.
Premium Service: Often boasts up to 200 hours of HD storage.
Keep an eye on your DVR storage capacity. If it gets too full, your DVR might automatically delete older, unwatched recordings to make space for new ones. You can often mark recordings as "Save Until I Delete" or "Protect" to prevent them from being automatically erased. To do this, go to your "View Recordings" section, highlight the desired show, and look for a "Save Until" or "Protect" option within its details or options menu.
Step 6: Troubleshooting Common DVR Issues
Occasionally, you might encounter minor hiccups with your DVR. Here are some quick fixes:
No Recording Started / Missing Recording:
Check Schedule: Verify that the show was indeed scheduled to record in your DVR's "Scheduled Recordings" list.
Space Full: Ensure your DVR isn't full. Delete some old recordings if needed.
Conflict: If you have an older DVR, you might have hit a recording conflict (trying to record more shows simultaneously than your DVR has tuners). Newer Fios TV One DVRs can record up to 6 or 12 shows at once, minimizing this issue.
Signal Issue: A temporary signal disruption could prevent a recording. Check all coaxial cable connections to your DVR and the wall outlet to ensure they are secure.
Poor Picture Quality on Recordings:
Live TV Quality: Is the live broadcast also experiencing poor quality? If so, it's a signal issue, not a DVR issue.
Reboot DVR: Unplug your DVR from power for 30 seconds, then plug it back in. This can often resolve minor glitches.
DVR Unresponsive / Freezing:
Reboot DVR: Again, a power cycle (unplug, wait 30 seconds, plug back in) is often the first and most effective step.
For more in-depth troubleshooting, you can often find a "Help" or "Customer Support" section within your Fios TV menu on screen, or visit the Verizon Fios support website.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to record a currently airing show on Fios DVR?
To record a show you are currently watching, simply press the red "Record" button on your Fios remote once. A red dot or on-screen message will confirm the recording has started.
How to schedule a future show to record on Fios DVR?
Press the "Guide" button, navigate to the desired show, highlight it, and then press the red "Record" button once. A checkmark or red dot will appear in the guide to indicate it's scheduled.
How to set up a series recording on Fios DVR?
Press the "Guide" button, find an episode of the series, highlight it, and then press the red "Record" button twice. This will bring up a menu where you can choose options like "Record New Episodes Only" or "Record All Episodes."
How to watch recorded shows on Fios DVR?
Press the "DVR" button on your remote, navigate to "View Recordings" or "My Recordings," select the show you want to watch, and press "OK/Select."
How to delete recordings from Fios DVR?
Go to "View Recordings" via the "DVR" button, highlight the show you want to delete, and then look for an option to "Delete" or a trash can icon (often by pressing "OK/Select" on the highlighted recording or an options button). Confirm the deletion when prompted.
How to manage scheduled series recordings on Fios DVR?
Press the "DVR" button, navigate to "Scheduled Recordings" or "Series Manager," select the series you wish to modify or cancel, and then choose the appropriate option from the menu that appears.
How to check my Fios DVR storage space?
Access your DVR menu by pressing the "DVR" button. Look for an option like "DVR Space," "Storage," or "System Information" to see how much space is remaining.
How to prevent Fios DVR from deleting my favorite recordings?
Access your "View Recordings" list, highlight the desired recording, and look for an option like "Save Until I Delete" or "Protect" within the recording's details or options menu.
How to stream Fios DVR recordings on my mobile device?
If you have Fios DVR Enhanced/Premium and Fios Internet, download the Fios TV Mobile app, sign in, and navigate to the "DVR" section to stream select recorded content.
How to troubleshoot if my Fios DVR is not recording?
First, check your "Scheduled Recordings" list to confirm the show was indeed set. Then, verify your DVR's storage space. If issues persist, try rebooting your DVR by unplugging it from power for 30 seconds and plugging it back in. Ensure all cable connections are secure.
