Nerd Alert: Verizon FiOS, Sonos update

I've had my Verizon FiOS TV/phone/internet service for more than a month now and have had decent time to check it out and debug. My baseline is: I like the service, it's been mostly good, but there are some hidden issues that they dont' tell you about that might cause you not to buy the service if you knew in advance.

Let me take them one at a time. Internet -- great, no problems. Fast and reliable so far. Phone -- no issues. Like the VM better than Comcast's. TV -- let's talk.

The main issue I've had with TV is short blackouts on HD channels, some worse than others. This is intermittent. Sometimes it's non-existent. Other times it's annoying as hell. The other night it was horrible, blacking out every couple of minutes. This was beyond annoying. So, I called Verizon and waded through their support system that tries very hard to deny you the option of ever talking to a person. But if you know how to get around it, you can outfox the automated system.

Once I got a person, I explained my problem. He told me that HDMI cables are notoriously unreliable (funny, they worked just fine when I had Comcast with the same equipment). He recommended that I switch from HDMI to component. I did and it fixed my problem though it took me some time to rewire my system and change all the connections in my Onkyo audio/video receiver. The picture seems fine and no more annoying blackouts. Some online research indicated that there's not much difference if any between the two and component may actually be better in some situations. So, though I have more cables snaking around, I have a good HD picture again.

When they installed FiOS, they set it up with an HDMI cable! Perhaps the tech support guys should talk to the installers. Also, apparently this is a problem with the Verizon (Motorola) cable box because HDMI works fine on our second TV which has a different box (no PVR). Becasue I like the service when it works and the additional channels I get on Verizon and the cheaper price I'm willing to work with their technical challenges. Others with less technical acumen or patience might not.

Sonos
This will be short because I LOVE MY SONOS SYSTEM. I love it partly because it's so elegant and IT JUST WORKS. Not sure I've ever been so enthusiastic about a consumer electronics product. It just rocks.

OK, enough of the slobber. I just got the new Controller 200. Wowowowowowow! This is quite the well thought out and built remote device. I absolutely love using it. It's small, has a great display and touch screen and is fun to hold and use. I now do more with my Sonos system (ZP90 and ZP120) because of the new controller. The old controller is going to find a great home as part of a brand new Sonos system my son's getting for his birthday.

Seriously, if you've not looked at and considered this system, you're nuts. It's just amazing and the support and customer attention is stellar -- beyond any other brand I've ever dealt with and that includes Costco and Nordstrom. Period. And even for those who can be intimidated by tech gear, Sonos is brain dead simple. You won't need the Geek Squad to set it up. It will just work. I promise.

As an evangelist of cool new technologies and gadgets, I love to be able to pass on my learnings and recommendations on the best new products out there.