"easy to quickly asses the situation." fruedian slip there engadget? oh what the lack of 1 letter can do to a sentence.

for so strange reason engadget's horrible forums would not let me rpley to the one person I wanted to. Everyone else had a reply button, but not xcrunk.
So this message is for xcrunk:

you say that "the minute FIOS is close you are gone", I assume you mean from Charter. So have you had FIOS before in a different area? Because if not, how can you say "They are horrible. Compared to FiOS, they don't compare." if you have never had FIOS.
I realize everyone has opinions (obviously you can tell from my tone that my opinion of FIOS is full of four letter words), but if you haven't used both services don't compare the two.
Like I said you may have had FIOS previously in a different area, and then fine you are entitled to you opinion.
My main point is be careful what you ask for and the grass isn't always greener (especially when it comes to FIOS)

Could not agree more. Verizon is the worst company when it comes to service that I have every delt with. I've said for over 10 years now that the wireless side has the best service with the worst customer service ever (I actually left verizon wireless for a few years due to the customer service, but am unfurtunately back with them now as I demand a phone that I now will always work). I ditched their landline years ago for the same reason.
Now I get FIOS (yeah I'm glutten for punishment, but at least I was smart enough not to sign a contract) last year and it could not have been a bigger disaster. From the 3 months it took to just hook it up to the 3 months it is still taking just to cancel it and everything in between. I won't bore you with all the details, just trust me it was horrible.
And I didn't think the service was all that great. At least their wireless side has a great product to go with their inept employees and retched customer service. The FIOS TV service was no better than my Cox Cable before it and can't hold a candle to my Dish service now.
So I don't get Engadget's love affair with FIOS. but I warn you all to stay far far away and whatever you do don't sign up for the internet so you can choose not to have a contract.

ROFL
"Perhaps Him and Al Gore can get an internet connection on to the BD players?" best line on engadget post in a long time.

To Sniper: I agree that the SD channels do look a lot better on FIOS than cable -not much better than DBS but still better. However I don't agree with the price at least not in my area, FIOS is about $15 more than Cox for same services

To Chris: I hate FIOS because I had it. I loved (or thought I loved) FIOS before I got it. Once I got it, the hate began.

I will agree with you that the SD channels do look much better than on cable (like anyone watches SD channels:) ), but at least in my area it is not cheaper than cable at all, actually about $15 more per month for exact same everything.

I don't understand what Engadget's obsession with FIOS is. I understand (kinda) reporting when a locale get FIOS, but why does every single article on the subject have the tone that its the best thing since sliced bread. I had FIOS and couldn't stand it. I went to Dish and couldn't be happier, but even if I didn't jump on the DBS bandwagon I woulda dropped FIOS like a bad habbit for good old fashioned Cable. I realize that this is my opinion and opinions are like well you know what, but I just don't see the attraction at all.
What am I missing?!?

I just caution you all to realize the grass isn't always greener and not to get too excited about FIOS.
I did and in my opion FIOS is the absolute worst broadcast company that I have dealt with without question. I have had FIOS for about 6 months and it just keeps getting worse and worse everyday. I am switching to DishNet next week only so I can get some out of market baseball games, but if not for that my advise is too stick with cable if the packages are fairly close to FIOS.
ALSO VERY IMPORTANT - Do what I did and if you do get FIOS get TV only so you don't have to sign a contract. IF you get internet and phone you have to sign a 12 month contract. Hopefully you will have better luck than I have with FIOS but just in case keep your cable broadband and just sign up for FIOS TV.

AJ and DStroyer, thanks a lot for the info. The dbstalk.com site is great and very informative. appreciate the tip

ok its not exactly on topic, but can someone please answer a question for me.
If I get Sat.(i.e. DishNetwork) which doesn't offer my local HDs, can I plug my OTA directly into the Dishnetwork HD reciever and get my local HDs through the reciever Box without have to switch inputs. Also this would allow me to dvr the locals. Is this possible or am I just stuck swithing inputs all day.