How to Connect to FiOS without a Cable Box

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While it is possible to connect FiOS to a TV without using a FiOS cable box, without the cable box FiOS customer support that that you only will be able to receive a "limited subset of unencrypted channels." In addition, without the cable box, you will not have access to FiOS features such as Video On Demand or the Interactive Media Guide. With these restrictions in mind, to make this connection work you need a TV equipped with an internal QAM tuner. Check the TV's owner's manual for its specifications to learn if it has a QAM tuner.

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Extend the Coaxial Cable Transmitting the Main FiOS TV Signal

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Step 1

Plug the coaxial cable transmitting the main FiOS TV signal into one of the RF terminals located on the female-to-female coaxial cable coupler. This is the cable installed by the FiOS technician. It comes out of a wall outlet in your home. As you plug the cable in the terminal, make sure the conductor wire located at the tip of the coaxial cable is inserted into the small hole located in the center of the RF terminal.

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Step 2

Twist the coaxial cable's screw connector in a clockwise direction to secure the cable to the terminal.

Step 3

Connect one end of the independent coaxial cable to the RF terminal located on the other side of the female-to-female coaxial cable coupler.

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Connect FiOS Directly to TV

Step 1

Cut power to the TV before proceeding.

Step 2

Plug the coaxial cable transmitting the main FiOS TV signal into the RF input terminal located on the television set's rear panel. If you extended this cable, this means connecting the other end of the coaxial cable connected to the female-to-female coaxial cable coupler (step 3 from the previous section) into the RF input terminal located on the television set's rear panel. On many TV sets, oftentimes this terminal is labeled "Antenna In" or "Ant In."

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Step 3

Secure the cable to the terminal.

Program the TV to Pick Up Unencrypted FiOS Channels

Step 1

Turn on the TV.

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Step 2

Press "Menu" on the TV remote to open the TV's menu display.

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Step 3

Navigate to the "Channel Setup" submenu.

Step 4

Execute an automatic cable TV scan (sometimes labeled "CATV"). The scan will take a few minutes to complete. Do not interrupt the process.

Step 5

Use the TV's channel buttons to flip through the FiOS channels available to you without the use of a cable box.

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