NFT: YouTube TV

released the native apps for Apple tv or fire tv so you had to use a chromecast to watch it on a TV (or hook up a laptop). Someone else could speak to whether they released those apps and how good they are. I didn't like the chromecast business. On the other hand, they sent me a new one for subscribing so that was nice.

That said, they had the best performing product that I'd used. Less buffering and lagging than any other service I've tried. The channel selection was less but they had all the local channels in my area, which was nice.

Here's what I say about these services. Give them a try. They all have a free week trial for new subscribers. You'll see if they are good. And unlike cable, there's no penalty for changing.

I'm currently using DirecTV because they have MSG in my area and the others don't. But, try them all, I say.

what's recommended as far as DVR options to pair with this? Do you still get all of the live content from these channels as well as the on demand? Or is a DVR not necessary since there is an on demand option as well?

the YouTube TV site is pretty detailed and explains a lot of what you are asking about.

i was curious about anyone who switched and whether the experience is positive. I am likely to trial it though it appears I need a Chromecast to do so (I currently have FireSticks).

it's perhaps its best feature.

but at $40 a month i didnt see how it would save me money over cable. Id still need internet and its an additional cost to get premium channels like HBO etc.

i have been using YouTube TV since release and it's phenomenal - especially after releasing apps for smart TV's and apple tv/roku.

The key is the unlimited DVR, just record everything. everything. it makes the live experience into an video on demand experience.

Try it out, i think the first 30 days are free - I immediately canceled my $200 fios bill and haven't looked back

If the game is being broadcasted on my local fox or CBS?

In comment 13984223 MBavaro said:

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If the game is being broadcasted on my local fox or CBS?

Yes, only on tv app or desktop as verizon has exclusive mobile rights to the nfl currently

for about a year and I am very happy.

I had to travel to Mass last year for a family event during a Giant game. I brought my laptop and USB cable, hooked it up and watched the entire game in the hotel on a flat screen, and I skipped all the ads!

I was thrilled. Until I watched the game. The Tampa debacle, which basically put a merciful early end to that trainwreck season.

Get the free Chromecast for sure. Saved a ton of money over cable.

In comment 13984148 Mighty said:

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but at $40 a month i didnt see how it would save me money over cable. Id still need internet and its an additional cost to get premium channels like HBO etc.

Yeah its not the cheapest option but its way better in overall usuage if you are part of the Android/google eco system. I use it and love the overall experience, specifically the DVR feature.. its the easiest to use and has unlimited capacity..

Also you can buy the google play gift cards from costco at discount.. so you are saving about 15%.. the sale isn't on right now though..

Alot of the savings in the streaming tv options is with the hardware. If you have a house with multiple TV's, it can get really expensive to rent cable boxes for each TV.

run the risk of exceeding maximum data limits and incurring additional monthly costs as a result?

and they just added the DVR option (limited to 20 hours) to the $35/mo package. Mostly the same channels. I was comparing the two and DirecTV had more of the channels my wife watches so I went with that option. We like it and its saving us about $40 a month from what our DirecTV Satellite bill used to be.

I looked at DirectTV too but it doesn't have YES which is a big deal in our household.

In comment 13984445 steve in ky said:

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run the risk of exceeding maximum data limits and incurring additional monthly costs as a result?

Depends on your ISP. A lot of them don't have data limits.

I believe that mostly applies when using cell service and hot spots.

I have not tried YouTube TV, as of yet, but considering it in time. We stream most all of our TV watching via Roku's through out the house. Have not run into exceeding data limits. Use a digital antenna for watch local weather and news.

I think it was largely because of downloading a lot of large data games on a PS4 that month, but streaming television would present the same issue.

Love it. Zero issues.

In comment 13984635 LG in NYC said:

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I looked at DirectTV too but it doesn't have YES which is a big deal in our household.

It absolutely has YES, with the latest update to the app the YES channel is now included in the lowest package.

no issues with connectivity; dropping or freezing mid show?

antdog - thanks. I'll look again but I swear it wasn't listed on the site when I looked.

for those of you with no data limit issues?

on tv programs? If so, how far back do they go?

In comment 13987280 LG in NYC said:

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no issues with connectivity; dropping or freezing mid show? antdog - thanks. I'll look again but I swear it wasn't listed on the site when I looked.

\

none

In comment 13984699 steve in ky said:

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I think it was largely because of downloading a lot of large data games on a PS4 that month, but streaming television would present the same issue.

I've dealt with both Verizon FIOS and Comcast/Xfinity. Neither had data caps. Not sure AT&T's policy but look for another provider.

I have a seasonal home that I pay to have Internet for, but refuse to pay for another cable service. I use a Slingbox and a SiliconDust unit to get by out there, but would love to be able to go say 3 months with a streaming provider for regular TV services.

Both state no contract.

I am 3 days into the DirectTV Now trial and I love it.
I have Fios internet (100/100) and no buffering/slow response issues

Am going to test YouTube TV next week and then pull the trigger on one of them.

and you were, of course, correct.

though not being advertised on their site, DirectTV NOw has YES

and what is better?

In comment 13987971 jcn56 said:

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I have a seasonal home that I pay to have Internet for, but refuse to pay for another cable service. I use a Slingbox and a SiliconDust unit to get by out there, but would love to be able to go say 3 months with a streaming provider for regular TV services.

No contract... I love the fact that I can cancel if something better comes along. So far DirecTV was the best for us with the channel selection we wanted.

for TV instead of cable service is that I'm a dinosaur - I like to channel flip.

Right now, the Slingbox gets me all my channels from home, for free, but IMO the interface blows. If I could find a way to channel surf the way I do at home but on the road, it'd be great.

Are either DTV or YouTube TV adept at channel surfing through their interfaces?

I agree this is the biggest flaw so far. There are no channel #'s on DirectTV so toggling back and forth between 2-3 shows at a time (at commercials) is not as easy as it is with cab;e (Fios, in my case)

you can do it - go to main page, Guide and then scroll through (plus you can designate FAVORITES to lessen the # of channels to scroll through)... but is not the same as having a 'last channel' button or something like that.

does that impact YouTube TV download limits?

In comment 13988285 jcn56 said:

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for TV instead of cable service is that I'm a dinosaur - I like to channel flip. Right now, the Slingbox gets me all my channels from home, for free, but IMO the interface blows. If I could find a way to channel surf the way I do at home but on the road, it'd be great. Are either DTV or YouTube TV adept at channel surfing through their interfaces?

I kinda does, when you click right or left on the remote it goes to the next channel in the list. It's laggy and not ideal but you can do it.

what does that mean (net neutrality) for internet services/streaming?

maybe just a coincidence but DTVNow has been horrible tonight. every channel buffering every few minutes.

is this a net neutrality consequence?

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Under the rules, internet service providers were required to treat all online content the same. They couldn't deliberately speed up or slow down traffic from specific websites or apps, nor could they put their own content at an advantage over rivals. To take a classic example, this means Comcast (CCZ) couldn't just choose to slow down a service like Netflix (NFLX) to make its own streaming video service more competitive, nor could it try to squeeze Netflix to pay more money to be part of a so-called internet fast lane.

http://money.cnn.com/2018/06/11/technology/net-neutrality-repeal-explained/index.html - ( New Window )

after 3 good days... (I was strongly considering signing up)... last night was buffering hell... and tonight it won't even load.

there is no way I can trust this service and won't sign up.
thank goodness for free trials.

next up - YouTube TV trial.

I hope it is better.

Every streaming service is hell right now..

And have Vuetv along with an "jailbroken" fire stick. Honestly other than the fire stick and the savings, I have hated it. The interface sucks. The "DVR" sucks. The whole thing is very clunky. Bit its cut our bil literally in half

last night I was streaming a movie on VUDU (via Roku) and suddenly the Roku said I lost connection. After a ton of fiddling it just determined that I wasn't getting fast enough download speed for the VUDU app to recognize that I was still connected. Meanwhile internet was fine for video streaming on other devices, so I was pretty sure it wasn't a router or ISP problem, thought maybe just VUDU was the problem.

Now I'm wondering if repeal of net neutrality was the problem.

Although I was well aware of Hulu, I didn't realize the extent of available channels - incl YES.

Excited to try that as well... though I am now leery of these streaming options considering the whole net neutrality issue.

I don't want to have usable TV service only part of the time.

It will be a long term nuisance to users, though. Once these guys pony up for peering arrangements and get their traffic priority, it will cease to be an issue for Netflix, Hulu, etc.

Of course, we'll be paying the bill. Thanks to your FCC, politicians, and citizens who sat there and took it up right up the a** yet again.