Comcast Begins Rolling Out 'AnyPlay' Live TV Streaming for iPad

[number9]

Here are the FAQs from the Comcast website. You need an AnyPlay device, which is probably a sort of Slingbox item that you connect to a coax and it broadcasts TV over your wireless network.

1. What is AnyPlay? AnyPlay works with the XFINITY TV app so you can watch live TV on Apple® iPad and Motorola® Xoom (Coming Soon!) tablets in your home.
2. What do I need to have in order to get AnyPlay? Once AnyPlay is available in your market, you will need:
   • XFINITY service in your home including wireless Internet and router with one available Ethernet port
   • An AnyPlay device from Comcast
   • Apple® iPad or Motorola® Xoom (Coming Soon!) tablet running the XFINITY TV app, version 1.8 or later
3. Can I watch all of the channels I currently subscribe to using AnyPlay? With AnyPlay you can watch most of the XFINITY TV channels included with your XFINITY TV service with the exception of channels that launch On Demand.
4. I currently have the XFINITY TV app downloaded on my tablet. Does this mean I automatically have access to AnyPlay? In order to use AnyPlay, you need an AnyPlay device, cable modem and wireless router. In addition you need to ensure the version of the XFINITY TV app you have is 1.8 or later. Determine the required app version.
5. How do I know if I have the right version of the XFINITY TV app? The version of the XFINITY TV app required for AnyPlay is version 1.8 or later and can be downloaded from the iTunes App Store and Android Market. You can check the version number of your XFINITY TV app from the app on the app Settings screen.
6. How many tablets can I use with AnyPlay? Although you can register up to 10 tablets, AnyPlay only supports viewing live TV on one tablet at a time.
7. Why do some channels or programs not have a Play Live or Play Channel button? The Play Live or Play Channel button will not display if you are tuned to a channel on your television which launches into On Demand.
8. Why is the video not coming in clear when I play a channel on my tablet? Make sure there are no electronic devices in the vicinity of your wireless router that could be causing interference. If your router is supporting multiple functions or performing a single function that is consuming its resources such as a movie download, it may affect the video quality on your tablet. Wait until the function(s) is complete to see if the quality of the video is improved. Also tune to the same channel using your set-top box to see if the video is distorted on your television as well. If so, you may have a XFINITY TV service issue and should call 1-800-XFINITY.
9. Why am I able to play a program/channel on my tablet that I have blocked by Parental Controls on my set-top box? Parental Controls you have set on your set-top box will not restrict access to content through AnyPlay. Learn more about setting AnyPlay Parental Controls.
10. Why do I lose the Closed Captioning I have enabled on a program when I play that program on my tablet? To enable Closed Captioning for live programming you are viewing on your tablet, simply select the CC button in the bottom right hand corner or the screen. If you have Closed Captioning enabled on your set-top box and are viewing a program on your television with Closed Captioning, you will not see that Closed Captioning when you play it on your tablet.
11. Why was I asked again to enter my AnyPlay Lock PIN when I already entered it previously? If you select the Home button on your tablet while playing live TV, and then reopen the app from the Home screen, you will be prompted again to enter your AnyPlay Lock PIN. Once you enter your PIN, you will be returned to the previously viewed channel.

back to top
* AnyPlay™ currently not available in all areas. Requires subscription to XFINITY HD Triple Play package and enrollment in the XFINITY Insider program. $9.95 shipping and handling fee may apply for AnyPlay™ self-installation kit, which would be shipped to customer’s home. For professional in-home installation by a Comcast technician, additional charges may apply. Please call for restrictions and complete details. © Comcast 2011. All rights reserved.

 

[Diode]

If you want the new equipment, I'm pretty sure you can go to a Comcast service center and exchange the boxes, unless your service area just doesn't have the Motorola equipment at all.

Areas are either SA/Cisco or Motorola and boxes from one area will not work in the other area.

They are in the process of bringing everyone up to speed but it's not supposed to happen until later this year.

 

[Nicky G]

Wish their was also a version coming through their Xfinity website! I have an iPad 2 but would love to also have this on my 13" MacBook Air.

I was just wondering about this too, when Comcast would offer this. At least it's beginning. BALTIMORE PLEASE!!!

 

[richardlwolff]

Direct TV app allows this for a limited number of channels at no cost. How about an app for the Mac App Store?

 

[justjohn025]

Will this release on iPhone or desktop anytime? And what's an AnyPlay device, do they mean their cable boxes?

 

[ILikeTurtles]

Will this release on iPhone or desktop anytime? And what's an AnyPlay device, do they mean their cable boxes?

AnyPlay is going to be enabled in their new DVR box. I just talked to my brother who works for Comcast. You have to get the new DVR box that somehow has "AnyPlay" installed in it.

Will not work with just the regular cable box.

And any channel that has their own App (like HBO Go) will not work with AnyPlay....you have to use that channel's specific app.

 

[NashMan2]

As a Nashville Comcast customer, I've called today and twice have been told that despite the announcement - that AnyPlay is available only to local Comcast employees at this time.

After more calls to Comcast - it is available, although they are limiting it to those who were emailed to participate in the roll out or so I'm told. I'm getting one, sent through the mail.

 

[Gregintosh]

If this let me watch cable TV anywhere, including on the go, while traveling, etc. (anywhere where I can log in with my iPad) then I'd consider it.

I can't wait for cable to die.

 

[AJH1993]

Would be interested in the Xoom version because the Xoom is capable of LTE connectivity. Also it's good Comcast is adding more services at no cost, considering how expensive they are right now...

 

[shikakenin]

Anyplay does not equal TV Everywhere

Comcast is way obsolete when it comes to moble device viewing. DISH came out with TV Everywhere a long time ago I watched a Fringe episode from my DVR on my IPAD while I was in Cappadoccia (thats in the Middle of Turkey, and I live in Seattle). With Comcast you have to be in YOUR HOUSE to watch on your IPAD. Really? HOW LAME. This is only good when pinching a loaf. I prefer reading during such activity....

 

[class77]

If you want the new equipment, I'm pretty sure you can go to a Comcast service center and exchange the boxes, unless your service area just doesn't have the Motorola equipment at all.

Absolutely WRONG!! This entire area is set up only for SA equipment. Even if I had a Motorola box, it would not function here. It's that way for many areas that Comcast acquired and chose not to change the equipment or the underlying system. It you would look at Comcast customer website, you would see multiple examples of it.

 

[johnpaul191]

Absolutely WRONG!! This entire area is set up only for SA equipment. Even if I had a Motorola box, it would not function here. It's that way for many areas that Comcast acquired and chose not to change the equipment or the underlying system. It you would look at Comcast customer website, you would see multiple examples of it.

They eventually will upgrade them. I was in a quadrant of my city that was TimeWarner until they did a swap with Comcast. This was a few years ago, so we got the Comcast hardware when we got HD boxes.
This is probably going to take forever to kick in for the whole country.

----------

I heard this was coming to the Xbox as well.

I think the biggest question is if this will count as bandwidth. I hope not, but that would be a deal breaker. If that was addressed, I missed it.

@shikakenin Comcast does have an app for watching things online in an On-Demand kind of way when away from home. I've used it on my phone and laptop and it's fine. This service makes your device effectively a cable box to watch what the TV box would be tuning in "live".

 

[dstankus]

The limitation that you need to be in your house in order to use this makes it useless for me.

Now, give me something that will let me watch my comcast subscribed channels while sitting in Starbucks or an airport waiting area, and include "on demand" and/or time shifting, and then you'll have my interest!

 

[twoodcc]

too bad i don't have comcast, or i would really like this

 

[eye]

Comcast will probably tout this awesome feature when they raise their already ridiculous pricing. They always give you worthless crap to justify their insane fees. I don't want more zero-value features for more money, I want like five good channels for like ten bucks.

 

[class77]

They eventually will upgrade them. I was in a quadrant of my city that was TimeWarner until they did a swap with Comcast. This was a few years ago, so we got the Comcast hardware when we got HD boxes.
This is probably going to take forever to kick in for the whole country.
.

JohnPaul, they are not upgrading us to Motorola equipment. We are going to continue with SA equipment, because our entire area is on the SA protocol. They would have to replace not only the entire underlying system, but all the boxes in the area too and Comcast has said they are not going to do it. All you have to do is read Comcast's website for confirmation.